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Dinosaurios y la vida en la prehistoria (Dinosaurs and Prehistoric Life) (DK Definitive Visual Encyclopedias)
From the origin of life, through the age of dinosaurs stalked by the terrifying Tyrannosaurus rex, to the earliest humans, this book tells the story of life on Earth.
Dinosaurs may be the stars of the show, but the book is truly comprehensive, with fossil plants, invertebrates, amphibians, fish, birds, reptiles, mammals, and even early bacteria conjuring up an entire past world.
To put all of these extinct species in context, the book explores geological time and the way life forms are classified. It also looks at how fossils preserve the story of evolution and how that story can be deciphered.
The "Young Earth" chapter explains how forces shaped Earth and steered the course of life. The main part of the book, "Life on Earth," lays out and catalogs the rich story of life, from its beginnings 4 billion years ago, through each geological period, such as the Jurassic and Cretaceous, to the present.
The stunning visuals and authoritative text make Dinosaurs and Prehistoric Life a fascinating and revealing encyclopedia that will appeal to the whole family.
Dinosaurs may be the stars of the show, but the book is truly comprehensive, with fossil plants, invertebrates, amphibians, fish, birds, reptiles, mammals, and even early bacteria conjuring up an entire past world.
To put all of these extinct species in context, the book explores geological time and the way life forms are classified. It also looks at how fossils preserve the story of evolution and how that story can be deciphered.
The "Young Earth" chapter explains how forces shaped Earth and steered the course of life. The main part of the book, "Life on Earth," lays out and catalogs the rich story of life, from its beginnings 4 billion years ago, through each geological period, such as the Jurassic and Cretaceous, to the present.
The stunning visuals and authoritative text make Dinosaurs and Prehistoric Life a fascinating and revealing encyclopedia that will appeal to the whole family.
440 pages, Hardcover
First published October 5, 2012
41 people are currently reading
512 people want to read
About the author
D.K. Publishing
9,071 books2,080 followersDorling Kindersley (DK) is a British multinational publishing company specializing in illustrated reference books for adults and children in 62 languages. It is part of Penguin Random House, a consumer publishing company jointly owned by Bertelsmann SE & Co. KGaA and Pearson PLC. Bertelsmann owns 53% of the company and Pearson owns 47%.
Established in 1974, DK publishes a range of titles in genres including travel (including Eyewitness Travel Guides), arts and crafts, business, history, cooking, gaming, gardening, health and fitness, natural history, parenting, science and reference. They also publish books for children, toddlers and babies, covering such topics as history, the human body, animals and activities, as well as licensed properties such as LEGO, Disney and DeLiSo, licensor of the toy Sophie la Girafe. DK has offices in New York, London, Munich, New Delhi, Toronto and Melbourne.
Source: Wikipedia.
Established in 1974, DK publishes a range of titles in genres including travel (including Eyewitness Travel Guides), arts and crafts, business, history, cooking, gaming, gardening, health and fitness, natural history, parenting, science and reference. They also publish books for children, toddlers and babies, covering such topics as history, the human body, animals and activities, as well as licensed properties such as LEGO, Disney and DeLiSo, licensor of the toy Sophie la Girafe. DK has offices in New York, London, Munich, New Delhi, Toronto and Melbourne.
Source: Wikipedia.
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
May 10, 2025
Typically excellent DK/Smithsonian book (although the "to humans" part includes just four pages at the end).
PERSONAL NOTE: Picked up on a really good day at the Barnes & Noble in Manassas, which is closing there (although reportedly opening somewhere else in the area) - and so EVERY book in the store was/is selling at half price. So this originally-$45 book, which had already been stickered at $15, was purchased for just $7.50 - shweet. And while I then had to spend over an hour waiting in the checkout line, I also picked up half the "Slough House" books (including Herron's latest The Secret Hours); half of "The Expanse;" and a good half dozen other gift books for friends and family...good day indeed!
PERSONAL NOTE: Picked up on a really good day at the Barnes & Noble in Manassas, which is closing there (although reportedly opening somewhere else in the area) - and so EVERY book in the store was/is selling at half price. So this originally-$45 book, which had already been stickered at $15, was purchased for just $7.50 - shweet. And while I then had to spend over an hour waiting in the checkout line, I also picked up half the "Slough House" books (including Herron's latest The Secret Hours); half of "The Expanse;" and a good half dozen other gift books for friends and family...good day indeed!
