Book Description

This beautifully produced and illustrated volume is the result of sophisticated scientific research. However, it has been written in clear laymen?s language for nonscientists who have serious interest in paleontology. Author Henry Gee provides naturalists? notes on more than 50 different dinosaur species. His information is supplemented with dramatic, anatomically accurate full-color illustrations of each dinosaur. Material in this book is based on findings of dinosaur remains in North and South America, Africa, Asia, Europe, and Antarctica, and is divided according to time periods: Triassic, Jurassic, Early- and Mid-Cretaceous, and Late Cretaceous. At-a-glance icons convey key information about each animal, including size, taxonomy, geological period of origin, and geographical location of discovered bones. The book also presents general background information on the 180 million years of the dinosaur-dominated Mesozoic era, including details on Mesozoic plants and animals and the modern story of dinosaur discovery. More than 500vivid illustrations are all in full color. ... Read more

Reviews (5)

The best book on dinosaurs available.
As a fan of Luis Rey - the greatest paleoartist today - I can't say this review is totally unbiased. However, this does happen to be the best book on dinosaurs I've ever seen - and I've seen quite a few, believe me.
A brief summary: authors Henry Gee and Luis V Rey begin with an introduction on dinos, the Mesozoic, and paleontology in general, as well as present a warning that this is a work of fiction. This is just as well, since the dinosaurs depicted in the rest of the book - the field guide - are startlingly realistic looking and are given many external features that usually do not fossilize. Some are genuine new discoveries, such as Psittacosaurus's porcupine quills; others are based on reasoning and educated guesses, as well as a good dash of imagination.
And that's where the book excels. One thing is for sure: dinosaurs looked nothing like out popular image of them. They had feathers, fleshy crests, elaborate nasal passages...all of which would have been unheard-of only a decade or two ago. This is bolstered by the fantastic dinos of the Yixian formation. Dinosaurs, as Gee comes back to at the end of the intro, were "far, far weirder", but this is probably as close to reality as you can get. These agile and colorful animals make the dinos in Jurassic Park and Walking with Dinosaurs look positively naked and monochrome. The selection of dinos is not exhaustive, but is exemplary, featuring such standbys as Triceratops, T-rex, Diplodocus, Stegosaurus and Deinonychus, as well as new dinosaurs such as Masiakasaurus from Madagascar and the spectacular 4-winged Microraptor. Many come as revelations to older generations used to Knight and Zallinger's tail-dragging drab dinosaurs.
The format, as a field guide, is the most original take yet on a very much alive subject. The descriptions on behavior are just educated guesses, as I said, and may appear a little exaggerated
at times, but the animals of today are just as weird, only we take them for granted. And after all, unlike every other dinosaur book, unlike Jurassic Park and Walking with Dinosaurs, this book warns its readers at the beginning.
All in all, this is indeed the newest, most exciting, most original, most indispensable book on dinosaurs in print. I strongly recommend it to anyone with an interest in these magnicent animals, be you 5-year old child or professional paleontologist.

Very different.....
The style of this book is interesting. Along with detailed illustrations, there are many quick style sketches, reminding me of journals carried by early explorers and naturalists. This is possibly the most original dinosaur book ever put together.

Finally, an updated dinosaur book - REALLY!
I own over a dozen books that are supposed to be "up-to date field guides to dinosaurs". But none of them can ever compare to this. Most other books like this are scientifically inaccurate by now. For example, they show velociraptors with scaly skin, like those seen in "Jurassic Park". BBC's "Walking With Dinosaurs" was supposed to be updated, but many dinosaurs looked horribly inaccurate. This book is written by an authoritative author and lavishly illustrated by, in my eyes, the most talented dinosaur artist alive today. It has everything that "Walking With Dinosaurs" didn't had. It is full of awe-inspiring illustrations of dinos in action. The dinosaurs look so frighteningly realistic you almost think you've been taken back to the age of reptiles. But these dinos don't look like reptiles. They occupied the same niches as elephants, giraffes, lions, tigers, and wolves does today. Therefore, the authors have also carefully studied modern wildlife to make these interpretations of the prehistoric creatures. For example, the sail-backed meat-eater Spinosaurus could actually have looked more like a 40-foot pelican than the dragon seen in "Jurassic Park III". And Velociraptor probably looked like a sharp-toothed fish eagle with claws on its wings!The book provides amazing new looks on well-known dinosaur species like Stegosaurus, Diplodocus and T-rex, as well as some of the most recent and bizarre discoveries, such as the funny-looking Masiakasaurus, the smallest dinosaur Microraptor and the dawn tyrant lizard, Eotyrannus. The book begins with a short introduction to dinosaurs, and on page 30, the field guide begins. It is divided by period and continent. Each dinosaur is presented with several color and b/w sketches, a short description, size, and possible behaviour of the dinosaur. Of course, the behaviour is just based on guesses, but it's an interesting read. The images makes this book more than a field guide - it's a true art book. It makes you want to start drawing dinosaurs yourself, or write stories from the mesozoic. I'm currently planning an upcoming dinosaur comic book, and a lot will be based on the look and behaviour of the dinosaurs presented in this book.
Over all, this is by far the best general dinosaur book I've ever read. Packed with facts, and lavishly illustrated, this book is a must have for anyone who's interested in dinosaurs. For the laymen, it is a fantastic journey into a lost world. And all paleontologists, buy it for the artwork!I promise you, it's worth it!

