Palaeontology Books

Book SynopsisFOYLES NON-FICTION BOOK OF THE YEARA SUNDAY TIMES TOP TEN BESTSELLERTHE WAINWRIGHT PRIZE FOR NATURE WRITING - HIGHLY COMMENDEDLONGLISTED FOR THE BAILLIE GIFFORD PRIZE FOR NON-FICTIONA BEST BOOK OF THE YEAR IN THE SUNDAY TIMES, TELEGRAPH, PROSPECT, THE NEW YORKER AND BBC HISTORY WATERSTONES NON-FICTION BOOK OF THE MONTH''The best book on the history of life on Earth I have ever read'' Tom Holland''Epically cinematic... A book of almost unimaginable riches'' Sunday TimesThis is the past as we''ve never seen it before. Otherlands is an epic, exhilarating journey into deep time, showing us the Earth as it used to exist, and the worlds that were here before ours.Award-winning young palaeobiologist Thomas Halliday immerses us in a series of ancient landscapes, from the mammoth steppe in Ice Age Alaska to the lush rainforests of Eocene Antarctica, with its colonies of giant penguins, to Ediacaran Australia, where the moon is far brighter than ours today. We visit the birthplace of humanity; we hear the crashing of the highest waterfall the Earth has ever known; and we watch as life emerges again after the asteroid hits, and the age of the mammal dawns.Otherlands is a staggering imaginative feat: an emotional narrative that underscores the tenacity of life - yet also the fragility of seemingly permanent ecosystems, including our own. To read it is to see the last 500 million years not as an endless expanse of unfathomable time, but as a series of worlds, simultaneously fabulous and familiar.Sunday Times bestseller, March 2023Trade ReviewThis book takes us through the natural history of previous forms of life in the most beguiling way. It makes you think about the past differently and it certainly makes you think about the future differently. This is a monumental work and I suspect it will be a very important book for future generations -- Ray Mears, Chair of the Wainwright Prize for UK Nature WritingThe word "original" is really overworked. But Thomas Halliday has produced a book the like of which I have never come across -- Jeremy PaxmanAn extraordinary history of our almost-alien Earth... Epically cinematic... The writing is so palpably alive. A book of almost unimaginable riches. It is a book that will make its own solid and lasting contribution. It could well be the best I read in 2022 - and I know it's only January -- James McConnachie * Sunday Times *A poet among palaeontologists -- David P. Barash * Wall Street Journal *A mesmerising journey into those vast stretches of Earth's pre-history that lie behind us, on such a scale that you experience a kind of temporal vertigo just thinking about it... [Halliday is] a brilliant writer, his lyrical style vividly conjuring myriad lost worlds... It's obviously a bit of a gamble choosing one's Book of the Year in March - but there's a very good chance already that mine will be Otherlands. Stunning -- Christopher Hart * Mail on Sunday *An impressive, tightly packed, long view of the natural world. In cinematic terms, this book would be a blockbuster... Riveting scientific reading; a remarkable achievement of imagination grounded in fact -- NJ McGarrigle * Irish Times *An immersive world tour of prehistoric life... Halliday never loses sight of the bigger picture, nimbly marshalling a huge array of insights thrown up by recent research. Each chapter gives not only a vivid snapshot of an ecosystem in action but also insights into geology, climate science, evolution and biochemistry... Mind-blowing -- Neville Hawcock * Financial Times *A sweeping, lyrical biography of Earth -- the geology, the biology, the extinctions and the ever-shifting ecology that defines our living planet -- Adam Rutherford * BBC Radio 4 Start the Week *Superb... [An] epic, near-hallucinatory natural history of the living earth... Dazzling -- Simon Ings * Telegraph *Remarkable... Ingenious... A work of immense imagination [...] rooted firmly in the actual science -- Stuart Kelly * Scotsman *A fascinating journey through Earth's history... [Halliday] is appropriately lavish in his depiction of the variety and resilience of life, without compromising on scientific accuracy... To read Otherlands is to marvel not only at these unfamiliar lands and creatures, but also that we have the science to bring them to life in such vivid detail -- Gege Li * New Scientist *Riveting... An intense and imaginative reading of fossils as runes that tell us about our own times, and possible future. Halliday is a Time Lord at heart, eager to lead us back to, say, the Permian or Oligocene epochs and unpack their lessons for 21st Century humanity. For all its scholarship, this is a very readable book, full of literary reference and accessible metaphor. Otherlands is also a wise manual for adaptive change rather than a prophecy of inevitable doom -- Matthew D'Ancona * Tortoise *Thomas Halliday offers a 550m-year tour of the incredible diversity of life that has existed on our planet... Halliday's trick is to tell his story in reverse. The first hominids exit early; the continents merge and drift and merge again; the sounds of the cretaceous forest fall silent as we pass beyond the evolution of birdsong. Life retreats from land to ocean, and the first eyes give way to the sightless world of the Ediacaran, an alien realm of crawling beings -- David Farrier * Prospect *A brilliant series of reconstructions of life in the deep past, richly imagined from the fine details of the fossil record... A real achievement... Reading Halliday's book is as near to the experience of visiting these ancient worlds as you are likely to get -- Jon Turney * Arts Desk *Writing with gusto and bravado [...] Halliday has honed a unique voice... Otherlands is a verbal feast. You feel like you are there on the Mammoth Steppe, some 20,000 years ago, as frigid winds blow off the glacial front... Along the way, we learn astounding facts -- Steve Brusatte * Scientific American *Vivid... An intricate analysis of our planet's interconnected past, it is impossible to come away from Otherlands without awe for what may lie ahead -- Amancai Biraben * Independent *Halliday takes us on a journey into deep time in this epic book, showing us Earth as it used to be and the worlds that were here before ours -- ‘The Hottest Books of the Year Ahead’ * Independent *This is a piece of nature writing that covers millions of years, from the very start of evolution, while capturing the almost unthinkable ways geography has shifted and changed over time. Epic in scope and executed with charming enthusiasm, Otherlands looks set to be a big talking point for fans of non-fiction in 2022 -- ‘The 15 New Novels And Non-Fiction Books To Read In 2022’ * Mr Porter *Palaeobiologist Thomas Halliday embraces a yet more epic timescale in Otherlands: A World in the Making, touring the many living worlds that preceded ours, from the mammoth steppe in glaciated Alaska to the lush rainforests of Eocene Antarctica. If you have ever wondered what sound a pterosaur's wings made in flight, this is the book for you -- 'The best science books coming your way in 2022’ * New Scientist *Full of wonder and fascination, exquisitely written, this is time travel of spectacular dimensions - a journey into our planet's evolution and the world in which we live. A compellingly important read -- Isabella Tree, author of WILDINGThe best book on the history of life on Earth I have ever read -- Tom Holland, author of DOMINIONThomas Halliday's debut is a kaleidoscopic and evocative journey into deep time. He takes quiet fossil records and complex scientific research and brings them alive - riotous, full-coloured and three-dimensional. You'll find yourself next to giant two-metre penguins in a forested Antarctica 41 million years ago or hearing singing icebergs in South Africa some 444 million years ago. Maybe most importantly, Otherlands is a timely reminder of our planet's impermanence and what we can learn from the past -- Andrea Wulf, author of THE INVENTION OF NATUREDeep time is very hard to capture - even to imagine - and yet Thomas Halliday has done so in this fascinating volume. He wears his grasp of vast scientific learning lightly; this is as close to time travel as you are likely to get -- Bill McKibben, author of FALTERAn absolutely gripping adventure story, exploring back through the changing vistas of our own planet's past. Earth has been many different worlds over its planetary history, and Thomas Halliday is the perfect tour guide to these past landscapes, and the extraordinary creatures that inhabited them. Otherlands is science writing at its very finest -- Lewis Dartnell, author of ORIGINSOtherlands is one of those rare books that's both deeply informative and daringly imaginative. It will change the way you look at the history of life, and perhaps also its future -- Elizabeth Kolbert, author of THE SIXTH EXTINCTIONThis stunning biography of our venerable Earth, detailing her many ages and moods, is an essential travel guide to the changing landscapes of our living world. As we hurtle into the Anthropocene, blindly at the helm of this inconstant planet, Halliday gives us our bearings within the panorama of deep time. Aeons buckle under his pen: the world before us made vivid; the paradox of our permanence and impermanence visceral. Wonderful -- Gaia Vince, author of TRANSCENDENCEStirring, surprising and beautifully written, Otherlands offers glimpses of times so different to our own they feel like parallel worlds. In its lyricism and the intimate attention it pays to nonhuman life, Thomas Halliday's book recalls Rachel Carson's Under the Sea Wind, and marks the arrival of an exciting new voice -- Cal Flynn, author of ISLANDS OF ABANDONMENTImaginative -- Andrew Robinson * Nature *This study of our prehistoric earth is "beyond cinematic", James McConnachie says. "It could well be the best book I read in 2022 -- Robbie Millen and Andrew Holgate, Books of the Year * Sunday Times *It's phenomenally difficult for human brains to grasp deep time. Even thousands of years seem unfathomable, with all human existence before the invention of writing deemed 'prehistory', a time we know very little about. Thomas Halliday's book Otherlands helps to ease our self-centred minds into these depths. Moving backwards in time, starting with the thawing plains of the Pleistocene (2.58 million - 12,000 years ago) and ending up in the marine world of the Ediacaran (635-541 mya), he devotes one chapter to each of the intervening epochs or periods and, like a thrilling nature documentary, presents a snapshot of life at that time. It's an immersive experience, told in the present tense, of these bizarre 'otherlands', populated by creatures and greenery unlike any on Earth today -- Books of the Year * Geographical *Each chapter of this literary time machine takes us further back in prehistory, telling vivid stories about ancient creatures and their alien ecologies, ending 550 million years ago -- The Telegraph Cultural Desk, Books of the Year * Telegraph *The largest-known asteroid impact on Earth is the one that killed the dinosaurs 65?million years ago, but that is a mere pit stop on Thomas Halliday's evocative journey into planetary history in Otherlands. Each chapter of this literary time machine takes us further back into the deep past, telling vivid stories about ancient creatures and their alien ecologies, until at last we arrive 550?million years ago in the desert of what is now Australia, where no plant life yet covers the land. Halliday notes the urgency of reducing carbon emissions in the present to protect our settled patterns of life, but adds: "The idea of a pristine Earth, unaffected by human biology and culture, is impossible." It's an epic lesson in the impermanence of all things -- Steven Poole, Books of the Year * Telegraph *The world on which we live is "undoubtedly a human planet", Thomas Halliday writes in this extraordinary debut. But "it has not always been, and perhaps will not always be". Humanity has dominated the Earth for a tiny fraction of its history. And that History is vast. We tend to lump all dinosaurs, for example, into one period in the distant past. But more time passed between the last diplodocus and the first tyrannosaurus than has passed between the last tyrannosaurus and the present day. A mind-boggling fact. This is a glorious, mesmerising guide to the past 500 million years bought to life by this young palaeobiologist's rich and cinematic writing -- Ben Spencer, Books of the Year * Sunday Times *A book that I really want to read but haven't yet bought - so I hope it goes into my Christmas stocking - is Otherlands: A World in the Making by Thomas Halliday. It sounds so amazing - a history of the world before history, before people. He's trying to write the history of the organisms and the plants and the creatures and everything else as the world grows from protozoic slime or whatever we emerged from. It sounds like an absolutely incredible effort of imagination. I think that Christmas presents should be books you can curl up with and get engrossed in and transported by - and Otherlands sounds like exactly that -- Michael Wood, Books of the Year * BBC History Magazine *But, of course, not all history is human history, Otherlands, by Thomas Halliday, casts its readers further and further back, past the mammoths, past the dinosaurs, back to an alien world of shifting rock and weird plants. It is a marvel -- Books of the Year * Prospect *

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Book Synopsis‘Steve Brusatte, the author of The Rise and Fall of the Dinosaurs, brings mammals out from the shadow of their more showy predecessors in a beautifully written book that . . . makes the case for them as creatures who are just as engaging as dinosaurs.’ – The Sunday Times, ‘Best Books For Summer’The passing of the age of the dinosaurs allowed mammals to become ascendant. But mammals have a much deeper history. They – or, more precisely, we – originated around the same time as the dinosaurs, over 200 million years ago; mammal roots lie even further back, some 325 million years.Over these immense stretches of geological time, mammals developed their trademark features: hair, keen senses of smell and hearing, big brains and sharp intelligence, fast growth and warm-blooded metabolism, a distinctive line-up of teeth (canines, incisors, premolars, molars), mammary glands that mothers use to nourish their babies with milk, qualities that have underlain their success story.Out of this long and rich evolutionary history came the mammals of today, including our own species and our closest cousins. But today’s 6,000 mammal species - the egg-laying monotremes including the platypus, marsupials such as kangaroos and koalas that raise their tiny babies in pouches, and placentals like us, who give birth to well-developed young – are simply the few survivors of a once verdant family tree, which has been pruned both by time and mass extinctions.In The Rise and Reign of the Mammals, palaeontologist Steve Brusatte weaves together the history and evolution of our mammal forebears with stories of the scientists whose fieldwork and discoveries underlie our knowledge, both of iconic mammals like the mammoths and sabre-toothed tigers of which we have all heard, and of fascinating species that few of us are aware of.For what we see today is but a very limited range of the mammals that have existed; in this fascinating and ground-breaking book, Steve Brusatte tells their – and our – story.Trade ReviewTerrific . . . a saga on the grandest scale . . . beautifully told . . . Brusatte brings well-known extinct species, the sabre-toothed tigers and the woolly mammoths, thrillingly back to life * The Times, 'Book of the Week' *Nothing short of a thriller, revealing the luck, evolutionary twists and near-apocalyptical catastrophes that have led to the mammals of today, us included . . . Fascinating revelations come thick and fast * Guardian *Stands out for its brilliant balance of scientific detail and lively, efficient storytelling * New Scientist *Deeply researched and entertaining . . . Brusatte’s real achievement is to show us that, for all its sheer weight of numbers and impact, Homo sapiens is just ‘a single point, among millions of species over more than 200 million years. -- Mark Cocker * The Spectator *Gorgeous book . . . fantastic writing, brilliant science. -- Alice Roberts, author of AncestorsRiveting . . . A real page-turner that proves science fact is more amazing than science fiction. * The Sun *The epic story of how our mammalian cousins evolved to fly, walk, swim, and walk on two legs . . . [Brusatte's] deep knowledge infuse[s] this lively journey of millions of years of evolution with infectious enthusiasm. -- Neil Shubin, bestselling author of Your Inner Fish and University of Chicago paleontologistA fascinating account of how mammals survived the great extinction that destroyed the dinosaurs and evolved to their current position of dominance. A worthy sequel to [Steve Brusatte's] The Rise and Fall of Dinosaurs. -- Venki Ramakrishnan, 2009 Nobel Prize winner in Chemistry and Cambridge University biologist

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Book SynopsisWhat can long-dead dinosaurs teach us about our future? Plenty, according to world-renowned paleontologist and recent star of BBC show The Day the Dinosaurs Died Dr Kenneth Lacovara, who has discovered some of the largest creatures to ever walk the Earth, including the super-massive Dreadnoughtus.  'Majestic, awe-inspiring and deeply humbling. Kenneth Lacovara reveals how dinosaurs have changed how we understand time, the world and ourselves' DR ALICE ROBERTS, anatomist and anthropologist, television presenter, author and professor  ‘This is a dinosaur book with a difference. In lyrical prose Kenneth Lacovara shows how an understanding of the past helps to understand the present. The dinosaurs played no role in the great extinction that ended their era: we, on the other hand, are playing a major part in the extinction that is taking place today. And unless we change our ways, iTrade Review‘This is a dinosaur book with a difference. In lyrical prose Kenneth Lacovara shows how an understanding of the past helps to understand the present. The dinosaurs played no role in the great extinction that ended their era: we, on the other hand, are playing a major part in the extinction that is taking place today. And unless we change our ways, if we continue destroying the natural world, this will lead inevitably to our own extinction. But unlike the dinosaurs we have the power to turn things around.’ -- Dr Jane Goodall, DBE, conservationist, founder of the Jane Goodall Institute and UN Messenger of Peace‘Kenneth Lacovara LOVES Dinosaurs, LOVES science and truly LOVES telling you about it. Few non-fiction writers wield words with more poetic and potent affection for their subject. Ken’s deep scholarship and clear enjoyment of his subject always makes ME feel smarter. A man obsessed not just with his subject matter, but with showing us how looking into our deep past can illuminate our future.’ -- Adam Savage of the Discovery Channel'Majestic, awe-inspiring and deeply humbling. Kenneth Lacovara reveals how dinosaurs have changed how we understand time, the world and ourselves' -- Dr Alice Roberts, anatomist and anthropologist, television presenter, author and professor'Kenneth Lacovara challenges our ideas about dinosaurs and shows how the past can shine a light on today’s world. Dinosaurs, it turns out, were not lumbering, old, has-beens. They were the energetic champions of their age. This beautifully written book is simply mind-blowing. You’ll never look at dinosaurs, or think about the past, in quite the same way. Bravo!' -- Dara Torres, five-time Olympic swimmer, twelve-time Olympic medallist, mother, model, TV personality, and speaker

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Book SynopsisLife on Earth can be traced back over three billion years into the past. Many examples of the Earth's former inhabitants are to be found in rocks, preserved as beautiful and fascinating fossils. The earliest life forms were bacteria and algae; these produced the oxygen that enabled more complex life forms to develop. About 600 million years ago multi-cellular organisms appeared on Earth, some of which could protect themselves with hard parts such as shells. Many of these life forms were readily fossilized and are used to subdivide geological time. Numerous species have evolved and most are now extinct. Lineages can be traced and extinctions explained as a consequence of terrestrial and extra-terrestrial events. Now in a revised, updated and expanded Second Edition Introducing Palaeontology will continue to provide readers with a concise and accessible introduction to the science of palaeontology.Trade Review'Patrick Wyse Jackson's original book was a welcome, brief, but thorough introduction to what is a fascinating hobby, as well as a serious scientific pursuit, to many. The first edition filled a gap in providing a solid text aimed at the 'general reader'. This second edition is equally welcome as a well-considered update of the original text... Introducing Palaeontology is just that: a taste of a vast field of study encompassing more than four billion years; a guide into the science... Commendably, Wyse Jackson includes a reading list at the beginning of his book. His introduction is meant to entice into you and lead into the world of palaeontology and fossil study, as well as to fossil collecting. He helps you discover where to find out more, which, in my opinion, the book will 'make you want to'. It is reasonably priced and would make a great gift -not only for yourself, but to friends and relations of any age interested in the study of ancient life.' Proceedings of the OUGS 'A slim volume packed with much useful information, written by an expert in his field and at an attractive price - there is much to recommend this book to the reader.' Geology Today 'Introducing Palaeontology is an excellent book, full of attractive diagrams and photographs, coupled with short, waffle-free sections. The combination of short, snappy chapters and interesting scientific concepts create a book that is perfect for anyone new to the science of palaeontology,whether they be an enthusiastic amateur, a prospective student or an undergraduate just starting out in the field.' Geological Magazine 'There has been a gap in the market for a long time, for a book that provides a simple introduction to fossils, this title fills that gap admirably! In 150 pages it takes the reader on a whistle stop tour through many aspects of palaeontology. The book rounds off with an excellent glossary. What can I say? This book is perfect for its purpose!' Down to Earth 'And thank goodness this isn't another 'Guide to Identifying Fossils in the Field', which is a genre that is about as much use as a chocolate fireguard, when it comes to identifying any fossil below the level of kingdom or phyla (I exaggerate)! In fact, this makes no such claim - instead, being a short (152 pages), colourfully and beautifully illustrated (in part by John Murray) introduction to the science of palaeontology and, as such, fills a useful and previously empty niche in the market for both amateurs and first/second year students at university. Like Introducing Geology, the book is written in clear, understandable English, but never underestimates the reader's geological abilities or intelligence.' Deposits Magazine 'I would recommend this as one of the best introductory texts on the subject around at present and no doubt its fine illustrations will soon begin to punctuate many introductory courses in our science.' European GeologistTable of ContentsPart 1: the science of palaeontology; 1.1 Preface: the fascination of fossils; 1.2 A chancy business: the preservation of fossils; 1.3 From the field to laboratory: how to collect, curate and study fossils; 1.4 Code of conduct for fossil collectors; Taxonomy: how to classify and identify fossils; 1.6 Uses of fossils; 1.7 Fossil Lagerstatten: exceptional preservation of fossils; 1.8 Early ideas on the nature and significance of fossils. Part 2: Fossil Groups. 2.1 Algae and vascular plants; 2.2 Unicellular animals: Foraminifera and Radiolarians; 2.3 Sponges; 2.4 Cnidiria; 2.5 Bryozoans; 2.6 Molluscs; 2.7 Brachiopoda; 2.8 Echinoderma; 2.9 Arthropods; 2.10 Graptolites; 2.11 Conodonts; 2.12 Fishes; 2.13 Tetrapods and Amphibians; 2.14 Reptiles; 2.5 Birds; 2.16 Mammals; 2.17 Hominids and Hominins; 2.18 Trace Fossils. Glossary.

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Book SynopsisFollowing on from the hugely popular Mesozoic Art, this magnificent new volume showcases 25 amazing artists whose work represents the very best of palaeoart.Our knowledge of how dinosaurs and other extinct species looked is continuously evolving with each new palaeontological discovery, as is the dramatic art that depicts these ancient worlds. Palaeoartists now have access to more information than ever before, allowing them to achieve greater levels of accuracy in their work. Using fossilised material and the latest scientific knowledge, palaeoartists visualise and recreate creatures from the prehistoric world they put flesh on the bones of long-extinct species and their environments. It is through this imaginative artform that fossils can be brought to life in fresh, breathtaking detail.Mesozoic Art II presents 25 new leading paleoartists who present life in the primordial past through a broad diversity of artistic styles and techniques, from traditional graphite pencils to cutting-edge digital art.Arranged by portfolio, each piece is accompanied by an extended captions by the highly regarded palaeontologists and artists Steve White and Darren Naish.The artwork featured in this stunning book offers so much more than images of dinosaurs: it also showcases the world they lived in, the other animals and plants that would have been a part of the species' ecosystem, and their place in the history of life on this planet.

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Book Synopsis''The who, what, where, when and how of human evolution, from one of the world''s experts on the dating of prehistoric fossils'' Steve Brusatte, author of The Rise and Fall of the Dinosaurs ''Fascinating and entertaining. If you read one book on human origins, this should be it'' Ian Morris, author of Why the West Rules - For Now 50,000 years ago, we were not the only species of human in the world. There were at least four others, including the Neanderthals, Homo floresiensis, Homo luzonesis and the Denisovans. At the forefront of the latter''s ground-breaking discovery was Oxford Professor Tom Higham.In The World Before Us, he explains the scientific and technological advancements - in radiocarbon dating and ancient DNA, for example - that allowed each of these discoveries to be made, enabling us to be more accurate in our predictions about not just how long ago these other humans lived, but how Trade ReviewFascinating and deeply researched. Higham conveys the thrill of archaeological discovery eruditely and accessibly -- Alexander Larman * Guardian *A gripping account of Earth's other humans -- New ScientistThe remarkable new science of palaeoanthropology, from lab bench to trench -- Rebecca Wragg Sykes, author of KindredThe application of new genetic science to pre-history is analogous to how the telescope transformed astronomy. Tom Higham, one of the world's leading scientists in the field, brings us to the frontier of recent discoveries with a book that is both gripping and fun. And the results are astonishing. It matters: understanding our evolutionary origins reveals our innate strengths as a species -- Paul Collier, author of The Bottom BillionA brilliant exposition of the way in which archaeology and science are completely changing our understanding of early humans. This is a fast-moving story written with verve and enthusiasm by one of the scientists deeply involved in tracking down the evidence. Essential reading for all interested in our early ancestors and the sheer excitement of their discovery -- Barry Cunliffe, author of The ScythiansA brilliant distillation of the ideas and discoveries revolutionising our understanding of human evolution. Tom Higham, one of the leaders of the revolution and the cutting-edge science on which it is based, introduces us to a complex world of many human species, whose genes and deeds live on in us today -- Chris Gosden, author of The History of MagicTom Higham has been at the pulsating centre of the close collaboration between archaeologists and geneticists that in the last few years discovered our previously unknown cousins - the Denisovans - and revealed the lost world in which they, Neanderthals and modern humans interacted and interbed. His thrilling book gives us a court-side view of this scientific revolution -- David Reich, author of Who We Are and How We Got HereA bang-up-to-date insider's review of a critical period in the emergence of modern humans. It also provides fascinating, intelligible and authoritative glimpses into a wide variety of new technologies -- Ian Tattersall, co-author of The Accidental Homo sapiens: Genetics, Behavior, and Free Will

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Book Synopsis‘Steve Brusatte, the author of The Rise and Fall of the Dinosaurs, brings mammals out from the shadow of their more showy predecessors in a beautifully written book that . . . makes the case for them as creatures who are just as engaging as dinosaurs.’ – The Sunday Times, ‘Best Books For Summer’'In this terrific new book, Steve Brusatte . . . brings well-known extinct species, the sabre-toothed tigers and the woolly mammoths, thrillingly back to life' – The TimesThe passing of the age of the dinosaurs allowed mammals to become ascendant. But mammals have a much deeper history. They – or, more precisely, we – originated around the same time as the dinosaurs, over 200 million years ago; mammal roots lie even further back, some 325 million years.Over these immense stretches of geological time, mammals developed their trademark features: hair, keen senses of smell and hearing, big brains and sharp intelligence, fast growth and warm-blooded metabolism, a distinctive line-up of teeth (canines, incisors, premolars, molars), mammary glands that mothers use to nourish their babies with milk, qualities that have underlain their success story.Out of this long and rich evolutionary history came the mammals of today, including our own species and our closest cousins. But today’s 6,000 mammal species - the egg-laying monotremes including the platypus, marsupials such as kangaroos and koalas that raise their tiny babies in pouches, and placentals like us, who give birth to well-developed young – are simply the few survivors of a once verdant family tree, which has been pruned both by time and mass extinctions.In The Rise and Reign of the Mammals, palaeontologist Steve Brusatte weaves together the history and evolution of our mammal forebears with stories of the scientists whose fieldwork and discoveries underlie our knowledge, both of iconic mammals like the mammoths and sabre-toothed tigers of which we have all heard, and of fascinating species that few of us are aware of.For what we see today is but a very limited range of the mammals that have existed; in this fascinating and ground-breaking book, Steve Brusatte tells their – and our – story.Trade ReviewThe epic story of how our mammalian cousins evolved to fly, walk, swim, and walk on two legs . . . [Brusatte's] deep knowledge infuse[s] this lively journey of millions of years of evolution with infectious enthusiasm. -- Neil Shubin, bestselling author of Your Inner Fish and University of Chicago paleontologistA fascinating account of how mammals survived the great extinction that destroyed the dinosaurs and evolved to their current position of dominance. A worthy sequel to [Steve Brusatte's] The Rise and Fall of Dinosaurs. -- Venki Ramakrishnan, 2009 Nobel Prize winner in Chemistry and Cambridge University biologistRiveting . . . A real page-turner that proves science fact is more amazing than science fiction. * The Sun *Nothing short of a thriller, revealing the luck, evolutionary twists and near-apocalyptical catastrophes that have led to the mammals of today, us included . . . Fascinating revelations come thick and fast * Guardian *Deeply researched and entertaining . . . Brusatte’s real achievement is to show us that, for all its sheer weight of numbers and impact, Homo sapiens is just ‘a single point, among millions of species over more than 200 million years. -- Mark Cocker, * The Spectator *Terrific . . . a saga on the grandest scale . . . beautifully told . . . Brusatte brings well-known extinct species, the sabre-toothed tigers and the woolly mammoths, thrillingly back to life * The Times, *Stands out for its brilliant balance of scientific detail and lively, efficient storytelling * New Scientist *Gorgeous book . . . fantastic writing, brilliant science. -- Alice Roberts, author of Ancestors

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Book Synopsis‘In Richard Fortey’s capable hands the humble grey trilobite has been transformed into the E.T. of the Lower Palaeozoic – a remarkable and fascinating book.’ SIMON WINCHESTERTrade Review‘Astonishing… A delightful book, mixed autobiography, philosophy and palaeontology, which illuminates understanding of that critical time in the history of the Earth after the explosion of multicellular life between five and six hundred million years ago. There is nothing here to intimidate the non-scientist. It is as good for reading on the beach as anywhere else… We may be special in our own eyes, but in longevity the trilobites knock us into one of their beautiful conical hats’Financial Times ‘Suffused with the experience and affection of a lifetime spent with these common and attractive fossils… A gripping, splendid book’New Scientist ‘Delightful and beautifully written, Fortey has an eye for the world about him that would be envied by some travel writers… interesting and impassioned’Literary Review ‘Fortey has turned his considerable skills to bringing the human dances with trilobites before our eyes… wonderful. His reputation as a first-rate natural history writer will only be enhanced by this volume’TLS ‘Vivid, poetic, highly focussed and uncompromising’Spectator ‘A splendid book written with so much verge and depth’Sunday Telegraph ‘[Trilobites!] needs that exclamation point to shout that it should be read by everybody, whether you know what a trilobite is or not… This is the way science should be written: so engagingly that it makes you forget that you’re actually learning something (actually, you’re learning a lot), and carrying you swiftly from page to page so that before you know if, you’ve let the kettle boil over and you’re at the end… If I had five thousand words I couldn’t do Trilobite! justice. There is just no way to condense Fortey’s glittering book so filled with insight, science, history, charm and wit… you must read it!’Times

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Book SynopsisOur understanding of the British Palaeolithic and Mesolithic has changed dramatically over the last three decades, and yet not since H. J. Fleure's A Natural History of Man in Britain (1951) has the New Naturalist Library included a volume focused on the study of early humans and their environment.In this long overdue new book, distinguished archaeologist Nick Ashton uncovers the most recent findings, following the remarkable survival and discovery of bones, stone tools and footprints which allow us to paint a picture of the first human visitors to this remote peninsula of north-west Europe.As part of the Ancient Human Occupation of Britain project and subsequent research, Ashton is involved in an unrivalled collaborative effort involving archaeologists, palaeontologists, and earth scientists at different British institutes, including the Natural History Museum and the British Museum. Using an interdisciplinary approach, the book explores the latest discoveries such as footprints at HaTrade Review‘[An] insightful study’ Nature ‘Early Humans packs in a huge amount of data, yet its research anecdotes, clear style and light humour make it accessible to a wide readership – ideal for students and researchers, but equally to be enjoyed by anyone curious about our extraordinary story on the edge of the early human world.’ British Archaeology ‘Well-designed … the images and illustrations are crisp andcolourful … the professional, the amateur and the dilettante alike will find something of interest from Early Humans, and will learn a great deal about Britain’s Ice Age past.’ Antiquity Praise for the New Naturalist series: ‘Taken either individually or as a whole, they are one of the proudest achievements of modern publishing’ The Sunday Times ‘The series is an amazing achievement’ The Times Literary Supplement ‘The books are glorious to own’ Independent

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Book SynopsisHazel Richardson is an author and editor of science books with a background in science research. She's the author of 16 books, including Dinosaurs and Other Prehistoric Animals, Life in the Ancient Indus River Valley, and Life in Ancient Japan.

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Book SynopsisFrom dinosaurs fighting to their deaths to elephant-sized burrowing ground sloths, this book takes readers on a global journey deep into the earth’s past. Locked in Time showcases fifty of the most astonishing fossils ever found, brought together in five chapters that offer an unprecedented glimpse at the behavior of prehistoric animals.Trade ReviewA rousing romp through the fossil record. Dean R. Lomax's storytelling and Bob Nicholls's artwork reanimate the lifestyles and behaviors of long-extinct species. Revel along as old bones, teeth, and footprints tell the tale of dinosaur mating dances, fighting mammoths, and pterodactyl nurseries. -- Steve Brusatte, University of Edinburgh paleontologist and New York Times best-selling author of The Rise and Fall of the DinosaursVividly told with stunning illustrations, Locked in Time is an essential book for any fossil fan. From the ancient steps of a horseshoe crab to courting dinosaurs, Lomax and Nicholls achieve the closest thing to time travel in bringing the prehistoric back to life. -- Riley Black, author of The Last Days of the DinosaursWhen we think about the animals of the past, we’re drawn to a small handful of movie dinosaurs, but in this fascinating and engaging book, Lomax brings to life incredible moments in the lives of animals from throughout prehistory, discovering the universal in the specific and offering us an insight into our sense of place on this planet. While being immersed in scientific literature, Lomax has a gift for extracting events from millions of years ago and giving them meaning for everyone today. -- Ellie Harrison, presenter of Dinosaur BritainA beetle within a lizard within a snake, a giant beaver that made huge corkscrew burrows three meters deep, a mammal that ate dinosaurs, insects caught in the act of mating, and dinosaurs with cancer . . . Dean R. Lomax presents an extraordinary tour through recent fossil discoveries that shed light on all aspects of the life of the past. These extraordinary scenarios are brought to life in exquisite reconstructions by Bob Nicholls. These are fossils that don’t make it into the textbooks; your appreciation of the history of life will never be the same again! -- Michael J. Benton, professor of vertebrate paleontology, University of BristolA number of exceptional, spectacular fossils show—via the most direct evidence imaginable—that the extinct animals of the past were once very much alive. They preserve animals giving birth, swallowing prey, and even having sex. Others reveal cases where animals died from poisoning, choking, or even when locked in combat. Join Dean Lomax in this beautifully illustrated, thoroughly researched but accessibly written tour of animals forever locked in time. -- Darren Naish, lead scientific consultant for Prehistoric PlanetIlluminates how we pieced together our understanding of behaviors in the animal kingdom. . . . Buckle up—it's a journey. * Inverse *An outstanding and highly original piece of popular science that overflows with Lomax’s enthusiasm and passion. Believe me, you have not seen a book like this before. * Inquisitive Biologist *Meticulously researched and Dr [Dean] Lomax is a most eloquent and well-informed tour guide. Renowned palaeoartist Bob Nicholls provides the sumptuous illustrations that brings Dean’s narrative to life. * Everything Dinosaur *A strikingly illustrated study that will have immense value and appeal for both paleontology students and non-specialist general readers alike, 'Locked in Time: Animal Behavior Unearthed in 50 Extraordinary Fossils' is impressively well written and thoroughly 'reader friendly' in organization and presentation. Exceptionally well informed and informative, 'Locked in Time: Animal Behavior Unearthed in 50 Extraordinary Fossils' is an extraordinary and unreservedly recommended addition to community, college and university library Paleontology collections and supplemental studies curriculums. * Midwest Book Review *Fascinating and highly recommended. * AIPT Science *This informative, educational, and entertaining book will make a good addition to the paleontology aficionado’s library. * Fossil News *Fully achieves what it sets out to do: educate and entertain. * Quarterly Review of Biology *A captivating and accessible read...Highly recommended. * Choice *[Lomax] covers 50 extraordinary fossils, in five fascinating chapters that offer an unprecedented glimpse at the real-life behaviours of prehistoric animals. The book is illustrated by striking and scientifically rigorous illustrations by renowned palaeoartist Bob Nicholls. A great read for those interested in ancient life. * Deposits Magazine *Lomax is an easy narrator, deftly weaving personal reminiscence and passion among the paleontological facts. There’s an abundance of ‘impeccable, large illustrations and photographs.’ I had a blast with this book. -- Ola G * Re-enchantment of the World *Table of ContentsIntroduction: Unlocking the Prehistoric World1. Sex2. Parental Care and Communities3. Moving and Making Homes4. Fighting, Biting, and Feeding5. Unusual HappeningsAcknowledgmentsFurther ReadingIndex

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Book SynopsisShowcases the work of twenty leading paleoartists who expertly bring these extinct animals to life in exquisite detail.Dinosaurs are endlessly fascinating to people of every age, from the youngest child who enjoys learning the tongue-twisting names to adults who grew up with Jurassic Park and Walking with Dinosaurs. As our knowledge of the prehistoric world continues to evolve and grow, so has the discipline of bringing these ancient worlds to life artistically. Paleoart puts flesh on the bones of long-extinct organisms, and illustrates the world they lived in. Mesozoic Art presents twenty of the best artists working in this field, representing a broad spectrum of disciplines, from traditional painting to cutting-edge digital technology. Some provide the artwork for new scientific papers that demand high-end paleoart as part of their presentation to the world at large; they also work for the likes of National Geographic and provide art to museums aroTrade ReviewPalaeoart has truly crossed the bridge into the realm of fine wildlife art in both the quality and creative content of the work compiled in this tome. * Julius T. Csotonyi, palaeoartist and mural illustrator for the Smithsonian Museum of Natural History and LA Museum of Natural History, and author of The Paleoart of Julius Csotonyi *A must-have for scientists, scholars and young dino artists! * Creator of Age of Reptiles, concept artist for Jurassic Park III, and character designer for Disney’s Dinosaur *This is an ambitious collection of some of the most breath-catching depictions not only of our world in the past, but our world at any time. Sometimes weird, but often startlingly natural, Mesozoic Art helps us see life in the past not as science fiction, but living, breathing fact. * Dr Elsa Panciroli, palaeontologist, author of Beasts Before Us and The Earth: A Biography of Life *This book offers new, fresh, naturalistic and exciting depictions of our favourite creatures. Prehistoric Animals are not monsters and these young artists give them the respect they deserve. No doubt Mesozoic Art will inspire a whole new generation of Palaeoartists! * David Krentz, palaeoartist, designer, concept artist, storyboard artist on Prehistoric Planet, Emmy award-winning concept artist on Primal *I was entranced by the work here…Darren and Steve’s captions also provide an effective, insightful commentary…this is obviously a must-have book for anyone interested in palaeoart…More than that, this feels like a definitive summation of where we’re up to in the world of palaeoart, committed to print to be perused for decades to come. * Love in the Time of Chasmosaurs *The gorgeous paintings are accompanied by thought-provoking notes designed to attract artists and scientists alike…Arts and prehistoric science library collections alike must place Mesozoic Art on their lists of important, key acquisitions. * Donovan’s Recommended Reading *Mesozoic Art pulls together a powerful subset of palaeoartists…The print quality equals that of the best fine art books. Paleontology enthusiasts, and perhaps even Audubon aficionados, will not be disappointed. * New York Journal of Books *Table of ContentsForeword Introduction Artist Profiles Gabriel Ugueto Joschua Knuppe Corben Rainbolt Stephanie Dziezyk Emiliano Troco Lucas Attwell Julia D’Oliveira Midiaou Diallo Joanna Kobierska Jed Taylor Pablo Rivera Greer Stothers John Conway Ville Sinkkonen Danielle Dufault Julio Lacerda Brennan Stokerman Raven Amos Mark Witton Jaime Chirinos Glossary

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Book Synopsis''Truth and courage are what memoirs need and this one has them both in spades The unforgotten boy: that is what makes this a book a revelation''ADAM NICOLSONWonderful, absolutely beguiling I learnt a lot and really loved it'RICHARD HOLMESGloriously evocative' DAILY MAILWhat makes a scientist?Charming, funny and wise, in this memoir Richard Fortey shows how restless curiosity about the natural world led him to become a leading scientist and writer, with adventures and misadventures along the way.From a garden shed laboratory where he manufactured the greatest stink in the world to a tent high in the Arctic in pursuit of fossils, this is a story of obsession and love of nature, flavoured with the peculiarities and restrictions of post-war Britain. Fortey tells the story of following his father down riverbanks to fish for trout, and also of his father''s shocking death. He unfolds his early passions fungi, ammonite hunting and eyeing up bird''s eggs. He evokes with warmth and wit how Trade Review'Truth and courage are what memoirs need and this one has them both in spades … He never forgets that the small boy, watching his father’s effortless casting on the waters of the Itchen, somehow remains permanently present inside the great, famous and lauded scientist. The unforgotten boy: that is what makes this a book a revelation'Adam Nicolson, winner of the 2018 Wainwright Prize ‘A wonderful, absolutely beguiling glimpse into the formative life of a great scientist. I learnt a lot and really loved it’Richard Holmes ‘Wonderfully lyrical … funny and entertaining … I would also suggest that the real revelation is something other than the way these multiple childhood paths converge … [but rather] his ability to see and interpret the complexities of the living world, as if from a great height, and then to compress all the technical material into a scientifically accurate form that is also full of poetry and music … The most compelling insight of the book: the way in which its author has striven to fuse and harmonise, often against career typecasting, professional constraint and simple circumstances, to become the whole person he wished to be … Both the book and the life it recounts amount to a singular triumph’Mark Cocker, Guardian ‘A gloriously evocative account of the childhood that created the scientist’Daily Mail ‘[A] wonderful, wry memoir’BBC Wildlife ‘[Fortey’s] book’s punning title distils both its irresistible charm and a deep truth about science’Nature ‘Disarming and enjoyable …there is depth and beauty to his writing and its cadence is bewitching; I read A Curious Boy in a single day…and enjoyed it so much that I immediately went ahead and bought five of his previous books after finishing it’The Inquisitive Biologist

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Book SynopsisWhales are among the largest, most intelligent, deepest diving species to have ever lived on our planet. We have hunted them for thousands of years and scratched their icons into our mythologies. They simultaneously fill us with waves of terror, awe and affection yet we know hardly anything about them.Whales tend to only enter our awareness when they die, struck by a ship or stranded in the surf. They evolved from land-roaming, dog-like creatures into animals that move like fish, breathe like us, can grow to 300,000 pounds, live 200 years and roam entire ocean basins. Yet despite centuries of observing whales, we know little about their evolutionary past.Palaeontologist Nick Pyenson takes us to the ends of the earth and to the cutting edge of whale research as he searches for the answers to some of our biggest questions about these graceful giants. His rich storytelling takes us deep inside the Smithsonian's unparalleled fossil collection, to frigid Antarctic waters, and to the arid dTrade Review‘If you don’t care about whales you should still read Spying on Whales. I didn’t give two hoots about them last week but after reading Pyenson’s book, I’m obsessed. Pyenson writes engagingly … this is a lively survey of the past, present and future of these magnificent animals … great stuff.’ The Times ‘Spying on Whales represents the best of science writing. The subject is inherently fascinating, the author is an authentic scientist by virtue of his personal research on the subject, and the text reads like the epic it truly is.’ Edward O. Wilson, Pulitzer Prize-winner and New York Times bestselling author of The Origin of Creativity and The Meaning of Human Existence ‘Reading Spying on Whales leaves a strong impression, based on the principles of ecology, evolution and physiology, that a world including whales seems awesomely improbable. And, of course, wonderful. Nick Pyenson guides us through this world, and in the process achieves that rare state of grace for a writer of science – producing prose that is both scientific and beautiful. This is a moving, informative, evocative book.’ Robert Sapolsky, author of Behave

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Book SynopsisThe Crystal Palace Dinosaurs, a series of thirty-seven incredible sculptures of prehistoric animals and geological displays, were unveiled to the public as part of the famous Crystal Palace Park in 1854. The display, which includes iconic depictions of rhinoceros-like dinosaurs, regal extinct mammals, serpentine marine reptiles and giant, frog-like amphibians, captured a snapshot of palaeontology from a golden era of scientific discovery in the mid-nineteenth century. Today, they are internationally recognized as a milestone in our portrayals of extinct life. This book celebrates these classic scientific artworks and explores: their history, their conception as a wider part of the Crystal Palace project, their execution using unorthodox building materials, their reception by nineteenth century and modern critics, and their enduring mysteries. Hundreds of historic and modern photos and original paintings show modern scientific visions of the extinct animals restored. Written in collabor

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Book SynopsisFossils provide a powerful tool for the study of the nearly 4-billion-year history of life, and its role in the evolution of Earth systems. They also provide important data for evolutionary studies, and contribute to our understanding of the extinction of organisms and the origins of modern biodiversity.Trade Review"Generally, the book by Milsom & Rigby is a must for all beginners (especially undergraduate students) and educators in geosciences (not only palaeontology, but also general and historical geology). Additionally, the reviewer tends to recommend this book strongly for fossil amateurs and field geologists." (Zentralblatt fur Geologie und Palaontologie, 1 January 2011) Table of ContentsAcknowledgments. 1. Introduction. 2. Fossil classification and evolution. 3. Sponges. 4. Corals. 5. Bryozoans. 6. Brachiopods. 7. Echinoderms. 8. Trilobites. 9. Mollusks. 10. Graptolites. 11. Vertebrates. 12. Land plants. 13. Microfossils. 14. Trace fossils. 15. Precambrian life. 16. Phanerozoic life. Reading list. Geological timescale. Index.

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Book SynopsisToday the Upper Thames Valley is a region of green pastures and well-managed farmland, interspersed with pretty villages and intersected by a meandering river. The discovery in 1989 of a mammoth tusk in river gravels at Stanton Harcourt, Oxfordshire, revealed the very different ancient past of this landscape. Here, some 200,000 years ago, mammoths, straight-tusked elephants, lions, and other animals roamed across grasslands with scattered trees, occasionally disturbed by small bands of Neanderthals. The pit where the tusk was discovered, destined to become a waste disposal site, provided a rare opportunity to conduct intensive excavations that extended over a period of 10 years. This work resulted in the recording and recovery of more than 1500 vertebrate fossils and an abundance of other biological material, including insects, molluscs, and plant remains, together with 36 stone artefacts attributable to Neanderthals. The well-preserved plant remains include leaves, nuts, twigs and large oak logs. Vertebrate remains notably include the most comprehensive known assemblage of a distinctive small form of the steppe mammoth, Mammuthus trogontherii, that is characteristic of an interglacial period equated with marine isotope stage 7 (MIS 7). Richly illustrated throughout, Mammoths and Neanderthals in the Thames Valley offers a detailed account of all these finds and will be of interest to Quaternary specialists and students alike.Table of ContentsList of Figures ; List of Tables ; Preface ; Introduction ; The excavations ; Geological context of the Stanton Harcourt Channel ; Evidence for the Contemporaneity of Bones, Wood, Molluscs and Artefacts ; Stratigraphy and sedimentology ; Bones assemblages at their death sites ; The context of wood, fresh-water molluscs and other environmental material at the excavation site ; The presence of hominins ; Dating The Stanton Harcourt Channel Deposits ; Absolute dating ; Biostratigraphy ; The Mammoths ; The compostion of the mammoth assemblage ; The sex of the Stanton Harcourt mammoths ; Interpreting the mammoth remains: death, carcass dispersal and the effect of the river ; Population structure of the Stanton Harcourt mammoth assemblage ; Large Vertebrates other than Mammoths at Stanton Harcourt ; The carnivores ; The herbivores ; Small vertebrates ; The Climatic and Environmental Evidence ; Wood and other vegetation as climatic indicators ; Climatic interpretation of the molluscs ; Large vertebrates as climatic indicators ; The local environment - wood and other vegetation ; Insects and the environment ; Molluscs and the local environment ; Vertebrates and the environment ; The Artefacts ; Descriptions of the artefacts ; Artefacts from the wider context near Stanton Harcourt ; The Stanton Harcourt artefacts and other British assemblages ; Neanderthals in the Thames Valley ; References

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Book SynopsisThe ocean is the womb of all life on earth. It is beautiful and bizarre, violent and mysterious. Inhabited by a cast of characters stolen from fantasy, it's a dystopian world where dragons are real, and monsters are commonplace. Today's spectacular marine life has an ancient history preserved in stone - fossil strata that read like dramatic pages from the longest story ever told - tales of evolution, extinction, and surprising continuity. Having thrived a tumultuous 500 million years, this marine kingdom is now challenged by a new, arrogant and domineering life form. This book looks beyond the media focus on climate change and extinction to celebrate the continuity of ocean life. I'll take you on a personal journey to explore origins and destinies, from primordial soup to today's threatened oceans - towards a future we can influence. We always have a choice.Trade Review"I am a major fan of your work. Love your writing and storytelling; the keen detail, the heavy cultural history and your optimism. Your thinking was an inspiration to me."; Cynthia Barnett, Journalist and author of The Sound of the Sea.; "An incredible and beautiful book."; James Lovelock, author of the Gaia hypothesis, personal communication.; "This is amazing as its predecessors. Refreshing to read an up-beat text instead of doom-laden messages."; Sir David Attenborough, broadcaster and naturalist.; "A beautifully produced volume by an extraordinarily gifted writer. Has made a scientific text into a page-turner. A unique volume is a pleasure to read, the illustrations are superb and the book is simply impossible to put down."; The Leading Edge, August 2020, by Sven Treitel.; "A wonderous book. The photographs are fantastic! A labor of love to the world!"; John Feldman, Hummingbird Films, New York.

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Book SynopsisThis volume celebrates the contributions of Dr. Eugene Gaffney to the study of turtles, through a diverse and complementary collection of papers that showcases the latest research on one of the most intriguing groups of reptiles. A mix of focused and review papers deals with numerous aspects of the evolutionary history of turtles, including embryonic development, origins, early diversification, phylogenetic relationships, and biogeography. Moreover it includes reports on important but poorly understood fossil turtle assemblages, provides historical perspectives on turtle research, and documents disease and variation in turtles. With its broad scope, which includes descriptions of material and new taxa from Australia, Asia, and Europe, as well as North and South America, this work will be an essential resource for anyone interested in the morphology and evolution of turtles. “This volume’s breadth of time, geography, and taxonomic coverage makes it a major contribution to the field and a ‘must have’ for all vertebrate paleontologists.”, James F. Parham, California State University, CA, USA “A comprehensive and sweeping overview of turtle evolution by the top experts in the field that will interest everyone curious about these unique reptiles.” Jason S. Anderson, University of Calgary, Canada “An invaluable addition to the literature that covers the full spectrum of approaches toward understanding the evolution of these noble creatures.” Ann C. Burke, Wesleyan University, CT , USA “A truly comprehensive volume that both the student of fossil turtles, as well as the general reader interested in these enigmatic creatures, will find fascinating.” Tyler Lyson, Yale University, CT, USA​Trade ReviewFrom the reviews:“This book describes the latest research on fossil turtles and thus is a substantial addition to the field of vertebrate paleontology. … this work will be an essential resource for all global researchers interested in the morphology and evolution of reptiles, including the most intriguing of them, the turtles. … will be very useful to students, researchers, and scientists in the field of paleontology and biology.” (Rituparna Bose, Priscum, Vol. 21 (1), 2014)“This massive volume will be a landmark in the study of turtles. … This is a rich resource with many photographs and illustrations and information on the contributions of many earlier students of turtles. It is essentially a book for specialists in turtle anatomy and evolution, but some of the more broadly focused chapters will be of use to many professionals in paleontology and biology, and advanced students in those areas. Summing Up: Recommended. Upper-division undergraduates and above.” (D. Bardack, Choice, Vol. 50 (6), February, 2013).Table of ContentsPart I. Perspectives on the Life and Accomplishments of Eugene S. Gaffney.- Part II. The Origin of Turtles.- Part III. The Early Diversification of Turtles.- Part IV. Pleurodire Diversity and Biogeography.- Part V. Diversity, Biogeography, and Paleobiology of Late Cretaceous and Tertiary Turtles.- Part VI. Pathologies, Anomalies, and Variation in Turtle Skeletons. ​

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Book Synopsis300 million years ago, dog-sized scorpions and millipedes walked the earth and tropical rainforests towered into the sky. George R. McGhee Jr. explores that ancient world, explaining its origins, its downfall in the end-Permian mass extinction, and its legacies, to offer insight into past and present extinction events and climate change.Trade ReviewCarboniferous Giants and Mass Extinction is a superb and unique synthesis of the current knowledge of processes and conditions during the Late Paleozoic, incorporating the results from all subdisciplines of the earth and life sciences. McGhee demonstrates his expertise and knowledge in all the subdisciplines in a magnificent way. The book is a pleasure to read and at the same time erudite. -- Hermann Pfefferkorn, University of PennsylvaniaCarboniferous Giants and Mass Extinction is comprehensive and well researched, and provides fascinating insights into the complex Carboniferous world. It has amazing presentation, including depth, perception, and interpretation, and the writing style is readable and captivating. This work will be a valuable reference for geology students and others interested in past earth climates. -- Peter E. Isaacson, University of IdahoA valuable contribution to our understanding of ancient environments and the incredible plants and animals that once inhabited the Earth. * Everything Dinosaur *Highly recommended. * Everything Dinosaur *Table of ContentsPreface1. Harbingers of the Late Paleozoic Ice Age2. The Big Chill3. The Late Carboniferous Ice World4. Giants in the Earth . . .5. The End of the Late Paleozoic Ice Age6. The End of the Paleozoic World7. The Legacy of the Late Paleozoic Ice AgeNotesReferencesIndex

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Book SynopsisTrade Review"This book is the most complete examination of pterosaurs that I have seen and when the last page is turned the reader has a comprehensive understanding of the beast, from history to biology, to life style to extinction. One is even taken on an imaginary pterosaur safari. Move over Jurassic Park!"---David Gascoigne, Travels with Birds"A most enjoyable and comprehensive account demonstrating how art and scientific enquiry combine to help inform, enlighten and educate. Highly recommend."---Mike Walley, Everything Dinosaur"[The] reconstructions of fully fl eshed-out pterosaurs in various poses, exhibiting various behaviors, adds mightily to understanding ofthese bizarre animals. . . . Highly recommended."---J.C. Kricher, Choice

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Book SynopsisFrom dinosaurs fighting to their deaths to elephant-sized burrowing ground sloths, this book takes readers on a global journey deep into the earth’s past. Locked in Time showcases fifty of the most astonishing fossils ever found, brought together in five chapters that offer an unprecedented glimpse at the behavior of prehistoric animals.Trade ReviewA rousing romp through the fossil record. Dean R. Lomax's storytelling and Bob Nicholls's artwork reanimate the lifestyles and behaviors of long-extinct species. Revel along as old bones, teeth, and footprints tell the tale of dinosaur mating dances, fighting mammoths, and pterodactyl nurseries. -- Steve Brusatte, University of Edinburgh paleontologist and New York Times best-selling author of The Rise and Fall of the DinosaursVividly told with stunning illustrations, Locked in Time is an essential book for any fossil fan. From the ancient steps of a horseshoe crab to courting dinosaurs, Lomax and Nicholls achieve the closest thing to time travel in bringing the prehistoric back to life. -- Riley Black, author of The Last Days of the DinosaursWhen we think about the animals of the past, we’re drawn to a small handful of movie dinosaurs, but in this fascinating and engaging book, Lomax brings to life incredible moments in the lives of animals from throughout prehistory, discovering the universal in the specific and offering us an insight into our sense of place on this planet. While being immersed in scientific literature, Lomax has a gift for extracting events from millions of years ago and giving them meaning for everyone today. -- Ellie Harrison, presenter of Dinosaur BritainA beetle within a lizard within a snake, a giant beaver that made huge corkscrew burrows three meters deep, a mammal that ate dinosaurs, insects caught in the act of mating, and dinosaurs with cancer . . . Dean R. Lomax presents an extraordinary tour through recent fossil discoveries that shed light on all aspects of the life of the past. These extraordinary scenarios are brought to life in exquisite reconstructions by Bob Nicholls. These are fossils that don’t make it into the textbooks; your appreciation of the history of life will never be the same again! -- Michael J. Benton, professor of vertebrate paleontology, University of BristolA number of exceptional, spectacular fossils show—via the most direct evidence imaginable—that the extinct animals of the past were once very much alive. They preserve animals giving birth, swallowing prey, and even having sex. Others reveal cases where animals died from poisoning, choking, or even when locked in combat. Join Dean Lomax in this beautifully illustrated, thoroughly researched but accessibly written tour of animals forever locked in time. -- Darren Naish, lead scientific consultant for Prehistoric PlanetIlluminates how we pieced together our understanding of behaviors in the animal kingdom. . . . Buckle up—it's a journey. * Inverse *An outstanding and highly original piece of popular science that overflows with Lomax’s enthusiasm and passion. Believe me, you have not seen a book like this before. * Inquisitive Biologist *Meticulously researched and Dr [Dean] Lomax is a most eloquent and well-informed tour guide. Renowned palaeoartist Bob Nicholls provides the sumptuous illustrations that brings Dean’s narrative to life. * Everything Dinosaur *A strikingly illustrated study that will have immense value and appeal for both paleontology students and non-specialist general readers alike, 'Locked in Time: Animal Behavior Unearthed in 50 Extraordinary Fossils' is impressively well written and thoroughly 'reader friendly' in organization and presentation. Exceptionally well informed and informative, 'Locked in Time: Animal Behavior Unearthed in 50 Extraordinary Fossils' is an extraordinary and unreservedly recommended addition to community, college and university library Paleontology collections and supplemental studies curriculums. * Midwest Book Review *Fascinating and highly recommended. * AIPT Science *This informative, educational, and entertaining book will make a good addition to the paleontology aficionado’s library. * Fossil News *Fully achieves what it sets out to do: educate and entertain. * Quarterly Review of Biology *A captivating and accessible read...Highly recommended. * Choice *[Lomax] covers 50 extraordinary fossils, in five fascinating chapters that offer an unprecedented glimpse at the real-life behaviours of prehistoric animals. The book is illustrated by striking and scientifically rigorous illustrations by renowned palaeoartist Bob Nicholls. A great read for those interested in ancient life. * Deposits Magazine *Lomax is an easy narrator, deftly weaving personal reminiscence and passion among the paleontological facts. There’s an abundance of ‘impeccable, large illustrations and photographs.’ I had a blast with this book. -- Ola G * Re-enchantment of the World *Table of ContentsIntroduction: Unlocking the Prehistoric World1. Sex2. Parental Care and Communities3. Moving and Making Homes4. Fighting, Biting, and Feeding5. Unusual HappeningsAcknowledgmentsFurther ReadingIndex

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Book SynopsisFor 150 million years, the skies didn't belong to birds--they belonged to the pterosaurs. These flying reptiles, which include the pterodactyls, shared the world with the nonavian dinosaurs until their extinction 65 million years ago. Some pterosaurs, such as the giant azhdarchids, were the largest flying animals of all time, with wingspans exceediTrade Review"A comprehensive introduction... Witton manages to make this an attractive book for the layperson and bring these flying fossils to life."--Natural History "Witton's new tribute to pterosaurs gives these fantastic fossil creatures a much-needed makeover in two crucial ways. Not only does the book bring the science of pterosaurs up to date--at long last following-up other classics such as David Unwin's The Pterosaurs and Peter Wellenhofer's Illustrated Encyclopedia of Pterosaurs--but Witton is a highly-skilled and imaginative artist who ably reconstructs the bones of the animals and brings them back to life in startling poses. Witton's pterosaurs are fantastical creatures deserving their own time in the spotlight... Witton's combination of style and substance makes Pterosaurs a true treasure and an absolute must for anyone curious about the extinct flyers."--Brian Switek, National Geographic.com "This really is the ultimate guide to pterosaurs, providing us with a richer view of pterosaur diversity and behaviour than allowed in the two previous great volumes on the group (Wellnhofer 1991, Unwin 2005) and containing a substantial amount of review and analysis of pterosaur ecology and functional morphology."--Darren Naish, Scientific American "A solid review of the whole of the Pterosauria that'll be genuinely useful for researchers for many years. I'm sure I'll be typing 'Witton, (2013) stated ...' quite a lot in the future and that, if anything, should be a good measure of how I rate this as a scientific text. Now go buy a copy and read it, it really is very good."--Dave Hone, Pterosaur.Net "[Witton] presents the uncertainties of science but never shies away from making his opinion clear. [He] respects the complexities [of scientific writing] without allowing them to clump up the text... I can wholeheartedly recommend the book already."--David Mass, DRIP "Pterosaurs would make an excellent addition to any reference collection and especially that of an advanced (adult or young adult) lay-reader."--Greg Leitich Smith, GSL Blog "I can tell you that it is not only a fascinating bit of text, its illustrations will leave you gaping in awestruck amazement."--John E. Riutta, Well-read Naturalist "[Witton] combines his deep knowledge of the subject as a palaeontologist at the University of Portsmouth (U.K.) with his skills as an artist, and he has a flair for informal but accurate writing. His 292-page book is the most comprehensive and authoritative book to come along since Peter Wellnhofer's classic Illustrated Encyclopedia of Pterosaurs back in 1991."--James Gurney, artist and author of the Dinotopia book series "The joy of Pterosaurs is how it brings long extinct animals to life."--Jeff Hecht, New Scientist "Learn all about flying reptiles in this artfully illustrated overview of pterosaur research."--Science News "Highly recommended."--EverythingDinosaur.com "Once dragons flew through Mesozoic skies! They were pterosaurs, and Witton offers a rich and extensive account of what science knows about these extinct creatures... For those who want an introduction to flying reptiles or the craft of scientific research, this title is a great choice."--Eileen H. Kramer, Library Journal "Beautifully laid out, clearly written, loaded with handsome illustrations, Witton's book invites you to dip in for delicious tidbits or hunker down for the equivalent of a superb lecture series."--Wilson's Bookmarks, Christianity Today "This is a book of impeccable scholarship, but it is also very readable for the non-scholar and amateur pterosaurophile... A wonderful book!"--Rabbi Dr Charles H Middleburgh, Middleburgh Blog "Though the writing style clearly targets the book to nonexperts, it does not dilute its realized value for professional paleontologists or teachers of paleontology. This is a very skillful presentation: a brief introductory paragraph or two leads quickly into an advanced discussion. The illustrations are excellent, including nice reconstructions by the author and very high-quality photographic reproductions of original key fossils. Overall, this is a very well-done book that belongs in any library with a vertebrate paleontology collection."--Choice "Although the text is mostly technical, directed at an informed audience, it is written with a humorous slant. Everyone will get something out of reading this book... This is a fantastic book!"--Randy Lauff, Canadian Field Naturalist "Witton's Pterosaurs is a remarkable visual feast, packed full of novel art as well as excellent photographs that the author clearly worked hard to obtain. There are, in fact, illustrations of some sort on virtually every single page--you will never get bored of looking at this book... If you like or are even vaguely interested in pterosaurs, you really need this book."--Darren Naish, Historical BiologyTable of Contentsix Preface xi Acknowledgments 1.Leathery-Winged Harpies 1 2.Understanding the Flying Reptiles 4 3.Pterosaur Beginnings 12 4.The Pterosaur Skeleton 23 5.Soft Bits 39 6.Flying Reptiles 56 7.Down from the Skies 64 8.The Private Lives of Pterosaurs 74 9.The Diversity of Pterosaurs 90 10.Early Pterosaurs and Dimorphodontidae 95 11.Anurognathidae 104 12."Campylognathoidids" 113 13.Rhamphorhynchidae 123 14.Wukongopteridae 135 15.Istiodactylidae 143 16.Ornithocheiridae 152 17.Boreopteridae 164 18.Pteranodontia 170 19.Ctenochasmatoidea 183 20.Dsungaripteroidea 201 21.Lonchodectidae 211 22.Tapejaridae 216 23.Chaoyangopteridae 228 24.Thalassodromidae 234 25.Azhdarchidae 244 26.The Rise and Fall of the Pterosaur Empire 259 References 265 Index 283

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Book SynopsisOn this blue planet, long before pterodactyls took to the skies and tyrannosaurs prowled the continents, tiny green organisms populated the ancient oceans. The author traces the history of these verdant organisms, which many would call plants, from their ancient beginnings to the diversity of green life that inhabits the Earth today.

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Book SynopsisDinosaurs are fascinating creatures and their popularity seems never ending, fuelled by films such as Jurassic Park and documentaries such as Walking with Dinosaurs. Yet dinosaurs (or more precisely non-avian dinosaurs) last trod the Earth 65 million years ago. All we know of them today are their fossilised bones, the tracks and traces that they left behind and, in very rare instances, some of the soft tissues or even traces of their chemistry. In many respects dinosaurs present us with one of the ultimate forensic challenges: they comprise the fragmentary remains of creatures that died many tens of millions of years ago, rather than just recently, or a few tens of years ago, which is the problem usually faced by forensic pathologists. How much do we really know about them, and to what extent can their remains inform us about ancient worlds, and indeed about the history of our planet?In this Very Short Introduction David Norman discusses how dinosaurs were first discovered and interpreTrade ReviewDinosaurs: A Very Short Introduction is anything but. Instead, Dave Norman's book is a tour de force on the latest research on these terribly great reptiles, much of it by himself. An excellent read!! * David B. Weishampel, Senior Editor, The Dinosauria *Table of ContentsINTRODUCTION; REFERENCES; FURTHER READING; INDEX

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Book SynopsisAn awe-inspiring journey through the eons and across the globe in search of visible traces of evolution in the living creatures that have survived from earlier times.In this groundbreaking book, prize-winning science writer Richard Fortey chronicles life's history not through the fossil record, but through the stories of organisms that have survived, almost unchanged, through geological time.Fortey takes us on a journey to ancient worlds: on a moonlit beach in Delaware where the horseshoe crab shuffles its way through a violent romance, we catch a glimpse of life 450 million years ago. Along a stretch of Australian coastline, we bear witness to the sights and sounds that would have greeted a Precambrian dawn. And, in the dense rainforests of New Zealand, where the secretive velvet worm burrows into the rotting timber of the jungle floor, we marvel at a living fossil which has survived unchanged since before the break-up of Gondwana, the ancient supercontinent, over 150 million years agTrade Review‘I was thrilled by Survivors…. Reading Richard Fortey is always pure pleasure.’ Bill Bryson ‘Fortey has a unique way with the most humble of lifeforms and an infectious curiosity that can slide into near rapture’ Evening Standard ‘An epic, globe-circling scientific adventure story … intriguing. Entertaining, accessible and intensely stimulating – and highly recommended’ Sunday Times ‘A great story, and no one is better equipped than Fortey to tell it. Excellent natural history’ Guardian ‘Unequivocally my book of the year, a happy mix of global travel, high art and very low life’ Tim Radford, Books of the Year, Guardian ‘An elegant celebration’ TLS

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Book SynopsisDonald R. Prothero’s Evolution is an entertaining and rigorous history of the transitional forms and series found in the fossil record. In this second edition, Prothero describes new transitional fossils from various periods, and reframes creationism as a case study in denialism and pseudoscience.Trade ReviewIf you're one of these people who likes to read Dawkins, Gould and Darwin, I would highly recommend this book. If you doubted that evolution was true before, and then you looked at this book, I don't see how you could possibly continue to question it. -- Jerry Coyne, author of Faith Versus Fact: Why Science and Religion Are IncompatibleTable of ContentsForeword: Why People Do Not Accept EvolutionTo the Reader: Is Evolution a Threat to Your Religious Beliefs?Prologue: Fossils and EvolutionPreface to the Second EditionAcknowledgmentsPart I: Evolution and the Fossil Record1. The Nature of Science2. Science and Creationism3. The Fossil Record4. The Evolution of Evolution5. Systematics and EvolutionPart II: Evolution? The Fossils say YES!6. Life’s Origins7. Cambrian “Explosion”—or Slow Fuse?8. Spineless Wonders of Evolution9. Fish Tales10. Fish Out of Water11. Onto the Land and Back to the Sea: The Amniotes12. Dinosaurs Evolve—and Fly13. Mammalian Explosion14. Bossies and Blowholes15. The Ape’s Reflection?16. Why Does It Matter?BibliographyIndex