July 28, 2020
A really wonderful book for all lovers of science and for the curious minds that feel a thrill by peering into the past.
March 7, 2021
If you love dinosaurs, geology and learning about life on Earth in the distant past, this is the book for you.
Starting with a history of the young Earth, how it was formed, how continents came to be, fossil sites and more, the book then moves into a chronology of different geologic eras. Beginning with Archean and ending with Quaternary, we move through geologic time. Each era, depending on the life existing then is divided up into four categories (not all appear in each era discussed), which are: microscopic life, plants, invertebrates and vertebrates. Within each category there are short descriptions, complete with photos and artistic renderings, of various types of basic life, plants and animals.
One of many interesting features in this book is the size guide. Each item has a little key next to it showing that objects relative size to a fully grown human, a human hand or a human thumb. It really puts into perspective how big, or small, these creatures and other lifeforms were.
The only thing I wished was different was that, several of the dinosaurs discussed were only visually represented by pictures of assembled skeletons, not artistic renderings of what the creatures looked like. That was a disappointment to me. I would have liked to see an artistic interpretation.
The facts in this book are so incredibly interesting. You learn a lot about the various lifeforms and creatures discussed. The text is also very engaging, it is not dry or dull. It keeps you interested and engaged.
A wonderful book to read cover to cover, or you can just browse and look up your favorite creatures.
Starting with a history of the young Earth, how it was formed, how continents came to be, fossil sites and more, the book then moves into a chronology of different geologic eras. Beginning with Archean and ending with Quaternary, we move through geologic time. Each era, depending on the life existing then is divided up into four categories (not all appear in each era discussed), which are: microscopic life, plants, invertebrates and vertebrates. Within each category there are short descriptions, complete with photos and artistic renderings, of various types of basic life, plants and animals.
One of many interesting features in this book is the size guide. Each item has a little key next to it showing that objects relative size to a fully grown human, a human hand or a human thumb. It really puts into perspective how big, or small, these creatures and other lifeforms were.
The only thing I wished was different was that, several of the dinosaurs discussed were only visually represented by pictures of assembled skeletons, not artistic renderings of what the creatures looked like. That was a disappointment to me. I would have liked to see an artistic interpretation.
The facts in this book are so incredibly interesting. You learn a lot about the various lifeforms and creatures discussed. The text is also very engaging, it is not dry or dull. It keeps you interested and engaged.
A wonderful book to read cover to cover, or you can just browse and look up your favorite creatures.
July 23, 2019
This is a Super Book!
I was searching for an illustrated encyclopedia of animal fossils, and this book surpassed my expectations! Not only does it catalogue hundreds of animal fossils, it also has plants! And there are many colorful maps of the Earth’s geography as it evolved over the ages. This book is more than just dinosaurs, much more!
This great book has it all, if you are interested in the scientific study of our world and its physical development as told by the fossil records. Every page is loaded with photos and illustrations.
A lot of work went into publishing this visual guide, and I tip my hat to everyone involved in bringing it to life!
I was searching for an illustrated encyclopedia of animal fossils, and this book surpassed my expectations! Not only does it catalogue hundreds of animal fossils, it also has plants! And there are many colorful maps of the Earth’s geography as it evolved over the ages. This book is more than just dinosaurs, much more!
This great book has it all, if you are interested in the scientific study of our world and its physical development as told by the fossil records. Every page is loaded with photos and illustrations.
A lot of work went into publishing this visual guide, and I tip my hat to everyone involved in bringing it to life!
August 3, 2025
Contenido: Es un libro muy completo en información, y cuenta con información sobre los microorganismos y vegetación de cada periodo prehistórico, dato que ayuda mucho a ubicar los ecosistemas y del que carecen otros muchos libros. A título personal echaba en falta algunos tipos de animales que no aparecen, pero está muy completo.
Estructura: Tiene un esquema bien configurado para cada periodo y su contenido, con una relación texto-imagen bien conseguida. Por ponerle alguna pega, los recuadros de las especies pueden verse algo caóticos.
Complejidad: Considero que es un libro más complejo que la media, con abundantes tecnicismos biológicos que se explican al final, pero que no lo sitúan como un libro infantil o de cultura general. Es un libro a caballo entre la documentación científica y el conocimiento general.