Luis Rey is God
It's hard to resist the urge of writing a review of a book you've never read, isn't it? Although I havn't even seen it in person, this book is gaurenteed to be awesome. Why? Because Luis Rey is on the project. Isn't that enough? The man is a revolutionary in the world of paleo-art, and is simply the best in its class. Now If I wern't completly broke, I'd go buy the thing.

nice descriptive book
very descriptive and informative book a must-have for all dinosaur fans ... Read more

Book Description

Written for beginning to intermediate computer artists and modelers, Digital Dinosaurs explores the design and creation of digital dinosaurs through a step-by-step approach. Every detail of the process is covered from researching the animals to model construction, texturing and final rendering. All of the techniques are written from a non-software specific approach, providing artists with a useful guide regardless of their software preferences. The book also contains a companion CD-ROM that includes the textures and files for many of the models built in the book.

Key Features:

* Explores the design and creation of digital dinosaurs through a step-by-step approach, and explains how to combine technical skill with artistic talent seamlessly

* Covers every detail of the process from researching the animals to model construction, texturing, and final rendering

* Techniques are written from a non-software specific approach, providing artists with a useful guide regardless of their software preferences

* Explores the various subtleties of each dinosaur type, including wrinkles, wings, neck, frills, etc.

* Includes a companion CD-ROM with the textures and files for many of the models built in the book. ... Read more

Reviews (5)

Dinosaurs 101
This one's for rookies and lizard-lovers. Ken Brilliant sure knows his dinosaurs, but there's precious little here that's professionally enticing. Three things: (a) know a bit of organic poly modeling, (b) understand UV space & texture mapping, and (c) (most importantly) have a good imagination and an equally good reference image of your favorite dinosaur (or dinosaur-like creature). That pretty much is the gist of this book, though I'd have preferred it if the author had focused on modeling just one or two generic dinosaurs (he covers the usual suspects) and carried it through detailed texturing/mapping, into animation (what use is a dinosaur that can't raise hell in your backyard, or your PC, for that matter?). The book does a fair job of familiarizing you with these prehistoric reptiles, and helps recreate a fraction (a teeny-tiny fraction) of what Mr.Spielberg/ILM did about a decade ago - of course, minus the animation part, which obviously wasn't intended. (Pity.) So, if you're a rookie or a lizard-lover, you might benefit from the modeling/texturing instructions presented here. For others, there isn't much here that's spectacular or "wow" enough to add speed to your web site, portfolio, or employment chances. Invest in a good reference image instead, or find something that goes deep enough to help create something more than just a Hollywood cliche.

The modeling book must with Lightwave!
I am a designer who is attempting to delve into the world of 3D. In comes Brilliant's book on Dinosaurs, but the kicker is that what you learn in this detailed and simple to follow book can be applied to much more than dinos. Very well written and illustrated (great image files included on the CD). With a minimal knowledge of most 3D apps, you can start creating some neat stuff. I also like the fact that texturing is greatly discussed in later chapters. This book fills a definit publication niche specifically dealing with organic or creature modeling, dinosaurs in this case. I wish this book would have been included in most 3D application packages as part of their documentation...one can only wish!

DIGITAL DINOSAURS
Being new to Lightwave I have been buying as many books as possible to lessen the learning curve. The massive volume that is the Lightwave manual, whilst having all the great features listed, does not help a new user actually model very much. Enter Ken Brilliants new (and first) book. A 370 page romp through his very own Jurassic Park. The book is not software specific and Ken gives a list of software that can be used in conjunction with the tutorials and these include Lightwave, Maya, C4D, Amapi, 3DSmax etc. Any software, if fact, that has a polygon based set of tools.
He covers modeling, UVmapping and texturing and manages to help you create an Apatosauras, Dimetrodon, Pteranodon, Triceratops and of course the ubiquitous T-Rex. The tutorials start with very basic instructions and are written in a clear, logical manner. I found that I learnt more about my software of choice in one afternoon than I had done in the previous three weeks.

The book states that Ken works in Hollywood in the film and television industry. His work can be seen in a variety of movies and television series including Jurassic Park 2: the lost World, X-Files the movie, Interview with a Vampire, The Starship Troopers Chronicles and a variety of others. With a list like that it gives you an idea of the quality that is to be found in 'Digital Dinosaurs'.

My fear of modeling is gone!
Mr. Brilliant really breaks it down for you. From the "how's" in great detail to the "why's" and even some "why not's", he shows many techniques, advantages and (if any) disadvantages to each with care and patience. The fact that he's choosing dinosaurs as the subject matter grabbed my attention, his thorough teaching kept me interested. My modeling skills have improved dramatically, and that's only after chapter four! It's also interesting that he has managed to write tutorials that span over MANY different modeling packages with seemingly no effort. My hat is off to you Mr. Brilliant! Thank you for making learning modeling fun!!

Good job Ken and Charles River Media
If modeling dinosaurs is your passion then I highly recommend this book. It is packed full of information on modeling and texturing. Authough the book is not software specific the Author does admitt that many of the models were created using Newtek's Lightwave software. No problem, I'm a dedicated LW fan. The CD doesn't have any models on it and it only has one animation that's lame (no secondary motions in its walk and its a pixalated low res). The textures on the CD are fine for use but they are not of a super high resoulution. That's ok because the book tells you how to make your own using Photoshop. This book also will not cover bone structures, IK setups or animation. That's really another subject so I'm not dissapointed. I bought the book for modeling and texturing and that just what I tought me. OH ya! It's easy to read but you need to know how your software works first because he is not going to tell you each step and every icon in a software. This is just technique that applies to many softwares on the market today. I'm very pleased and I would like to see Ken write more books. Good job Charles River Media. ... Read more

