Mac Delaney

This book is 1/3 carpentry, 1/3 engineering and 1/3 silliness. Mr. Delaney is owned by two cats who have directed him to build furniture and exercise equipment for them to relieve boredom and stay slim. Given recent scientific speculation about the neurological effects of Toxoplasma gondii, it's possible that Mr. Delaney was urged toward building by his gut. Mr. Delaney, being an engineer and a carpenter, has complied but decided to recoup the building costs by writing a book of instructions on how you too can build wonderful structures for your cats.

The book is fun and if you have only basic carpentry skills you will learn a lot of useful stuff that will stand you in good stead as a tenant or house owner in addition to pleasing your kitty (Possibly. It's hard to know, cats being what they are). My gripe is that the 10 projects Mr. Delaney builds are a bit dull.

Over the years I have read lots of articles on building exuberant cat playgrounds up and down walls and in all kinds of settings. There is even an article somewhere on how to handle dozens of cats in one supposedly odorless house by installing externally-vented extraction fans in dedicated litter closets.

Mr. Delaney's designs are basic, nothing like the jungle gyms you find elsewhere. The graphics are funky (cats look like Tootsie Rolls) and there is no conclusion or index in the ARC. No TOC either and there is no indication they might be added later.

Take a look inside before buying.

I received a review copy of "Engineering for Cats: Better the Life of Your Pet with 10 Cat-Approved Projects" by Mac Delaney (Workman) through NetGalley.com.… (plus d'informations)