The Complete Dinosaur

by James O. Farlow (Editor)

This book is the single most authoriative and accessible source for the general reader on dinosaur science today. In the past decade, dinosaur paleontology has experienced an explosive growth. So rapidly has the field expanded that no individual can hope to master all its aspects. The editors have brought together 47 experts in subjects ranging from functional morphology and paleobiology to biogeography and systematics to present a thorough survey of dinosaurs from the earliest discoveries through the contemporary controverises over their extinction. Where contention exists, as over the question of whether dinosaurs, were warmblooded or cold-blooded, the editors have let the experts agree to disagree. Technical jargon is kept to a minimum, and there is a glossary of less familiar terms.

Genres: Dinosaurs, Science, Nonfiction, Palaeontology

768 pages, Hardcover

First published October 1, 1997

Reviews

[Beth (FebruaryFilly) · Rating 2 out of 5]

If you’re into dinosaurs then this book is likely just your cup of tea. But this was too deep for our purposes and too science paper, heavy details driven. Complex language way over my 6th graders head (keep in my she has little to no aptitude for dinosaurs). Although older than the other book, the illustrations were lacking, not engaging, largely black and white (which on one hand illustrates how far the field has come in one short decade but also how quickly a text can age in a constantly emerging field). We did find the timeline at the end useful, enlightening and fascinating to succinctly illustrate the evolution of the field, including recognizable endeavors like the founding, reasoning and rise to prominence of world renowned museums and universities departments of paleontology. The rivalries of the major players in the game are always intriguing. In a field painted in modernity as the height of nerdiness (think Ross in friends) its a reminder of the honor and intrigue once given to deep academics, almost bordering on heroism and adventure (think Indiana Jones).

[Fred · Rating 5 out of 5]

The best dinosaur book I have ever found.

[Jimmy · Rating 2 out of 5]

While this book presents a variety of topics concerning the study of dinosaurs, such as the use of technology in studying fossils and attempts to determine which diseases dinosaurs suffered from, the actual science was highly diluted by loads and loads of evolutionary garbage all throughout the book (dinosaurs lived millions of years ago, etc.). I might have been willing to give it three stares except for a comment in chapter 38 about the "less religious and more rational early twentieth century", as if religion and reason were opposites.

[Sebastian · Rating 4 out of 5]

A new edition is coming out, and I think it will be even better than this one, which I used for several years as a textbook in my Dinosaurs: Myth and Reality class. Somewhat uneven in the writing, the topics covered are diverse and illustrate a great many facets of dinosaur paleontology. Highly recommended.