Book Description

Taking us back roughly 45 million years into the Eocene, "the dawn of recent life," Chris Beard, a world-renowned expert on the primate fossil record, offers a tantalizing new perspective on our deepest evolutionary roots. In a fast-paced narrative full of vivid stories from the field, he reconstructs our extended family tree, showing that the first anthropoids-the diverse and successful group that includes monkeys, apes, and humans-evolved millions of years earlier than was previously suspected and emerged in Asia rather than Africa.In The Hunt for the Dawn Monkey, Beard chronicles the saga of two centuries of scientific exploration in search of anthropoid origins, from the early work of Georges Cuvier, the father of paleontology, to the latest discoveries in Asia, Africa, and North America's Rocky Mountains. Against this historical backdrop, he weaves the story of how his own expeditions have unearthed crucial fossils-including the controversial primate Eosimias-that support his compelling new vision of anthropoid evolution. The only book written for a wide audience that explores this remote phase of our own evolutionary history, The Hunt for the Dawn Monkey adds a fascinating new chapter to our understanding of humanity's relationship to the rest of life on earth. Illustrations: 14 color illustrations, 26 b/w photographs, 22 line illustrations ... Read more

Amazon.com

Roy Chapman Andrews was never much of a scholar, and anyone who looked at his high school report card might have foretold an undistinguished future. But, from an early age, Andrews's ambitions lay outside the social norm; an ardent fan of Robinson Crusoe and a devoted outdoorsman, Andrews wanted nothing more than to be an adventurer. He got his chance when he talked his way onto the staff of the American Museum of Natural History in 1906, under whose auspices, 15 years later, he was to mount the first of his central Asian expeditions. This decade-long program of exploration took Andrews and his team into the heart of the Gobi, one of the last uncharted regions on earth.

Convinced for ideological as much as scientific reasons that humans originated not in Africa but in Asia, Andrews spent much of his time in the field seeking evidence of early man. That search would prove fruitless, for, as biographer Charles Gallenkamp notes, "nary a scrap of genuinely ancient human bone was ever retrieved by the Central Asian Expeditions." What Andrews and his colleagues did find, however, has propelled dozens of scientific missions ever since: huge caches of dinosaur bones at places such as Mongolia's Flaming Cliffs. These fossils helped demonstrate geological connections between Asia and North America, and they added dozens of new species to the paleontological record.

All the while, Andrews contended with bandits, corrupt officials, invading armies, disease, and other dangers. After finishing Gallenkamp's vigorous book, readers will understand why Andrews should have served as the model for the movie character Indiana Jones--who, if anything, pales by comparison to the real thing. --Gregory McNamee ... Read more

Reviews (14)

A Real Indiana Jones
Before the Jurassic Park boom, little boys all had an enthusiasm for dinosaurs, and much of that enthusiasm was fueled by an explorer who only now has his first full biography, _Dragon Hunter: Roy Chapman Andrews and the Central Asiatic Expeditions_ (Viking) by Charles Gallenkamp. It is a great monument to a forgotten explorer and collector.

Andrews began an autobiographical volume with a foreword that included the words, "I was born to be an explorer. There was never any decision to make. I couldn't do anything else and be happy." He had humble beginnings in Benoit, Wisconsin, but dreamed of exploring for the American Museum of Natural History in New York. He literally told the director there that if it were just a matter of mopping the museum floors, that was what he wanted to do. And he did it, eventually becoming the director of the museum. From floors he went to taxidermy, and then to field expeditions about whales, and then to his five huge famous expeditions into Mongolia from 1922 to 1930. Andrews had superb skills at planning and organizing his expeditions, but was he was a brilliant salesman, enlisting the financial aid of members of New York society. The descriptions of his expeditions make exciting reading, as sandstorms, snowstorms, and brigands all battered the cars, camels, and explorers. But he brought back dinosaur eggs, which caused a sensation, _Velociraptor_, and much more.

_Dragon Hunter_ is a well researched and at times exciting telling of the adventures of an American original. Gallenkamp has usefully summarized the Mongolian regional politics as well as New York society of the time, and has made it clear just how the publicity-happy Andrews became a sensation in his day. His record had been sadly neglected by the museum, which is now making amends. The book ends with an epilogue to show how the finds that Andrews fought to get back to the museum have proved a foundation of much of modern paleontology. We have explorers of other types now, but we will not see explorations of this grandeur, size, and style again.

A Marvelous Book about a Genuine Explorer-Adventurer
Charles Gallenkamp's Dragon Hunter presents itself as a marvelous book from a number of perspectives. Roy Chapman Andrews was the real thing-a genuine explorer-adventurer who expanded the horizons of science and captured the public imagination. His complexity can be found in his ability to live in a palace in Beijing surrounded by servants, gourmet food, and polo ponies, and then wander off into the Gobi for five months (carrying of course a gourmet cook, white tablecloths, and enough rifles to fend off bandits).

I love the American Museum of Natural History, and I grew up on stories of Chapman's great expeditions, the discovery of dinosaur eggs, and a host of other romantic-scientific tales (Beebe in the South Pacific looking for birds, Akeley in Africa, the list goes on). This book covers an amazing range of realities.

Gallenkamp addresses an array of subjects, including the intricacies of Chinese and Mongolian politics in the 1920s and 1930s, the consequences of the breakdown of society in the form of rising banditry and rising corruption, the emerging anti-western sentiment as scientists became robbers of the nation's heritage, the drama of scientific research, the evolving history of evolution, and the intricacies of running a museum. He also accurately depicts the nature of celebrity status in a peacetime western world seeking glamour through adventure (this being the age of Byrd flying to the North Pole, Lindberg flying the Atlantic, etc).

This book interestingly notes how science evolves and one generation's knowledge becomes another generation's discarded inaccuracies. Andrews went to central Asia searching for the origins of man. We now know those origins lie in Africa. Andrews found a carnivorous dinosaur lying on some eggs that they thought belonged to a horned dinosaur and assumed it was eating them (thus, the dinosaur's name became "egg thief that loves ceratopsians"). Now we know that those eggs actually belonged to the Ovirapter and were being mothered, not eaten. Many of Andrews' best discoveries are still on exhibit at the Museum in New York and well worth seeing.

