A new book by the distinguished and sometimes controversial Gregory S. Paul is a cause for celebration, and I looked forward to getting into it. It is amazing to me that Paul furnishes a superior text, always incorporating the latest knowledge with insight and finesse, and illustrates all his books too. It's a rare combination of skills that few possess.
Given the advances in technology, the increased level of exploration in many areas of the world - especially China - and the greater involvement of dedicated amateurs under the supervision of scientists, updates are constantly required. The lives of therapod dinosaurs are understood more fully than ever before; early myths have been dispelled and new science brought to bear to enable paleontologists to achieve more complete insights into the reign of these enigmatic predators.
This is a large format book and ninety-nine pages are allocated to a complete examination of every facet of therapod life on Earth, from history to anatomy, from biology to behaviour, locomotion to food, reproduction to energetics, hunting to the evolution of flight and everything in between. We are are even taken on an imaginary safari into the lost world that these creatures might have inhabited.
As might be expected there are controversies and differing opinions among scientists, and they are presented and tackled head on.
The balance of the book is dedicated to individual species (some 300 of them), where Paul illustrates the skeletons of each species in addition to providing a pictorial view of what the animal looked like.
It is a remarkable work in so many ways. If you are a scientist involved daily with dinosaurs you will want to read this. If you are a citizen scientist involved with recovery sites you will barely be able to put it down. Finally, if you are an interested aficionado you will be thrilled by the depth of knowledge acquired from this major work.
Kudos to Gregory S. Paul for a job very well done. This will be my go-to reference until he updates it.
I'm sure he will!
The Princeton Field Guide to Predatory Dinosaurs - Princeton University Press
Gregory S. Paul
Hardcover - $32.00 USD - ISBN: 9780691253169
256 pages - 8.5 x 11 inches (21.25 x 27.5 cm)
Publication date: 05 November, 2024
Muy interesante, el mundo de los dinosaurios siempre me ha fascinado.
ReplyDeleteMuchos besos, David.
Of course, the depth of knowledge about the life of such distant animals is amazing, David. I was confused by the title of the book "Field Guide" - one can imagine that I will meet a dinosaur in the field :)
ReplyDeleteWell, birds are dinosaurs, Nadezda and that’s about as close as you are going to get!
DeleteI'm very happy that we can only meet birds in the forest, and not huge dinosaurs, David. I was for many years ago at the cinema watching Jurasic Park with my children. I was terrified, and I can still remember the raptors. I'm glad that it was just a movie.
ReplyDeleteHugs and kisses, Marit
Jurassic Park was inaccurate in many ways, yet it was fabulous in its recreation of the ancient world. I could watch it again today and enjoy it. In Norway, of course, you have trolls under the bridges so be careful! Hugs and kisses - David
DeleteYes, it was in many ways inaccurate, but it was a epic movie. Yes, here we have trolls under the bridges, but I have never seen them :)
DeleteGreat book review. I love the illustrations. Take care, have a wonderful week!
ReplyDeleteThese pictorial recreations are eternally fascinating.
DeleteNice illustrations! I can only imagine how much work Gregory S. Paul has put into this book.
ReplyDeleteI always look forward to your book reviews. Thank you David!
ReplyDeleteThat’s good to hear, Denise.
Delete...is this book Biblically supported?
ReplyDeleteAh, there's the rub, Tom. I'd have love to have seen a couple of these 50 ton monsters on Noah's ark!
Deleteso, tell me why you are shocked that he can both write and draw, when you already know THE MadSnapper who both writes and draws. KIDDING. ha ha.
ReplyDeleteI may be the only person on the planet that has not seen Jurassic Park or any other movie that has dinosaurs in it. I was an avid read of Tarzan and the city of Gold and his jungle had no dinosaurs. just chimpanzees and apes. I can attest to the fact that you are indeed the best book reviewer I know...
Why, thank you ma'am.
DeleteYou always review these great sounding books David. I would love to see the illustrations up close. Have a great start to the new week. hugs-Erika
ReplyDeleteMaybe your local library will stock it.
DeleteMy grandson (now 11 year-old) has been attracted by dinosaurs since very young and have learned many of their names. He likes drawing dinosaurs in books. This book could be his motivation for learning English more as well as drawing.
