Few boys (or girls!) are lucky enough to possess, like the young hero of this unusual book, a mysteriously powerful cat. Contrary to tradition, Jason' cat, Gareth, has only one life, but he does have the power to visit nine different lives and to take his fortunate human friend with him to fascinating eras in the past.

Gareth's amazing ability enables the two to disappear into time. Quick as a cat's wink, Jason and Gareth are caught up in a dangerous and exciting adventure in ancient Egypt. Next, they turn up as mascots of a Roman legion invading Britain; then they go to Ireland in 415 A.D. where they meet the slave Sucat (St. Patrick) and Gareth saves a princess in distress. Jason's further adventures in Japan, Renaissance Italy, Peru, the Isle of Man, Germany, and the early colony of Massachusetts are each more suspense-filled than the last.

Lloyd Alexander has set each episode at a time and place when cats received some special claim to fame, and Bill Sokol's delightful illustrations fully capture the ingenious spirit of these exciting, historical adventures.

From the dust jacket