Preface to the English Edition

I first came across the out of print French book Les Secrets Du Chat Sacre de Birmanie over four years ago. I was so impressed by the content of the book I began research to see if a way could be found to produce an English translation. During the next four years there were many false trails as the original publishing company had merged with others. One of the original authors Simone Poirier had died and no one could tell me what had happened to Gisele Barnay.The trail was cold.

Some years later I happened to quote a short passage from the book to a friend. This led to a lot of excitement and enquiries to know more. I promised to see what I could do to get an English version  of the book produced. Not being the type of person to give up easily I began searching again. I called upon International judges to help  trace Arlette Poirier, who I knew from the book had worked with her mother Simone Poirier. Instinct told me they would have been at cat shows together. Sure enough someone knew Arlette and gave me her phone number.From that contact with Arlette I was able to trace the original publisher and so obtain permission to print an English edition for the book.

Alwyn Hill