Palaeontology Books

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 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 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 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 SynopsisIncludes comprehensive coverage of dinosaur systematics, reproduction, and life history strategies, biogeography, taphonomy, paleoecology, thermoregulation, and extinction. This book offers documentation of dinosaur distribution through time and space, and discussion of the interface between geology and biology.Table of ContentsAbbreviations for Figures Foreword Introduction SECTION ONE: DINOSAUR SYSTEMATICS Saurischia Ornithischia SECTION TWO: DINOSAUR DISTRIBUTION AND BIOLOGY Literature Cited Contributors Index

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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 SynopsisAn entertaining and informative guide to an astonishing and little-known worldTrade ReviewA fascinating exploration of past life forms, this book will appeal to anyone interested in paleontology and Earth's history. * Library Journal *Highly recommended. * Choice *[T]his book should fascinate all laymen interested in vertebrate paleontology or evolution, and many paleontologists will want to get it even if only for the artwork. * Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology *Table of ContentsPreface1. The Great Transition2. Where Did the Limbs Come From?3. Pangean Chronicle4. Between Earth and Sky5. A Brief Guide to PaleontologyBibliographyIndex

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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 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 SynopsisTrade Review"Stuart reveals the vibrant lives of Pleistocene megafauna, driven extinct by climate change and human hunters. Can lessons from the past halt a sixth mass extinction?" * New Scientist, "Don't Miss" *"Woolly rhinos, mammoths, saber-toothed cats and other astounding animals once roamed the Earth. How did they live and what caused their extinction? This illustrated book delves into the world of the Pleistocene with lessons about our current conservation crises." * Bookseller *“Deft and entertaining, Vanished Giants reveals the ‘hugest, fiercest, and strangest’ Ice Age animals—mastodons, saber-toothed cats, immense ground sloths, and other odd, extinct creatures. Relaying research in an accessible way and with informative illustrations, this enthralling paleontology text discusses megafauna in order of geographic regions and in the context of disparate climates, habitats, and human settlements. . . . Stuart’s conclusions about global extinction patterns are as fascinating and complex as the species he examines themselves, and his reflections about how similar forces threaten so many large animals today makes this an important and captivating book.” -- Rachel Jagareski * Foreword Reviews *"Vanished Giants provides a fascinating introduction to the Ice Age biota and a judicious assessment of the nature and causes of the megafaunal extinctions during the last 100,000 years." * Metascience *“Clearly written by an author with a long pedigree working on these animals, this is an interesting overview of the Ice Age megafauna and its extinction in the Pleistocene and Holocene. Vanished Giants is superior to other books in the field in providing much more detail on the animals themselves. Stuart has produced thorough coverage of all the extinct megafauna with a description (usually with an illustration) and discussion of their lifestyles. He also discusses the debate on the causes of these extinctions, which for many years have been polarized into human-driven—often called the Blitzkrieg hypothesis—and climate-driven causes. It is a fascinating topic and surely one of the most intense ongoing debates in science, certainly in paleontology.” -- Paul Wignall, professor of paleoenvironments, University of Leeds“We are very quick to blame species decline on human action. Although this is certainly the cause today, it is not necessarily the case historically. Stuart raises the potential for more localized events, providing evidence of small meteorite impacts, hyperdisease, and more, for the decline of Ice Age megafaunal communities around the globe. This is fascinating. Stuart discusses different species and different regions that were affected, starting with Eurasia, then heading to North America, the most famous region with the most recognized species to go extinct: mammoth, ground sloth, camelids, sabretooth cats. The conclusions are broad because, as Stuart points out, there is not a straightforward answer to the question. The illustrations are superb, and with the sheer inclusivity of time, geography, and species covered, Vanished Giants really enhances the field. An excellent book.” -- Neil Gostling, lecturer in evolution and paleobiology, University of SouthamptonTable of Contents1 Introduction 2 Crises in the History of Life 3 The Ice Age and the Megafauna 4 Cold Case: The Search for the Ice Age Killer 5 Northern Eurasia: Woolly Rhinos, Cave Bears, and Giant Deer 6 North America: Mastodon, Ground Sloths, and Sabertooth Cats 7 South America: Ground Sloths and Glyptodonts 8 Sahul: Giant Marsupials, a Thunderbird, and a Huge Lizard 9 Madagascar: Giant Lemurs, Elephant Birds, and Dwarf Hippos 10 New Zealand: Land of the Moa 11 Island Megafauna 12 Megafaunal Survival: Sub-Saharan Africa and Southern Asia 13 Summary and Conclusions: The Global Pattern of Megafaunal Extinctions Acknowledgments Appendix: Dating the Past Notes References Index