Today, as Michael Novacek notes in his foreword, Mongolia and China are again open to exploration, and science is moving on. The American Museum has annual expeditions into the Gobi and cooperates widely with Chinese and Mongolian scientists. Ultimately, Gallenkamp's Dragon Hunter takes a major step in the restoration of Andrews' reputation as a serious contributor to modern science.

An Excellent True Life Adventure for the Dinosaur Lover
This book is a biographical account of the remarkable career of Roy Chapman Andrews. Andrews was among the most celebrated and colorful explorers of the 20th century, responsible for mounting several major expeditions to penetrate the mysterious (to the West) depths of the Gobi Desert. These expeditions resulted in some of the most important paleontological discoveries in history.

"Dragon Hunter" is best characterized as a true life adventure story. It focuses on Andrews himself and his flair for solving the unsolvable. With his vivid imagination, Andrews conceived of an audacious plan to explore one of the harshest environments on earth --- in automobiles (keep in mind, this is in the 1920s). With his uncanny flair for spreading enthusiasm like a contagion, he was able to raise money for the expedition from some of the great tycoons of the era in amounts deemed impossible by his contemporaries. With his intense energy and bravado, he was able to overcome seemingly insurmountable logistical problems; rampant banditry, political chaos, warring factions, severe weather, bad communications, political corruption, death threats, you name it.

This makes for a fascinating read, all set in the exotic and dangerous China of the last emperor, a romantic and intriguing world we may never see again.

I should warn you, however, not to expect too much on the science of the expeditions, as I did. While there is some information on the scientific significance of the finds, the book really focuses on the story of "how" they were found and what implications they had for the success of the expeditions over some 8 to 10 years. To understand the paleontology of the Gobi, you will need to look to other sources. ("Dinosaurs of the Flaming Cliffs" by Michael J. Novacek might be a good place to start.)

This is hardly a criticism though. The book purports to be a biography, and that's what it is. If you enjoy a mix of history and adventure, this book is worth your time.

Old and outworn
There's nothing new here. If you want a better overview with new material, see: "Morgan, V. L. and Lucas, S. G., 2002, Walter Granger, 1872-1941, Paleontologist: New Mexico Museum of Natural History and Science Bulletin 19, p. 1-58."

A life of adventure
Roy Chapman was a product of his times. He could appear at home in a Mongolian dust storm and an Upper East Side pallor. The book balances the many facets of his life, giving equal time to the travel, science, and personnel accomplishments of Roy Chapman. There is no doubt that he was a product of his times, backed by the rich, he traveled to the developing world, excavated thousands of relics and dinosaur bones and took them out of the country for display in a New York museum. In today's political landscape this could no longer occur, but to lessen his accomplishments by applying today's standards to his time period is revisionist history of the worst guide. The author does a solid job defending Roy Chapman from these illogical attacks. Roy Chapman's rise from small town high school graduate to global explorer and director of a major museum is the basis of the American spirit ... Read more

Book Description

In recent years dinosaurs have captured the attention of the public at an unprecedented level. At the heart of this resurgence in popular interest is an increased level of research activity, much of which is innovative in the field of paleontology. For instance, whereas earlier paleontological studies emphasized basic morphologic description and taxonomic classification, modern studies attempt to examine the role and nature of dinosaurs as living animals. More than ever before, we understand how these extinct species functioned, behaved, interacted with each other and the environment, and evolved. Nevertheless, these studies rely on certain basic building blocks of knowledge, including facts about dinosaur anatomy and taxonomic relationships. One of the purposes of this volume is to unravel some of the problems surrounding dinosaur systematics and to increase our understanding of dinosaurs as a biological species.Dinosaur Systematics presents a current overview of dinosaur systematics using various examples to explore what is a species in a dinosaur, what separates genders in dinosaurs, what morphological changes occur with maturation of a species, and what morphological variations occur within a species. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Dinosaur Systematics: Approaches and Perspectives
Dinosaur Systematics: Aproaches and Perspectives edited by Kenneth Carpenter and Philip J. Currie is a book that serves as a handbook for further research into dinosaur systematics and be a valubable addition to the bookshelves of vertebrate paleontologists. This is NOT a childrens book as it is written as abstract form from twenty-three different authors.

The purpose of this volume is to unravel some of the problems surrounding dinosaur systematics and increase our understanding of dinosaurs as a biological species. There is excellent morphological description and taxonomic classifications within the pages of this book.

How scientists look at dinosaur fossils has changed, now, including the flora , climatic and other ecological changes affecting the dinosaurs makes for a better overall picture. But this book has excellent comparative anatomy. There are nine sections within this book and each of those section is further divided into chapters making for a very educational read.

The sections of the book are as follows: Methods, Sauropodomorpha, Theropoda, Ornithopoda, Pachycephalosauria, Ceratopsia, Stegosauria, Ankylosauria, and Footprints. There is a excellent taxonomic idex at the rear of the book.

"Dinosaur Systematics: Approaches and Perspectives gives the reader a very good overview of dinosaur systematics using various examples to explore what species a dinosaur is, hat separates genders in dinosaurs, what morphological changes occur with maturation of a species, and what morophological variations occur within species,

This is a very concise yet conprehensive volume which is appointed heavely with excellent illustrations and is intended for students and professionals in the areas of palenotology, evolutionary biology, geology, and vertebrate zoology.