Novedad: Es un libro muy reciente para ser ciencia, en torno al 2020, por lo que tiene reconstrucciones más fieles al conocimiento actual y su conocimiento extenso es fiable para imaginar los ecosistemas prehistóricos.
Precio: Estipulado por el libro en 29'90€. Puede parecer caro, pero no lo es en absoluto para un libro tan completo.
Nota final: 9'5/10. Si eres un paleoaficionado o un dinofriki, vale su peso en oro.
Estructura: Tiene un esquema bien configurado para cada periodo y su contenido, con una relación texto-imagen bien conseguida. Por ponerle alguna pega, los recuadros de las especies pueden verse algo caóticos.
Complejidad: Considero que es un libro más complejo que la media, con abundantes tecnicismos biológicos que se explican al final, pero que no lo sitúan como un libro infantil o de cultura general. Es un libro a caballo entre la documentación científica y el conocimiento general.
Novedad: Es un libro muy reciente para ser ciencia, en torno al 2020, por lo que tiene reconstrucciones más fieles al conocimiento actual y su conocimiento extenso es fiable para imaginar los ecosistemas prehistóricos.
Precio: Estipulado por el libro en 29'90€. Puede parecer caro, pero no lo es en absoluto para un libro tan completo.
Nota final: 9'5/10. Si eres un paleoaficionado o un dinofriki, vale su peso en oro.
October 8, 2022
I've been getting into Natural History this year and have read various books to give colour on various aspects of it ; mass extinction, evolution of territorial life, dinosaurs and mammals. Very happy to have found this book as the year comes to a close as it ties everything I've learnt neatly, with so much illustrations and diagram to make sure I really get it, and its chronological order helps to tie everything together coherently. And the language is easy to read (speaking from a position of having a little bit of primer alr, i guess to read this from scratch / level 0 may get a bit tough or abstract. or info overload.)
But its so amazing!!! i really really really recommend this!
The newer addition (printed) has a much nicer cover too.. not that thats important.
But its so amazing!!! i really really really recommend this!
The newer addition (printed) has a much nicer cover too.. not that thats important.
December 8, 2022
It took me 7 months but I finally finished it 😭😭 don’t get me wrong, this book is great but it’s fucking big lol.
Obviously they use dinosaurs as a marketing strategy and although they were the main reason I bought the book, the content for other species isn’t lacking at all. If you want to know about the history of the life on Earth this is the book.
Honestly it’s really great. It’s organized, it has beautiful images, illustrations and graphics, it’s easily understood even if you’re not from the area and it gives you a big picture of the species that lived in all the geological eras.
This was a great purchase and it doesn’t hurt that the cover is beautiful 💛
Obviously they use dinosaurs as a marketing strategy and although they were the main reason I bought the book, the content for other species isn’t lacking at all. If you want to know about the history of the life on Earth this is the book.
Honestly it’s really great. It’s organized, it has beautiful images, illustrations and graphics, it’s easily understood even if you’re not from the area and it gives you a big picture of the species that lived in all the geological eras.
This was a great purchase and it doesn’t hurt that the cover is beautiful 💛
January 13, 2021
A beautiful and comprehensive reference book. As the cover suggests the main focus here is dinosaurs, but it goes into a good amount of detail about lifeforms of all types going all the way back to the Archaean era.
As well as the obvious descriptions and likely lifestyles of these creatures, there is a lot of discussion about the geology and fossil discoveries which led to our understanding of them. It's the sort of book that somebody who is captivated by the thought of ancient life will easily get lost in.
As well as the obvious descriptions and likely lifestyles of these creatures, there is a lot of discussion about the geology and fossil discoveries which led to our understanding of them. It's the sort of book that somebody who is captivated by the thought of ancient life will easily get lost in.
November 21, 2020
Beautifully illustrated and with enough detail to inform you of each life stage in Earth's history.
April 8, 2022
Lovely big coffee table book.
June 17, 2022
Full of great info and good fun!
July 6, 2022
Excellent book. Love the pictures and the descriptions. Highly recommend.
May 6, 2025
Possibly the finest overview of the fossil record i have seen
July 18, 2025
While it didn’t include everything I was hoping for, it is certainly a thorough and well-researched overview of life on earth.
July 30, 2025
While some of the art is rather “shrinkwrapped, this book is a great primer on prehistoric species through the ages.
December 12, 2025
Every informative while some models of dinosaurs are quite outdated the other organisms are well designed
January 27, 2020
Good illustrations and explanations.
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews