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Paleontology: An Illustrated History
An illustrated look at the art and science of paleontology from its origins to today
Humans have been stumbling upon the petrified remains of ancient animals since prehistoric times, leading to tales of giant dogs, deadly dragons, tree gods, sea serpents, and all manner of strange and marvelous creatures. In this richly illustrated book, David Bainbridge recounts how legends like these gradually gave rise to the modern science of paleontology, and how this pioneering discipline has reshaped our view of the natural world.
Bainbridge takes readers from ancient Greece to the eighteenth century, when paleontology began to coalesce into the scientific field we know today, and discusses how contemporary paleontologists use cutting-edge technologies to flesh out the discoveries of past and present. He brings to life the stories and people behind some of the greatest fossil finds of all time, and explains how paleontology has long straddled the spheres of science and art. Bainbridge also looks to the future of the discipline, discussing how the rapid recovery of DNA and other genetic material from the fossil record promises to revolutionize our understanding of the origins and evolution of ancient life.
This panoramic book brings together stunning illustrations ranging from early sketches and engravings to eye-popping paleoart and high-tech computer reconstructions.
Humans have been stumbling upon the petrified remains of ancient animals since prehistoric times, leading to tales of giant dogs, deadly dragons, tree gods, sea serpents, and all manner of strange and marvelous creatures. In this richly illustrated book, David Bainbridge recounts how legends like these gradually gave rise to the modern science of paleontology, and how this pioneering discipline has reshaped our view of the natural world.
Bainbridge takes readers from ancient Greece to the eighteenth century, when paleontology began to coalesce into the scientific field we know today, and discusses how contemporary paleontologists use cutting-edge technologies to flesh out the discoveries of past and present. He brings to life the stories and people behind some of the greatest fossil finds of all time, and explains how paleontology has long straddled the spheres of science and art. Bainbridge also looks to the future of the discipline, discussing how the rapid recovery of DNA and other genetic material from the fossil record promises to revolutionize our understanding of the origins and evolution of ancient life.
This panoramic book brings together stunning illustrations ranging from early sketches and engravings to eye-popping paleoart and high-tech computer reconstructions.
391 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 8, 2022
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550 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
February 26, 2022
I really wanted to like David Bainbridge's illustrated palaeontology book more than I did in practice. One of the few criticisms I had of Henry Gee's impressive A Very Short History of Life on Earth was its lack of illustrations. Here the illustrations are centre stage. In fact they've taken over the whole show. Much of Bainbridge's text is interesting, but I found the book almost impossible to read as practically every other time I turned a page, the flow of the writing was broken by large captions for illustrations, which felt like they were part of the main text but weren't. Rather than link the illustrations to the main text, many of them were almost standalone spreads. As a result, the design simply doesn't work very well.
That's a shame, because the text I did manage to read took an interesting course of breaking the chronologically based chapters into sections devoted to specific palaeontologists, from Smith, Anning and Darwin to Clack and Khudi. (The final chapter deviates a little from this format as there is also a section on the movie versions of King Kong and Jurassic Park, which is entertaining, if not exactly fitting with the rest.) The illustrations have a good range, but the artily subdued tones they are printed in tend to reduce the impact - this would have been better going the full Technicolor.
I suspect the structure will make this a difficult book to stick with for someone who hasn't already read a bit on the subject. As a result, I think it works best to fill in illustrated details on people and discoveries the reader has already encountered elsewhere. Not a disaster by any means, but it wouldn't have taken much to have made it significantly better.
That's a shame, because the text I did manage to read took an interesting course of breaking the chronologically based chapters into sections devoted to specific palaeontologists, from Smith, Anning and Darwin to Clack and Khudi. (The final chapter deviates a little from this format as there is also a section on the movie versions of King Kong and Jurassic Park, which is entertaining, if not exactly fitting with the rest.) The illustrations have a good range, but the artily subdued tones they are printed in tend to reduce the impact - this would have been better going the full Technicolor.
I suspect the structure will make this a difficult book to stick with for someone who hasn't already read a bit on the subject. As a result, I think it works best to fill in illustrated details on people and discoveries the reader has already encountered elsewhere. Not a disaster by any means, but it wouldn't have taken much to have made it significantly better.
September 17, 2023
The visual record in this book is beautiful, it outdoes things like Dinosaurs are Collectible that take a similar approach.