ReplyDeleteThat would be great on two levels.
DeleteHello David,
ReplyDeleteThis seems to me a nice book with beautiful illustrations.
Greetings Irma
People will always be fascinated by dinosaurs, I think. I love the new perspectives and speculations.
ReplyDeleteMy introduction to dinosaurs was a Saturday afternoon movie that I saw at the Princess Theater when I was just a child. It was presented as a kind of documentary and, although I can't now remember what it was called, it made a huge impression on me. I've been fascinated with dinosaurs and their descendants ever since.
ReplyDeleteI really think you need to move here and live on my street, Dorothy.
DeleteAunque hace ya largos siglos de su extinción, siguen siendo protagonistas de muchas historias y de dibujos animados, para los niños.
ReplyDeleteQuerido David no tengo duda que si tuviera capacidad para escribir un libro desearía que tu le hicieras la reseña, eres un genio.
ReplyDeleteEl libro me parece interesante y se ve con buenas ilustraciones a pesar de que no se mucho de dinosaurios. Un fuerte abrazo para ti y para Miriam
Muchas gracias querida amiga Lola. Eres demasiado amable. Abrazos y besos - David
DeleteMadsnapper is not alone. I have never seen Jurassic Park either. Some of the birds we see today's relationship to dinosaurs is VERY evident. Pelicans for one.
ReplyDeleteThis sounds like a fascinating scholarly work.
I see very few movies, Dorothy, but “Jurassic Park” is one I made a point of seeing, and I am glad I did. The level of realism they were able to achieve is breathtaking. Several leading palaeontologists, including the author of this book, were engaged as consultants - and it shows.
DeleteLast time I checked your name was Sue - and probably still is. Sorry I renamed you!
DeleteDinosaurs have been a very popular for my entire life. I like the illustrations in the book, they are spectacular.
ReplyDeleteThis looks like the sort of book my son would have read from cover to cover time and again when he was younger. He had similar books.
ReplyDeleteI hope he still retains an interest in dinosaurs.
DeleteI like this kind of books, it's like going on an imaginary safari into the past, my friend David.
ReplyDeleteHave a nice start to the week.
Gros bisous
Wow, this certainly looks to be a great book. I must check into buying this one for our daughter.
ReplyDeleteNow this is a book I could get into as well. Thank you for sharing it.
ReplyDeleteIt's always good to buy a book that has the latest knowledge of what the book is about.
ReplyDeleteGood review.
Hi David - I'm so pleased you've mentioned this book ... the level of knowledge we're able to access in the 2000s and it is ever increasing ... sadly I doubt I'll ever read this - but I'm pleased to know about it ... have a peaceful day - Hilary
ReplyDeleteThey're not exactly pretty animals, but my grandson really liked them when we were at an exhibition in Brussels! Then he collected them! I like your header the owl looks so funny!
ReplyDeleteI am sure that many young people collected dinosaur figurines, and probably inspired career choices in some of them. I know that the great American biologist, paleontologist, humanist and thinker Stephen Jay Gould was influenced by his passion for dinosaurs as a child.
DeleteThis one looks really good and I would enjoy it. :-D
ReplyDeleteKnowledge acquisition, coherent discussions about fact-based matters, back and forth about legitimate differences of opinion, and a fascinating topic--what's not to love here? great review!
ReplyDeleteThe world of dinosaurs is truly fascinating. It is surely a good book for both beginners and experts.
ReplyDeleteWhen I go to the public library to pick up a book, I look through some nature books. They are easier for me in Spanish...I speak some English, I read and write with the help of translators, which in the end helps me learn, and what is most difficult for me is understanding the natives.
Where I live there are many English, German and American people and many have been here for years and speak almost no Spanish.
It is all too common, Fernando, that these squatters don't learn the local language. It is offensive and even counter-productive since they shut themselves off from the full enjoyment of local culture, and fail to integrate with the citizens for whom it has always been home. Congratulations to you for persevering with English. You are doing very well.
DeleteA fascinating world, indeed!
ReplyDeleteSiempre fascinante el mundo de los dinosaurios. Abrazos.
ReplyDelete