Cat Men of Gotham
By The Hatching Cat
The Cat Men of Gotham: Tales of Feline Friendships in Old New York
The nineteenth century was a rough time to be a stray cat in New York City. But a few lucky strays —the Cinderella cats–found homes with firemen, cops, athletes, politicians and other men who rescued them from the streets and welcomed them into their homes and hearts.
This book tells the stories of these heroic cat men of Gotham and their beloved feline companions. Not only does it introduce readers to some remarkable men, but you will get to meet many extraordinary cats as well, from Chinese stowaways prowling the Chelsea Piers to the sole feline survivor of the USS Maine explosion.
Among the 42 profiles, readers will find many feline fairy tale stories, as humble alley cats achieved renown as sports team mascots, artists’ muses, and even presidential pets. Although some of the stories–such as one of my favorites about the cat who survived the fatal Equitable Life Building fire in 1912–come from my Hatching Cat blog, every story is expanded in the book with additional details not provided on the website.
Sure to appeal to cat fanciers and history fans alike, The Cat Men of Gotham will give you a new appreciation for Old New York and the people and animals who made it their home. As it takes you on a journey through the streets of Manhattan and Brooklyn, it will amuse and astound you with tales of powerful men and their pussycats.
If you would like to purchase an autographed book for you or for a gift, please reach out to me at pgavan@optonline.net.
