Kings of Creation

by Don Lessem

From Publishers Weekly These are exciting times in the field of dinosaur paleontology--new discoveries, techniques, interpretation and controversies. Lessem, founder of the Dinosaur Society, presents a lively sampling of current and significant work on dinosaurs worldwide. He introduces taphonomy, the study of circumstances of dinosaur death and preservation, and cladistics, a classification system that helps define relationships among dinosaurs. We meet scientists Robert Bakker, Peter Dodson, John Ostrum, Phil Currie, Paul Soreno, Jack Horner and others who have upended the traditional world of dinosaur studies with theories of warm-bloodedness, nurture and migration. Examining plausible causes of extinction, Lessem tends to support climatic change, though he concedes a possible catastrophic meteor impact. This is the best book on the subject since Robert Bakker's Dinosaur Heresies and a treat for buffs. Illustrations not seen by PW. Copyright 1992 Reed Business Information, Inc. From Library Journal Dinosaur paleontology has been a sensationalist science since the beginning; from the Crystal Palace dinner inside a model Iguanodon, to the Cope and March dinosaur wars, to Roy C. Andrews's dinosaur egg auction. Modern dinosaur paleontologists have carried on the tradition of public spectacle and controversy with the discovery of ever huger dinosaurs (given names like "Ultrasaurus"), flamboyant comet-impact extinction theories, and new interpretations of the link between dinosaurs and birds. In describing the current research of some famous and some less well-known paleontologists, the author takes a noticeably accepting and uncritical attitude toward both meticulous and dubious theories and projects. Dinosaur fans may find this book interesting, but a bit misleading. For general science collections. Illustrations not seen. - Amy Brunvand, Fort Lewis Coll. Lib., Durango, Col. Copyright 1992 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Genres: Science, Palaeontology, Dinosaurs

367 pages, Paperback

First published April 15, 1992