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Book SynopsisA glorious wedding of science and art that celebrates the remarkable diversity of the life of the not-so-distant past.Trade ReviewThis book provides a unique review of the many unusual and nearly worldwide occurrences of sabertooths and their relatives over more than 50 million years. Though geared to the general public, it is also useful for professional paleontologists. . . . In sum, a useful survey of the literature and introduction to the overall biology of these dynamic animals. * Choice *Mauricio Antón is well known in the paleontological community for his amazing artwork, and his new book Sabertooth certainly doesn't disappoint. . . . This book not only features awe-inspiring paleoart, it is also a scholarly review of the primary literature that can be used as a professional reference. However, this should not dissuade the amateur paleontologist from reading this book, because Antón does a great job of explaining difficult concepts and making this material accessible to a broad audience.Table of ContentsPreface1. What is a Sabertooth?2. The Ecology of Sabertooths3. A "Who's Who" of Sabertooths4. Sabertooths as Living Predators5. ExtinctionsSuggested ReadingIndex

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Book SynopsisThat humans originated from Africa is well-known. However, this is widely regarded as a chance outcome, dependant simply on where our common ancestor shared the land with where the great apes lived. This volume builds on from the ''Out of Africa'' theory, and takes the view that it is only in Africa that the evolutionary transitions from a forest-inhabiting frugivore to savanna-dwelling meat-eater could have occurred. This book argues that the ecological circumstances that shaped these transitions are exclusive to Africa. It describes distinctive features of the ecology of Africa, with emphasis on savanna grasslands, and relates them to the evolutionary transitions linking early ape-men to modern humans. It shows how physical features of the continent, especially those derived from plate tectonics, set the foundations. This volume adequately conveys that we are here because of the distinctive features of the ecology of Africa.Trade Review... the book is exceptionally well written, and very recommendable as a foundational introduction to modern Africa savanna ecology for a readership ranging from undergraduates to professional researchers in paleoanthropology.' Manuel Domínguez-Rodrigo, Evolutionary Anthropology'In Only in Africa Owen-Smith presents us with copious evidence of the complexity of interactions within and between species of plants, herbivores, and carnivores, coherently linking the trophic levels. He also makes a compelling case that the early stages of human evolution could only have happened in Africa. For those willing to accept that their knowledge of relevant contemporary African ecosystems and their critical role in human evolution could do with some updating and refreshing, Norman Owen-Smith's new book provides just the help they need. Its importance for paleoanthropology cannot be exaggerated.' Bernard Wood, Journal of Human Evolution'a cross-disciplinary textbook that provides a natural historian's overview of the ecology of Africa, with a gradually sharpening focus on the primates that originated there and evolved into modern humans … Owen-Smith provides a refreshing look at a continent in its entirety and all the life it has generated, facilitating a perspective quite different from the usual focus on only one particular aspect of that life … Highly recommended.' L. Swedell, Choice ConnectTable of ContentsPreface; Foreword; List of abbreviations; Part I. The physical cradle: Land forms, geology, climate, hydrology and soils: 1. High Africa: Eroding surfaces; 2. Climate: Rainfall seasonality; 3. Water in rivers, lakes and wetlands; 4. Bedrock geology: Volcanic influences; 5. Soils: Foundations of fertility; Part II. The savanna garden: Grassy vegetation and plant dynamics: 6. Forms of savannah; 7. How savanna trees and grasses grow and compete; 8. Plant demography and dynamics: Fire traps; 9. Paleo-savannas: Expanding grasslands; Part III. The big mammal menagerie: Herbivores, carnivores and their ecosystem impacts: 10. Niche distinctions: resources versus risks; 11. Big fierce carnivores: Hunting versus scavenging; 12. Herbivore abundance: Bottom-up and top-down; 13. How large herbivores transform savanna ecosystems; 14. Paleo-faunas: Rise and fall of the biggest grazers; Part IV. Evolutionary transitions: From primate ancestors to modern humans: 15. Primate predecessors: From trees to ground; 16. Primate ecology: From forests into savannas; 17. How an ape became a hunter; 18. Cultural evolution: From tools to art and genes; 19. Reticulate evolution through turbulent times; 20. Prospects for a lonely planet; Index.

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Book SynopsisTrade Review"[A] riveting account. ... In places, Fossil Men seems more reality television show than a work of popular science, as we follow an outrageous cast. ... The story lines border on the insane: There are civil wars, gunfights, at least one grenade rolling around the feet of scientists as they drive into the desert. ... Pattison... is every bit as good as the best scientist-writers. He describes the intricacies of the human wrist and foot with the skill of a poet... [and] explains in clear and compelling prose how scientists build family trees of ancient species." — New York Times Book Review "Entertaining. ... Satisfying. ... Gripping. ... Big personalities, simmering turmoil, and fascinating popular science." — Kirkus Reviews (starred review) “At the core of Kermit Pattison’s rip-roaring tale is the prickly, obsessive, brilliant American paleonaut, Tim White, who braves revolutions, tribal warfare, and bitter scientific rivals to unearth ancient bones, without which there would be no pre-history, no civilization, no humanity.” — PETER NICHOLS, New York Times bestselling author of The Rocks and Evolution's Captain “Reads like an Indiana Jones sequel. ...This is a book about the ongoing quest to find us—and what human nature is at its core.” — Politico "Brilliant. ... A work of staggering depth. ... Pattison deftly weaves strands of science, sociology and political science into a compelling tale that stretches over decades. ... His prose is lively and accessible. ... An ambitious work that fully justifies the extraordinary effort that went into it, both by the fossil men and by the writer who chronicled their work." — Minneapolis Star Tribune “Fossil Men is a wonderful mix of history, science and politics, full of pathos and insight in equal measure. I found it difficult to put down, and I didn’t want it to end....This book should be required reading for all those who care about how science may help answer the question of who we are as humans. A monumental achievement!” — HASOK CHANG, Professor of History and Philosophy of Science, University of Cambridge "An exciting book, full of colorful personalities, momentous discoveries, and new ideas that challenge us to reconsider everything we believed about the evolution of humankind." — Booklist "Compelling science. ... Perfect for National Geographic readers who want to dig deep into the human evolutionary tree." — Library Journal "A riveting story of academic, political, and personal intrigue." — Christian Science Monitor (Best Books of November 2020 Roundup) "A dazzling journey into deep geological time. ... Pattinson combines his meticulously researched examination of the science of ancient humans with a visceral and penetrating tale of... intrigue, academic rivalry, pathological jealousy and intellectual inertia. He uses his first-hand experience of being on site in Ethiopia to detail the art, science, joys and challenges of fossil-hunting. ... Fascinating. ... Unexpected and revelatory." — The Spectator (London) "Equal parts biography and adventure novel, Pattison illustrates the colorful characters — flaws and all — whose research has shaped our origin story as we know it today." — Discover magazine “[A] lively debut. … Pattison ably combines the adventure yarn with scientific minutiae. … Those interested in human origins should check out this vivid and thorough study.” — Publishers Weekly "Blends science and drama to tell the story of a major paleoanthropology find. ... For anyone interested in fossil hunting, evolutionary science and a hominid skeleton like no other, this book delivers." — Science News “Pattison weaves the multiple intrigues of science, politics, and personalities into a masterly structured tale…. Leaves readers with a new sense of wonder at the origins of humankind.” — Christian Science Monitor "Fascinating. ... Exciting." — Twin Cities Pioneer Press "Any science-minded person... will truly enjoy Fossil Men." — Danville Commercial-News "Perceptive and revealing. ... Pattison has a commendable and enviable grasp of a wide range of difficult methods and concepts, and he does a fine job of presenting and explaining the many scientific developments that have enriched the way we interpret the hominin fossil record.” — Journal of Human Evolution

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Book SynopsisWhy are humans so fond of water? Why is our skin colour so variable?Why arenât we hairy like our close ape relatives?A savannah scenario of human evolution has been widely accepted primarily due to fossil evidence; and fossils do not offer insight into these questions. Other alternative evolutionary scenarios might, but these models have been rejected. This book explores a controversial idea â that human evolution was intimately associated with watery habitats as much or more than typical savannahs. Written from a medical point of view, the author presents evidence supporting a credible alternative explanation for how humans diverged from our primate ancestors. Anatomical and physiological evidence offer insight into hairlessness, different coloured skin, subcutaneous fat, large brains, a marine-type kidney, a unique heat regulation system and speech. This evidence suggests that humans may well have evolved, not just as savannah mammals, as is generally believed, but with more affinity for aquatic habitats â rivers, streams, lakes and coasts.Key Features:Presents the evidence for a close association between riparian habitats and the origin of humansReviews the savannah ape hypothesis for human originsDescribes various anatomical adaptations that are associated with hypotheses of human evolution Explores characteristics from the head and neck such as skull and sinus structures, the larynx and ear structures and functions Trade Review"In my view, this is a totally incontrovertible demonstration that our view of the paleo history of humanity has been quite misguided. So, to me, this is a very, very important book. You will find at least two (arguments) which are, to my mind, conclusive. One is to do with exostoses which develop as bulging growths in the ear canal, which occur amongst people today who spend a lot of time diving – extraordinary – and they can be discovered in the skulls in the period that we are talking about – early human skulls. Another extraordinary revelation in Peter’s book, which is also new, is that human babies, when they are born, are covered in a membrane called the vernix. It is a very strange thing – nobody quite understands why. There is no other primate that we know has a vernix. Peter and his co-workers have discovered that there is another creature which has a vernix – seals. What is more, the chemistry, the biochemistry, the molecule which is responsible and the gene which is responsible for producing a vernix, is identical." Sir David Attenborough"Congratulations on your new book. The shoreline and riverbank are fertile sources of small animal life, as any exploratory schoolboy knows, and the creatures living there are comparatively simple to catch. It does look as if our species went through a temporary water-loving phase, and spent a great deal of its time fishing around beneath the surface. With this as an encouragement, the Aquatic Theory sees early man becoming more and more engrossed in his dabblings and divings, living in tribal groups close to the water’s edge and slowly adapting to this new pattern of living. So, I approve of your title The Waterside Ape. In 1977, Desmond Morris wrote: "Hopefully, future fossil-hunters will unearth some evidence to resolve this question. All we need now is some hard, tangible evidence to clinch the idea"."Desmond Morris, Author of The Naked Ape"I found this a fascinating book. We have a very thought provoking, if surprisingly controversial, theory, to which an ENT expert has obviously been able to make a major contribution It shows how much can be learnt from comparative anatomy and is of special interest to an ENT readership. I thought it presented very convincing evidence for a theory that the anthropologists should address with a better counterargument than presently offered".Liam M Flood FRCS, Editor, Journal of Laryngology and Otology"The waterside theory of homo evolution has been around for a long time and more and more fossil evidence is being unearthed constantly to support the already copious amounts of evidence from comparative biology. This book sheds light on both the existing evidence and new evidence that has come to light. Books like this should be taught in schools and colleges as it explains so much about our species. The author clearly knows his subject and writes in a way that is both comprehensible and interesting to the layman and full of scientific insight to academics. He picks up where Elaine Morgan left off and continues to challenge the head in the sand scientists who refuse to even consider this topic"Francesca Mansfield, Founder/Director, Odyssey Sailing"This book adds the latest information to the growing body of evidence that Homo sapiens had a period in its evolutionary history where water played an important part. This explains why modern humans have characteristics that do not align with other terrestrial mammals and in particular any other of the primate apes. This idea was first proposed by the eminent marine biologist Sir Alister Hardy in 1964. It was not well received by the biological establishment at that time. It was subsequently taken up by Elaine Morgan in her first book The Descent of Woman. She wrote several more books as updates on the theory. It addresses the questions of why we are bipedal, naked (nearly), can hold our breath for extended periods, have subcutaneous fat, a very large brain to bodyweight ratio, have speech as the consequence of a descended larynx, etc, etc.The zoological establishment have resisted this theory for nearly sixty years but there are signs of light dawning amongst the younger fraternity without the prejudice and bias of the conventional view that modern humans evolved on the African savannah. As a retired scientist, I can tell you that prejudice blights my discipline as it does the rest of humanity; but I would urge you all to remember the words of Max Planck - a nuclear physicist who had trouble with his establishment. He said: "Scientists never change their minds but eventually, they die!"Gray Mage, Retired Scientist"Well written and referenced, fairly balanced although always returning to the interesting underlying hypothesis that extended time in waterside environments near the Rift Valley of Africa selected for hominids with key adaptive features that helped the progression toward modern Homo sapiens. Artificial selection within populations, which also seems plausible, and similarly, the elimination of other tribe-equivalents, are not discussed. The book persuades me to read recent work by the master of human evolution, Desmond Morris." Gerald McLaughlin"Rhys-Evans provides an up-to-date account of all the paleontological, environmental and medical evidence for the aquatic ape hypothesis. The information is interesting, makes use of well-referenced scientific articles, and applies logic where gaps need to be filled in. A variety of human "attributes" are compared with similar attributes in terrestrial, semi-aquatic and aquatic animals. Any speculation on the author's part is noted as such. The information is presented in a straight-forward manner, with the use of the correct technical terms for anatomical organs/structures, which may require some effort on the part of non-medical readers. Illustrations are provided where relevant. The information contained in this book is fascinating and really should be read by anyone even vaguely interested in human evolution." Jill Schroeder"In my view, this is a totally incontrovertible demonstration that our view of the paleo history of humanity has been quite misguided. So, to me, this is a very, very important book. You will find at least two (arguments) which are, to my mind, conclusive. One is to do with exostoses which develop as bulging growths in the ear canal, which occur amongst people today who spend a lot of time diving – extraordinary – and they can be discovered in the skulls in the period that we are talking about – early human skulls. Another extraordinary revelation in Peter’s book, which is also new, is that human babies, when they are born, are covered in a membrane called the vernix. It is a very strange thing – nobody quite understands why. There is no other primate that we know has a vernix. Peter and his co-workers have discovered that there is another creature which has a vernix – seals. What is more, the chemistry, the biochemistry, the molecule which is responsible and the gene which is responsible for producing a vernix, is identical." Sir David Attenborough"Congratulations on your new book. The shoreline and riverbank are fertile sources of small animal life, as any exploratory schoolboy knows, and the creatures living there are comparatively simple to catch. It does look as if our species went through a temporary water-loving phase, and spent a great deal of its time fishing around beneath the surface. With this as an encouragement, the Aquatic Theory sees early man becoming more and more engrossed in his dabblings and divings, living in tribal groups close to the water’s edge and slowly adapting to this new pattern of living. So, I approve of your title The Waterside Ape. In 1977, Desmond Morris wrote: "Hopefully, future fossil-hunters will unearth some evidence to resolve this question. All we need now is some hard, tangible evidence to clinch the idea"."Desmond Morris, Author of The Naked Ape"I found this a fascinating book. We have a very thought provoking, if surprisingly controversial, theory, to which an ENT expert has obviously been able to make a major contribution It shows how much can be learnt from comparative anatomy and is of special interest to an ENT readership. I thought it presented very convincing evidence for a theory that the anthropologists should address with a better counterargument than presently offered".Liam M Flood FRCS, Editor, Journal of Laryngology and Otology"The waterside theory of homo evolution has been around for a long time and more and more fossil evidence is being unearthed constantly to support the already copious amounts of evidence from comparative biology. This book sheds light on both the existing evidence and new evidence that has come to light. Books like this should be taught in schools and colleges as it explains so much about our species. The author clearly knows his subject and writes in a way that is both comprehensible and interesting to the layman and full of scientific insight to academics. He picks up where Elaine Morgan left off and continues to challenge the head in the sand scientists who refuse to even consider this topic"Francesca Mansfield, Founder/Director, Odyssey Sailing"This book adds the latest information to the growing body of evidence that Homo sapiens had a period in its evolutionary history where water played an important part. This explains why modern humans have characteristics that do not align with other terrestrial mammals and in particular any other of the primate apes. This idea was first proposed by the eminent marine biologist Sir Alister Hardy in 1964. It was not well received by the biological establishment at that time. It was subsequently taken up by Elaine Morgan in her first book The Descent of Woman. She wrote several more books as updates on the theory. It addresses the questions of why we are bipedal, naked (nearly), can hold our breath for extended periods, have subcutaneous fat, a very large brain to bodyweight ratio, have speech as the consequence of a descended larynx, etc, etc.The zoological establishment have resisted this theory for nearly sixty years but there are signs of light dawning amongst the younger fraternity without the prejudice and bias of the conventional view that modern humans evolved on the African savannah. As a retired scientist, I can tell you that prejudice blights my discipline as it does the rest of humanity; but I would urge you all to remember the words of Max Planck - a nuclear physicist who had trouble with his establishment. He said: "Scientists never change their minds but eventually, they die!"Gray Mage, Retired Scientist, "Well written and referenced, fairly balanced although always returning to the interesting underlying hypothesis that extended time in waterside environments near the Rift Valley of Africa selected for hominids with key adaptive features that helped the progression toward modern Homo sapiens. Artificial selection within populations, which also seems plausible, and similarly, the elimination of other tribe-equivalents, are not discussed. The book persuades me to read recent work by the master of human evolution, Desmond Morris." Gerald McLaughlin"Rhys-Evans provides an up-to-date account of all the paleontological, environmental and medical evidence for the aquatic ape hypothesis. The information is interesting, makes use of well-referenced scientific articles, and applies logic where gaps need to be filled in. A variety of human "attributes" are compared with similar attributes in terrestrial, semi-aquatic and aquatic animals. Any speculation on the author's part is noted as such. The information is presented in a straight-forward manner, with the use of the correct technical terms for anatomical organs/structures, which may require some effort on the part of non-medical readers. Illustrations are provided where relevant. The information contained in this book is fascinating and really should be read by anyone even vaguely interested in human evolution." Jill SchroederTable of ContentsForeword by Gareth Morgan.Chapter 1 Theories of Human Evolution. Chapter 2 The Aquatic Debate.Chapter 3 Our Genetic Heritage. Chapter 4 Our Early Ancestors. Chapter 5 The Neanderthals and Their Demise. Chapter 6 The Waterside Ape – Why Are We So Different? Chapter 7 The Naked Ape. Chapter 8 Why We Lost Our Costs: The Early Hominin Tailors. Chapter 9 Evolutionary Adaptations in the Human Skull and Sinuses. Chapter 10 Human Skull Buoyancy and the Diving Reflex. Chapter 11 Surfer’s Ear. Chapter 12 Evolution of the Human Brain. Chapter 13 Food for Thought and the Cognitive Revolution. Chapter 14 The Human Larynx and Evolution of Voice. Chapter 15 Obstetric and Neonatal Considerations. Chapter 16 Marine Adaptations in the Human Kidney. Chapter 17 Scars of Evolution. Chapter 18 We Are What We Eat. Chapter 19 An Incredible Journey. Glossary

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Book SynopsisWith this book, Manias considers the cultural resonance of mammal paleontology from an international perspective - how reconstructions of the deep past of fossil mammals across the world conditioned new understandings of nature and the current environment.