A Book for the Ages
A great technical volume (yeah, you might not want this book if you're buying it for your 5th grader who likes dinosaurs) that deals with dinosaurs as they were: living creatures. Included are papers on sexual dimorphism (differences between sexes), behavior, general morphology, and generally very useful papers. I highly recomend this book to anyone who is in/plans on pursuing paleontology. A great volume that is still cited today. ... Read more

Amazon.com

When asked to perform impossible feats at work some women (and men)boldly refuse. Others nod "yes" through weak smiles or clenched teeth, thenstagger around under crippling loads. If you fall into the latter camp, this well-executedtrove of quick tips can give you the backbone to dodge work overload, bad ideas, pryingquestions, nuisances, bullies, procrastinators looking for companionship, and demandsfor undeserved raises or even well-deserved ones if the budget won't permit it. Helpfulrole plays ensure that underlings, higher-ups, and clients on the receiving end of yournaysaying will walk away with other choices, solid explanations, or a well-deservedsmack on the wrist. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

A Solid Effort!
Authors Alan Axelrod and Jim Holtje have compiled 201 ways tosay "no" in different situations and to different types ofpeople - colleagues and co-workers, salespeople, clients andcustomers, your boss, your subordinates, and job seekers. You can say"no" to extra work, nuisance tasks, unreasonable demands, badideas, and misguided sales pitches. The book offers some good ideas,although its approach is scatter-shot and somewhat superficial. Mostof the ideas are based on common sense approaches to turning peopledown, such as suggesting alternatives, providing explanations, beingdiplomatic, and being firm if that's appropriate. You may have to bepatient to ferret out the ideas that apply to your needs, but they'rein here somewhere. We... recommend this book to junior employees, whoare most likely to want to say "no," and to those who feelimposed upon because they can't say no. END ... Read more

Book Description

Over the past six years, Michael Novacek, Dean of Science at the American Museum of Natural History, has led a team of international scientists to Mongolia's Gobi Desert on the greatest dinosaur expedition of the late twentieth century. Closed to the West since the 1920s and opened only to Michael Novacek's team, the remote sands of the Gobi Desert constitute the richest fossil site in the world. In Dinosaurs of the Flaming Cliffs, Novacek takes the reader along with his team as he re-creates the day-to-day drama of field exploration over the last six years and recounts the remarkable discoveries that he and his colleagues unearthed. Following early years of relative disappointment, in 1993 the expedition discovered the richest Cretaceous dinosaur site ever found, excavating fossils that have helped to reshape our understanding of the dinosaur and early mammal era. Interweaving the adventure of field research with chapters that offer in depth discussions on contemporary dinosaur research and science, Dinosaurs of the Flaming Cliffs makes for the best kind of science--an engrossing narrative that brings compellingly to life the thrill and excitement of scientific discovery. ... Read more

Reviews (9)

Return to Xanadu: A Paleontologist's Paradise
.....Only once in a great while does a book appear which makes a great leap forward in our understanding of paleontology and the per-history of the planet, and dinosaurs in particular. Such a book is "Dinosaurs of the Flaming Cliffs." It is an account of the American Museum of Natural History/Mongolian expeditions to the Gobi desert in 1990-95, a place first explored by Roy Chapman Andrews of the AMNH in the 1920s, where the first scientifically studied dinosaur eggs were discovered.

.....Dr. Michael J. Novacek, the expedition leader and Sr. Vice President and Provost of Science for the Museum, gives us a riveting first-person account of these explorations, alternating with detailed chapters on the paleontological discoveries which they made. Moving from collections of bones to an appraisal of how the animals (reptiles and mammals) lived and died, he gives us a new understanding, based on discoveries still being analyzed, of the implications to existing life on the planet, including homo sapiens. Including in his analysis all of biology as well as geology, Novacek giges us pause to consider what will survive on earth after a similar passage of time. All this without leaving out the human element: 1990s Mitsubishis are just as prone to getting stuck in the mud or sand as were 1920s Dodges!
.....The expeditions start at the Flaming Cliffs in Mongolia's Gobi Desert, where the Andrews/Granger expeditions made their most important finds, and go on to desert locations, mountains and canyons such as the Nemegt Valley, with names like Tugrugeen Shireh, Kheerman Tsav, and Ukhaa Tolgod. This last location they called Xanadu, after Kubla Khan's famous "pleasure dome," because it was such a treasure trove of new discoveries. And they were not only dinosaurs, but often tiny mammals, our true ancestors.
.....Dr. Novacek presents us with the greatest assemblage of new paleontology discoveries currently available to the average reader, beautifully and amply illustrated by Ed Heck of the Museum staff.
.....No one interested in paleontology and dinosaurs can afford not to read this book. Nor can anyone interested in the course of life on planet earth. Dr. Novacek and his colleagues' work is still going on.
.....This book is highly recommended for everyone from high school to old age. Public libraries should have it in their science collections. And don't neglect "Time Traveler," a later book also by Dr. Novacek.
.....We can only hope that explorers like this will keep on going (to use Roy Chapman Andrews' phrase) to "the ends of the earth," and come back to tell us about it!

Dinosaurs of the Flaming Cliffs
Dinosaurs of the Flaming Cliffs written by Michael Novacek is a thrilling account of one of the largest dinosaur expeditions and finds of the 20th century.

Hidden in the Gobi desert in Mongolia are the famous Flaming Cliffs and within these cliffs are a multitude of dinosaur fossil remains. This site was known about earlier but with politics as they are not until 1993 did extensive documentation of the site occur. The American Museum of Natural History and the Mongolian Academy of Sciences teamed up to explore this site in the Gobi desert. This is by far one of the most extraordinary and miraculous fossil discoveries in history to be unearthed of Cretaceous dinosaurs and mammals. So many, in fact, that it has already helped to reshap our understanding of the dinosaur age.

I found this book to be a very easy and straight forward read. The narrative has excitement and flows well giving the reader valuable information at a steady clip. What I found interesting was the size of some of the animals found in the Gobi desert region. Whether sauropods were partial to watercress salads or treetop foliage, the question concerning the manner in which huge, absurdly small-headed beasts ate invariably comes up. The long necks of sauropods remaids one of giraffes, suggesting that these dinosaurs raised their serpentine necks into the canopy for browsing among the treetops. The necks of these sauropods varied from twenty to well over thirty feet long, making for interesting movement of the body or posture. There is a general discussion within the book that gives details of body shape to eating habits... also, the tooth patterns in the skulls help in identifing what and how they ate. Could dinosaurs have used stone to grind up the greenery that the consumed? Of course, some did. Were dinosaur warm-blooded, again of couse they have to be, is some cases. What about blood pressure in and 80 ton land animal are all and more of the questions posed in this book.

