- Hardcover: 256 pages
- Publisher: HarperCollins; First Edition edition (19 Jun 2000)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 0002570122
- ISBN-13: 978-0002570121
- Product Dimensions: 21.8 x 13.7 x 3.3 cm
- Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars See all reviews (17 customer reviews)
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Amazon Bestsellers Rank:
488,255 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #45 in Books > Science & Nature > Earth Sciences & Geography > Palaeontology > Palaeozoology
Trilobite!
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Product Description
Amazon.co.uk Review
With his new book Trilobite: Eyewitness to Evolution Richard Fortey confirms his status as one of the best communicators of science around today. His hugely enjoyable previous book Life: an Unauthorised Biography was shortlisted for the 1998 Rhone-Poulenc science book prize, but Trilobite is sure to receive even greater acclaim. Whereas Life took the reader on a whistle-stop tour of evolution from start to present--a huge undertaking that necessarily granted little space to each time period or taxonomic group--Trilobite sees Fortey indulging in a whole book about his overriding palaeontological passion, the long extinct and enigmatic creatures of the title. The result is a joy. Trilobites--woodlice-like creatures that dominated the world's oceans long before the time of the dinosaurs--are arguably the most beautiful animals that have ever been chipped out of the fossil record. Fortey certainly seems to think so. His enthusiastic, almost loving explanations of the anatomy, ecology and long evolutionary history of these fascinating vanished creatures carry the reader on a fascinating and inspirational journey into the Earth's distant past. But the book is much more than a technical treatise on trilobites. We learn about Fortey himself, his formative years as an amateur then professional palaeontologist, about his much-loved teachers and colleagues, and above all about that strange but addictive pastime known as science. You may not find arthropods as charming as Fortey does, but you will not fail to be charmed by the man. --Chris Lavers
--This text refers to the
Paperback
edition.
Amazon.co.uk Review
With his new book Trilobite: Eyewitness to Evolution Richard Fortey confirms his status as one of the best communicators of science around today. His hugely enjoyable previous book Life: an Unauthorised Biography was shortlisted for the 1998 Rhone-Poulenc science book prize, but Trilobite is sure to receive even greater acclaim. Whereas Life took the reader on a whistle-stop tour of evolution from start to present--a huge undertaking that necessarily granted little space to each time period or taxonomic group--Trilobite sees Fortey indulging in a whole book about his overriding palaeontological passion, the long extinct and enigmatic creatures of the title. The result is a joy. Trilobites--woodlice-like creatures that dominated the world's oceans long before the time of the dinosaurs--are arguably the most beautiful animals that have ever been chipped out of the fossil record. Fortey certainly seems to think so. His enthusiastic, almost loving explanations of the anatomy, ecology and long evolutionary history of these fascinating vanished creatures carry the reader on a fascinating and inspirational journey into the Earth's distant past. But the book is much more than a technical treatise on trilobites. We learn about Fortey himself, his formative years as an amateur then professional palaeontologist, about his much-loved teachers and colleagues, and above all about that strange but addictive pastime known as science. You may not find arthropods as charming as Fortey does, but you will not fail to be charmed by the man. A delightful read. --Chris Lavers
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First Sentence
Out of season, the bar of the Cobweb Inn at Boscastle is everything a pub should be. Read the first page
Front Cover | Copyright | Table of Contents | Excerpt | Index
Out of season, the bar of the Cobweb Inn at Boscastle is everything a pub should be. Read the first page
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Front Cover | Copyright | Table of Contents | Excerpt | Index
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
19 of 19 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
This book is superb. If you are at all interested in fossils, evolution or geology then buy it and read it without hesitation. It has rekindled my interest in all these subjects. The english used by the author is beautifully crafted and very witty. The photographs are stunning and the science is expressed in terms that are very easy for a layman to follow. Don't be put off by the early chapter which parallels Fortey's experiences in Cornwall with a character in one of Hardy's novels. Once you get through this and on to trilobites proper, you'll not be able to put the book down.
14 of 14 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
It is hard not to share Richard Fortey's enthusiasm for Trilobites after reading this book. I found that, unlike with most science books, I read every word and didn't just skim for interesting snippets. I now know more about trilobites than I did after completing a 3-year gelology-oriented degree because interesting and enthusiastic writing sticks in the memory.
10 of 10 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
I've never really been a reader of science books, but the reviews of this were so good that i bought it to read on a long car journey, and it kept me entertained and interested the whole way there! Fortey's enthusiasm for trilobites is utterly infectious as he charts an exploration of their history and the history of those who study them, including himself. The book is packed with wonderful details on the structure of trilobite eyes, the protocol for naming fossils, anecdotes from Fortey's own life (being stung by a hornet in China!) and some groan-inducing puns (plans for a movie about rampaging trilobites called 'Thoraic Park'!). There is a wealth of scholarly and scientific detail in the book, but it never gets bogged down or becomes boring, and Fortey comes across as an engaging, obssessed, fascinating and fascinated man who can teach you the history of a fossil you may never have heard of and make you laugh at the same time. Highly recommended
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Trilobite!Eyewitness to Evolution
The book arrived within a week of ordering, and was used but in a very reasonable condition.All in all good value, and an easy and informative read - if you need to know about... Read more
Published 17 months ago by paula
Good book in very good condition
I am slowly reading my way through Richard Fortey's books. They seem to have very specific titles but in fact contain a wealth of biological insight and not a little philosophy and... Read more
Published on 25 May 2010 by Dr. Alan Green
Trilobite!
I read this book when I was 13, and thought it an easy, but intresting read. At first I found it fascinating learning about the Trilobites, but as it progressed into talking about... Read more
Published on 11 Oct 2009 by John
The dead come to life
On the face of it, trilobites seem a very dead subject (pun intended). That which lived such a long time ago cannot tell us a great deal about how life existed then, or indeed now,... Read more
Published on 12 Mar 2007 by Mr P R Morgan
Fortey is formidable!
Fortey's writing talent is capable and captivating. Whether describing the cliffs of Cornwall or his journeys in search of fossils, he keeps your attention in thrall. Read more
Published on 1 Aug 2004 by Stephen A. Haines
Swimming with trilobites!
What interesting creatures. I feel I've learned a bit and would like to know more. I did read S J Gould's "Wonderful Life", about the fossilised creatures discovered in the... Read more
Published on 10 July 2004 by Sally-Anne
Swimming with trilobites!
What interesting creatures. I feel I've learned a bit and would like to know more. I did read S J Gould's "Wonderful Life", about the fossilised creatures discovered in the... Read more
Published on 8 July 2004 by Sally-Anne
Simply superb
One of the best "popular science" books I have read. Fortey guides the reader effortlessly through the anatomy, physiology, habitats and habits of trilobites, peppering his... Read more
Published on 28 Oct 2002 by Simon Gillespie
fascinating revelations
I was astounded by how quickly i became totally absorbed by this book. No real science background needed to appreciate this witty distillation of hundreds of millions of years of... Read more
Published on 4 Oct 2002
Interesting material, not so good outcome
I am puzzled by people's reactions to this book. I came to this book with high hopes: the reviews are generally excellent and I have always thought the subject matter fascinating. Read more
Published on 11 Jun 2001
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