The Complete T. Rex/How Stunning New Discoveries Are Changing Our Understanding of the World's Most Famous Dinosaur by John R. & Don Lessem Horner

by Jack Horner

A look at the Tyrannosaurus Rex discusses the animal's speed, its warm-bloodedness, its dimensions and anatomy, and its gender differences, offering excavation photos and line drawings. 30,000 first printing.

Genres: Dinosaurs, Science, Nonfiction, Palaeontology

Hardcover

First published January 1, 1993

Reviews

[Cienna · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have to take off one star because of who the author is, what they represent, and how they treat others. I will also take off another star because of outdated scientific research, bad puns, and general overbearing personality of the narration. If you're looking for a great intro into paleo research this is the book to start with, but take it with a grain of salt.

[Ron · Rating 5 out of 5]

Published in 1993 when the remains of only eleven T.rex were available (in 2020 this number is almost double), the information is a somewhat dated. ("Sue" was in legal limbo and not yet sold to Chicago's Field Museum.) But nonetheless, this book is well written and gives valuable insight to the work paleontologists do, their methods and techniques. As to theories and speculations on the lifestyle of the T.rex, Horner gives both pros and cons. I particularly liked the nods to his graduate students and their work in progress. A lot has been discovered over the intervening 30 years. An update of this book would be nice. Should appeal to fans of Prehistoric Times magazine and the Jurassic Park films.

[chelsegoose · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 stars - got this book for $2.50 at the museum of the rockies, a score! again horner's writing is easy to read making this book a quick and fun read. i think the most interesting part of me was the discussion of various paleoartists and their impacts on our view of the infamous t. rex. it would be really interesting to read an updated version as this was written in the 90's and i know a lot has changed since then. i learned a lot, there is still a part of me that would love to be a paleontologist

[Amanda Nieman]

For the student (or teacher) who maintained their interest of dinosaurs and the T Rex. It follows two digs from the early nineties and the discoveries that came from finding 2 of the most complete t rexes ever. There are photos which follow each dig as well, which I find to be really cool. I would have this for independent reading and as a resource for a research project.

[Jim · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fascinating read. Didn't care to much for the layout.

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Talks about the discovery of T Rex skeletons in Montana and the work of the Museum of the rockies.
Fascinating revelations about the physics of a T rex body.

[Jimmy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Incredibly good and fascinating book about the T. Rex, especially chapter 8, discussing its possible physiology, and chapter 9, covering the debate about whether it was a predator or a scavenger. Since it was published in 1993, it doesn't cover what was learned from the nearly forty skeletons discovered since then. What prevented it from getting five stars (and almost pushed it down to three) was the load of evolutionary garbage included in several chapters.

[Jeneé · Rating 5 out of 5]

The first book I've read by Jack Horner,who is my hero btw. Awesome book, alittle out dated now but still very insightful.