A Gift from Bob: How a Street Cat Helped One Man Learn the Meaning of Christmas

An amazing short book about the meaning of Christmas--for a homeless person. It sure addresses so many issues we see every day--as there are so many people living in the street nowadays. Even though we do not want to see them, there they are. He calls them the invisible....an interesting observation. He is right--we try not to see them. I am so glad James had Bob and that Bob had James to support each other. Who is helping whom? Well, if you read these stories, you will be able to figure it out yourself. Go ahead, get any of Bobs' or James or Bob and James's books and find out. This is my number three, never disappointed. Would love to read this book to my students so that they too get a perspective we usually do not think about--what Christmas is for some people. Especially, people that live day by day. Thank you James and Bob--this is an amazing and wonderful Christmas story.

good service

Read all his books...gut wrenching and heart warming. Cat lover's must read.

I had already read "A Street Cat Named Bob" and enjoyed it. I enjoyed this one as much, and maybe even more. There are of course some hard bits to hear about James's life, but there are some really uplifting parts as well. In the past few days, I have played the last disc about 3 times, it just put a smile on my face to hear about their holiday, especially since it is so close to Christmas now. I'm sure I will listen to this book again each year at this time.

Okay, so it's JULY and I'm reviewing a book that takes place around Christmas time. However, as the title says, HOPE has a place in every season. Someone gave the book an unfavorable review, and while I didn't read the review, I'm not sure the reader got the point of the story. The James Bowen of today enjoys things he couldn't take for granted back in his leaner days. However, as he decided to get his life together, and Bob came onto the scene, he saw aspects of his life that he appreciated a bit more (having a job ) compared to living (and sleeping) rough, 'thanks' to his addiction. Partly because of that addiction and owing some of that issue to the loneliness of a fractured family, James was not a big fan of the Christmas holidays. This, sadly, is a common theme for a lot of people.. Drugs or no, family estrangement is a chief cause of wanting to avoid the holidays like the proverbial plague. Adding drugs to that family estrangement isn't a huge help. However, even with the aggravations of his magazine job, his disposition takes a decided turn for the better; Both with his day by day success at distancing himself from the drug scene and having a reason to hold to his promise. See also: Bob. Slowly, but noticeably, James sees a difference in himself, as he was becoming versus the man he was. Two scenes in the book drive that point home. First, bumping into a former 'friend' of his dark days. A drug dealer who wanted to re-introduce James to the taste of his old life. James finds himself saying NO with more conviction than he was sure he had. If that wasn't enough to drive the point home, Bob's giving the creep a warning swipe of his paw made the impression that got across. The second scene was the sight of a man, on the street, wrapped in a cardboard box. And in Jame's old spot. The Eerrieness was like something out of Dickens' Christmas Carol, complete with the Ghost of Christmas Past. Being able to give the man a few pounds to get himself a coffee and a sandwich made James feel almost better than the guy who got the money. He was able to do it. Remembering what one Big Issue buyer told him, about having to cook for 14 people made him that much more content about being able to enjoy Christmas with a roof over his head , dinner with Bob and Belle, a small collection of gifts under a tree. We take these minor blessings for granted. (home, food, friends). James Bowen, Bob and co-writer Gary Jenkins remind us not to.

I first read A Streetcat Named Bob at the libary last year and enjoyed the friendship between James and Bob. A Gift from Bob is one of the sequels, but is about how James and Bob spend one Christmas together. I think a lot of people can relate to James's story to pay his bills and deal with the cold snowy weather that threatens his ability to make a living. This book also James reveals a few stories of his life on the streets before Bob. The book is shorter than A Streetcat Named Bob and ends with the reader wanting to know about the present James and Bob. James should consider publishing another Christmas story after him and Bob became famous. This book wouldn't be recommended to children because some of the content, such as drugs use mentioned in the book, but I would recommend it to teenagers and above who would like to read a great Christmas story. People who love animals rescuing people and their stories would also enjoy reading this book.

The book is great. It is very fun to read.

I absolutely love this book and all the others. They warm your heart. People who struggle with addiction have a very hard life, and those trying to go through recovery also have a very hard life and this heartwarming story of a man who has overcome his addiction with a cat named Bob was amazing.

I am a cat and kitten lover. I love cats and kittens, especially those cats and kittens who have impacted the lives of human children and human adults. Bob the cat was a special angelic cat specially sent by a loving God to help James Bowen turn away from his drug addiction. I am very very touched by Bob the cat, and am still heart broken over this most beautiful cat's demise. Bob's life and sad demise still brings tears to my eyes whenever I think of Bob and James.

I love the books by James Bowen! He touches me deeply. There is so much intelligence, sensitivity, a very clear and honest view on his life, life itself, people and on Bob. James understands well the magic and mystery of his relationship with Bob, but he also allows Bob to remain a cat and doesn't humanize him. Very heartwarming and touching story and well written.

We were waiting for the new film of Bob. We are so devasteted, hearing that he is no longer among us. How to believe such a tragedy. Thank you, James, I really love this book.

La portada es encantadora. Es fácil de llevar y con historia increíble. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Os livros do gato de rua Bob mexem conosco, são histórias verdadeiras de como os animsis transformam humanos em pessoas melhores e mais gentis. Amei este livro. Nível intermediário do inglês para leitura.