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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 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 SynopsisTaking readers from Rampart Cave in the Grand Canyon, to other important fossil sites in Arizona and Chile, this book covers the rich evolutionary legacy and shows why the author has come to believe that the earliest Americans literally hunted these animals to death.Table of ContentsList of Illustrations Acknowledgments Prologue 1 Discovering the Last Lost World Radiocarbon Dating and Quaternary Extinctions 2 Overview of Overkill 3 Ground Sloth Dung and Packrat Middens Giant Meat-Eating Bats? 4 Ground Sloths at Home Cryptozoology, Ground Sloths, and Mapinguari National Park 5 Grand Canyon Suite: Mountain Goats, Condors, Equids, and Mammoths 6 Deadly Syncopation 7 Digging for the First People in America: High Stakes at Tule Springs Tricks, Hoaxes, and Bad Science 8 Kill Sites, Sacred Sites 9 Models in Collision: Climatic Change versus Overkill 10 Restoration Unexpected Ramifications of Ecological Change 11 Resurrection: The Past Is Future Epilogue References Index

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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 SynopsisThe most comprehensive examination of amphibian evolution ever produced, The Rise of Amphibians is an essential resource for paleontologists, herpetologists, geologists, and evolutionary biologists.Trade ReviewI highly recommend The Rise of Amphibians to anyone interested not only in amphibians but also in the evolutionary history of vertebrates in general. -- Hans-Dieter Sues Integrative and Comparative Biology 2009 A high-quality production, with finely illustrated drawings of skulls, vertebrae, ribs, teeth, and long bones of more amphibians, past and present, than most of us imagined even existed. -- Whit Gibbons Tuscaloosa News 2009 The Rise of Amphibians should be on the bookshelf of anyone involved in vertebrate evolution... an excellent source of information... It is a first-choice reference book that stimulates further studies and research. -- Axel Janke Systematic Biology 2010 Provides a wealth of valuable information about this fascinating history in a clear, easily readable style. -- Robert R. Reisz Quarterly Review of Biology 2010 I enjoyed reading this fascinating book. It will become a landmark and standard reference in early amphibian evolution for years to come. -- Miguel Vences Bioscience 2010 A useful reference catalog for the professional or well-read amateur. -- Richard Kissel American Paleontologist 2010Table of ContentsPrefaceAcknowledgments1. History of the Earth and Life2. Advanced Metazoans and the Ancestry of Vertebrates3. The Origin of Amphibians4. The Radiation of Carboniferous Amphibians5. Adaptation, Radiation, and Relationships6. The Zenith of Amphibian Diversity7. The Origin of Amniotes: Escape from the Water8. Stereospondyls: Escape from the Land9. The Enigma of Modern Amphibian Origins10. The Ancestry of Frogs11. The Ancestry of Salamanders12. Eocaecilia and the Origin of Caecilians13. The Success of Modern Amphibians14. The Future of AmphibiansAbbreviations Used in IllustrationsGlossaryReferencesIndex

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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 SynopsisThe Age of Mammals, the Cenozoic Era, has never had its Jurassic Park, but it was an amazing time in earth's history, populated by a wonderful assortment of bizarre animals. This book presents their story, which is part of a larger story of a world emerging from the greenhouse conditions of the Mesozoic.Trade ReviewRecommended. General readers; interested upper—level undergraduates through faculty/researchers. * Choice *. . . Prothero's new book has the advantage of something for everyone. . . . A specialist can read it for a fine overview of many aspects of life throughout the age of mammals; a general reader will get the same overview, plus an introduction to a great many new topics to research further. This is about the most readable volume imaginable . . . * Reports of the National Center for Science Education *Table of ContentsPrefaceAcknowledgments1. Introduction2. The End of the Dinosaurs?3. Brave New World: The Paleocene4. Dawn of the Recent: The Eocene5. The Icehouse Cometh: The Oligocene6. The Savanna Story: The Miocene7. The World in Transition: The Pliocene8. Ice Time: The Pleistocene9. Our Interglacial: The HoloceneBibliographyIndex

