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Indlæser... The story of life in 25 fossils : tales of intrepid fossil hunters and the wonders of evolution (original 2015; udgave 2015)af Donald R. Prothero
Work InformationThe Story of Life in 25 Fossils: Tales of Intrepid Fossil Hunters and the Wonders of Evolution af Donald R. Prothero (2015)
Books Read in 2016 (1,746) Indlæser...
Bliv medlem af LibraryThing for at finde ud af, om du vil kunne lide denne bog. Der er ingen diskussionstråde på Snak om denne bog. Enjoyable and thought-provoking at the history of life on earth, form the first simple single-celled organisms up to Australopithecus, by telling the story in 25 key fossils which either indicated the existence of or refined the knowledge about each creature and its place in the evolutionary story. I was particularly taken with the fossils from the very earliest times, such as the bizarre Ediacaran creatures, basically an alternative form of life which became an evolutionary dead-end, showing that our evolution was not a foregone conclusion, that nature had alternative plans. It also cover the great individual stories of how the fossils were discovered and the person who discovered each of them, such as the incredible Mary Anning, a woman from a poor family in England with no education, who became a leading fossil collector who made major discoveries of Ichthyosaurs and plesiosaurs, but was never given the recognition from male-dominated Victorian science that she deserved. the book also lists the museums where each fossil can be seen, as well as a bibliography for each chapter listing further reading on each fossil and its era. I found this an excellent book geared for the adult layperson, easy to read yet not talking down to a non-scientific audience, highly recommended for anyone fascinated by fossils and the story of life on earth. ( ) While definitely aimed at a general audience, this book was enjoyable, highlighting important fossils and how they were found, but also natural history around discovery of the families/groups that these fossils belong to. A feature I found very compelling was the 'see for yourself!' at the end of each chapter listing museums where the reader could view either the originals or reproductions of the fossils described. A list of great natural history museums domestic and international (with emphasis on paleontology collections) is in the back. First things first, I am horrible at writing reviews. If I like a book I like it but it is hard for me to describe why. Overall I thought it was an excellent survey of the history of time. The author kept a clear writing voice that is easy to understand for both the average reader (like me) as well as for a specialist. There were times, especially in the later chapters, which the author’s tone read as a bit too preachy about his views. (Namely when talking about the threat of global warming or human evolution or anything anti-creationist.) I am likely the primary audience that would agree with these views; however, I believe that the writing could be written less bluntly or preachy, in a manner more similar to Steven J Gould. (If you do not know Gould and love reading about science you should read him immediately. Especially Wonderful Life: The Burgess Shale and the Nature of History, which is referenced by Prothero.) I could be more nitpicky about what fossils he had chosen to highlight or ignore but I enjoyed what selection he curated for this book. I especially enjoyed the peppering of history or popular culture framing around each particular fossil. It is a good survey or general knowledge book. (Great as an opening text for an introductory course for instance.) I recommend it for anyone interested in the history of our world through our fossil record. ingen anmeldelser | tilføj en anmeldelse
Every fossil tells a story. Best-selling paleontology author Donald R. Prothero describes twenty-five famous, beautifully preserved fossils in a gripping scientific history of life on Earth. Recounting the adventures behind the discovery of these objects and fully interpreting their significance within the larger fossil record, Prothero creates a riveting history of life on our planet. The twenty-five fossils portrayed in this book catch animals in their evolutionary splendor as they transition from one kind of organism to another. We witness extinct plants and animals of microscopic and immense size and thrilling diversity. We learn about fantastic land and sea creatures that have no match in nature today. Along the way, we encounter such fascinating fossils as the earliest trilobite, Olenellus; the giant shark Carcharocles; the "fishibian" Tiktaalik; the "Frogamander" and the "Turtle on the Half-Shell"; enormous marine reptiles and the biggest dinosaurs known; the first bird, Archaeopteryx; the walking whale Ambulocetus; the gigantic hornless rhinoceros Paraceratherium, the largest land mammal that ever lived; and the Australopithecus nicknamed "Lucy," the oldest human skeleton. We meet the scientists and adventurers who pioneered paleontology and learn about the larger intellectual and social contexts in which their discoveries were made. Finally, we find out where to see these splendid fossils in the world's great museums. Ideal for all who love prehistoric landscapes and delight in the history of science, this book makes a treasured addition to any bookshelf, stoking curiosity in the evolution of life on Earth. No library descriptions found. |
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Google Books — Indlæser... GenrerMelvil Decimal System (DDC)560Natural sciences and mathematics Fossils & prehistoric life PaleontologyLC-klassificeringVurderingGennemsnit:
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