Most Helpful Customer Reviews
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13 of 14 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Well put together and inclusive of the latest research, 14 Nov 2005
I have followed Tim Haines’ road to Earth’s prehistoric life and I have thoroughly enjoyed both “Walking with Dinosaurs” and “Walking with Beasts” in their book and TV series formats. This latest addition, covering the whole story, from the first stirrings of life in the Cambrian up to the emergence of Homo Sapiens, is up to the high standards set by the previous books.
The text is very well written and manages to be quite thorough and to the point, given the small space allowed for each of the examined geological periods and individual species. The authors always try to include the latest results scientific research has to offer, for the various prehistoric creatures presented. At the same time, they are very careful to point out the huge gaps in our knowledge about prehistoric life, due to the scarcity of the fossil record. And of course they make a lot of educated guesses, but these are an indispensable part of paleontology.
Given the restricted space of the book, it is unavoidable that only a handful of prehistoric species are presented, so one may regret the absence of special favorites. My personal regret is the absence of Caudipteryx or, for that matter, of anyone of the feathered dinosaurs, discovered in China during the 90s. Certainly, they are referred to when the authors examine bipedal carnivorous dromaeosaurids, trying to establish the dinosaurs-birds connection, but it is not the same. And I would also like to have estimations about each species’ weight included in its data table, a matter not always covered in the text.
Putting this minor regrets aside, along with some typing errors, which should not have made it to the final print of a BBC edition, the book is both educating and entertaining in the extreme. The vivid text, along with the superb CGI illustrations and the very clear chronological table and diagrams at the end, go a long way to ensure the reader’s pleasure.
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11 of 12 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Nice compilation of ancient "beasts", 16 Jan 2006
This volume by Tim Haines of "Walking with..." fame is a handsome compilation of some (perhaps even all?) of the many ocreatures featured in those series. There is at least one late inclusion which did not feature in any of the series - and I seem to recollect that there may be a few other welcome interlopers representing more recent discoveries.Each creature is allocated one, or, in some cases, two pages of background information and at least one "photo". This kind of space doesn't allow for any indepth review or discussion, but, that's not the purpose of this volume - its a quick overview of a host of more eye catching or significant species from our deep past. The book would be ideal of as a momento of the Walking with Monsters, Dinosaurs and Beasts series - note that the "creatures" of Walking with Cavemen are not represented within this book - I guess because they wanted to retain the relatively more exotic feel associated with non-humanoid creatures. It is pitched at least at an early secondary school level, but would be adequate for the interested laymen of any age greater than that. It assumes little prior knowledge, and is very accessible. This book is suitable for those fascinated by ancient life (although not overly academic in their fascination) and who enjoyed the way in the which the "Walking with" series tried to depict a sample of that life. It is a colourful, vivid "family album" of many of the fascinating, improbable, and/or dramatic creatures which once walked this world.
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8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Re: A Monster of a Book!, 14 Dec 2005
This book does exactly what it says on the cover. As a guide to the prehistoric world it really is unbeatable. It takes you from the formation of the Earth, 4.5 billion years ago, through to the modern day. As well as getting a potted history of life on Earth, this book also acts as an encyclopedia to prehistoric.By my count over 100 animals (from all time periods) are portrayed in detail using the realistic computer generated photographs that Walking with Dinos is famous for. Each animal has one or two pages devoted to including several hundred words of text that describes what it looked like, where and when it lived, how it may have behaviour and also its evolutionary history and the history of its discovery. There is a lot of information packed in, including some amazing facts. I am familiar with books on fossils and dinosaurs and I must say that this is one of the best ones I've come across. It manages to get that rare balance of being informative without being dull. I would recommend it to children and adults alike.
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