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The Lion in the Living Room: How House Cats Tamed Us and Took Over the World Hardcover – October 18, 2016

by Abigail Tucker (Author)
4.2 4.2 out of 5 stars 944 ratings
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“By turns funny and disturbing, The Lion in the Living Room is full of surprises. Like all the best nonfiction, it will make you think twice about the world around you.” —Elizabeth Kolbert, bestselling author of The Sixth Extinction

“Dig deep into the history, biology, and science of house cats in this charming, highly informative read that explains how cats came to rule.” —B&N Reads

“Eminently readable and gently funny, Tucker’s blend of pop science and social commentary will appeal to cat lovers as well as a broad general audience with an interest in natural history.” —Library Journal (starred review)

A lively adventure through history, natural science, and pop culture in search of how cats conquered the world, the Internet, and our hearts.

House cats rule back alleys, deserted Antarctic islands, and our bedrooms. Clearly, they own the Internet, where a viral cat video can easily be viewed upwards of ten million times. But how did cats accomplish global domination? Unlike dogs, they offer humans no practical benefit. The truth is they are sadly incompetent rat-catchers and pose a threat to many ecosystems. Yet, we love them still.

To better understand these furry strangers in our midst, Abby Tucker travels to meet the breeders, activists, and scientists who’ve dedicated their lives to cats. She visits the labs where people sort through feline bones unearthed from the first human settlements, treks through the Floridian wilderness in search of house cats on the loose, and hangs out with Lil Bub, one of the world’s biggest feline celebrities.

Witty, intelligent, and always curious, Tucker shows how these tiny creatures have used their relationship with humans to become one of the most powerful animals on the planet. The appropriate reaction to a cuddly kitten, it seems, might not be aww but awe.
Previous page
  1. Print length
    256 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publisher
    Simon & Schuster
  4. Publication date
    October 18, 2016
  5. Dimensions
    6.75 x 1 x 10.25 inches
  6. ISBN-10
    1476738238
  7. ISBN-13
    978-1476738239
  8. See all details
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Editorial Reviews

Review

***A NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER***

"In The Lion in the Living Room, three things come together with exquisite, delightful effect: a natural history of cats, replete with ecological issues as well as contemporary cultural memes; evolutionary science as it pertains to the origins and consequences of our fascination with felines; and an unusually deft way with words by author Abigail Tucker. The net result is a deep and illuminating perspective on our favorite household companion… One hesitates to use the word genius, but Tucker’s book borders on that quality."
—Huffington Post

"Whatever your personal feelings [are] about our feline friends, this is a fascinating story about how cats not only conquered the world but our hearts."
—Catster

"If you know a cat person who likes science, this is the book you need right meow."
—Smithsonian.com, "The Best Books about Science of 2016"

"Fascinating… If you have relatives or friends who are mad about cats—and the strong statistical probability is that you do—consider putting this book under their Christmas tree."
—National Review

"With informative first-person excursions to different places and topics, Tucker reviews all aspects of our favorite pet as well as the spell it has cast on us."
—New York Times Book Review

"Eminently readable and gently funny, Tucker's blend of pop science and social commentary will appeal to cat lovers as well as a broad general audience with an interest in natural history."
—Library Journal, starred review

"A thoughtful look at the illogical human love of felines."
—Publishers Weekly

"Dig deep into the history, biology, and science of house cats in this charming, highly informative read that explains how cats came to rule."
—B&N Reads

"[An] intriguing history… Read this entertaining book and you will be convinced that house cats are 'the most transformative invaders the world has ever seen.'"
—Kirkus Reviews

"Fascinating… Cat lovers, keep watching those cute cat videos online, but back it up with this very serious look at what makes Tabby tick."
—Booklist

"[A]n alluring, funny and informative romp through the domestication and history of the cat."
—Shelf Awareness

"[Tucker] is an engaging writer and a sucker for the felines...her brief, lighthearted book takes us on a fascinating journey...Will this book change your opinion on cats? Probably not. Will you enjoy reading it? Absolutely, particularly with your own tiny lion close by."
—Seattle Times

