'The Pug Who Bit Napoleon' by Mimi Matthews is a collection of historical anecdotes and observations about animals in the 1700s and 1800s. features stories about various animals such as dogs, cats, horses, birds, rabbits, foxes, and even fleas, based on historical records. The author presents these tales in a series of brief entries, some instructive, some full of fun tidbits, and some mundane, with a scholarly compilation of footnotes. The stories range from detailing the origins of certain dog breeds to recounting unique incidents like a killer shark in the Thames.
The writing style of the book is described as lush and well-illustrated, providing readers with a visually appealing reading experience. The author incorporates paintings and illustrations that complement the stories, making it a perfect choice for readers of any age. also delves into the historical significance of pets and their owners, shedding light on the evolving relationships between humans and animals during the Victorian era.
From The Publisher:
From elaborate Victorian cat funerals to a Regency era pony who took a ride in a hot air balloon, Mimi Matthews shares some of the quirkiest and most poignant animal tales of the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries.
Meet Fortune, the Pug who bit Napoleon on his wedding night, and Looty, the Pekingese sleeve dog who was presented to Queen Victoria after the 1860 sacking of the Summer Palace in Peking. The four-legged friends of Lord Byron, Emily Brontë, and Prince Albert also make an appearance, as do the treasured pets of Alexander Pope, Samuel Johnson, and Charles Dickens.
Less famous, but no less fascinating, are the animals that were the subject of historical lawsuits, scandals, and public curiosity. There's Tuppy, the purloined pet donkey; Biddy, the regimental chicken; and Barnaby and Burgho, the bloodhounds hired to hunt Jack the Ripper. Wild animals also get a mention in tales that encompass everything from field mice and foxes to alligators and sharks lurking in the Thames.
Using research from eighteenth and nineteenth century books, letters, journals, and newspapers, Mimi Matthews brings each animal's unique history to vivid life. The details are sometimes humorous, sometimes heartbreaking, but the stories are never anything less than fascinating reading for animal lovers of all ages.
When you click the Amazon link and make a purchase, we may receive a small commision, at no cost to you.
