From Library Journal
This book treads the line between a scholarly presentation and a readable popular account; its intended use as a textbook for a college-level course is reflected in the highlighting of key concepts, the inclusion of a bibliography with each chapter, and a text packed to capacity with information since the authors hope to present a complete overview of the state of dinosaur science. This presentation succeeds well in two ways: first, in giving an idea of the scientific process by which paleontologists learn, share, and build on information and, second, in explaining background concepts in biology. Both authors are authorities in the field (Weishampel edited the standard reference Dinosauria, LJ 3/15/91) and definitely know their stuff. Challenging but very well written and informative.?Amy Brunvand, Univ. of Utah Lib., Salt Lake CityCopyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc.
From Booklist
Such is the popularity of dinosaurs that an intended college text will probably find even elementary schoolers hot to devour it. Acknowledging this, Fastovsky and Weishampel strive to write as accessibly as possible while also discussing "dinosaurs as professionals understand them." They succeed wonderfully, and the copious illustrations and their presentation of the ancient creatures within the overall history of Earth's biosphere make their effort more than a gallery of great beasts that will please only the kids. Good taxonomic and general subject indexing ensure their text a job in many ready reference collections, too. So consider at least two copies. Ray Olson
From Book News, Inc.
A comprehensive treatment of dinosaurs, for first and second year undergraduates and general readers, surveying dinosaur's origins and extinction and detailing methods and special topics in dinosaur paleobiology. Presents information in the context of contemporary plate tectonic and climatic settings, and includes extensive b&w and color illustrations and photos, plus a glossary and a taxonomic index of genera. Annotation c. by Book News, Inc., Portland, Or.
Review
"I'm hard pressed to think of another available book as accessible as this for a novice to learn about dinosaurs." American Scientist
"The presentation of the book is superb...for palaeontologists it is the best single book on the subject." Historical Biology
"Amply fulfils its objective of providing an authoritative, stimulating and lively introduction to dinosaurs...recommend[ed] to interested general readers as the best available and thoroughly accessible account of dinosaurs and how they fit in with current scientific thinking." New Scientist
Book Description
Written for non-specialists, this detailed survey of dinosaur origins, diversity, and extinction is designed as a series of successive essays covering important and timely topics in dinosaur paleobiology, such as "warm-bloodedness," birds as living dinosaurs, the new, non-flying feathered dinosaurs, dinosaur functional morphology, and cladistic methods in systematics. Its explicitly phylogenetic approach to the group is that taken by dinosaur specialists. The book is not an edited compilation of the works of many individuals, but a unique, cohesive perspective on Dinosauria. Lavishly illustrated with hundreds of new, specially commissioned illustrations by John Sibbick, world-famous illustrator of dinosaurs, the volume includes multi-page drawings as well as sketches and diagrams. First edition Hb (1996): 0-521-44496-9 David E. Fastovsky is Professor of Geosciences at the University of Rhode Island. Fastovsky, the author of numerous scientific publications dealing with Mesozoic vertebrate faunas and their ancient environments, is also scientific co-Editor of Geology. He has undertaken extensive fieldwork studying dinosaurs and their environments in Montana, North Dakota, Arizona, Mexico, and Mongolia. David B. Weishampel is a professor at the Center for Functional Anatomy and Evolution at Johns Hopkins University, School of Medicine. Weishampel is best known for discovering, researching, and naming several rare European dinosaur species. During the 1980s Weishampel gained fame for his work with American paleontologist Jack Horner and later named the famous plant-eating, egg-laying Orodromeus, Horner. Now, a decade after his pioneering studies with Horner, Weishampel is most widely known for his current work on the Romanian dinosaur fauna. He is the author and co-author of many titles, including The Dinosaur Papers, 1676-1906 (Norton, 2003); The Dinosauria, (University of California, 1990); and Dinosaurs of the East Coast, (Johns Hopkins University Press, 1996).
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