This is a large format field guide (a playful notion) to the true dinosaurs - the Tetrapoda (no pterosaurs or marine reptiles). Dinosaur taxonomy is complex and contentious, and while more than 1500 species have been claimed, many records are based on partial remains or are without adequate scientific documentation. The author recognises 600+ species. An extensive introduction treats a wide range of topics from taxonomy, evolution, biology and behaviour to a discussion of fossil discoveries and paleontological research. The bulk of the book is devoted to full treatment of the five dinosaur groups: protodinosaurs; predatory dinosaurs and protobirds; prosauropods; sauropods; and ornithiscians. After each family introduction, the species text includes biometrics, fossil remains (proportion of full animal recovered and sites at which specimens have been found), age, distribution and formations, habitat (where known), and habits (mainly based on anatomical features). The level of knowledge about species varies considerably and this is fully reflected in the species accounts. Many of the species descriptions are accompanied by black-and-white anatomical reconstructions and/or skull diagrams as well as numerous colour renderings of the complete animal. There are also supplementary illustrations - eggs, trackways, herds, juveniles and so forth - and evocative colour and black-and-white 'scenes' of dinosaur behaviour.
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Gregory Paul is an independent scholar and 'paleoartist.' He is author and illustrator of Predatory Dinosaurs of the World (Simon & Schuster, 1989) and Dinosaurs of the Air (Johns Hopkins, 2002), and editor of The Scientific American Book of the Dinosaurs (St Martin's Press, 2003). His scientific writings and papers have appeared in Scientific American, The New York Times, Nature and numerous specialist journals and publications.
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8 of 8 people found the following review helpful
By Lee Boyes
Format:Hardcover
I am not an out-and-out palaeontologist more an amateur enthusiast so I can of course only review this as one.
This book contains an interesting up-to-date overview of dinosaur fossil discoveries and theories about dinosaurs evolution/habits and such like. This is a relatively short (about 60-odd pages) introduction into the bulk of the book. The bulk is an overview of every dinosaur species. These refer to their fossil remains/locality/habitats/size/habits/anatomy and general notes based on the latest knowledge. Of course there is an element interperitation of the fossils and related evidence but we do not have every fact to hand and never will. The conclusions reached a certainly based on sound reasoning and are not fringe opinions. The book contains good illustrations (outer and skeletal) of about 3/4 of the dinosaurs referenced. (The only reason I assume they are all not pictured is that some so closely related to be hardly different, for example Carcharodontasaurus and Giganotasaurus.)
This book could be used for various purposes (in my case just to know that bit more) but is perhaps best as a quick reference book. I certainly feel that bit more 'complete' in my understanding than I did before I bought this.
Any questions feel free to ask in the comments area I'll try to answer you as quick as I can. (And as best as I can!)
Hope this review helps
Lee
This book contains an interesting up-to-date overview of dinosaur fossil discoveries and theories about dinosaurs evolution/habits and such like. This is a relatively short (about 60-odd pages) introduction into the bulk of the book. The bulk is an overview of every dinosaur species. These refer to their fossil remains/locality/habitats/size/habits/anatomy and general notes based on the latest knowledge. Of course there is an element interperitation of the fossils and related evidence but we do not have every fact to hand and never will. The conclusions reached a certainly based on sound reasoning and are not fringe opinions. The book contains good illustrations (outer and skeletal) of about 3/4 of the dinosaurs referenced. (The only reason I assume they are all not pictured is that some so closely related to be hardly different, for example Carcharodontasaurus and Giganotasaurus.)
This book could be used for various purposes (in my case just to know that bit more) but is perhaps best as a quick reference book. I certainly feel that bit more 'complete' in my understanding than I did before I bought this.
Any questions feel free to ask in the comments area I'll try to answer you as quick as I can. (And as best as I can!)
Hope this review helps
Lee
Most Helpful Customer Reviews on Amazon.com (beta)
Amazon.com:
4.0 out of 5 stars
1 review
4.0 out of 5 stars
Great but not perfect
20 Jan 2013
By Pangr
- Published on Amazon.com
Format:Hardcover
Personally I think,this book isn't suitable for young readers.Everything is written in detail and someone not familiar with paleontological issues will find it hard to follow because of the quantity of information that comes while reading.The book is intented to be bought by paleontology enthousiasts,amateurs and semi-professionals.I found the 60-paged foreword quite interesting.The way the author classifies the dinosaur taxa can sometimes be confusing.I must confess that I'm not huge fan of Greg Paul's illustrations,they just seem to me more artistic than realistic and lifelike.The same holds for this book.Although I didn't enjoy the few image illustrations,I did like the skeletal drawings and the vast majority of dinosaur portraits(the truly huge heads in mamenchisaurids on one hand and the ridiculously small heads in ornithomimosaurs on the other are two examples of what I describe as author's exaggeration).Set aside those minor frauds I would recommend that field-guide to everyone who want to expand their knowledge about these magnificent animals.After reading this book I felt I knew more about the Mesozoic!
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