If you read this book it will pose questions about dinosaurs, but also, it will give plausable answers. What follows in the story is a journey to the Gobi and the find of the dinosaur Xanadu. The story enfolds the paleontolical lessons that can be appreciated and compares life today with that of long ago making a greater triumph for the history of life.

Interesting, educational, and fascinating in detail of a life long ago past.

So You Want To Be A Paleontologist
Michael Novacek's Dinosaurs Of The Flaming Cliffs is an excellent introduction to paleontological fieldwork and expeditions AND to the science of paleontology. The chapters alternate between the trials and tribulations of each new field season and the basics of geology, paleontology, and evolutionary theory. There is the occasional minor error [which I cannot relocate and since I just read a copy of the hardback, I cannot say if those errors have been corrected in the paperback], but these do not distract from the overall excellence of the book. This book predates the confirmation of the discovery of the end of the Cretaceous impact crater in the Yucatan, so the discussion on the mass extinction at the end of the Cretaceous will seem a little out of date to the knowledgable reader. I look forward to reading Time Traveler, Novaceks newest book. I highly recommend Dinosaurs of the Flaming Cliffs to any fan of paleontology.

An essential update
Growing up in New York with the American Museum, I was an early dino fan. I made my parents get all the dinosaur books I could find, and they all had three pictures in common. The first was a poor Brontosaur being killed by an Allosaur (preferably squashing said Allosaur in it's death throes). The second was a Tyrranosaur and Triceratops locked in combat through eternity (said Triceratops preferably avenging the death of an innocent duckbill at the jaws of said Tyrranosaur). And the third was always a Protoceratops defending it's eggs from a vicious Oviraptor - the third in the unholy carnivorous dinosaur trinity, because we had never heard of Velociraptor/Utahraptor.

This was only twenty years ago, and recent discoveries have turned this whole third scenario on it's head.

The American Museum's expeditions to Mongolia have changed everything we know about Oviraptor. This one is a must for all dinosaur fans, taking us through what the expedition has learned about Mongolian dinosaurs since the seventies and describing the harrowing conditions that the expedition had to face.

Good for armchair travelers and dino fans alike
Two books in one: a look at the Cretaceous inhabitants of the Gobi, and an adventure narrative of the archaeological teams that study them. Read this to get a feeling of what it's like to be a field archaeologist in one of the most remote desert areas in the world. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

2003 review
I am giving this book a three star rating, I believe that it was a five star rating when first published. My copy shows a copyright of 1994 and a fifth printing in 2000. I enjoyed the historic and background geology information provided by the author. It was good evening reading. I did have problems in locating the sites listed. Colorado has grown a bit since 1994. I prefer the detailed format in the falcon guides. They do not have the background Voynick's book does but they get you to most of the sites. In all cases I would like to see the authors show the dates they visited recommended sites.

Rocky Mountain HIGH!
Several years ago, I made a swing through Colorado and, as always, collected rocks and minerals [mainly for my class that I teach at a California high school]. This book was at my side and served me well, leading to many beautiful specimens [and two blown tires-it was an excellent trip]. I never failed to find a site and all sites were better than average quality. Warning: many of these sites are at high elevation and may involve a little hiking [I'm out of shape and stayed to the sites close to the roads and still had quite a haul]. As always, please collect respectfully and only in places where it is legal to collect. ... Read more

Reviews (8)

Illustrations are great guides
This book was helpful for me because of the life-like illustrations. While I have only visited one site discussed by the author, his drawings have been a great comparison point against the typical fossil guides' pictures.

The author's interest in his hobby is contagious - I recommend you read the book and share his passion.

One great discovery pointed to hundreds more.
Before leaving Germany for my next job at Langley Air Force Base, VA, I discovered Jasper Burns' book and ordered it from Amazon.com (THE Bookstore that linked us to home while away and connects us to the world now that we are back). Suffice it to say, I was biting at the bit to see if Mr. Burns' words would bear fruit, or more importantly, fossils. In short, his location directions and pictures of fossils to be found there were spot on. If they were listed in the book, I have found and added them to my collection i.e sharks teeth (some as large as 6 inches),whale vertebrae, shells, etc... An excellent guide and reference! If you live on or plan to visit the Mid Atlantic Coast and enjoy spending time searching and finding fossils, this is THE book to own. Thank you Mr. Burns and thank you Amazon.

Great Tips--But Be Sensitive to Overcollection
One of the few books that reveals actual fossil hunting locations--for good reason. Because of frequent visiting, some of these sites have experienced overcollecting or damage to the natural surroundings (undermining rock faces, etc.). If visiting, please be sensitive to the environment and the site's neighbors. Best to stick to quarries or big highway cuts, where environmental impact is not a factor. These happened to be more productive fossil-wise than the more scenic locations, anyway, so everyone wins!

A productive guide to fossil hunting.
One of the best guides to invertebrate fossils hunting I have read. Drawing from his experience in the Appalacian region (mainly West Virginia and Virginia), the author offers many fine sites which are accesible to the professional and amature alike. Was well worth the 8 hour drive from New Jersey and the cost of the book ! Includes excellent annotated references as well.