The text is dumbed down to the point of inanity. Sometimes it's so dumbed down it's misleading. It contains inaccuracies like claiming a precise date for the archaeopteryx Berlin specimen (it's 1874-1875, we don't know precisely when it was found ) or claiming torosaurus as a larger ceratopsian than triceratops (the larger torosaurus was reclassified as a mature form of t horridus and the remaining species in the genus aren't really larger /there's a lot of debate as to whether it's a valid taxon at all)
Takeaway: get this for the pretty pictures and maybe entertaining people with a coffee table book but that's about all it's good for
The text is dumbed down to the point of inanity. Sometimes it's so dumbed down it's misleading. It contains inaccuracies like claiming a precise date for the archaeopteryx Berlin specimen (it's 1874-1875, we don't know precisely when it was found ) or claiming torosaurus as a larger ceratopsian than triceratops (the larger torosaurus was reclassified as a mature form of t horridus and the remaining species in the genus aren't really larger /there's a lot of debate as to whether it's a valid taxon at all)
Takeaway: get this for the pretty pictures and maybe entertaining people with a coffee table book but that's about all it's good for
September 27, 2024
A great companion book for those who are already into paleontology. Lots of fun photos and maps.
May 2, 2022
I could have probably finished this in one night if it wasn't for it triggering constant flashbacks. Paleontology was my first science, I was absolutely obsessed with dinosaurs and fossils starting around age 5.
I'm not talking the usual, "Omg dinosaurs were so awesome let's make these rubber action figures fight." I mean I talked my parents into taking me to see Jurassic Park in theaters in 1993 on opening weekend when I was 6. I mean I had books that were way beyond a 2nd grader's reading level and was learning about actual digging techniques and how to document a dig site and categorize fossils. I mean I was learning Latin taxonomy terms at 7. I was that kid.
Part of me wishes I hadn't moved on. There's still something incredibly appealing about being off on a dig away from people and just reading the rock strata to decrypt the history of this planet. That said, I'd probably die, since so many of these dig sites are in hot, arid locations and require being away for months at a time (I doubt many paleontologists have 6 cats).
This wasn't as detailed as I would have hoped, but given that background I don't think anything short of a graduate level textbook is going to satisfy that hope for me. It gives a nice overview of how this field developed and how our understanding of geological time scales and the biology of these creatures evolved over time.
It was a very quick read because of the very high density of pictures, but that was actually very welcome coming off of the Stormlight Archives and being mid-LOTR-re-read. This might be one I revisit now and then when I need a wave of nostalgia to wash away something terrible.
I'm not talking the usual, "Omg dinosaurs were so awesome let's make these rubber action figures fight." I mean I talked my parents into taking me to see Jurassic Park in theaters in 1993 on opening weekend when I was 6. I mean I had books that were way beyond a 2nd grader's reading level and was learning about actual digging techniques and how to document a dig site and categorize fossils. I mean I was learning Latin taxonomy terms at 7. I was that kid.
Part of me wishes I hadn't moved on. There's still something incredibly appealing about being off on a dig away from people and just reading the rock strata to decrypt the history of this planet. That said, I'd probably die, since so many of these dig sites are in hot, arid locations and require being away for months at a time (I doubt many paleontologists have 6 cats).
This wasn't as detailed as I would have hoped, but given that background I don't think anything short of a graduate level textbook is going to satisfy that hope for me. It gives a nice overview of how this field developed and how our understanding of geological time scales and the biology of these creatures evolved over time.
It was a very quick read because of the very high density of pictures, but that was actually very welcome coming off of the Stormlight Archives and being mid-LOTR-re-read. This might be one I revisit now and then when I need a wave of nostalgia to wash away something terrible.
February 21, 2022
Combining the familiar and the unfamiliar, this is a striking collection of vintage and modern illustrations that is eminently giftable. See my full review at https://inquisitivebiologist.com/2022...
April 10, 2024
A good read, tonnes of interesting illustrations and photos. Would have preferred a little more detail in some parts, as it reads mostly as just captions to the illustrations in some parts.
Glad I got it though!
Glad I got it though!
September 4, 2025
A disappointment, as this "illustrated history" is primarily illustrated, not so much about history.
To start with the positive, the book contains an awful lot very beautiful pictures of iconic paleontological finds, reproductions of groundbreaking publications, fine examples of paleoart and interesting photos from important excavation campaigns.
But there is not much text, and most of it is rather superficial, so I did not learn much which I did not know before. The emphasis is rather on the spectacular (The Bone Wars, Anning, Osborne) than on rather "boring" laboratory and writing desk work. For example, just one plate is dedicated to Willi Hennig and cladistics, although this approach is today absolutely central, and it is not really explained why it was so important. Moreover there is a strong Anglo-American bias, important contributions from France, Germany and elsewhere are dealt with rather in passing. Little is said about the institutional aspect: When, where, why and how was paleontology established as an academic discipline, what are the important collections and what was the background of their foundation?
All in all rather a nice coffee table book than an introduction for somebody with a deep interest in the discipline's history.
