Written by Josiah Royce—the famous American philosopher and professor at Harvard University—when he was just a boy, this delightful story, completely appropriate for both young children and general readers, shows his seriousness as a child, his early concern with social issues including the Civil War, and his precocious genius as a writer. Royce’s adventure follows the wanderings of his cat, Blackie, who hitches a ride on a wagon in California, rides a train, visits Cincinnati, Ohio, and finally arrives at Richmond, Virginia, where he sees Confederate troops gathering for a battle in the Civil War. Along the way, Blackie befriends another stray cat, escapes from dogs, and meets a talking monkey, among other adventures. The book is perfect for those who read Royce’s philosophy, but it can also serve as a great introduction to American history and historical scholarship for young readers.

Josiah Royce was an American objective idealist philosopher and a professor at Harvard University. His major works include The Religious Aspect of Philosophy (1885), The World and the Individual (1899–1901), The Philosophy of Loyalty (1908), and The Problem of Christianity (1913). Randall Auxier is a professor of philosophy at Southern Illinois University–Carbondale. He is the author of Time, Will, and Purpose: Living Ideas from the Philosophy of Josiah Royce and the general editor of The Works of Josiah Royce, 1855–1916. He also contributed to the popular book What Philosophy Can Tell You About Your Cat. He lives in Carbondale, Illinois.