[.ca] Guide to Owning a Bengal Cat (ISBN 0791054594)

Expected better from the woman who created the breed:
I expected a better book from the woman who created and promoted this wonderful breed! It is a very basic book more appropriate for someone considering a Bengal as a pet rather than for someone who already owns one. Very superficial coverage of the topics covered in this book. Most of the pictures in this book were provided from the same people over and over so there was not a lot of variety. 2 different photos actually show cats with a leash AROUND the neck of the cat which is very dangerous. Further, many of the cats pictured in the book were not very close to the breed standard and could therefore be misleading if a potential buyer where to use these pictures as a guideline for buying. Many of the photos don't do this breed justice. One cat, for example, was featured both on the cover and on the title page, and had the dirtiest ears! This is no testament to proper cat care and who was the editor anyway! The only thing that I did really like about this book was the "foto-glaze" that coated all the pictures making them look realistic and rich. Overall, I'm sorry to say, I would not recommend this book to anyone.

Recommended buy before you purchase your Bengal.:
The book is worth purchasing for the stunning photography itself. There are some tips and helpful information, but I've found more detailed information from breeders websites. Books on Bengals are not available as yet in Australia, so not sure how this compares to others, but I doubt breeders nor people wishing to show their cat would learn more than what they already know from this book. Recommended to the pet buyer who wants some basic info on habits, care, growth stages and beautiful photos of a range of Bengal coat patterns.

You will love reading this book and savoring the photos!:
You need to buy this book regardless if you already own a Bengal, or are planning on purchasing one. The author Jean Mill of Millwood Bengals studied genetics at the University level and was the founder of the Bengal breed. The negative reviews that are on Amazon about this book are obviously from uneducated and or envious people. Jean Mill created and developed the Bengal breed to give today's modern society an absolutely unique domestic cat that retains the appearance and luxuriously soft feel of a leopard's coat. This text will take you on an interesting journey through pictures and prose on how Jean Mill evolved the Asian jungles Leopard cat into a Bengal cat. Moreover, the joy that you will receive from basking your eyes with the beauty along with the sensual softness, and interacting with the gentle personality and extreme intelligence of a Millwood Bengal absolutely has no peers...

Only newbies would rate this book high:
As a breeder I must recommend offline reading to many enthusiasts and prospective owners of Bengals. Jean's book does not misinform readers but also does little to offer up real detailed information that readers are looking for. Gene Ducote's book at gogees.com and Dan Rice's book here at Amazon offer the expansive details that Bengal lovers truly desire. This book is primarily a photo op for breeders. I'm not jealous or hurt; I'm calling it like it is a pictorial of Bengals from fine breeders. Yet the web has plenty of Bengal photos to choose from already. You can even get video at defiant.net. Only buy this book if you must own every Bengal book in print. I won't leave my name because there is plenty of animosity among breeders regardless of constructive criticism such as this.

An informative book from an actual Bengal breeder!:
This book wowed me!I had read some negative reviews about it before but decided to order it anyways.I don't know what those people were talking about because this book IS amazing!First off it has high quality color photographs on every page!Second off,the author is and has been a Bengal owner and breeder for years and really knows first hand what she is talking about.She tells you the basics along with what she has learned. VERY imformative on the Bengal breed!My book of choice.