"Fascinating...[Tucker's] book answers her own question, one that all cat owners no doubt ask themselves: 'How exactly had these crafty little creatures gotten their claws into me?'"
—Richmond Times-Dispatch

"If you own a cat (or a cat owns you) and you think you know it, take a read through Tucker’s book to find a host of surprising facts, history and characteristics of your inscrutable pet."
—Columbus Dispatch

"A lively read that pounces back and forth between evolutionary science and popular culture, between a parasite spread by cats to humans that has been linked to schizophrenia and cat cafes, where people pay to be snubbed by the resident felines."
—Baltimore Sun

"Many best-selling science books are by scientists who have taught themselves to write. Tucker is a writer who has informed herself on the science, and her book is full of funny observations and wordplay. She skips through academic landscapes that could be dull in less clever hands and hops into the next chapter before anyone can get bored."
—Glen Falls Post-Star

"By pulling us into the deep history of cats, Tucker demonstrates her prowess as a researcher, but she also demonstrates her ability to take concepts that would be clumsy or difficult to follow in the hands of another author and make them palatable for the layperson... Tucker has given us plenty to enjoy in this book and we should look forward to whatever topic she next takes up as that exploration will undoubtedly be as much an enjoyable read as The Lion in the Living Room."
—Spectrum Culture Blog

“While the title of this book suggests a bit of a fluffy story, I was pleasantly surprised to find out that it’s more of a story about evolution… This book explores how cats went from creatures we feared and conquered to animals that we cuddle and bring into our homes. It makes you think about what’s really going on inside your own cat’s head — because the house cat is still an animal built to kill.”
—Erica Murphy, SEO Editor, The Cut (NYMag.com)

"By turns funny and disturbing, The Lion in the Living Room is full of surprises. Like all the best nonfiction, it will make you think twice about the world around you."
—Elizabeth Kolbert, bestselling author of THE SIXTH EXTINCTION: An Unnatural History

"A delightful and warmhearted romp through the history of the world's most puzzling creature: The domesticated cat. A must-read for anyone who has ever owned—or been owned—by felis catus."
—Virginia Morell, bestselling author of ANIMAL WISE: How We Know Animals Think and Feel

"A fresh look at the sphinx-like creature that defies the normal rules of domestication. Abigail Tucker does a humorous, intelligent, and insightful investigation into the genius of cats. A truly wonderful book—and a must read for anyone with a lion in their living room."
—Dr. Brian Hare, bestselling author of THE GENIUS OF DOGS, and Professor of Cognitive Neuroscience, Duke University

"Abigail Tucker provides a clear and detailed view of the facts surrounding the furry felines that share our world. She engages her reader, whether she is discussing the history of the possible ways that cats entered our lives to sounding a warning about the types of selective breeding programs that could endanger the health and well-being of feline companion animals. After reading this book, no one will ever look at a cat the same way."
—Irene Pepperberg, bestselling author of ALEX AND ME: How a Scientist and a Parrot Discovered a Hidden World of Animal Intelligence—and Formed a Deep Bond in the Process

"From mummification to catification, from cat cafes to feline etiquette manuals to the earliest cat shows at the Crystal Palace, Abigail Tucker's enlightening Lion in the Living Room explores the deep history of the connection between cats of all sizes and colors and the humans who adore them."
—Wendy Williams, bestselling author of THE HORSE: The Epic History of Our Noble Companion

"The Lion in the Living Room is a remarkable and hilarious journey that tracks cats from solitary, prehistoric carnivores to undisputed world champions of Internet memes. (Sorry, dogs and human babies.) Tucker has written a big-hearted book that’s also a deep science dive into our most inscrutable furry companions. You can't help but LOL."
—David Epstein, bestselling author of THE SPORTS GENE: Inside the Science of Extraordinary Athletic Performance