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Book SynopsisShowcases research of broad botanical and paleontological interest from the world's experts on Mesozoic plant life. This title covers various aspects of plant group - ranging from horsetails to ginkgophytes, from cycads to conifers - and relates them to key innovations in structure, phylogenetic relationships, Mesozoic vegetation.Trade ReviewThe assortment of writings will interest a broad array of investigators. . . . Recommended. * Choice *The 14 chapters in this edited volume provide a broad and a fascinating view of the flora of the Mesozoic . . . The range of topics in this book means that there should be something for anyone with an interest in paleobotany. . . Vol. 86 * Quarterly Review of Biology *[This] volume is immaculately edited, outstandingly readable and beautifully illustrated. * American Paleontologist *[T]he book will indoubtedly be invaluable to graduate students, faculty, and researchers in the fields of biology, botany, and paleontology. 2011 * American Reference Books Annual *This book will be a valuable reference for anyone interested in the biology, paleontology, and paleobotany of the Mesozoic flora and fauna including earth and life scientists and academics, plaeontologists, geologists, and environmental scientists. This very detailed book clearly represents a lifetime of study by the author and is a valuable contribution to the literature. * Plant Science Bulletin *Table of ContentsPreface, Dedication, and Acknowledgments / Carole T. GeeThe Career of Ted Delevoryas: Appreciation and Publications / Thomas N. Taylor, Edith L. Taylor, and Charles P. DaghlianPart 1. Innovations in Mesozoic Plants 1. Architectural Innovation and Developmental Controls in Some Mesozoic Gymnosperms, or, Why Do The Leaf Crowns in Mesozoic Forests Look Tufted? / Ian Sussex, Nancy Kerk, and Carole T. Gee 2. Modern Traits in Early Mesozoic Sphenophytes: The Equisetum-like Cones of Spaciinodum collinsonii with In Situ Spores and Elaters from the Middle Triassic of Antarctica / Andrew B. Schwendemann, Thomas N. Taylor, Edith L. Taylor, Michael Krings, and Jeffrey M. Osborn 3. Pollen and Coprolite Structure in Cycadeoidea (Bennettitales): Implications for Understanding Pollination and Mating Systems in Mesozoic Cycadeoids / Jeffrey M. Osborn and Mackenzie L. Taylor 4. Independent Evolution of Seed Enclosure in the Bennettitales: Evidence from the Anatomically Preserved Cone Foxeoidea connatum gen. et sp. nov. / Gar W. Rothwell and Ruth A. Stockey 5. A Mosaic of Characters in a New Whole-Plant Araucaria, A. delevoryasii Gee sp. nov., from the Late Jurassic Morrison Formation of Wyoming, U.S.A. / Carole T. Gee and William D. Tidwell 6. Major Innovations in Angiosperm Evolution / David L. Dilcher 7. Implications of Fossil Floral Data on Understanding the Early Evolution of Molecular Developmental Controls of Flowers / David Winship TaylorPart 2. Phylogeny of Mesozoic Plants 8. Late Triassic Ginkgoleans of North America / Sidney R. Ash 9. Review of the Cycads and Bennettitaleans from the Mesozoic of Argentina / N. Rubén Cúneo, Ignacio Escapa, Liliana Villar de Seoane, Analía Artabe, and Silvia Gnaedinger 10. The Bennettitales (Cycadeoidales): A Preliminary Perspective on This Arguably Enigmatic Group / William L. Crepet and Dennis W. Stevenson 11. Endemism of Early Cretaceous Conifers in Western Gondwana / Sergio Archangelsky and Georgina M. Del Fueyo 12. Oldest Known Dicotyledonous Lianas from the Early Cretaceous of Utah and New Mexico, U.S.A. / William D. Tidwell, Sidney R. Ash, and Brooks B. BrittPart 3. Ecosystems and Mesozoic Plants 13. Palynological Evidence for Conifer Dominance within a Heterogeneous Landscape in the Late Jurassic Morrison Formation, U.S.A. / Carol L. Hotton and Nina L. Baghai-Riding 14. Mesozoic Plants and Dinosaur Herbivory / P. Martin Sander, Carole T. Gee, Jürgen Hummel, and Marcus ClaussContributorsIndex

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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 "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 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 SynopsisFrom the author of the bestselling ESCAPING FROM EDEN. Do our world mythologies convey our ancestors' ideas about God? Or are they in reality ancestral memories of extra-terrestrial contact? How do ancient stories of contact, adaptation and abduction relate to people's experiences around the world today? The Scars of Eden will take you around the world to hear first-hand from ancestral voices alongside contemporary experiencers and world-renowned researchers. Recent revelations from US Navy, the Pentagon, and French Intelligence bring the reader right up to date in examining what has been forgotten and remembered, hidden and disclosed. If world mythologies, including the Bible, have confused the idea of God with ancient ET visitations, what difference does it make? How does it impact society today? And why is this cultural taboo so widespread and, for the author, so personal?