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Book SynopsisThat humans originated from Africa is well-known. However, this is widely regarded as a chance outcome, dependant simply on where our common ancestor shared the land with where the great apes lived. This volume builds on from the ''Out of Africa'' theory, and takes the view that it is only in Africa that the evolutionary transitions from a forest-inhabiting frugivore to savanna-dwelling meat-eater could have occurred. This book argues that the ecological circumstances that shaped these transitions are exclusive to Africa. It describes distinctive features of the ecology of Africa, with emphasis on savanna grasslands, and relates them to the evolutionary transitions linking early ape-men to modern humans. It shows how physical features of the continent, especially those derived from plate tectonics, set the foundations. This volume adequately conveys that we are here because of the distinctive features of the ecology of Africa.Trade Review... the book is exceptionally well written, and very recommendable as a foundational introduction to modern Africa savanna ecology for a readership ranging from undergraduates to professional researchers in paleoanthropology.' Manuel Domínguez-Rodrigo, Evolutionary Anthropology'In Only in Africa Owen-Smith presents us with copious evidence of the complexity of interactions within and between species of plants, herbivores, and carnivores, coherently linking the trophic levels. He also makes a compelling case that the early stages of human evolution could only have happened in Africa. For those willing to accept that their knowledge of relevant contemporary African ecosystems and their critical role in human evolution could do with some updating and refreshing, Norman Owen-Smith's new book provides just the help they need. Its importance for paleoanthropology cannot be exaggerated.' Bernard Wood, Journal of Human Evolution'a cross-disciplinary textbook that provides a natural historian's overview of the ecology of Africa, with a gradually sharpening focus on the primates that originated there and evolved into modern humans … Owen-Smith provides a refreshing look at a continent in its entirety and all the life it has generated, facilitating a perspective quite different from the usual focus on only one particular aspect of that life … Highly recommended.' L. Swedell, Choice Connect'Norman Owen-Smith's new book Only in Africa is a most welcome contribution … it provides a much-needed textbook for upper-level undergraduate to graduate courses on the ecology of human origins.' John Rowan, The Quarterly Review of BiologyTable of ContentsPreface; Foreword; List of abbreviations; Part I. The physical cradle: Land forms, geology, climate, hydrology and soils: 1. High Africa: Eroding surfaces; 2. Climate: Rainfall seasonality; 3. Water in rivers, lakes and wetlands; 4. Bedrock geology: Volcanic influences; 5. Soils: Foundations of fertility; Part II. The savanna garden: Grassy vegetation and plant dynamics: 6. Forms of savannah; 7. How savanna trees and grasses grow and compete; 8. Plant demography and dynamics: Fire traps; 9. Paleo-savannas: Expanding grasslands; Part III. The big mammal menagerie: Herbivores, carnivores and their ecosystem impacts: 10. Niche distinctions: resources versus risks; 11. Big fierce carnivores: Hunting versus scavenging; 12. Herbivore abundance: Bottom-up and top-down; 13. How large herbivores transform savanna ecosystems; 14. Paleo-faunas: Rise and fall of the biggest grazers; Part IV. Evolutionary transitions: From primate ancestors to modern humans: 15. Primate predecessors: From trees to ground; 16. Primate ecology: From forests into savannas; 17. How an ape became a hunter; 18. Cultural evolution: From tools to art and genes; 19. Reticulate evolution through turbulent times; 20. Prospects for a lonely planet; Index.

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Book SynopsisCetaceans (whales, dolphins, and porpoises) have fascinated and bewildered humans throughout history. Their mammalian affinities have been long recognized, but exactly which group of terrestrial mammals they descend from has, until recently, remained in the dark.Table of ContentsSeries Editor’s Preface vii Preface viii Acknowledgments x 1 Cetaceans, Past and Present 1 1.1 Introduction and scope of the book 1 1.2 What is a whale? 2 1.3 Diversity, distribution, and ecology of modern cetaceans 3 1.4 How to study extinct cetaceans 5 1.4.1 Comparative and functional anatomy 5 1.4.2 Evolutionary relationships 6 1.4.3 Habitat and feeding preferences 9 1.4.4 Macroevolutionary dynamics 11 1.4.5 Other methodologies 13 1.5 Suggested readings 13 References 13 2 Cetacean Fossil Record 19 2.1 A history of exploration 19 2.2 Strengths and weaknesses of the cetacean fossil record 23 2.2.1 Preservation potential 23 2.2.2 Biases affecting fossil recovery 24 2.2.3 Outlook 27 2.3 Major fossil localities 28 2.3.1 Tethys 28 2.3.2 North Atlantic 30 2.3.3 South Atlantic 32 2.3.4 North Pacific 32 2.3.5 South Pacific 33 2.3.6 Dredge sites: South Africa and Iberia 35 2.4 Suggested Readings 35 References 35 3 Morphology 44 3.1 Overview 44 3.2 The skull 46 3.2.1 Rostrum and central facial region 46 3.2.2 Forehead, skull vertex, and posterior cranium 50 3.2.3 Temporal fossa and basicranium 54 3.2.4 Periotic 56 3.2.5 Tympanic bulla 63 3.2.6 Auditory ossicles 64 3.2.7 Dentition 65 3.2.8 Mandible 66 3.2.9 Hyoid apparatus 67 3.3 The postcranial skeleton 68 3.3.1 Vertebral column and rib cage 68 3.3.2 Forelimb 70 3.3.3 Hind limb 73 3.4 Osteological correlates of soft tissue anatomy 74 3.4.1 Musculature 74 3.4.2 Baleen 79 3.4.3 Air sinus system, air sacs and fat pads 79 3.4.4 Brain anatomy and cranial nerves 80 3.4.5 Sensory organs 84 3.4.6 Flukes 86 3.5 Suggested readings 87 References 87 4 Phylogeny and Taxonomy 95 4.1 Cetacean origins 95 4.2 The earliest whales: archaeocetes 97 4.2.1 Pakicetids, ambulocetids, and remingtonocetids 97 4.2.2 Protocetidae and basal Pelagiceti 99 4.3 Filter‐feeding whales: Mysticeti 102 4.3.1 Toothed mysticetes 103 4.3.2 Toothless mysticetes 106 4.4 Echolocating whales: Odontoceti 114 4.4.1 Stem odontocetes 115 4.4.2 Potential crown odontocetes 119 4.4.3 Basal crown odontocetes 122 4.4.4 Delphinida 130 4.4.5 Crown Delphinoidea 136 4.5 Consensus, conflicts, and diversification dates 141 4.5.1 High‐level conflicts and possible solutions 141 4.5.2 Divergence dates 142 4.6 Suggested readings 145 References 145 5 Major Steps in the Evolution of Cetaceans 157 5.1 From land to sea: the last steps 157 5.1.1 Initial forays into the water 157 5.1.2 Transition to marine environments 162 5.1.3 Divorce from land 169 5.2 Key innovations: baleen and echolocation 171 5.2.1 Baleen 171 5.2.2 Echolocation 174 5.3 Invasion of freshwater habitats 176 5.4 Key fossils 180 5.4.1 Archaeocetes 180 5.4.2 Mysticeti 183 5.4.3 Odontoceti 186 5.5 Suggested readings 189 References 189 6 Fossil Evidence of Cetacean Biology 198 6.1 Feeding strategies 198 6.1.1 Archaeocetes 198 6.1.2 Mysticeti 203 6.1.3 Odontoceti 211 6.2 Cetaceans as a source of food 217 6.2.1 Active predation 217 6.2.2 Whale falls 218 6.3 Reproduction 220 6.4 Migration 222 6.5 Sexual dimorphism 222 6.6 Diving 225 6.7 Ontogenetic age 227 6.8 Suggested readings 228 References 229 7 Macroevolutionary Patterns 239 7.1 Patterns in cetacean diversity: radiations and extinctions 239 7.1.1 Paleogene 240 7.1.2 Neogene 242 7.2 Major turnover events 246 7.2.1 Archaeocetes to neocetes 247 7.2.2 Decline of toothed mysticetes 249 7.2.3 Delphinoids and platanistoids—ships passing in the night? 249 7.2.4 Establishment of the modern fauna 250 7.3 Disparity and evolutionary rates 251 7.4 Body size 251 7.5 Brain size 257 7.5.1 Trends 257 7.5.2 Potential causes 259 7.6 Paleobiogeography 260 7.6.1 Initial dispersal from land 261 7.6.2 Neoceti 261 7.7 Convergent evolution 264 7.8 Suggested readings 268 References 269 8 Paleontological Insights into Evolution and Development 277 8.1 Limb morphology and development 277 8.1.1 Forelimb 277 8.1.2 Hind limb 281 8.2 Regionalization of the vertebral column 284 8.3 The origins of homodonty, polydonty, and monophyodonty 286 8.3.1 Archaeocetes 286 8.3.2 Neoceti 288 8.4 Heterochrony: aged youngsters, juvenile adults 291 8.5 Suggested readings 296 References 296 9 Living Cetaceans in an Evolutionary Context 302 9.1 A modern view of cetacean evolution 302 9.2 Cetacea—quo vadis? 304 References 304 Index 307

