Michael J. Benton is a serious scientist and has conveyed serious information in this book, yet simultaneously he has transported me back to a world of childhood fantasy, in a manner that I still can't quite fathom. It is quite wonderful, however!
In addition to the exquisite text by Benton, Bob Nicholls has furnished the most incredible artwork imaginable, and this in no small measure, doubtless fuels my retrospection. The child in me sees fierce dinosaurs, T. Rex and Diplodocus, Iguanadon and Brontosaurus, but given the benefit of many years, and perhaps a little more wisdom, I rejoice in the fact that advances in technology have enabled Nicholls to present landscapes that almost certainly bear a great resemblance to what the dinosaurs would have experienced so many millions of years ago. Furthermore, due to work by Jakob Vinther in 2008, a method to identify colours in fossils was revealed, so that provided skin or feathers are preserved, paleontologists can accurately reconstruct dinosaurs in the full splendour of their time upon the Earth.
This is really very exciting!
The book covers every facet of dinosaur behaviour in complete detail, yet succinctly and without being overwhelming, and in clear, plain language. Whether you are a veteran dinosaur aficionado, or someone approaching the prehistoric world for the first time, you will benefit from this book and enjoy it immensely.
The chapter headings are: Dinosaurs in Perspective; Physiology; Locomotion; Senses and Intelligence; Feeding; Social Behaviour; Dinosaurs and Humans. Each chapter is broken into subsets to explore the different components of the topic under discussion. It really is a comprehensive exploration of the dinosaur and its world.
The chapter entitled 'Dinosaurs and Humans' even promotes paleontology as a career, and highlights the rewards of such a choice, and the potential to make new discoveries as technology enables us to push the boundaries to frontiers not yet dreamed of.
The study of the past is especially germane to the world in which we now find ourselves, where climate change is affecting the very way in which we live our lives, and an examination of the consequences of past climate shifts may shed light on the adaptations we will need to make to cope with the present.
This book is a source of wonderful enrichment from a pedagogical standpoint, but it is also a stark reminder that extinction of virtually all life on Earth has occurred more than once, and it can happen again - this time, unfortunately driven by our own arrogance and neglect.
Read it, enjoy it, learn from it! It's a terrific book!
Dinosaur Behaviour: An Illustrated Guide - Princeton University Press
Michael J. Benton; illustrated by Bob Nicholls
Hardcover - US$35.00 - ISBN: 9780691244297
224 pages - 8.5 x 11 inches (21.25 x 27.5 cm)
150+ colour illustrations
Publication date: 31 October, 2023
It looks like a beautiful and intresting book, David. I have always liked to read about them. When my children grew up the Jurasic Park films came, and we went to the cinema to see them. My children loved the films, but I didn't.
ReplyDeleteHugs and kisses, Marit
I can’t even remember the last time I was in an actual movie theatre, Marit, and I am not a big fan of films, but I did watch “Jurassic Park” on TV and despite the inaccuracies I thought they did a fantastic job and I have to say that despite approaching it as a skeptic, I found it fascinating as entertainment. Hugs and kisses - David
DeleteHari OM
ReplyDeleteProbably not one for me - but I appreciate your enthusiasm for it! YAM xx
Just last night I watched a TV documentary with David Attenborough, now 96 years old, bubbling with enthusiasm about fossil finding on the south coast of England, and sharing his infectious wonderment at all of nature, with all who care to watch his show. It is an inspiration to us all, and gives me great joy. Yes, I am enthusiastic about this book!
DeleteIt's not something I would read, but it looks like a very attractively-designed and educational book.
ReplyDelete...I have found it interesting that young children can pronounce all of the dinosaur names.
ReplyDeleteEsos dinosaurios, solamente los conocemos a través de las películas que se hah hecho de ellos.
ReplyDeleteFeliz domingo.
More reason to read this book and get the real facts.
DeleteI think it's a good book David.
ReplyDeleteBut I doubt I would read it.
Greetings Irma
I would like to know just how the author knows how they acted, thought, etc... no one KNOWS anything except they existed. . the only thing I know is i am glad they are not stomping around outside my house. its hard enough living with humans. I did see a dinosaur skeleton this morning in a yard down the street while riding the dog. glad there were none of these in the park we were walking in. yes, i know i am in the minority and there is much fasicnation with them. the museum 2 miles from here has huge Fake ones a whole room if them
ReplyDeleteThere is a great deal to be learned from fossils. The musculature lets us know how they moved; their method of locomotion replicates creatures living today; stomach contents enable us to learn what they ate, which were herbivores, which were carnivores, patches of skin or feathers provide material to establish colour and so on. To say that we only KNOW that they existed is a gross simplification, especially when one may examine modern crocodilians and birds (dinosaurs). Read the book and you will understand a lot more.
DeleteI'm sure that I will enjoy this, David, so have just added it to my 'Christmas wish list' - I hope Santa obliges!
ReplyDeleteBest wishes - - - Richard
Dinosaurs and their long reign on Earth have always held a fascination for me. I should get this book!
ReplyDeleteI am quite sure it would be right up your alley, Dorothy.
DeleteWhat a wonderful book! My sons all got together at the Dinosaur state park in Texas this month and had fun. They may need this book!
ReplyDeleteThe book sounds good. I used to love reading about them as a kid and even had some dinosaur models that I made.
