The Evolution and Extinction of the Dinosaurs (Hardcover)

In presenting their story of these impressive animals, the authors start with the general environment. Dating rocks is a fundamental aspect of how dinosaurs developed over time. The explain the science of "chronostratigraphy" using the classical examples of layered rock and moving on to how radioactive isotopes provide dating. They portray what an organism goes through in the process of fossilisation, and how fortunate we are to have anything to assess. Continental drift, which at once complicates and explains what would otherwise appear as anomolies, adds background. Climate is a further tool to explain how the creatures studied lived at the time.

With this background provided, they move on to depict the origin of dinosaurs. It's not a simple picture, as these "terrible lizards" didn't engage in a "takeover" of the planet as a given. It was a long, slow process from small beginnings. The first fossils, named by Darwin's major nemesis, Richard Owen, were an enigma. Years of study and conjecture led to the beginnings of dinosaur classification. The years of "the bone wars" in North America provided much insight into dinosaur development and diversity. As the story unfolds, the authors turn to an organisational method known as "cladistics". Clade diagrams demonstrating relationship between organisms are used to link more recent forms with their ancestral roots. It's an effective method, requiring only visible physical traits to establish the relationships. That, however, remains its greatest limitation and the source of enduring controversy.

Each segment of the book depicts a type - Stegosauria with their massive back plates, Ceratopsia with their massive horns and frilled skulls and Theropoda, "nature red in tooth and claw". The types are described in detail, with an anatomy lesson provided for the type. The evolution of each is traced, with additional material on eating habits, social make-up and how they attacked or defended themselves. Capping each section is an account of how each was first discovered, with biographies of the major figures in paleontology appended. In this second edition, the book updates the information gathered in the past decade. The update shows how the profession of palaeontology has expanded and enriched our knowledge. With lavish illustration by John Sibbick, the presentation is flawless, providing a wealth of new and detailed information.

Palaeontology is not without its disputes, and the authors carefully explain the issues, the scientists holding disparate views and how these are likely to be resolved. Among the enduring issues are whether dinosaurs were warm-blooded and the relationship between them and modern birds. The authors are unequivocal in their stance on these debates, sustaining their case on the available evidence. Their approach gives full voice to the disputants in these controversies, providing complete assessment of the data.

The book is a treasure for anyone interested in these animals that loomed so large in the history of life on our planet. Given the environmental, dietary, body structure and development information provided here, another edition will likely be some time in appearing. If your child mentions the word "dinosaur", have this book handy for answering their questions. And when they ask you to defer your golf match for a trip to the museum to see the reconstructions of these mighty, and not so mighty, animals, donate the time without remorse. You, too, may see them again with a child's eyes. But you will be prepared for what you'll be seeing. [stephen a. haines - Ottawa, Canada]

If this is the best that is available, as some reviewers have asserted, then the state of paleontological writing is very poor indeed. Someone who can actually write, beyond the technical, needs desperately to be found who can infuse some descriptive life into these reading. While the actual subjects may long be dead, there is no reason for the readings to be, as is evidenced in the recent and largely excellent, if at times speculative, Discovery series "Walking with Dinosaurs." And teachers need to be aware that while they may salivate over the technical details of their particular subject or area of interest, the average student will hardly find such dry detail by itself particularly captivating.