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Book SynopsisA truly interdisciplinary approach to this core subject within Forensic Science Combines essential theory with practical crime scene work Includes case studies Applicable to all time periods so has relevance for conventional archaeology, prehistory and anthropology Combines points of view from both established practitioners and young researchers to ensure relevance Table of ContentsList of Contributors xix Notes on Contributors xxvii Foreword xxix Acknowledgements xxxi Introduction 1Eline M.J. Schotsmans, Nicholas Márquez-Grant and Shari L. Forbes I.1 Efremov: from Taphonomy to Science Fiction 1 I.2 The Meaning of Taphonomy 2 I.3 The Rationale Behind this Volume 3 I.4 Challenges in Forensic Taphonomy 4 I.5 Organisation of the Volume 6 References 7 Part I General Post-Mortem Processes: Degradation of Soft Tissue, Bone and Associated Materials 9 1 Gross Post-Mortem Changes in the Human Body 11Stuart J. Hamilton and Michael A. Green 1.1 Introduction 11 1.2 The Immediate Post-Mortem Period 11 1.3 Subsequent Weeks 16 1.4 Other Post-Mortem Modifications 16 1.5 Skeletonisation 22 1.6 Conclusion and Future Research 22 References 23 Cited court cases 25 2 Microscopic Post-Mortem Changes: the Chemistry of Decomposition 26Shari L. Forbes, Katelynn A. Perrault and Jenna L. Comstock 2.1 Introduction 26 2.2 Autolysis 27 2.3 Putrefaction 27 2.4 Factors Affecting Autolysis and Putrefaction 31 2.5 Impact of the Decomposition Process on the Surrounding Environment 32 2.6 Conclusion 35 References 35 3 Profiling Volatile Organic Compounds of Decomposition 39Pierre-Hugues Stefanuto, Elien Rosier, Jan Tytgat, Jean-François Focant and Eva Cuypers 3.1 Introduction 39 3.2 Matrices and Sampling Methods 40 3.3 Results and Discussion 46 3.4 Conclusion and Future Research 49 References 50 4 Blood Degradation and Bloodstain Age Estimation 53Gerda J. Edelman and Maurice C.G. Aalders 4.1 Introduction: Forensic relevance of bloodstains 53 4.2 Blood Degradation 54 4.3 Mechanical and Morphological Changes 55 4.4 Optical Methods 55 4.5 Practical Implementation 59 4.6 Crime Scene Challenges of Bloodstain Age Estimation 60 4.7 Conclusion 62 References 62 5 DNA Degradation: Current Knowledge and Progress in DNA Analysis 65Claudio Ottoni, Bram Bekaert and Ronny Decorte 5.1 Introduction 65 5.2 Mechanisms of DNA Degradation 65 5.3 Preservation of DNA: Recommendations Concerning Sampling and Storage 68 5.4 Methodologies to Analyse Degraded DNA 70 5.5 Future Prospects 74 5.6 Conclusion 75 References 75 6 Taphonomic Alterations to Hair and Nail 81Andrew S. Wilson 6.1 Introduction 81 6.2 Structure of Hair and Nail 82 6.3 Changes to Hair and Nail 83 6.4 Processing and Storage of Hair 87 6.5 Conclusion 87 Acknowledgements 88 References 88 7 Taphonomy of Teeth 92Christopher W. Schmidt, Robin Quataert, Fatma Zalzala and Ruggero D’Anastasio 7.1 Introduction 92 7.2 Mechanical Damage: Forensic Case Study 93 7.3 Effects of Thermal Damage 94 7.4 Thermal Damage: Archaeological Case Study 95 7.5 Caveats 97 7.6 Conclusion 98 References 98 8 The Taphonomy of Natural Mummies 101Dario Piombino-Mascali, Heather Gill-Frerking and Ronald G. Beckett 8.1 Introduction 101 8.2 Post-Mortem Decay 102 8.3 Natural or Spontaneous Mummification 102 8.4 Soft Tissue Changes 103 8.5 Environment, Culture or Both? 104 8.6 Dry Environments 104 8.7 Bog Environments 109 8.8 Cold Environments 110 8.9 Anaerobic Environments 112 8.10 Differential Decomposition 113 8.11 Post-Depositional Factors and Taphonomic Impact 114 8.12 Conclusion 116 References 116 9 Degradation of Clothing in Depositional Environments 120Barbara H. Stuart and Maiken Ueland 9.1 Introduction 120 9.2 The Structures and Properties of Clothing Materials 120 9.3 Decomposition Mechanisms of Clothing Materials in Depositional Environments 124 9.4 The Influence of Clothing on the Decomposition Processes 127 9.5 Forensic and Archaeological Studies of Clothing Degradation 128 9.6 Protocols for Forensic and Archaeological Clothing Collection and Analysis 130 9.7 Conclusion and Future Research 131 References 131 10 Post-Mortem Interval Estimation: an Overview of Techniques 134Tal Simmons 10.1 Introduction 134 10.2 Why Estimating the PMI is Important 134 10.3 Scientific Method versus Anecdote in PMI Estimation 135 10.4 Methods for Estimating PMI 137 10.5 Case Example 139 10.6 Conclusion and Future Research 140 References 141 Part II The Depositional Environment 143 11 Relationships between Human Remains, Graves and the Depositional Environment 145Emily N. Junkins and David O. Carter 11.1 Introduction 145 11.2 The Taphonomy of Buried Human Remains 145 11.3 Factors that Influence Decomposition: Environmental and Intrinsic Variables 146 11.4 Decomposition Processes: Autolysis, Putrefaction and Decay 149 11.5 The Forensic Application of Taphonomy 150 11.6 Conclusion 151 References 152 12 Bacterial Symbionts and Taphonomic Agents of Humans 155Franklin E. Damann 12.1 Introduction 155 12.2 Bacterial Growth and Metabolism 156 12.3 Limiting Factors of Bacterial Growth and Function 156 12.4 Bacteria as Symbiotic Organisms 158 12.5 Bacteria as Taphonomic Agents 159 12.6 Putrefaction 159 12.7 Microbiology in Forensic Medicine 161 12.8 Conclusion 163 References 164 13 Forensic Entomology and Funerary Archaeoentomology 167Stefano Vanin and Jean-Bernard Huchet 13.1 Introduction 167 13.2 Insects: Useful Information for Forensic Scientists and Archaeologists 168 13.3 Forensic Entomology and the Application of Insect Knowledge in Forensic Contexts 175 13.4 Insects Recovered from Graves or Associated with Human Remains in Archaeological Contexts 176 13.5 Body Alteration at the Crime Scene as a Result of Insect Activity 179 13.6 Bone Modifications due to Insect Activity 181 13.7 Conclusion 181 Acknowledgements 182 References 182 14 Forensic Botany and Stomach Contents Analysis: Established Practice and Innovation 187Jennifer Miller 14.1 Introduction 187 14.2 Forensic Applications of Botany 187 14.3 Conclusion 197 References 198 15 The Effects of Weathering on Bone Preservation 201Soren Blau 15.1 Introduction 201 15.2 A Brief History of Weathering Studies 201 15.3 Variables that Influence Weathering 202 15.4 The Value of Bone Weathering Analyses in Forensic Investigations 204 15.5 Conclusion 208 Acknowledgements 208 References 208 16 The Effects of Terrestrial Mammalian Scavenging and Avian Scavenging on the Body 212Alexandria Young 16.1 Introduction 212 16.2 Terrestrial Mammalian Scavengers 213 16.3 Avian Scavengers 225 16.4 Applications to Crime Scene Investigation 226 16.5 Conclusion and Future Research 227 References 228 17 Decomposition in Aquatic Environments 235Barbara H. Stuart and Maiken Ueland 17.1 Introduction 235 17.2 Decomposition Processes in Aquatic Environments 236 17.3 Post-Mortem Submersion Interval 239 17.4 Factors Influencing Aquatic Decomposition Processes 240 17.5 Case Reports and Studies 244 17.6 Recovery Protocols 246 17.7 Conclusion and Future Research 247 References 247 18 Post-Mortem Differential Preservation and its Utility in Interpreting Forensic and Archaeological Mass Burials 251Caroline Barker, Esma Alicehajic and Javier Naranjo Santana 18.1 Introduction 251 18.2 Assessment of Taphonomic Change in Forensic and Archaeological Contexts 251 18.3 The Study of Taphonomy in Forensic and Archaeological Contexts 253 18.4 Taphonomic Assessment in Mass Burial Deposits 256 18.5 Taphonomic Processes and Differential Preservation in Mass Burials: Current Research and Application 258 18.6 Case Study 1: Differential Preservation of Human Remains and Artefacts in Archaeological Mass Graves of the Same PMI and its Utility to Establish Differences in Burial Environments over Time 262 18.7 Case Study 2: Differential Preservation of Human Remains in Forensic Mass Graves and its Use as an Evidentiary Tool 264 18.8 Conclusion and Future Research 266 Acknowledgements 267 References 267 19 Reconstructing the Original Arrangement, Organisation and Architecture of Burials in Archaeology 277Dominique Castex and Frédérique Blaizot 19.1 Introduction 277 19.2 The Reconstruction of Perishable Funerary Architecture and its Arrangement 278 19.3 Analysis of Several Individuals in the Same Pit 284 19.4 Conclusion 294 Acknowledgements 294 References 295 Part III Anti-, Peri- and Post-Mortem Modifications to the Body 297 20 Forensic Toxicology of Decomposed Human Remains 299Richard Lloyd and Julie Evans 20.1 Introduction 299 20.2 Toxicological Matrices 301 20.3 Case Study 307 20.4 Conclusion and Future Research 311 References 311 21 Thermal Alteration to the Body 318Tim J.U. Thompson, David Gonçalves, Kirsty Squires and Priscilla Ulguim 21.1 Introduction 318 21.2 Soft Tissue Changes 318 21.3 Hard Tissue Changes 319 21.4 Conclusion and Future Research 328 References 329 22 Concealing the Crime: the Effects of Chemicals on Human Tissues 335Eline M. J. Schotsmans and Wim Van de Voorde 22.1 Introduction 335 22.2 Corrosive Substances: Definitions and History 336 22.3 The Effect of Corrosive Substances on Human Tissues: Case Examples 337 22.4 Research on Corrosive Agents and Decomposition 341 22.5 Case Study: The Pandy Case 343 22.6 Conclusion 347 Acknowledgements 347 References 348 23 Distinguishing between Peri- and Post-Mortem Trauma on Bone 352Cristina Cattaneo and Annalisa Cappella 23.1 Introduction 352 23.2 Peri- and Post-Mortem Trauma 352 23.3 Alternative Solutions for Distinguishing Between Peri- and Post-Mortem Trauma on Bone 362 23.4 Conclusion 365 References 365 24 Collection Care and Management of Human Remains 369Rebecca C. Redfern and Jelena J. Bekvalac 24.1 Introduction 369 24.2 Collection Origin and Deposition 369 24.3 Collection Management 371 24.4 Conclusion 378 Acknowledgements 379 References 379 Part IV Case Studies 385 25 The Use of Volatile Fatty Acid Biomarkers to Estimate the Post-Mortem Interval 387Arpad A. Vass 25.1 Introduction 387 25.2 Methods and Collection 387 25.3 Conclusion 393 References 393 26 A Taphonomic Study Based on Observations of 196 Exhumations and 23 Clandestine Burials 394Roosje de Leeuwe and W.J. Mike Groen 26.1 Introduction 394 26.2 Background on the Exhumations Carried out by the NFI 394 26.3 Variables 395 26.4 Cemetery versus Clandestine Burials 400 26.5 Conclusion 401 References 401 27 Case Studies on Taphonomic Variation between Cemetery Burials 402Karl Harrison and Emily Cline 27.1 Introduction 402 27.2 Burial Taphonomy: Examples of Cemetery Burials 402 27.3 Conclusion 407 References 408 28 Forensic Entomology Case Studies from Mexico 410Leonardo R. Flores Pérez, Humberto Molina Chávez, Manuel Nava Hernández and Fray M. Pérez Villegas 28.1 Introduction 410 28.2 Case Study from Mexico City 410 28.3 Case Studies from Hidalgo State 414 28.4 Conclusion 417 References 417 29 Recovery of Skeletonised Human Remains and Textile Degradation: a Case Study 420Rob C. Janaway and Nicholas Márquez-Grant 29.1 Introduction 420 29.2 Outdoor Recovery of Skeletonised Human Remains 420 29.3 Case Study 422 29.4 Conclusion 426 Acknowledgements 428 References 428 30 Saponified Brains of the Spanish Civil War 429Fernando Serrulla, Francisco Etxeberría, Lourdes Herrasti, José Luis Cascallana and Julio Del Olmo 30.1 Introduction: the Spanish Civil War (1936–1939) 429 30.2 Two Mass Graves 429 30.3 Methods and Materials 431 30.4 Results: Taphonomic Factors and Brain Analysis 431 30.5 Discussion and Conclusion 434 Acknowledgements 436 References 436 31 Analysis and Interpretation of Burned Human Remains from a Homicide 438Anne Coulombeix and Yves Schuliar 31.1 Introduction 438 31.2 Background to the Case 438 31.3 Physical Evidence Recovered at the Crime Scene 439 31.4 Additional Experiments 440 31.5 Discussion 442 31.6 Conclusion 443 Acknowledgements 443 References 443 32 A Soldier’s Story: Forensic Anthropology and Blast Injury 445Marie Christine Dussault, Martin Brown and Richard Osgood 32.1 Introduction 445 32.2 Background and Case History 445 32.3 Condition of the Remains and Inventory 446 32.4 Analysis Results 448 32.5 Discussion 449 32.6 Conclusion 451 References 451 33 Decomposition in an Unusual Environment: Body Sealed in Concrete 452Maria Cristina de Mendonça 33.1 Introduction 452 33.2 Case Report 452 33.3 Discussion and Conclusion 453 34 A Case Study from Los Angeles: Baby in Concrete 454Chelsea Parham and Elissa Fleak 34.1 Introduction 454 34.2 Background to the Case 454 34.3 External Examination 455 34.4 Internal Examination 457 34.5 Discussion 458 34.6 Conclusion 459 References 459 Part V Past, Present and Future Considerations 461 35 History and Development of the First Anthropology Research Facility, Knoxville, Tennessee 463Giovanna M. Vidoli, Dawnie W. Steadman, Joanne B. Devlin and Lee Meadows Jantz 35.1 Introduction 463 35.2 History of the ARF 463 35.3 Daily Operations of the FAC 465 35.4 Research at the ARF 468 35.5 Training Opportunities at the ARF 470 35.6 Conclusion 471 References 472 36 Crime Scene Investigation, Archaeology and Taphonomy: Reconstructing Activities at Crime Scenes 476W.J. Mike Groen and Charles E.H. Berger 36.1 Introduction 476 36.2 CSI Fundamentals 478 36.3 The Archaeological Paradigm 480 36.4 Assessing Archaeological Assemblages and Site Formation Processes 483 36.5 The CSI Practice, an Archaeological and Criminalistic Perspective 484 36.6 Conclusion 490 Acknowledgements 491 References 491 Index 495

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Book Synopsis'An insightful book with sparkling wit and humour that will appeal to new and seasoned readers of palaeontology.'Dr Anjana Khatwa, TV presenter and Earth ScientistIt is difficult to conceive of the vast scale of the history of life on Earth, from the very first living organisms sparking into life in hydrothermal deep-sea vents to the dizzying diversity of life today. The evolution of life is a sweeping epic of a tale, with twists and turns, surprising heroes and unlikely survivors. The Earth beautifully distils this complex story into a meaningful scale. In taking a closer look at 47 carefully selected organisms over fifteen periods in our planetary history, this book tells the whole story of life on Earth, and the interconnectedness that unites us through our ecosystems and planetary history.Prepare to be confounded by the ingenuity of evolutionary biologies, humbled by our own brief part in this epic history, and disquieted by our disproportionate impact on the world we call home.'An extraordinarily accessible and informative biography of life seen through the many forms it has generated and preserved in stone, beautifully presented. From tales of the well-known stars of palaeontology like Archaeopteryx to the many-sided cultural stories of the earliest bee fossil, everyone will learn something new.'Thomas Halliday, bestselling author of Otherlands: A World in the MakingTrade ReviewThis ambitious new book provides insights into 47 species that have defined how life has evolved on our planet. With an eye towards those who are new to science, the book is cleverly written with a light touch to draw you into remarkable worlds with astonishing revelations. I particularly love how the punchy, bite sized chunks of information are easily digestible over a breakfast morning read as your favourite cereal. Elsa has achieved an extraordinary feat - an insightful book with sparkling wit and humour that will appeal to new and seasoned readers of palaeontology. -- Dr Anjana Khatwa, TV presenter and Earth ScientistBeyond interesting facts and unusual animals, what ties it all together and elevates this book is the writing, both on account of the excellent explanations and the beautiful phrasing... [Panciroli] injects a degree of poetry that makes you see extinct organisms in a new light...The combination of interesting popular science facts, inspired writing, and a mission to correct common misconceptions make this book easy to recommend, and it would make for a great gift. * The Inquisitive Biologist *An extraordinarily accessible and informative biography of life seen through the many forms it has generated and preserved in stone, beautifully presented. From tales of the well-known stars of palaeontology like Archaeopteryx to the many-sided cultural stories of the earliest bee fossil, everyone will learn something new. -- Thomas Halliday, bestselling author of Otherlands: A World in the Making

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Book Synopsis"Splendid and important... Scientifically rigorous and written with a clarity and candor that create a gripping tale... [Böhme's] account of the history of Europe's lost apes is imbued with the sweat, grime, and triumph that is the lot of the fieldworker, and carries great authority." —Tim Flannery, The New York Review of BooksIn this "fascinating forensic inquiry into human origins" (Kirkus STARRED Review), a renowned paleontologist takes readers behind-the-scenes of one of the most groundbreaking archaeological digs in recent history.Somewhere west of Munich, paleontologist Madelaine Böhme and her colleagues dig for clues to the origins of humankind. What they discover is beyond anything they ever imagined: the twelve-million-year-old bones of Danuvius guggenmosi make headlines around the world. This ancient ape defies prevailing theories of human history—his skeletal adaptations suggest a new common ancestor between apes and humans, one that dwelled in Europe, not Africa. Might the great apes that traveled from Africa to Europe before Danuvius's time be the key to understanding our own origins?All this and more is explored in Ancient Bones. Using her expertise as a paleoclimatologist and paleontologist, Böhme pieces together an awe-inspiring picture of great apes that crossed land bridges from Africa to Europe millions of years ago, evolving in response to the challenging conditions they found.She also takes us behind the scenes of her research, introducing us to former theories of human evolution (complete with helpful maps and diagrams), and walks us through musty museum overflow storage where she finds forgotten fossils with yellowed labels, before taking us along to the momentous dig where she and the team unearthed Danuvius guggenmosi himself—and the incredible reverberations his discovery caused around the world.Praise for Ancient Bones:"Readable and thought-provoking. Madelaine Böhme is an iconoclast whose fossil discoveries have challenged long-standing ideas on the origins of the ancestors of apes and humans."—Steve Brusatte, New York Times-bestselling author of The Rise and Fall of the Dinosaurs"An inherently fascinating, impressively informative, and exceptionally thought-provoking read."—Midwest Book Review"An impressive introduction to the burgeoning recalibration of paleoanthropology."—Kirkus Reviews (starred review)Trade ReviewSelected by Alexander McCall-Smith as a Book of the Year for The New Statesmen"Splendid and important... Scientifically rigorous and written with a clarity and candor that create a gripping tale... [Böhme's] account of the history of Europe's lost apes is imbued with the sweat, grime, and triumph that is the lot of the fieldworker, and carries great authority."—Tim Flannery, The New York Review of Books"[A]ncient mysteries, serendipitous discoveries, feuding experts, and scientific breakthroughs, all unfolding like a richly detailed detective story..."—Booklist, starred review"In this exciting investigation into the long and ancient path of humans, the authors explore the connections among evolution, climate, and environment... An impressive introduction to the burgeoning recalibration of paleoanthropology."—Kirkus Reviews, starred review"Bohme and her colleagues are wonderful storytellers. They present a complex tale that features a daunting number of moving parts with all the local colour, humour and narrative pace of a well-written mystery novel."—Vancouver Sun"An inherently fascinating, impressively informative, and exceptionally thought-provoking read... Ancient Bones is expertly written, organized and presented, making it a critically important and unreservedly recommended addition to personal, professional, community, and college/university library."—Midwestern Book Review"As outspoken as it is readable."—NHBS"Part Sherlock Holmes, part Indiana Jones, Ancient Bones is an entertaining and provocative retelling of the human evolutionary story. Böhme's hypotheses—written with enthusiasm and clarity—will be scientifically scrutinized for decades to come."—Jeremy DeSilva, author of First Steps: How Upright Walking Made Us Human"Madelaine Bohme is an iconoclast, and her fossil discoveries have challenged long-standing ideas on the origins of the ancestors of apes and humans. She lays it all out in this readable and thought-provoking book, which goes to show that new fossil clues always have the potential to generate new ideas."—Steve Brusatte, University of Edinburgh paleontologist and New York Times-bestselling author of The Rise and Fall of the Dinosaurs"In pursuit of an intriguing if controversial theory of distant human origins, Madelaine Böhme and her colleagues very readably unearth some fascinating history and evoke all the excitement that is inherent in modern paleoanthropological research."—Ian Tattersall, co-author of The Accidental Homo sapiens: Genetics, Behavior, and Free Will"An enthralling journey through time and around the world to untangle the complexities of ape and human evolution. Prof. Boehme skillfully intertwines scientific description with the history of fossil discovery and investigation to explain the evolution and biology of our closest relatives. Sometimes controversial but always exciting and engaging, this book is essential reading for those who want to explore alternative perspectives on our origins."—Sarah Elton, Professor of Evolutionary Anthropology, Durham University“This book expresses perfectly the excitement of discovering ancestral lineages in our genus. It is a colorful, personal account of research into one of the most basic interests of our species—our origins and our close extinct relatives."—Dr. Robert DeSalle, principal investigator, Sackler Institute for Comparative Genomics

