One of the first truly American breeds, the Maine Coon Cat, is a result of natural crossbreeding of domestic shorthairs from Europe and free-running longhairs, Norwegians or Siberians brought to the New World even earlier by Vikings. The  Maine Coon is a big, tough, outdoor, cold-country cats, similar to the Norwegian Forest Cat and the Siberian Forest Cat from the Old World. It has also been called the Yankee cat, Maine Cat, the Maine Trick Cat, the American Longhair, the American Forest Cat, the American Shag and the American Snughead.
     It is one of the largest of all domestic breeds, long-bodied but with relatively small head, well-muscled and strong-boned. The protective coat is long, heavy and silky, with a large ruff and bib and, above all, a magnificently luxuriant tail.
     Humans characterize Maine Coon as hardy, rugged, dignified, reserved, amiable, gentle, loving, faithful, self-confident, responsive, durable, affectionate, playful, intelligent, resourceful, shy, good-tempered, soft-voiced, active and healthy. They like to jump and climb, and are superior hunters. Maine Coon is a powerful working cat with physical beauty as a bonus. They make great pets for active families with children. Maine Coons love freedom, it would be cruel to keep one cooped up in a house or apartment in the city.

Further reading for Maine Coon Lovers:
Maine Coon Cat (Popular Cat Library) by Abigail Greene.
Maine Coon Cats by Stuart A. Kallen.
Maine Coon Cats: Everything About Purchase, Care, Nutrition, Reproduction, Diseases, and Behavior (A Complete Pet Owner's Manual) by Carol Himsel Daly, et al.
That Yankee Cat: The Maine Coon by Marilis Hornidge, et al.