Most children have a fascination with dinosaurs, and even into adulthood the fascination does not quite go away. In recent years movies such as Jurassic Park fuelled the imagination of young and old alike, and the spate of exciting discoveries since then has spawned a whole generation of armchair paleontologists.
Luminaries such as documentary filmmaker Sir David Attenborough have produced several shows devoted to fossils, their discovery, their role in the progression of life on Earth, and with sophisticated computer graphics ancient creatures are brought to life. Attenborough's obvious delight in revealing the past is infectious and stimulates an interest in all of us.
It is an ideal time, therefore, for Rhys Charles to create this Little Book of Dinosaurs, a volume that may be appreciated by young and old alike, to serve as a dinosaur primer. Everything is covered, from their origins to their diversity, and their role in dominating life on Earth before catastrophic events overtook them and consigned most of them to extinction.
I say most of them, because we know of course that all did not become extinct. Birds, long thought of as being descended from dinosaurs, are in fact extant dinosaurs, not merely descended from them. We all see dinosaurs every day.
We also now know from the fossil evidence that some ancient creatures were feathered, and their methods of locomotion fuel the debate as to whether first flight was initiated from the ground up or treetop down.
It is likely that some species were socially organized and travelled in groups, mirroring the behaviour of many mammal species today. There is safety in numbers where the danger of becoming the victim of a single predation event is minimized.
The book covers the facts, the fables and the fiction, the truth the near-truth and the fallacies, the legacy of a time still shrouded in mystery and wonder, a vision into our past, and perhaps even a glimpse into the future, as climate change imposes more uncertainty on our lives.
I recommend it highly - read, enjoy and learn. There is no better combination that that!
The Little Book of Dinosaurs - Princeton University Press
Rhys Charles
Hardback - $15.95 USD - ISBN: 9780691259895
160 pages - 3.75 x 6 inches (9.375 x 15 cm) - 140 colour illustrations
Publication date: 22 October, 2024
Dinosaurs are really fascinating. I'm sure this little book is as interesting as all the ones in the collection.
ReplyDeleteI love all of David Attenborough's documentaries.
Gracias David
I think we are all great admirers of Sir David Attenborough. I know I am.
DeleteCon12 años estuve viendo los dinosaurios en un Museo de la ciudad de Madrid. Aunque de joven he ido otras veces a Madrid, he estado en muchos sitios, pero siempre me ha faltado tiempo, para visitar otra vez ese museo.
ReplyDeleteUn abrazo.
I hope you will have the opportunity to visit the museum again.
DeleteI have always been fascinated by dinosauruses, David. My three children loved them even more. David Attenborough have made so many lovely documentaries, and I have seen many of them. The nature is fantastic!
ReplyDeleteHugs and kisses, Marit
We share that fascination, Marit.
DeleteQuerido David parece un libro muy interesante, la reseña como siempre estupenda.
ReplyDeleteEn mi tierra Asturias hay una zona en la que se encontraron fósiles y huellas de dinosaurios y se creo un museo que esta muy bien. Aunque a mi nieto no le gustan nada.
Muchos besos para ti y para Miriam.
I think both young and old have a fascination with dinosaurs.
ReplyDeleteAll the best Jan
So true.
DeleteHi David! what lovely little books; the world of dinosaurs is so fascinating, but i'm dying: how come birds are dinosaurs nowadays? plop!! 👀
ReplyDeleteI always learn something new here.
Lots of hugs and kisses.
I can only echo what other commenters have said. I think fascination with dinosaurs is fairly universal and anyone who spends a good amount of time observing birds must be able to see the connection in their body structure.
ReplyDeleteLooks like fun! I was really into dinosaurs as a child.
ReplyDeleteLooks an interesting little book. We have one grandson interesting in these creatures.
ReplyDeleteDinosaurs are so fascinating.
ReplyDeleteHere in the Netherlands we have Naturalis in Leiden, where you can see all sorts of extinct animals.
Recently a new species was discovered somewhere deep under the earth, which is then dug up bone by bone and put back together in the museum.
Greetings Irma
This makes me wonder what future being will write a book like this about homo sapiens sapiens long after we're gone. Or maybe we'll be around in a different form like the dinosaurs still exist in the form of birds.
ReplyDeleteThe analyzed fiction becomes interesting.
ReplyDeleteFiction?
DeleteI am a great fan of Sir David Attenborough and enjoy watching his nature shows. This is another great book you are sharing with us. Thank you David!
ReplyDeleteAs a small child I had a bunch of dinosaur figurines that kept me occupied and my imagination flowing. :)
ReplyDeleteI've always been a fan of Sir David Attenborough... I have seen many of his films and always found him interesting and knowledgeable. Love these little books. The facts and fiction of the dinosaur seems endless but always thought provoking. Nice review David.xxoo
ReplyDeleteOur daughter is obsessed with dinosaurs. Even as an adult her Dad and I are always on the lookout for books, stickers and such to gift her. We actually thought at one time she would go into paleontology focusing especially on dinosaurs. Thank you for directing me to this book.
ReplyDeleteThis would be perfect for her then.
DeleteMy husband was a Chemical Engineer and worked for Sinclair Research many years ago. Of course their mascot was Dino the Dinosaur, so, as you might imagine, we have always had an interest in the Dinosaur. This book will make a great gift for my FH (after I have read it, of course :). You do keep me on my toes, David. I am learning (probably relearning things I have long forgotten) new and interesting things every time I come to over to visit you. Hope all is well and I hope your Fall is as colorful as ours has been. It it a wonderful time to walk in the woods, right? Be well, my friend ...
ReplyDeleteAndrea @ From the Sol
I will be leading a birding walk tomorrow, Andrea. Almost 25 people have signed up for it, but there’s always room for one more. Leave right now and you can make it! xoxo
DeleteAnd ... An honest Werewolf would be offended if you compared him to Donald Trump😁
ReplyDeleteAndrea :)
I think I'd like to have that whole set of Princeton University Press books, they are so full of fascinating information and wonderful illustrations.
ReplyDeleteCheck on their web site. Often they have discounts on their books and they are shipped from a warehouse in Canada so shipping costs are very reasonable.
DeleteWhat a great book, a nice collection! My grandsons both love dinosaurs. I am also a fan of Sir David Attenborough. Thank you for linking up and sharing your post. Take care, have a great weekend. PS, thank you for leaving me a comment.
ReplyDeleteSounds and looks like a wonderful book. Although still here in different forms, the powerful dinosaurs we read about remind me that their fate could also be ours.
ReplyDeleteHi David - these little books look like gems to own - if I had a reason ... I'd get them. We even had dinosaurs here on the Sussex coast ... I'm surprised England still has land above the sea?!!! Sorry tongue in cheek ... cheers Hilary
ReplyDeleteDinosaurs truly have a timeless allure! It’s fascinating to think about their connection to modern birds and how much we've learned about their behavior and evolution. Rhys Charles’ book sounds like a fantastic resource for both kids and adults eager to dive deeper into the prehistoric world! 🦕📚 Read my new blog post: https://www.melodyjacob.com/
ReplyDeleteUn libro muy interesante. Un abrazo.
ReplyDelete