The following version of this book was used to create the guide: Bowen, James. A Gift From Bob: How a Street Cat Helped One Man Learn the Meaning of Christmas. Thomas Dunne Books, 2014.

James Bowen's A Gift From Bob: How a Street Cat Helped One Man Learn the Meaning of Christmas is another sequel to his series of memoirs depicting his adventures with his cat, Bob. Although the text occasionally strays from conventional notions of form and structure, the following summary largely relies upon a linear mode of explanation.

In December of 2013, one of London's largest publishing houses invites Bowen and Bob to a formal Christmas gathering. Bowen immediately feels out of place. The party is extravagant and filled with a host of famous authors. Over the course of the night, he is increasingly overwhelmed by everyone's eagerness to congratulate him on the recent success of his book.

After leaving the party, Bowen encounters a man selling the homeless magazine The Big Issue. Bowen realizes that it was only three years ago that he was struggling to make a living in the same way. To support and encourage the man, Bowen gives him a generous sum of money. On the taxi ride home, he reflects upon his past.

In December of 2010, Bowen was struggling to make ends meet. Although his circumstances were not as bad as they had been in the past, he feared he would not be able to pay the utilities. It was the coldest winter in a century, and Bowen's meters were low. Despite the treacherous conditions and an ongoing pain in his leg, Bowen ventured out onto the London streets to sell magazines and busk.

Throughout the days and weeks leading up to Christmas, Bowen grew increasingly discouraged. He worried that if he did not make enough money, he would not be able to make Christmas special for himself, Bob, and his best friend, Belle. Christmas was a historically difficult time for Bowen, as he often spent the holiday either alone or on the streets. This year, he longed to have a better attitude.

One day while selling magazines and busking, Bowen was struck by the generosity of his community. Innumerable friends and familiar passersby stopped to say hello to him and Bob. They also gave him cards, gifts, and money. On the bus ride home, Bowen realized that their collective acts of kindness had saved his life over the years. He also realized that he had not done enough to thank them. Before returning home, he bought four boxes of Christmas cards.

Over the following days, Bowen endeavored do distribute all of his cards. Even if people could not give to him, he was happy to be able to give them a token of his appreciation. A preacher passing out leaflets nearby, approached Bowen and told him that he embodied the true spirit of Christmas.

Meanwhile, Bowen agonized over what to buy Belle for Christmas. Only hours after finally buying her a pair of earrings, he fell asleep on the bus and left them behind. Then, on Christmas Eve, he discovered a piece of stone-studded concrete he knew Belle would appreciate. While moving through the streets, he then encountered a man sleeping on Monmouth Street. Because Bowen had spent the most difficult Christmas of his life in this same spot, he felt as if he were regarding his own ghost. Bowen woke the man, gave him money, and encouraged him to find a shelter.

Bowen was able to keep the utilities running and to preserve the Christmas treats he had bought for himself, Bob, and Belle. He and Bob spent a quiet Christmas together. They ate, opened a few presents, and watched television. The following day, Boxing Day, Belle joined Bowen and Bob. Together, they had another celebration. Belle cooked and they exchanged presents. Belle was thrilled with the concrete, making Bowen realize he had been overthinking his original gift. Belle gave Bowen a photo album from Bob. The album contained photos of the companions over the past years. Studying the album made Bowen realize how much he had changed, overcome, and learned in the recent past. He attributed this transformation to Bob's faithful companionship.