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Book SynopsisPlant remains can preserve a critical part of history of life on Earth. While telling the fascinating evolutionary story of plants and vegetation across the last 500 million years, this book also crucially offers non-specialists a practical guide to studying, dealing with and interpreting plant fossils. It shows how various techniques can be used to reveal the secrets of plant fossils and how to identify common types, such as compressions and impressions. Incorporating the concepts of evolutionary floras, this second edition includes revised data on all main plant groups, the latest approaches to naming plant fossils using fossil-taxa and techniques such as tomography. With extensive illustrations of plant fossils and living plants, the book encourages readers to think of fossils as once-living organisms. It is written for students on introductory or intermediate courses in palaeobotany, palaeontology, plant evolutionary biology and plant science, and for amateurs interested in studyinTrade Review'… affording quick access to the world of fossil plants to any interested reader. Their direct approach is refreshing, making the book eminently useful for the basic identification of fossil plants, in some cases down to species-level determinations … Undergraduate students willing to read this book will quickly gain a core understanding of an important subject that is rarely included in today's college curriculum.' P. K. Strother, Choice'This edition is great for everyone interested in fossils, plants, and (specially) fossil plants, being especially useful for those starting to study plant evolution and paleobotany. It may also be of interest for everyone who ever found a piece of petrified wood and wanted to learn more about it, and about all of the wonderful and strange plants that inhabited the earth a long time ago.' Andrés Elgorriaga, Plant Science BulletinTable of Contents1. Introduction; 2. Highlights of palaeobotanical study; 3. Studying plant fossils; 4. Early land plants; 5. Lycophytes; 6. Sphenophytes; 7. Ferns; 8. Early gymnosperms; 9. Modern gymnosperms; 10. Angiosperms; 11. The history of land vegetation.

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Book SynopsisA lavish volume in celebration of the astonishing fossils uncovered in Abu Dhabi’s deserts, a region once lush, green, and teeming with now-extinct animals This lavish volume celebrates the astonishing wealth of fossils uncovered in recent decades in Abu Dhabi’s desert. These prehistoric findings, around seven million years in age, record a period when the region was lush, green, and teeming with diverse mammals, all now extinct. With more than one hundred full-color photographs, including reconstructions of extinct animals, this book is both a visual delight and a unique glimpse into Arabia’s ancient past. All text in the book is presented in both English and Arabic.Distributed for the Yale Peabody Museum of Natural History

