Hunting Dinosaurs
- Book Review,
by LOUIE PSIHOYOS
From Publishers Weekly
In what may be the ultimate book for dinosaur buffs, photojournalist Psihoyos and his associate Knoebber lead readers on a trek from bone quarries to laboratories to exhibit halls. Traveling around the world, carrying the skull of 19th-century bone hunter Edward Drinker Cope as credential and charm, they interview leading fossil hunters, including Bob Bakker, Jack Horner, Paul Sereno and John Ostrum. The authors meet with a French scientist who believes that birds are direct descendants of dinosaurs, with an Italian priest who stole sidewalk slabs containing dinosaur tracks from a Brazilian city and a specialist in dinosaur dung (coprolites). They lead readers on a trail of dinosaur tracks throughout the American West. Psihoyos's stunning color photographs enhance an informative and entertaining text. A treasure. Author tour. Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc.
From School Library Journal
YA?A dinosaur book that is equal parts spectacular color photography and interesting informative text. Psihoyos introduces the important figures of modern paleontology (e.g. Bob Bakker, on whose theories Jurassic Park was based), and more unusual researchers such as dinosaur trackers, and even an expert on dinosaur dung. The author is a natural storyteller, managing to convey the importance of the science with the humor and exuberance of an Indiana Jones movie. For example, the story of what happens when Psihoyos and his assistant bring the remains of Edward Drinker Cope, the father of American paleontology, with them on their travels, makes for an unusual and offbeat introduction that sets the tone for the rest of the book. This wry perspective is apparent in the illustrations as well, in which specimens are filmed in quirky, yet oddly natural poses. Other photos reveal insights about the difficulties involved with digging up the past as the researchers hang off the edge of cliffs to obtain a specimen or try to rescue a Tyrannosaurus from the FBI. The author's enthusiasm for the lives of his subjects will inspire future scientists, making this an excellent choice for career exploration as well as for booktalks to general audiences. Lots of dino info, related with a grin, and wrapped in a beautiful slick format make Hunting Dinosaurs a must for every library.Robin Deffendall, Prince William Public Library System, Manassas, VACopyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc.
From Booklist
As if schlepping photo equipment around the world were not burden enough, this pair of intrepid jokesters also carted with them, as a ghoulish mascot, the skull of Edward Drinker Cope. Cope, a cantankerous dino hunter a hundred years ago, had willed to science his skeleton, a donation that Psihoyos and Knoebber borrowed from its museum ossuary. Their companion never left their side, and indeed "Ed"--they developed a familiar rapport with the esteemed professor--invariably delighted the paleontologists who had never met him in the, uhh, flesh. Most paleontologists knew of Ed, and had posed for pictures with him before returning to their digs in the American West. Our comics-errant, bedeviled with an impish disregard for solemnity, bring a genuine enthusiasm to the pageant of dino discoveries. To sort them out, Psihoyos and Knoebber interviewed the experts, explain here their specialties (be it dino eggs or dino dung), and generally impart the excitement a working paleontologist feels on site. Part road show, part instruction, and wholly fun, this hilarious pictorial layout will instantly seize the attentions of the T. rex-loving young, and convulse their elders in the bargain. The library that orders not this heads for extinction. Gilbert Taylor
Midwest Book Review
Photojournalist Psihoyos captures the adventure in science when he photographs paleontologists' findings and their keys to unlocking dinosaur secrets. Many of these photos are visually revealing, such as the juxtapositions of drawings with bone recreations. Others present some dramatic shots of the reconstruction process itself. Accompanying these vivid color shots are interviews with working adventurers on their dino digs.
People Magazine, 1994
"Hunting Dinosaurs may be the one dinosaur book the world needs."
Publishers Weekly, 1994
"The ultimate book for dinosaur buffs...Psihoyos' stunning color photographs enhance an informative and entertaining text."
Chicago Tribune, 1994
"Psihoyos uses wit to communicate the elan of dinosaur hunters."
Book Description
Photographer Louie Psihoyos offers a lively visual and narrative account of dinosaurs, past and present.
From the Inside Flap
For dinophiles of all ages, Hunting Dinosaurs does for paleontology what Indiana Jones did for archaeology--makes scientific adventures exciting and entertaining. The stunning, full-color photos contained here present dinosaurs as never seen before.
About the Author
Louie Psihoyos, at age 22 became the first photogapher National Geographic hired in more than a decade. His work has been celebrated for its ability to communicate complicated stories with art, charity and wit. He has recieved numerous awards, and his work adorns many international museums.
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