In recent years Princeton University Press has been leading the charge to publish a top quality series of books on dinosaurs, ancient reptiles, and other prehistoric taxa. This three volume set (the books may be purchased as a set or individually) continues in that fine tradition.
Bryce Jones is a compelling author and Egidio Viola is an accomplished illustrator. Together they have produced works of exceptional quality, covering three clades, Sauropods, Theropods, and Ornithischians.
In the preface, Jones recounts his own dissatisfaction with existing texts, finding them, as he says, "subpar." I think that many of us find ourselves in agreement with that assessment, having been disappointed more than once.
The introductory section is essentially the same in each book, other than the specific information related to the group to which the book is dedicated. It is quite brief, yet adequate to set the stage for what is to follow, essentially a field guide, with a level of familiarity to modern field guides dealing with extant taxa.
Each page tells you the period in which the dinosaurs roamed the Earth, their classification, location, known remains and the biometrics of the species.
It is likely that the depictions are accurate, even down to the colour. In some instances feathers have been preserved in exquisite detail so the artist may be sure. In other cases reference to living relatives is instructive, taking into account colours, designs and patterns that would have been most probable and realistic.
As so often happens with books of this kind, there is an awakening of childhood fantasies, and the excitement evoked in contemplating the age of dinosaurs, enhanced by a deep appreciation of the faithful rendition of known facts in the twenty-first century. Discoveries of fossils have exploded in recent years and sophisticated modern science and advanced computer software permits interpretations previously not dreamed of.
The onward march continues!
If you have even the slightest level of curiosity about these ancient beings, long since eradicated from the Earth forever, then these books deserve to take their rightful place on your shelves. You will refer to them often.
The Princeton Encyclopedia of Dinosaurs - Princeton University Press
Bryce Jones - illustrated by Egidio Viola
Hardcover - US$49.95 (per volume)
ISBN 9780691250250 - 424 pages
8.5 x 11 inches (21.25 x 27.5 cm)
Publication date: 10 February, 2026
Hace poco visité una exposición de dinosaurios y me gustó mucho.
ReplyDeleteGracias por tu recomendación, ¡tiene buena pinta!
Un abrazo y buen día.
When I was a child instead of fairy tales, I often received books about animals that also provided knowledge. I am grateful to my parents that I got reality in addition to the fairy tale world.
ReplyDeleteI didn’t read about dinosaurs at the time, but I did read about other living creatures.
You always recommend books, and I regret that they are not translated into Hungarian and are not available here.
Éva
Quite educational and interesting! The dinosaur on the 2nd cover looked like it was smiling.
ReplyDeleteWhat an exquisite find! They were such an incredibly interesting creatures, hard to believe they ever existed given how massive and different from todays species they are.
ReplyDeleteHello Dawid,
ReplyDeleteThe dinosaur era is an incredibly fascinating period in the life of our planet. As a child, I had a richly illustrated, age-appropriate book, and I still remember the scenes depicting these extraordinary creatures. We truly live in modern times, and current technology and progress allow for further exploration of these ancient times.
Warm regards.
...I think that dinosaurs names are the first names that children learn to pronounce.
ReplyDeleteI'd be most curious about the dinosaur species of which today's birds are an offshoot. Also, if it's pretty much settled now that it was an asteroid that led to their extinction.
ReplyDeleteMy children had enjoyed those books when they were little, David, and especially my two sons. They played with plastic dinosaurs for many years.
ReplyDeleteThese are great books you review as usual.
Hugs and kisses, Marit
More good ones.
ReplyDelete