A great guide for finding fossils!
I went to many of the fossil locations mentioned in the book and came home with a load of fossils. It was a great book, one of the best fossil books i've ever seen. I would recommend this book to any fossil collector. ... Read more

Book Description

Expanded and updated This handsome book addresses the questions of what the fossil record tells usabout the evolution and extinction of dinosaurs, what their relationship to therest of the organic world was, and what we can learn from them about our ownplace in the history of life on our planet. This edition has been updatedthroughout, with a new final chapter that details exciting recent discoveriessuch as the feathered dinosaur fossils in China. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

What do we really know about dinosaurs?
After visiting the National Musuem of Natural History, I wondered about many of the claims that the museum made.So I decided to read a book about the "terrible lizards" and found out what I had guessed -- the study of dinosaurs and their fossils is not an exact science and many of the fundamental questions we have about them cannot be answered, including:

How old are they?How fast were they?How big were they?What did they look like?What color were they?What is their relation to birds?How are fossils aged?Do we have any dinosaur DNA?

The authors of this book do a good job at trying to answer many of these questions about dinosaurs, but in the end their explanations merely lay out the science of guesswork.The first part of this book is fifty questions about dinosaurs, and I would recommend this section to anyone interested in the subject.The next two sections are about dinosaurs digs and specific dinosaur species, and is a little bit extensive for the "casual dino reader."

What do we really know about dinosaurs?
After visiting the National Musuem of Natural History, I wondered about many of the claims that the museum made.So I decided to read a book about the "terrible lizards" and found out what I had guessed -- the study of dinosaurs and their fossils is not an exact science and many of the fundamental questions we have about them cannot be answered, including:

How old are they?How fast were they?How big were they?What did they look like?What color were they?What is their relation to birds?How are fossils aged?Do we have any dinosaur DNA?

The authors of this book do a good job at trying to answer many of these questions about dinosaurs, but in the end their explanations merely lay out the science of guesswork.The first part of this book is fifty questions about dinosaurs, and I would recommend this section to anyone interested in the subject.The next two sections are about dinosaurs digs and specific dinosaur species, and is a little bit extensive for the "casual dino reader." ... Read more

Book Description

Rather survey of the extensive data, this book focuses on the ideas, methodology and scope of contemporary palaeobiology.It devotes four chapters to the central principles of the field and then describes in detail five areas of current research: fossils and phylogenetic inference, the mechanism of speciation, taxonomic turnover on the geological time-scale, mass-extinctions, and the origin of new taxa. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Pattern and Process
This is a very good and not too technical summary by an expert in the Darwinian field not only of the current state of evolutionary theory, but of the real difficulties, stated with a succinct clarity often absent in other such works. A sort of Neo-Neo-Darwinian Synthesis emerges from the presentation of the complexities of the pattern and process debate, with good treatments of many issues, from cladistics, to punctuated equilibrium, and much else. The book is very clear, and, without parting ways with conventional Darwinism, highlights the complexities of the 'epistemological gap'as revealed in the actual state of our knowledge of the fossil record. As the author notes, there is "no single universally applicable theory of the cause of evolution that all agree explains all aspects of all cases". Such statements are more effective in the Darwin debate than the blank wall of massive denial that attends too many treatments. Very clear, rigorous, and with excellent references. Good book to get one's bearings in a changing field, whatever one's views of evolution. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

Welcome to the Ice Age!
North America, more than 10,000 years ago, was a very interesting place. Gaint ground sloths, dwarf wolly mommoths, Nebrasks camels (weighing about a ton) and saber-toothed cats are just some of the bizarre animals you will find within the covers of this book. Ice Age Mammals of North America tries to give you a very balanced look at not just the big and hairy, but the more common creatures. Lions, wolves, bears, seals, porcupines, goats, beavers and deer to name just a few.
The book begins with what North America was like, why we think ice ages are triggered, goes into detail about the many different animals (which takes up much of the book) and then tells us about the extinction of the megamammals (plus the debates about WHY extinctions happen at all).
There are lots of photos and colorful illustrations, sidebars full of fact, lots of humor, a list of museums, fossil sites and websites you can visit. It also has a detailed glossary, bibliography and index. Great for adults and kids.
Ian M. Lange really enjoyed doing this work, you can tell, and Dorothy S. Norton's work really helped bring many of the animals to life.

The latest understanding modern-day science has
Ice Age Mammals Of North America by Ian M. Lange informatively presents the latest understanding modern-day science has of the North American mammals that thrived during the Ice Age. Diagrams, color illustrations by Dorothy S. Norton, and a wealth of knowledge of species both extinct and enduring fill the pages of this educational resource, written for young adults, and very highly recommended as a fascinating introduction to wildlife of thousands of years gone by for readers of all ages.

Absolutely Excellent, even if title is misleading
This book is the premier introduction to the Ice Age, and its now-extinct animals, for the uninitiated reader. It is also an excellent work for the serious student or teacher. The art work is superb, the photographs and diagrams are well chosen, and have the additional bonus of actually following the well-written, easily readable text. This saves the reader the burden of having to leaf back and forth as the book is studied. In short, whether you want to read about the Ice Age for serious study or just have pleasure learning about fascinating animals and times, this your book.

Now to content: Although the book's title and cover seem to indicate it is about animals only, the first half of the book covers, in a lively, interesting fashion, the various ways the Ice Age may have started, what the glaciers did and how they form, move, and melt, what the climate was like, and a hundred other things that are necessary to truly understand what occurred during this significant period of geological time. Well-chosen inserts explain particular matters.

The second half of the book covers the mammals of the Ice Age, with particular emphasis on those living in North America. In addition to the inevitable mammoths and saber-toothed cats, such relatively unknown creatures as the giant short-faced bear, scimitar cat, American lion, Florida cave bear, shrub ox, giant camel, and stag-moose, among many others, are each afforded extensive treatment. The section on toothless animals such as the giant armadillo, the various kinds of enormous ground sloth, etc., is simply one of a kind. You will be amazed and thrilled as you read about each creature in turn, especially as to its size, its diet, where it lived, and its appearance.