"Science fiction writers fantasize about aliens taking over our world. Too late. House cats have already occupied our homes and our hearts and hunted their way through ecosystems everywhere. The Lion in the Living Room delivers a rich and balanced account of feline world dominion, from their role as agents of species extinction to their 'I Can Haz Cheeseburger' triumph on the Internet. You will never look at the beast in your living room the same way again."
—Richard Conniff, author of HOUSE OF LOST WORLDS: Dinosaurs, Dynasties, and the Story of Life on Earth

"I recommend this book for cat lovers, cat haters, and anyone curious to learn how these inscrutable creatures crept out of the Fertile Crescent and clawed their way into our hearts. I’ll never look at my own fluffy little killing machine in quite the same way again."
—Mara Grunbaum, author of WTF, EVOLUTION?!: A Theory of Unintelligible Design

"This book confirmed something I always knew about cats: they're the ones in charge of our relationship. And that's not the toxoplasmosis talking."
—Jim Tews, author ofFELINES OF NEW YORK: A Glimpse into the Lives of New York's Feline Inhabitants

About the Author

Abigail Tucker’swork has been featured in the Best American Science and Nature Writing series. She is the New York Times bestselling author of The Lion in the Living Room: How House Cats Tamed Us and Took Over the World, named a Best Science Book of 2016 by Library Journal and Forbes, now translated into thirteen languages. A correspondent for Smithsonian magazine, she lives in New Haven, Connecticut, with her husband and four (equally amazing) children.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Simon & Schuster; Later Printing edition (October 18, 2016)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 256 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1476738238
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1476738239
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 1.2 pounds
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 6.75 x 1 x 10.25 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.2 4.2 out of 5 stars 944 ratings

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Abigail Tucker

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Customer reviews

4.2 out of 5 stars
4.2 out of 5
944 global ratings
Well written and intriguing!
5 Stars
Well written and intriguing!
I am enjoying Abigail Tucker's new book. It is well written and I am learning a great deal about my close friends, Felis Catus. They are marvelous and intriguing animals. They truly have domesticated us. Cats clearly don't live in my house - I live in theirs.
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Top reviews from the United States

C. Ross
5.0 out of 5 stars A Real Cat Book. An Essential Cat Book. The Internet’s Favorite Pet.
Reviewed in the United States on April 12, 2018
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Of the many, many, many books on cats I have read as well as the vets I"ve had as friends; The Lion in the Living Room is five stars+. Seriously. A thoroughly readable, informative eye to eye book on CATS. Things I never knew before, no pictures - just complete chapters on how and where and why; and so well researched, they truly make the rest seem not basically what you need to know or do. Some animal behavior experts (mostly revenue driven) not only judge your home but insist you "catanize" it to make your cats (s) happier. This involves top dollar toys, trees, cat flaps, you moving your furniture( sort of feline shui) and other immediate extreme measures to keep the cat happy. Cats are happy and quiet and those with behavioral problems are usually something the owner and a smart vet can figure out. All one really needs to do is let the cat know you love them (adore them, worship them, cannot live without them) and keep them well-fed, no fleas, a great vet and lots of empty boxes. Abigail Tucker knows this because she is a cat owner and a very good science writer. To be honest my opinion (and I freely admit it) is that we have all become saps overdoing the care of our cats. Their lure is in how aloof they can be. Petco, Petsmart. Look at the prices. Seriously. The markup is absurd and the reason is that WE will ooh and aah as proxies for our cats and pay the price. This is to replace catnip, crinkled paper balls and a place to perch. Tucker knows this because cats are NOT dogs. Or ferrets. Or parakeets. They essentially have gone in a straight line from saber-tooth to the one sitting on your bed. They have not changed as much as gotten smaller. And they have stayed small enough to be wonderful pets. Do they act as therapists? They probably help you act as your own therapist. They say nothing and let you tell all your woes and you feel better.