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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 SynopsisHuman life, and how we came to be, is one of the greatest scientific and philosophical questions of our time. This compact and accessible book presents a modern view of human evolution. Written by a leading authority, it lucidly and engagingly explains not only the evolutionary process, but the technologies currently used to unravel the evolutionary past and emergence of Homo sapiens. By separating the history of palaeoanthropology from current interpretation of the human fossil record, it lays numerous misconceptions to rest, and demonstrates that human evolution has been far from the linear struggle from primitiveness to perfection that we''ve been led to believe. It also presents a coherent scenario for how Homo sapiens contrived to cross a formidable cognitive barrier to become an extraordinary and unprecedented thinking creature. Elegantly illustrated, Understanding Human Evolution is for anyone interested in the complex and tangled story of how we came to be.Trade Review'For years, Ian Tattersall has been the go-to source for the latest facts and interpretations of human evolution. Here, in his clear, pithy style, he brings us up to date on the latest discoveries, weaving them skillfully into a coherent outline of hominid history extending back millions of years. It's all here-from the latest on DNA and radiometric dating of fossils, to the nature and origin of the still-mysterious self-consciousness that is unique to modern humans. A terrific resource and wonderful read!' Niles Eldredge, Curator Emeritus in the Division of Paleontology, American Museum of Natural History, USA'Ian Tattersall provides in this short and engaging book the story of how humans evolved, and, as importantly, how we have come to learn about our evolutionary history and the nature of being human through great discoveries and great scientific debates.' Robert Foley, Leverhulme Professor of Human Evolution, University of Cambridge, UK'Understanding Human Evolution provides a sweeping overview of the field of human evolution, giving equal attention to the history of the discipline as well as current thoughts and ideas about our attainment of the milestones of human evolution-upright posture and bipedal locomotion, the evolution of tool use, the expansion of the brain and human cognition, the development of language, and the spread of humans out of Africa around the globe. All of this is presented in a concise and accessible package by one of the most well-known popularizers of the field today. This is an excellent resource for anyone looking for an introduction to the fossil evidence for human evolution, as well as those who want to catch up on the current state of knowledge in this fast-moving discipline.' Leslie C. Aiello, FBA, Professor Emerita, University College London, UK'An enjoyable, highly informative, and scholarly read. Tattersall is at his best here. Engaging the reader with his inimitable style, he interprets and explains the convoluted evidence for how we became human. Written largely for the non-specialist, there is much here that will inform and even stimulate professional paleoanthropologists.' Donald Johanson, Founding Director of the Institute of Human Origins at Arizona State University, USATable of Contents1. Evolution; 2. Technology: dating, diets, and development; 3. Discovery and interpretation of the human fossil record: the early days; 4. Discovery and interpretation of the human fossil record: more recent developments; 5. Early bipeds; 6. The muddle in the middle; 7. Homo heidelbergensis and the Neanderthals; 8. The emergence and spread of Homo sapiens.

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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 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 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 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 SynopsisHumans are the only mammals to walk on two, rather than four, legs. From an evolutionary perspective, this is an illogical development, as it slows us down. But here we are, suggesting there must have been something tremendous to gain from bipedalism.First Steps takes our ordinary, everyday walking experience and reveals how unusual and extraordinary it truly is. The seven-million-year-long journey through the origins of upright walking shows how it was in fact a gateway to many of the other attributes that make us humanfrom our technological skills and sociality to our thirst for exploration.DeSilva uses early human evolution to explain the instinct that propels a crawling infant to toddle onto two feet, differences between how men and women tend to walk, physical costs of upright walking, including hernias, varicose veins and backache, and the challenges of childbirth imposed by a bipedal pelvis. And he theorises that upright walking may have laid the foundation for the traits of comTrade Review‘A book that strides confidently across complex terrain, laying out what we know about how walking works, who started doing it and when … DeSilva is a genial companion on this stroll through the deep origins of walking … Illuminating’ New York Times ‘This is breezy popular science at its best, interweaving anecdotes from the field and lab with scientific findings and the occasional pop culture reference … compelling’ Science News ‘Before our ancestors thought symbolically, before they used fire, before they made stone tools, or even entered the open savanna, our ancestors walked upright. In one way or another, this odd locomotory style has underwritten the whole spectrum of our vaunted human uniquenesses, from our manual dexterity to our hairless bodies, and our large brains. In the modern world it even influences the way other people recognise us at a distance, and it is crucial to our individual viability. In this authoritative but charmingly discursive and accessible book, Jeremy DeSilva lucidly explains how and why.’ Ian Tattersall, author of Masters of the Planet and The Strange Case of the Rickety Cossack ‘Master anatomist and paleontologist Jeremy DeSilva makes no bones about the fact that when looking at fossils “I let myself be emotional …” Thus does this world expert and gifted story teller take us on a tour through the sprawling, complicated, saga of human origins. Drawing on his personal knowledge of topics ranging from sports medicine to childcare and his acquaintance with a host of colourful characters –whether lying inert in museum drawer, sitting behind microscopes or feuding with one other – DeSilva adds flesh and projects feelings onto the bones he studies, a tour de force of empathic understanding.’ Sarah Blaffer Hrdy, author of Mother Nature and Mothers and Others: The Evolutionary Origins of Mutual Understanding