The book closes, somewhat sadly, with a broad, yet concise examination on why many of these creatures went extinct so suddenly, and man appears to be a primary culprit. Other potential causes are addressed as well.

A particularly fine feature is a comprehensive list of museums, parks, and sites across the United States where you may go to see the remains of these animals or learn more about them. An excellent bibliography is supplied at the end.

I have read about, and been fascinated by, Ice Age animals for many years, and I can assure you this is the most enjoyable book I have ever seen on the matters I have discussed. The information presented incorporates the latest studies, and is painstakingly accurate. Authors Lange and Norton are to be highly commended on a great book. I recommend it highly. ... Read more

Reviews (5)

Buyer Rejoice!!!
The reviewer who wrote under the title of "Buyer Beware" is badly informed if he/she thinks that people who study fossils are "archaeologists." In fact, archaeologists study the remains of past people, while paleontologists study fossils.

Dr. Robin Brown is indeed a retired medical doctor, but as an accomplished avocational paleontologist, he is one of the most respected experts on Florida's fossils in the state. He works regularly with paleontologists of the Florida Museum of Natural History (Florida's official natural history museum), and he has contributed numerous important fossil specimens to that institution.

If you are interested in an authoritative, easy-to-read, and beautifully illustrated guide to Florida's fossils, Robin Brown's book is for you.

Great Field Guide!
This great book sorts out the confusing and often contradictory jumble of fossils one finds when hunting in Florida. It is the only trade book available that does this. PLUS it has a fabulous section of photographs for help in identification. Whatever else he is, the author is a man of science!

Buyer Beware!!!
After reading this book, I am compelled to warn other would-be buyers to save their money. This is a book that does not live up to its title and seems to be riddled with factual and syntactical errors. Moreover, when I researched the author, I was intrigued to find out he is not an archaeologist or scholar at all but rather an M.D.(ENT) masquerading as an expert in archaeology. And, to top it off, it appears that the book is published by a press that specializes in travel books and cook books, not in serious subjects like archaeology. For those interested in the archaeology of Florida, I recommend the numerious well-written and well-researched books by the experts at the University of Florida or Florida State. Dr. Brown, the ear, nose and throat specialist, is simply out of his element in this book.

Best Florida Fossil Guide
A timeless gem! This informative guide from Robin C. Brown will make Florida's past come to life, whether you're an amateur or professional paleontologist. The photos are large, clear and ideal for comparing your finds, and the text is concise and easy to understand. You might need two copies: one for the field and one for your home or office.

A classic book that should be a part of your library
Excellent discussion of Florida's paleo past and photographs of typical Florida fossils make this book an indispensable tool for the Florida fossil enthusiast. I've worn my copy out by going back to it so often! ... Read more

Book Description

Reviews (13)

Cool
Trilobites are my favorite fossil but I never knew much about the animal. I chanced across this book and loved it! It is a great introduction to trilobites, but it's not light reading. I'd recommend this to anyone who is interested in or might be interested in trilobites.

Classic welcome to trilobite diversity
Levi-Setti's book was my first eye-opening entry into the incredible richness of ancient life forms that trilobites represent. There are some species in this book that belong in the best works that science-fiction can offer, and for the budding paleontologist there is a taste of the science and the art that combine to make that particular discipline so enticing to the public. My copy is so well used I'll have to get another some day soon! Levi-Setti's book is a true classic that anyone interested in ancient life forms will enjoy.

Makes a Great Gift for Kids Interested in Science
because, like Watson's "Double Helix," it shows the structure of discovery & the passion behind it.

Trilobites galore
The first edition of this book (CH, Dec'75) received an enthusiastic response, and deservedly so. Levi-Setti, professionally a noted physicist, produced an atlas of exquisite macrophotographs of several hundred trilobites from worldwide localities. This new edition continues the reputation of the first and includes a chapter by the author on the discovery of the giant Paradoxides from a shale bed exposed in the gorge of the Manuels River, on the coast of Conception Bay, Eastern Newfoundland. He correlates this with Middle Cambrian strata found today in Wales and Scandinavia. The clarity of detail in the photographs is breathtaking. A short appendix details the techniques of the photography and the specimen preparation involved in this study, and will be very valuable to scholars. Be warned--the techniques are arduous and time consuming. The atlas itself is divided into sections that roughly correspond to the geologic period when specific genera were present, and a listing of all known trilobite families is included. The captions give detailed taxonomic and stratigraphic information as well as general and nontechnical details. In some cases, drawings are included to stress specific features. This reviewer particularly welcomes the new edition, since his copy of the first edition has become totally dog-eared from a generation of students fascinated by its contents. General; undergraduate; graduate.

Fascinating
If you love trilobite fossils this book is essential and wonderful. The photographs of fossil specimens are presented in chronological order and are simply breathtaking. Time and again I've returned to this classic for review or just to look at the dazzling variety of trilobites that have been carefully photographed. And what I really like about the book is that it makes it easy to share with family and friends just what is fascinating about this ancient creature. ... Read more

Book Description

Just 50,000 years ago the world was filled with fabulous creatures that are now forever gone. Australia’s giant lizard, Megalania, was one of those. These frightful beasts could reach 19 feet in length and weigh as much as a polar bear. On their home turf they were top dog, and it was the rare animal that dared to challenge them. Dragons in the Dust tells the story of these amazing lizards and the world in which they lived. The book explores the Pleistocene, the time of the ice ages. While mammals ruled elsewhere, in Australia reptiles held their dominance. Large monitor lizards survive to this day, but the discovery of fossil remains of Megalania revealed that their ancestors were true giants and formidable predators. How scientists have reconstructed the way these animals lived and what factors encouraged their evolution make up part of the story. What caused their extinction remains a mystery, and one that makes an intriguing conclusion to this portrait of a true dragon of the past. ... Read more