ReplyDeleteIsn't it fascinating just how much we still have to learn? And learn we do (or at least some of us). I suspect that this book would delight many people, of all ages.
ReplyDeleteI hope I never stop learning.
DeleteSo fascinating. Looks like a great book. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteDefinitely looks interesting! I have loved the newest imaginative interpretations that have been made into kind of documentary films. At the rate we are going they will be studying how humans went extinct millions of years ago. ;)
ReplyDeleteThis book looks like a beauty. To read about science and to be transformed back to childhood is a very good thing, especially for inspiring some young dino enthusiasts. And how cool to write a chapter about being paleontologist. i'm adding this one to my wishlist, and thanks for mentioning it. Happy new week David. hugs-Erika
ReplyDeleteIt looks and sounds a very good book.
ReplyDeleteI find myself agreeing with Tom when he said "that young children can pronounce all of the dinosaur names" ... I know my grandsons did and they still have many books on their bookshelves about them.
All the best Jan
It looks very interesting....when I think of dinosaurs, I think of Drumheller!....I love that place........Abrazotes, Marcela
ReplyDeleteFingers crossed - I hope to visit Drumheller next year.
DeleteHi David! i think would like this book a lot, still have my books and encyclopedias from school when I spent the afternoons observing these extraordinary beings; thank you for sharing the existence of this book. I'll keep it in mind.
ReplyDeleteBisous, dear friend!
Argentina has a great reputation for paleontology too.
DeleteIt's a good book then by your account. I have a grandson who knows so much about Dinosaurs, he sits in front of the TV and watches all the documentaries he can find, he seems not to forget a thing, also he reads about them as well. This book I'm sure he would welcome.
ReplyDeleteI am sure your grandson would enjoy this one.
DeleteJe regarde en ce moment un documentaire sur l'arrivée de la vie sur terre à aujourd'hui et hier c'était le chapitre sur les dinosaures, c'est incroyable de se dire que de si grands animaux ont existé. Bonne journée
ReplyDeleteHello David :=)
ReplyDeleteFrom your description I have no doubt it is a marvellous book. When my grandson was about 12 yrs old, he had a large poster on his bedroom wall with a dinosaur on it and he knew all the names of the other extinct creatures I also have many books about dinosaurs in the library.which I have read and found fascinating. Thank you for the review David, and enjoy your week.
Many hugs
Sonjia.
Many unknowns will disappear thanks to this book.
ReplyDelete“Paleobiology has advanced from a speculative subject to a cutting-edge science. Today, researchers are applying the latest forensic technologies to the fossil record, revealing startling new insights into the lives of dinosaurs. This illustrated guide explores the behavior, evolution, physiology, and extinction of dinosaurs, taking readers inside the mysterious world of these marvelous animals.” That description on Amazon, and your review here, led to a pre-order for my Kindle😊They say it will be available tomorrow, Oct. 31. Thanks, David, for your review. Dinosaurs have always been a fascination for me.
ReplyDeleteFollow up: Yesterday, Oct. 31, I opened up my iPad and the Kindle app and found the Dinosaur book waiting for me. I downloaded it and opened it up. OMG! The illustrations are wonderful and beautiful. IMHO, enjoying the book on the Kindle is every bit as good as a hard copy. Maybe better! Thanks for introducing me to this book!
DeleteI would have loved to illustrate that book back in the day. Happy Halloween!
ReplyDeleteI know several "not so little anymore" boys who would probably enjoy this book..I may recommend it to their parents. Happy Halloween to you both..
ReplyDeleteFascinating, I I am sure I would enjoy it and I suspect that Nigel would as well. Thanks for the great write up. Bisous Diane
ReplyDeleteMy husband was such a dinosaur lover when he was a child that he devoured every book in the children's section of his local library. He still is a dinosaur lover. I am sending him the link to this post. He'll love it, both text and illustrations. Thank you for your review! Alana ramblinwitham.blogspot.com
ReplyDeleteBeautiful book of the Dinousar. Beautiful illustrations.
ReplyDeletearen't we all entranced by dinosaurs? maybe I can get the library to order this book.
ReplyDeleteLooks like a fun and informative book!
ReplyDeleteLooks like a very interesting read, thank you for the review.
ReplyDeleteIt's not a book I'd personally pick up, but it does look visually appealing.
ReplyDeleteDas klingt nach einem sehr spannenden Buch. LG Romy
ReplyDeleteDinosaurs have always fascinated me. I'd love to read the book.
ReplyDeleteI wish Miriam and you all the best in November :)
Thanks for this review! All the dinosaur books I have are possibly somewhat out of date, so it's good to get a recommendation for a new one!
ReplyDeleteQuerido David muy buena reseña y que anima a tenerlo en cuenta.
ReplyDeleteEn Asturias tenemos lugares en la costa donde se encontraron muchos foxiles y huellas de dinosaurios y se puede ver en un museo, esta muy bien. Un fuerte abrazo para ti y para Míriam.
El libro parece interesante. Besos.
ReplyDeleteOoh, dinosaurs! When I was a kid, I wanted to be a paleontologist. I read Roy Chapman Andrews, and spent a lot of time with the dinosaurs in the Smithsonian.
ReplyDeleteI knew I delayed commenting until ... the Attenborough long-beaked echidna was recorded ... one dinosaur with another ... amazing life we learn as we live. Cheers Hilary
ReplyDelete