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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 SynopsisBy the author of the acclaimed bestseller The Rise and Fall of the Dinosaurs, a brilliant and beautifully told new history of mammals, illuminating the lost story of the extraordinary family tree that led to us [New Scientist; The Times UK]National Bestseller • Top 10 Nonfiction of the Year: Kirkus • Best Science Book of the Year: The Times UKWe humans are the inheritors of a dynasty that has reigned over the planet for nearly 66 million years, through fiery cataclysm and ice ages: the mammals. Our lineage includes saber-toothed tigers, woolly mammoths, armadillos the size of a car, cave bears three times the weight of a grizzly, clever scurriers that outlasted Tyrannosaurus rex, and even other types of humans, like Neanderthals. Indeed humankind and many of the beloved fellow mammals we share the planet with today—lions, whales, dogs—represent only the few survivors of a sprawling and astonishing family tree that has been pruned by time and mass extinctions. How did we get here?In his acclaimed bestseller The Rise and Fall of the Dinosaurs—hailed as “the ultimate dinosaur biography” by Scientific American—American paleontologist Steve Brusatte enchanted readers with his definitive history of the dinosaurs. Now, picking up the narrative in the ashes of the extinction event that doomed T-rex and its kind, Brusatte explores the remarkable story of the family of animals that inherited the Earth—mammals— and brilliantly reveals that their story is every bit as fascinating and complex as that of the dinosaurs.Beginning with the earliest days of our lineage some 325 million years ago, Brusatte charts how mammals survived the asteroid that claimed the dinosaurs and made the world their own, becoming the astonishingly diverse range of animals that dominate today’s Earth. Brusatte also brings alive the lost worlds mammals inhabited through time, from ice ages to volcanic catastrophes. Entwined in this story is the detective work he and other scientists have done to piece together our understanding using fossil clues and cutting-edge technology.A sterling example of scientific storytelling by one of our finest young researchers, The Rise and Reign of the Mammals illustrates how this incredible history laid the foundation for today’s world, for us, and our future.

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Book SynopsisFossils have been vital to our understanding of the formation of the earth and the origins of all life on it. However, their impact has not been limited to debates about geology and evolution: attempts to explain their existence has shaken religion at its very roots, and they have remained a subject of ceaseless fascination for people of all ages and backgrounds. In this delightful book, Keith Thomson provides a remarkably all-encompassing explanation of fossils as a phenomenon. How did Darwin use fossils to support his theory of evolution? What are ''living fossils''? What fossils will we leave behind for future generations to examine? Building on the scientific aspects, he places fossils in a very human context, highlighting their impact on philosophy and mythology, our concept of time, and today''s popular culture. What quickly becomes obvious is that the discovery of fossils and the ways in which they have been interpreted over time makes for fascinating reading. From the black market to the Piltdown Man, and from mythological dragons to living dinosaurs, fossils hold a permanent place in the popular imagination.ABOUT THE SERIES: The Very Short Introductions series from Oxford University Press contains hundreds of titles in almost every subject area. These pocket-sized books are the perfect way to get ahead in a new subject quickly. Our expert authors combine facts, analysis, perspective, new ideas, and enthusiasm to make interesting and challenging topics highly readable.Table of Contents1. Introduction ; 2. A cultural phenomenon ; 3. In the popular imagination ; 4. Some things we know, some things we don't ; 5. Against the odds ; 6. Bringing fossils to life ; 7. Evolving ; 8. Of molecules and man ; 9. Fakes and fortunes ; 10. Back to the future ; Further reading

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Book SynopsisThe Pharnerozoic Carbon Cycle applies an earth system science approach to the study of the long-term carbon cycle, which involves the transfer of carbon between rocks and the atmosphere, oceans and life. Theoretical modeling is used to calculate how levels of atmosphere CO2 nad O2 have changed over the past 550 million years.Trade ReviewProfessor Berner's book is an important addition to the burgeoning literature on all aspects on Earth's carbon cycle. American Journal of Science, November 2006, Vol. 306, No.pTable of Contents1: Introduction 2: Processes of the Long-term Carbon Cycle: Chemical Weathering of Silicates 3: Processes of the Long-term Carbon Cycle: Organic Matter and Carbonate Burial and Weathering 4: Processes of the Long-term Carbon Cycle: Degassing of Carbon Dioxide and Methane 5: Atmospheric Carbon Dioxide over Phanerozoic Time 6: Atmospheric O2 over Phanerozoic Time