If you love cats, Abigail Tucker has written an essential cat book. If you are a cat lover and really want insight into the Internet's favorite pet; don't buy another cat book without having this one first. My tables are stacked with picture books of cats I have shelves of "serious" cat guides, advice and teary tomes about cats. (So much space could have been saved.) If you have a lion in the living room- you will never tame it, but you will understand why we gotta' have them ( Suggestion: have a few, they are small).
It's not rocket science (too much math) But oh, it is wonderful natural science and Tucker pounces oon and gets it. (She also has an orange cat - immediately simpatica!)
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Dave DeWitt
4.0 out of 5 stars The Lion in the Living Room and the House Cat in the Boondocks
Reviewed in the United States on December 8, 2016
Verified Purchase
Abigail Tucker’s first book looks like it’s just about feline pets, but in reality it concerns history, natural history, genetics, epidemiology, sociology, invasive species biology, extinctions, and euthanasia. In fact, it’s the best book I’ve ever read on cats. I learned how cats became domesticated—they domesticated humans rather than vice versa. I also learned that all domesticated cats came from one species, Felis silvestris lybica, the African wildcat, often called the African forest cat. With house cats now outnumbering dogs in American families and in the wild, Tucker tells us why this is so, but still wonders why people love cats so much when, unlike dogs, they don’t really do anything useful, like hunt for us, or act as guards, rescue people or track them down, detect tumors or cancers, and in the past, turned spits for roasting over fires. And except for occasionally catching mice and rats, cats sleep fifteen to twenty hours a day. So why do we love them so much? Tucker loves to make sweeping statements like “Cats, though, are self-contained. They don’t need people to complete them.” I don’t know how many cats Tucker has lived with—she only mentions two family cats, both long-lived—but from her photo, I’m about twice her age and have lived with dozens of them. Many of them didn’t have the aloofness and independence she ascribes to all domesticated felines. Roswell, for example, who my wife and I have lived with for sixteen years is very much not self-contained. She runs around like crazy, entertains us, and makes us laugh. She does, indeed, need us to complete her. Or at least it looks that way to us. House cats have a wide range of personalities from extreme independence to being pests that always demand attention. Don’t get me wrong, despite her occasional generalizations, Abigail Tucker has written an excellent, informative, and incisive book that I recommend highly.
132 people found this helpful
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Faye
5.0 out of 5 stars A scholarly and very personal celebration of cats
Reviewed in Canada on November 7, 2021
Verified Purchase
I chose this book because i, like millions of others around the world, am a cat lover with my own much beloved cat companion. The author does a thorough job of describing how cats have become the most popular and prolific pet worldwide and how this evolution from wildcat to house cat unfolded. It is a well researched as well as humorous story that will fascinate people who wonder how this perplexing yet endearing animal has captivated so many of us.
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Eric Almeida
5.0 out of 5 stars Engaging and entertaining read for cat-lovers of every stripe
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on June 9, 2021
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Well-researched, entertaining, and well-written, too. I would recommend this book to cat-lovers of all stripes and geographies.
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EvelyneThonon
4.0 out of 5 stars Miaou, bon amusement
Reviewed in France on December 7, 2016
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Good book, funny 😊
Seul regret, ne pas trouver cela en français mais souvent il faut prendre la version anglaise car peu de traduction disponible.
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marsha l. reid
4.0 out of 5 stars Fascinating account of our feline friends
Reviewed in Canada on April 23, 2017
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As a cat lover, I am biased but I suspect most buyers of this book are also cat lovers. Abigail Tucker has written a fascinating and often funny account of the history of the domestic house cat - how they wandered from the wilds into our homes and ultimately our hearts. One of the big surprises for me, is that unlike other domesticated animals, there is really little evidence that they "do" anything for us - even their much vaunted mousing skills are overrated. (Hope this isn't a spoiler!) Nevertheless, cats have brought lots of joy to so many people (myself included). Only wish there were some pictures, especially of the author's own Cheetoh.
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leslie a. melson
4.0 out of 5 stars Four Stars
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on February 8, 2018
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Well written.
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