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Book SynopsisThere are many books on palaeontology, aimed at amateurs, undergraduates and aspiring academics. Perhaps commonest amongst these are guides to fossil identification, from the general (basic texts on fossil variety and morphology) to the specific (field guides to specific groups, localities or horizons). Many of these are readable, comprehensive and provide good advice. This is not such a book - there is more to the subject than just putting a name on a specimen, however important that may be.As the book’s title states, this is a practical manual covering the many aspects of palaeontology. It is organised in fifty-three chapters; each chapter focusses on one aspect of palaeontology as viewed with a geologist’s trained eye. It can be read from cover-to-cover or dipped into when an answer to a specific question is needed. The aim is to help the developing palaeontologist move their skills on to the next level.It is aimed, primarily, at the beginner in the broadest sense, both amateur and undergraduate. Palaeontologists and geologists are encouraged to use the book as much as a reference as a reader, dipping in to the chapters that contain relevant tips, hints and comments to enable them to improve their understanding of their current interest. It is informative, readable and, most of all, of practical application for all palaeontologists.Trade Review'Prof. Donavan’s writing is easy and ‘familiar’. He converses with you about palaeontology and fossil collecting. The book includes 115 photographs, maps, diagrams and charts both colour and half-tone. But this is not an identification guide for fossils. Each chapter ends with a reference list for the purpose of giving you an avenue to further information about the practical material he has written and towards identification of your fossil finds. The book is well produced and will provide an excellent introduction to the fascinating pursuit of fossils finding, seeing, and collecting and will serve anyone from a teenager to an adult entering the field.' Proceedings of the OUGS‘Overall, I enjoyed Hands-on Palaeontology immensely, often because I identified with Donovan’s opinions and attitudes, but also because I admire his fascination for what many might consider the unimportant. I do love Donovan’s casual writing style and I am sure most palaeontological rookies will too. I will recommend it to my students, and we have already ordered a few copies for the library.’Geology TodayTable of ContentsAcknowledgements. Sources. Foreword (by Professor David A.T. Harper, Durham University). Introduction. Getting started: 1. How to collect; 2. Where to collect; 3. What to collect; 4. The field notebook; 5. Measuring sections (and why); 6. The Law of Superposition; 7. Fossiliferous sedimentary rocks: Siliciclastics; 8. Fossiliferous sedimentary rocks: Limestones, cherts and coals; 9. Reworked fossils; 10. Fossils as way-up structures; 11. Fossils as current indicators; 12. Your palaeontological library; 13. Fossils in caves 14. Beachcombing; 15. Common sense in the field; 16. Collecting with a camera; 17. Buying specimens. Some theoretical aspects: 18. Palaeoecology 1: The organism; 19. Palaeoecology 2: Organism meets organism; 20. Palaeoecology 3: Getting more information from the bed; 21. Preservation 1: Fossilization; 22. Preservation 2: Death; 23. Preservation 3: Disarticulation, transport and residence ; 24. Preservation 4: Burial and diagenesis; 25. Trace fossils. Working on your collection at home; 26. Storage; 27. Labelling; 28. Photography at home; 29. Drawing; 30. Specializing in your favourite fossil group; 31. Writing descriptions; 32. Casting from natural moulds; 33. Problems with preservation. The wider field: getting involved; 34. Collaboration; 35. Scientific societies; 36. Conferences; 37. Journals and magazines; 38. Offprints, PDFs and filing; 39. Visiting museums; 40. Ideas for further involvement; 41. Publishing I: Persuading you to get involved; 42. Publishing II: The hard work of self-editing; 43. Publishing III: How to publish a new species. Fossils in many fields: 44. The field guide; 45. Field trip: Den Haag, the Netherlands; 46. Field trip: The Piltdown Trail; 47. Field trip: Overstrand to Cromer, Norfolk; 48. Field trip: Cleveleys, Lancashire; 49. Field trip: Queen Victoria’s bathing beach, Isle of Wight; 50. Field trip: Salthill Quarry, Clitheroe; 51. Field trip: Hurdlow, Derbyshire; 52. Field trip: Antigua. Glossary. Index.

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Book SynopsisThis book provides a comprehensive overview of the taxonomy, biology, sedimentation, and carbonate geochemistry of modern species. Students, early career and advanced scientists alike will profit from a broad synthesis of the current understanding of planktic foraminifers as an ecological indicator, biogeochemical factories, and proxies in paleoceanography. The classification of modern species is amply illustrated with electron and light microscope images of morphotypes, addresses the state-of-the-art of molecular genetics of species, and provides a detailed guide for any laboratory analyses. The biology of planktic foraminifers is extensively discussed in chapters dedicated to the cellular ultrastructure, nutrition, symbionts, reproduction, ontogeny, and test architecture. Building on the biological prerequisites, the distribution of planktic foraminifers is discussed at regional to global scale. The geochemistry and sedimentation of tests are considered in relation to the ecology of the living animal. In the final chapter, which examines the most common methods in planktic foraminifer research, hands-on information is provided on sampling, processing and analyzing samples in the laboratory, as well as selected established methods for data interpretation. The various topics discussed in this book are aimed at the application of planktic foraminifers as sensitive indicators of the changing climate and marine environment.Trade Review“This is an excellent state-of-the-art book containing a wealth of information attractively presented in well-written text and high quality plates and diagrams. As knowledge of modern processes is essential to the interpretation of the fossil record this book will be essential reading for biologists and geologists undertaking research on planktic foraminifera.” (John Murray, Newsletter of Micropaleontology, Issue 96, October, 2017)Table of ContentsSpecies Classification, Test Architecture, Shell Ontogeny, Species Phylogeny.- Sampling Methods and Faunal Analysis.- Cultivation.- Biology, Cellular Ultrastructure, Host Symbiont Relationships, Trophic Activity and Nutrition, Reproduction.- Molecular Genetics in Modern Species.- Ecology.- Stable Isotopes - Paleoceanography.- Element Ratios.- Sedimentation and Preservation of Tests.- Applications.

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Book SynopsisOn the Prowl is a fully illustrated and approachable guide to the evolution of the big cats and what it portends for their conservation today. Mark Hallett and John M. Harris trace the origins of these iconic carnivores, venturing down the evolutionary pathways that produced the diversity of big cat species that have walked the earth.Trade ReviewOn the Prowl is a superb book, both enjoyable and instructive. I’m greatly impressed with the huge amount of data that Hallett and Harris have collected and presented in a most readable manner. The complex evolutionary history and relationships of the cats will keep researchers arguing for years. -- George Schaller, senior conservationist, Wildlife Conservation Society, and author of The Serengeti Lion: A Study of Predator-Prey RelationsOn the Prowl brings together biological and paleontological research related to the origins and history of the big cats, with an original emphasis on Asiatic data, paying homage to their majesty, dignity, and beauty. Mark Hallett’s artwork has succeeded brilliantly in capturing their inner spirit and character, their vulnerability and vitality. This book will serve the noble goals of making people aware of the fragility of ecosystems and revealing the moral obligation to preserve and protect extant species. -- Christine Argot, research professor and curator of collections, Muséum National d’Histoire NaturelleHallett and Harris guide the reader on a 20-million-year tour of predator and prey evolution, using environmental change as an engine for adaptation and extinction. The narrative is engaging, spiked with a touch of controversy, and supported by superb illustrations. For those interested in the evolutionary origins of big cats, On the Prowl would be a valuable addition to your library. -- Christopher Shaw, Idaho Museum of Natural History[An] erudite study of big cats. * Nature *Will have many a book lover purring with pleasure. * The Inquisitive Biologist *Table of ContentsAcknowledgmentsPreface1. Threads in the Fabric of Time2. Anatomy of a Hunter3. A Breath of Frost4. Beyond the Distant Horizons5. Testimony of the Caves6. Aftermath of an Ice Age7. Man the Destroyer8. The Steeds of DurgaAppendix 1: Distribution of Pantherins and Other Felids in Geologic TimeAppendix 2: Pantherin Dispersals Across the WorldAppendix 3: Taking ActionAppendix 4: Species of the Genus PantheraGlossarySourcesSuggested ReadingIndex

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Book SynopsisIn Fantastic Fossils, Donald R. Prothero offers an accessible, entertaining, and richly illustrated guide to the paleontologist’s journey. He details the best places to look for fossils, the art of how to find them, and how to classify the major types.Trade ReviewThis book condenses most of what you find in a college textbook on paleontology into a concise, readable handbook that explains everything from how to find and collect fossils to how to assign them scientific names. No fossil enthusiast should be without it! -- Spencer G. Lucas, Curator of Paleontology, New Mexico Museum of Natural History and ScienceDonald Prothero knows how to use the written word to make paleontology exciting, and the literary adventure he takes us on in his latest book, Fantastic Fossils, is definitely worth the price of admission. Via prose and a plethora of illustrations, Prothero shepherds us from badlands to beaches and quarries to roadcuts; all of these peregrinations give the reader a sense of what it’s like to be on a paleontological quest. As part of this metaphorical pursuit one also receives practical knowledge; the reader comes to understand not only how to collect and identify fossils but also their broader significance as natural history objects with myriad implications for ecology, evolution and climate change. Prothero’s book features the remark that: “Fossils are cool. Fossils are amazing.” I concur, and if you do too, or if you’re anyone from nine to ninety who wants to learn more about fossils, you should definitely check out this book. -- Bruce S. Lieberman, Biodiversity Institute and Department of Ecology & Evolutionary Biology, University of KansasProthero is a prolific author of popular paleontology titles. Meeting his usual excellent standard, this delightful and wide-ranging book provides an engaging grounding in the basics of paleontology and geology, alongside information on many of the common creatures budding fossil hunters are likely to encounter. -- John Pickrell, author of Flying Dinosaurs and Weird DinosaursThe text is easy to understand, with limited use of jargon, and will be most helpful to beginners who want to know more about fossils but have limited geological understanding. * Choice *Accessible, entertaining, and richly illustrated. A must have for anyone with an interest in fossils. * Birdbooker Report *Table of ContentsPrefaceAcknowledgmentsPart I. Fossils Are Where You Find Them1. Fantastic Fossils2. How Are Fossils Formed?3. What Kinds of Rocks Yield Fossils?4. Where Do You Find Fossils?5. Dating Fossils6. Collecting Fossils: Badlands7. Collecting Fossils: Beaches8. Collecting Fossils: Quarries and Roadcuts9. The Crucial Step: Collecting DataPart II. Identifying Your Fossils10. What’s in a Name?11. Phylum Porifera: Sponges and Their Relatives12. Phylum Cnidaria (Coelenterates): Sea Jellies, Sea Anemones, and Corals13. Phylum Brachiopoda: Brachiopods, or Lamp Shells14. Phylum Bryozoa: Bryozoans, or Moss Animals15. Phylum Arthropoda: Trilobites and Their Relatives16. Phylum Mollusca: Clams, Snail, Squids, and Their Relatives17. Phylum Echinodermata: Sea Stars, Sea Urchins, and Their Relatives18. Phylum Hemichordata: Graptolites19. Phylum Chordata: Fish, Amphibians, Reptiles, Birds, and Mammals20. Paleobotany: Fossil PlantsIndex

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Book SynopsisAndy Secher—one of the most prolific trilobite collectors in the world—takes readers on an entertaining and enlightening journey to the distant epoch when these ancient arthropods swarmed through the seas.Trade ReviewWow! I’ve never before seen so many amazing trilobites between the covers of a single book as I have in Andy Secher’s new extravaganza The Trilobite Collector’s Guide. Secher is one of the premier trilobite collectors of the world, and he can tell you everything about what it takes to find, collect, ‘prepare,’ and study trilobites. His photos are amazing. Trilobites are amazing. Be prepared to be dazzled and amazed! -- Niles Eldredge, curator emeritus, Division of Paleontology, American Museum of Natural HistoryAndy Secher’s passion for trilobites comes through on every page of this beautifully illustrated book. He combines up-to-date scientific knowledge with practical information on how to collect trilobites, how to prepare them, where to find them, and much more. His passion is contagious, and after reading a few pages of this book, you will find yourself organizing your next vacation around trilobites. -- Neil H. Landman, curator emeritus, American Museum of Natural HistoryThe Trilobite Collector's Guide provides a popular ‘hit parade’ of trilobite facts, figures, and phenomena for the nonacademic reader and nascent—or even accomplished—collector. Secher explores and beautifully illustrates an eclectic array of relevant topics in an entertaining, concise, and easily digestible form. -- David Rudkin, assistant curator emeritus of paleobiology, Royal Ontario MuseumThe Trilobite Collector’s Guide, along with last year’s encyclopedic Travels with Trilobites, establishes Andy Secher as a true rock star of the trilobite universe. A gifted writer, collector, world traveler, and music business pro, Secher entertainingly walks you through dozens of ‘Top Ten’ lists, each illuminating trilobites from a radically different perspective, all using photos drawn from his world-class collection. If you are not already a card-carrying citizen of the trilobite community, you soon will be. -- Sam Stubbs, noted trilobite collector, Houston, TXSecher, a famous collector of trilobites, provides 350 color photographs of fully preserved specimens. Written in a very accessible style that engages and informs. With the author’s light-hearted style and trilobite fossils, facts, and features, this work will appeal to readers with a solid interest in ancient Arthropods. * Booklist, the American Library Association (ALA) *This book is a must-have for anyone with an interest in trilobites! * The Birdbooker Report *Two years ago I reviewed another of Andy Secher’s books, Travels with Trilobites, Adventures in the Paleozoic, and decided that was the best book we might see on the subject for many years. I was wrong. Secher’s latest tome on my favorite arthropods is geared especially toward the collector. I suspect together that these two volumes will serve as sturdy bookends to whatever other trilobite books are on paleontologists’ bookshelves. * Trilobite Tales *Table of ContentsForeword: Beetles of the Paleozoic, by Richard ForteyForeword: Ten Reasons to Read This Book, by Melanie J. HopkinsIntroduction: The Trilobite Collector1. 10 Celebrated Cambrian Trilobite Localities2. 10 World-Class Fossil Shows3. 10 Outstanding Ordovician Trilobite Localities4. 10 Essential Figures in Trilobite History5. 10 Significant Silurian Trilobite Localities6. 10 Key Elements of Trilobite Morphology7. 10 Dramatic Devonian Trilobite Localities8. 10 Trilobite Collecting Tips9. 10 Renowned Carboniferous-Permian Trilobite Localities10. 10 Key Curation Details11. 10 Obscure (But Still Significant) Trilobite Localities12. 10 Creatures That Came Before Trilobites13. 10 Eminently Elegant Trilobites14. 10 Time and Trilobite-Related Theories15. 10 Most Common Trilobites16. 10 Ridiculously Rare Trilobites17. 10 Beautiful Bohemian Trilobites18. 10 Outrageously Old Trilobites19. 10 Last-in-Line Trilobites20. 10 Intriguing Trilobite Questions21. 10 Verifiably Ventral Trilobites22. 10 Rock ′n′ Roller Trilobites23. 10 Pertinent Preparation Steps24. 10 Cleverly Colored Trilobites25. 10 Engagingly Eyed Trilobites26. 10 Ways to Spot a Fake Trilobite27. 10 Mass Mortality Trilobites28. 10 Precariously Predated Trilobites29. 10 Magnificent Moroccan Trilobites30. 10 Planet-Spanning Paradoxides31. 10 Distinctly Disarticulated Trilobites32. 10 Beyond Big Trilobites33. 10 Dramatically Dolomitic Trilobites34. 10 Extravagantly Expensive Trilobites35. 10 Spectacularly Spined Trilobites36. 10 Tales Told by Trilobites37. 10 Ways to Value Your Trilobites38. 10 Doppelganger Trilobites39. 10 Legendary Trilobites40. 10 Must-Read Trilobite Books41. 10 Strikingly Strange Trilobites42. 10 Top Trilobite Websites43. 10 Unbelievable Utah Trilobites44. 10 Trilobite Orders45. 10 Significant Soft-Tissue Trilobites46. 10 Top Trilobite Museums47. 10 Top Trilobite Pretenders48. 10 Wonderful Walcott/Rust Trilobites49. 10 Deserving-of-Mention Trilobites50. 10 Revealing Rochester Shale Trilobites51. 10 Tantalizing Trilobite Teasers52. 10 Distinguished Dudley TrilobitesFinal ThoughtGlossary: Trilobite TerminologyIndex

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Book SynopsisTrade Review"Winner of the PROSE Award in Earth Science, Association of American Publishers""[A] vivid, gripping book. . . . Dale Greenwalt . . . has written a riveting account of a field achieving revolutionary insights."---Simon Ings, New Scientist"[An] eye-opening guide to this new world of understanding, one that encompasses chemistry along with biology."---David P. Barash, Wall Street Journal"An accessible book on ancient life that focuses as much on chemistry as on biology."---Wade Lee-Smith, Library Journal"[Fascinating] . . . an unabashedly excited report from the front lines"---Steve Donoghue, Open Letters Review"The book provides a fascinating journey through the very latest in research into the origins of life on Earth. . . . No one should be intimidated by this highly readable work."---David Gascoigne, Travels with Birds"If you think you cannot stomach yet another popular book on palaeontology, think again. Remnants of Ancient Life is as fascinating as the inviting cover and subtitle suggest, managing to put a completely fresh gloss on the topic of palaeontology."---Leon Vlieger, The Inquisitive Biologist

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