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Book SynopsisWhy do mass extinctions occur? The demise of the dinosaurs has been discussed exhaustively, but has never been out into the context of other extinction events. This is the first systematic review of the mass extinctions of all organisms, plant and animal, terrestrial and marine, that have occurred in the history of life. This includes the major crisis 250 million years ago which nearly wiped out all life on Earth. By examining current paleontological, geological, and sedimentological evidence of environmental changes, the cases for explanations based on climate change, marine regressions, asteroid or comet impact, anoxia, and volcanic eruptions are all critically evaluated.Trade ReviewHallam and Wignall provide a sobering antidote to simplistic applications of extraterrestrial "crash-bang-you're-dead" interpretations. * New Scientist *the book is unique in that all major extinction intervals are considered ... Mass Extinctions and their Aftermath will richly reward the efforts made by students and laymen to come to grips with the material presented ... the book is well-written, comprehensive, copiously referenced and closely reasoned. It succeeds in its aim to be the foremost scientific introduction to the phenomenon of mass extinction on virtually every level. Hallam and Wignall's volume is the only comprehensive "single author" treatment of the major features of the entire paleontological extinction record. It deserves a wide audience within and outside the earth science community. * Times Higher Education Supplement *The authors have provided a comprehensive and well-documented account of all the known mass extinctions of plant and animal life which have occurred on this planet. * Aslib Book Guide, vol. 63, no. 3, March 1998 *'...It is a pleasure to recommend a book that should be purchased by anyone (yes, even undergraduates) interested in geology...This book....represents an impressive summary of the literature...a valuable addition to the mass extinction literature...' * S.Conway Morris, Geological Mag. No.5, 1998. *

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Book SynopsisThere are few stories more remarkable than the evolution of life on earth. This Very Short Introduction presents a succinct guide to the key episodes in that story - from the very origins of life four million years ago to the extraordinary diversity of species around the globe today. Beginning with an explanation of the controversies surrounding the birth of life itself, each following chapter tells of a major breakthrough that made new forms of life possible: including sex and multicellularity, hard skeletons, and the move to land. Along the way, we witness the greatest mass extinction, the first forests, the rise of modern ecosystems, and, most recently, conscious humans. Introducing ideas from a range of scientific disciplines, from evolutionary biology and earth history, to geochemistry, palaeontology, and systematics, Michael Benton explains how modern science pieces the evidence in this vast evolutionary puzzle together, to build up an accessible and up-to-date picture of the key developments in the history of life on earth.ABOUT THE SERIES: The Very Short Introductions series from Oxford University Press contains hundreds of titles in almost every subject area. These pocket-sized books are the perfect way to get ahead in a new subject quickly. Our expert authors combine facts, analysis, perspective, new ideas, and enthusiasm to make interesting and challenging topics highly readable.Table of Contents1. Introduction ; 2. The origin of life ; 3. The origin of sex ; 4. The origin of skeletons ; 5. The origin of life on land ; 6. Forests and flight ; 7. The biggest mass extinction ; 8. The origin of modern ecosystems ; 9. The origin of humans ; References and Further Reading

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Book SynopsisA survey of the entire ecological history of life on land--from the earliest traces of terrestrial organisms over 400 million years ago to the beginning of human agriculture.

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Book SynopsisPeter J. Bowler seeks to recover some of the lost history of life on earth in this work, giving an account of evolutionary morphology and its relationships with palaeontology and biogeography.Table of ContentsList of Figures Preface Table of Geological Periods and Eras 1: The First Evolutionary Biology A New Biology A Revolution in Science? Transforming Traditions The Professional Framework 2: The Tree of Life Relationships Redefined Form and Function Convergence and Parallelism Ontogeny and Phylogeny The Base of the Tree 3: Are the Arthropoda a Natural Group? The Problem of Arthropod Origins The Genealogy of the Crustacea Peripatus and the Origin of the Tracheata Limulus an Arachnid The Debate Widens The Fossil Record 4: Vertebrate Origins The Ascidian Theory The Annelid Theory The Arthropod Theories Nemertines and the Actinozoa Balanoglossus and the Echinoderms The Environmental Trigger Later Developments 5: From Fish to Amphibian The Origin of Fish The Fin Problem The Origin of the Amphibians From Water to Land 6: The Origin of Birds and Mammals From Reptile to Bird Taking to the Air Monotremes, Marsupials, and Mammals The Mammal-like Reptiles 7: Patterns in the Past Putting Things Together Adaptive Radiation Laws and Trends Rise and Fall Mass Extinctions 8: The Geography of Life Zoological Provinces Lost Worlds Northern Origins Southern Continents 9: The Metaphors of Evolutions Trees and Ladders The Biology of Imperialism? Phylogeny and Modern Darwinism Biographical Appendix Bibliography Index

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