The Age of Reptiles

by Edwin H. Colbert

Concise detailed review — amply illustrated — of the astonishing creatures that ruled the earth for some 180 million years, with particular emphasis on the tetrapods (four-legged vertebrates that lived during the years of reptilian dominance). Also examines interrelationships between amphibians and reptiles, birds and mammals, and between these creatures and their environments.

Genres: Palaeontology, Dinosaurs, Nature

256 pages, Paperback

First published March 18, 1997

Reviews

[Last Ranger · Rating 5 out of 5]

Here, There Be Dragons!

Edwin H Colbert is considered by many to be one of the top vertebrate paleontologist of the 20th century. He was also a prolific writer of science books for students, scientist and the general public. The Age of Reptiles was first published in 1965 and updated in 1997 with this Dover edition. While written for the interested layperson this book reads more like a collage level text-book. The author pulls no punches when it comes to scientific names for both the animals and the geological formations in which their remains are found. So, unless you're a die-hard Dino-geek (like me), this may not be the book for you. There are numerous charts and illustrations throughout the book that will help you visualize the animals and locations mentioned in the text. But, you may want to have another reference book or a computer handy for a look at any animals that are not pictured. Colbert's approach is to follow the development of several groups of animals (reptiles, amphibians, mammals with some mention of birds and the bony fish) from the Carboniferous through the Cretaceous. The geological and environmental changes that occurred during that time frame are also traced in some detail. Colbert's writing is conversational but quite technical at times. Anyone who is familiar with the basic sciences of geology and paleontology will notice some "dated" material and theories in the 1965 edition but, for the most part, those issues are addressed in the 1997 update (see the addendum). Of particular interest is the theory of Plate Tectonics which was quite controversial in the early 1960's. Although Colbert mentions "Continental Drift" in the first edition he also points out the possibility of "Land Bridges" and more round-about migration routs to explain the same animals being on different continents. Just four years latter, in 1969, Colbert led an expedition to Antarctica and discovered the first "therapsid" (mammal-like reptile) fossils on that continent, thereby confirming Continental Drift, therapsids were also found in Africa and South America (see his 1985 book: Wandering Lands and Animals). All in all this is a great book of science and history, a true classic in every sense of the word.

Last Ranger

[Sean · Rating 4 out of 5]

awesome book on dino's. with pictures. really technical, and i got lost, but it freakin has pictures!

[Jason]

L