Description
Book SynopsisRoy Plotnick provides a behind-the-scenes look at paleontology as it exists today in all its complexity. He explores the field’s aims, methods, and possibilities, with an emphasis on the compelling personal stories of the scientists who have made it a career.
Trade ReviewRoy Plotnick is an invertebrate paleontologist who loves his job. Here he writes an excellent tome filled with his personal experiences, friends, and numerous colleagues in the field. He provides a rare, very personal look at the aspirations and lives of paleontologists, including his own. Plotnick’s detailed biographical perspective is important in how it personally documents this scientific profession today, and makes the case for its importance into the future. Even highly controversial issues are discussed, such as scientific vs commercial fossil collecting. The book is skillfully written in a way that engages professional scientists as well as members of the public with an interest in this field. -- Lance Grande, Field Museum of Natural History, and author of
Curators: Behind the Scenes of Natural History MuseumsPlotnick has gone above and beyond to highlight as many of paleontology’s contributors as possible, demonstrating that it is an increasingly inclusive, diverse field of study.
Explorers of Deep Time is an invaluable tool for the budding scientist and a beautiful homage to the breadth and depth of this discipline. -- Emily Graslie, host of
Prehistoric Road Trip on PBS
Explorers of Deep Time is more than an examination of people who study fossils—it is a biography of the field of paleontology itself. As described by Plotnick, paleontology is cutting-edge, relevant, and full of people who bear absolutely no resemblance to Ross Gellar. A key resource for aspiring paleontologists and a call to action for those already part of the field, who are reminded of the challenges our discipline faces. -- Ellen Currano, coeditor of
The Bearded Lady Project: Challenging the Face of ScienceAn unexpurgated and entertaining romp through the world of fossils and the stories of the people who study them. Plotnick gives us an up close and personal view of the joy of paleontology and its transformation into a vibrant modern science that is ever more relevant to understanding our world and its future. -- Sir Peter Crane, fellow of the Royal Society, and senior research scientist, Yale University
Plotnick’s personal anecdotes about his journey through his paleontological career are enjoyable to read. He has had a lot of fun in what can be a very challenging field, and it shows—this book will inspire younger generations to pick up the torch. -- Victoria Arbour, curator of paleontology, Royal BC Museum
Plotnick neatly demonstrates why paleontology is relevant to the modern world of cloud data and smartphones—and perhaps more relevant than ever due to the accelerated rate of climate change in the twenty-first century. His frank discussions of some all-too-familiar issues facing paleontologists in their workplaces (be they museums or universities) will be helpful knowledge to students and professionals alike.
-- Lee Hall, paleontology field professional, Museum of the Rockies
'Explorers of Deep Time' is an enjoyable and practical introduction to the work of paleontology. * Foreword Reviews *
Blends [Plotnick’s] personal experiences with a cogent examination of the field of paleontology and the individuals who shaped it. * The Clergy Letter Project *
’Explorers of Deep Time’ is a fascinating look at paleontology as a whole, and is a must-have for anyone looking to better understand the field and the people within it. Every aspiring paleontologist should have a copy, as it gives an honest look at the joys, challenges, and opportunities that the science provides. ‘Explorers of Deep Time’ gives paleontology the close-up it deserves. * AIPT *
Explorers of Deep Time is a highly informative book for people in and outside of palaeontology. Plotnick’s humour and anecdotes ensure it is not a dry read. If you are curious about what palaeontologists do or you are thinking of pursuing it as a career, this book is vital reading. * Natural History Book Service (NHBS) [5 out of 5 stars] *
Explorers of Deep Time is a highly informative book for people in and outside of palaeontology. Plotnick’s humour and anecdotes ensure it is not a dry read. If you are curious about what palaeontologists do or you are thinking of pursuing it as a career, this book is vital reading. * Leon Vlieger, The Inquisitive Biologist *
This is an excellent guide to the pros and cons of choosing palaeontology as a career Highly recommended. * Everything Dinosaur *
Informed and informative, exceptionally well written, thoroughly 'reader friendly' in organization and presentation, ['Explorers of Deep Time'] is especially recommended reading for... readers wanting to know the illustrated facts about the everyday work of real-life paleontologists. * Midwest Book Review *
This is an excellent book for those who might be interested in pursuing paleontology for a career. Interesting and accessible for the casual reader. * Dear Author *
The text is well written and accessible to a wide audience, but a must read for anyone considering a career in paleontology....Highly recommended. * Choice *
This book's scope and readability as well as its candor and sincerity make it an exceptional read. * H-Sci-Tech-Med *
The book is comprehensive and everyone from a complete novice to the most established expert can understand and enjoy the writing. * Quarterly Review of Biology *
For the general reader, Plotnick’s book is a welcome look at a branch of science that has great appeal, but is too often misrepresented in popular culture. I recommend this book emphatically, not just for fossil lovers and dinosaur fans, but for anyone considering a career in science and wondering about the life it brings. * Natural History Magazine *
Table of ContentsPart I. Deep Time1. Those Who Know the Past
2. We Have the Best Questions
3. I’m Not Ross (or Indiana Jones)
Part II. Exploring Deep Time4. Attending Marvels
5. Safe Places
6. Cool Toys
7. Big Data and the Big Picture
8. The Ends of the Worlds as We Know Them
9. Lessons for and from the Living
Part III. Explorers of Deep Time10. The Education of a Paleontologist
11. Living in the Real World
12. The Face of Paleontology
13. The Third Reviewer
14. Conferring, Conversing, and Otherwise Hobnobbing
15. Fighting Over Scraps
Part IV. Deep Time and the Broad World16. This Land Is Your Land, Your Fossil Is My Fossil
17. For the Love of Fossils
18. Presenting the Past
19. Those Who Do Not Know the Past
20. Drawing on the Past
21. The World of Paleontology
22. Last Thoughts: SWOT-ing at Paleontology
Acknowledgments
Notes
Index
