Maine has always been steeped in ingenuity and boldness. Perhaps it is the mix of granite coast and balsam breezes that gives rise to this inspiration, but whatever it is, the state has long held an abundance of world-class writers and artists. Honoring this deep tradition of great writing, The Maine Standard is an annual journal celebrating the uniqueness of Maine, the unusual and the unexpected. Perhaps our founder Duane Doolittle said it best: “We don’t pretend that we can define this evocative term, Down East . . . All that we can honestly say is that we are tuned to this particular parcel of land, and that we like its music.� The Maine Standard publishes stand-out writing that captures the true character of Maine, writing that sings!

The Maine Coon is arguably the most popular breed of cat in the United States, and it is certainly the largest, with some males weighing nearly 20 pounds. This book provides an informative and fun look at America’s favorite feline, exploring the history and origins of the breed, traits and characteristics, interviews with breeders and owners, and some practical how-to advice. Filled with color photographs and sidebars of pertinent information, this is the perfect book for cat lovers.