To start with the positive, the book contains an awful lot very beautiful pictures of iconic paleontological finds, reproductions of groundbreaking publications, fine examples of paleoart and interesting photos from important excavation campaigns.
But there is not much text, and most of it is rather superficial, so I did not learn much which I did not know before. The emphasis is rather on the spectacular (The Bone Wars, Anning, Osborne) than on rather "boring" laboratory and writing desk work. For example, just one plate is dedicated to Willi Hennig and cladistics, although this approach is today absolutely central, and it is not really explained why it was so important. Moreover there is a strong Anglo-American bias, important contributions from France, Germany and elsewhere are dealt with rather in passing. Little is said about the institutional aspect: When, where, why and how was paleontology established as an academic discipline, what are the important collections and what was the background of their foundation?
All in all rather a nice coffee table book than an introduction for somebody with a deep interest in the discipline's history.
July 10, 2024
Een waar feest voor het oog, maar inhoudelijk miste ik wel een conclusie over waar de paleontologie in de toekomst naar zou kunnen evolueren. En ik had ook graag wat meer uitwijding over het ethische aspect van opgravingen gelezen. Het is een goede inleiding voor mensen zonder voorkennis, laagdrempelig en met veel mooie afbeeldingen, maar voor mensen die al meer vertrouwd zijn met de paleontologie zal dit heel oppervlakkig overkomen. Het helpt ook dat dit boek werkelijk leest als een sneltrein!
December 28, 2023
Dit is een gemakkelijk toegankelijk boek voor iedereen die wat wil weten over de evolutie van de paleontologie en die de bekendste namen, foto's en afbeeldingen in de wetenschap wil leren kennen. Het lijkt een tamelijk dik boek, maar het staat vol met oude tekeningen, foto's en weet ik wat nog meer, dus hier vlieg je in een paar uur tijd door. Er zijn een stuk of vijf, zes introducerende teksten van ongeveer evenveel bladzijdes, een stuk of tien meer 'thematische' teksten van een paar bladzijdes (meestal over beroemde wetenschappers) en heel veel onderschriften bij allerhande afbeeldingen. Een lust voor het oog en het brein.
De vertaling is van Erick Vermeulen. Ze is niet slecht, maar ik vond het soms wel storend dat er telkens 'meest' gebruikt weer voor de overtreffende trap (dus 'meest redelijke' en niet 'redelijkste'), dat was altijd wat te letterlijk overgenomen. Hetzelfde geldt voor een constructie als 'Ontdekt in de Burgess Shale in 1861 is dit fossiel later overgebracht naar...' - in het Engels kan zoiets, in het Nederlands is iets als 'Dit fossiel is in 1861 in de Burgess Shale ontdekt en later overgebracht naar...' veel logischer. Daar had de redactie mogen ingrijpen.
Maar: verder knap werk.
7,5/10
De vertaling is van Erick Vermeulen. Ze is niet slecht, maar ik vond het soms wel storend dat er telkens 'meest' gebruikt weer voor de overtreffende trap (dus 'meest redelijke' en niet 'redelijkste'), dat was altijd wat te letterlijk overgenomen. Hetzelfde geldt voor een constructie als 'Ontdekt in de Burgess Shale in 1861 is dit fossiel later overgebracht naar...' - in het Engels kan zoiets, in het Nederlands is iets als 'Dit fossiel is in 1861 in de Burgess Shale ontdekt en later overgebracht naar...' veel logischer. Daar had de redactie mogen ingrijpen.
Maar: verder knap werk.
7,5/10
June 17, 2022
This was a fun book. It is a history of paleontology, but not too in depth. It covers the high points, but avoids getting bogged down in details that could bore a more general reader.
The focus is greatly on the "illustrated" part of the title. Other than a short foreward and introduction, there are only four chapters. Each chapter has 5-6 pages of mostly text outlining the time period covered, plus a couple inserts with a page or two of text on major events or people, like Mary Leakey and the Bone Wars. The rest is all images, descriptions, and captions. But those images are great, and it still packs in a lot of fun info. You don't feel like you get cheated, like can sometimes happen when the focus is on the illustrations.
There is obviously a lot of talk about dinosaurs, the stars of paleontology, but the author does a good job of including other animals and plants too. Some of my favorite bits were about these other creatures, though I also loved the tiny Ankylosaur from chapter 4.
Overall, quite fun and well done.
The focus is greatly on the "illustrated" part of the title. Other than a short foreward and introduction, there are only four chapters. Each chapter has 5-6 pages of mostly text outlining the time period covered, plus a couple inserts with a page or two of text on major events or people, like Mary Leakey and the Bone Wars. The rest is all images, descriptions, and captions. But those images are great, and it still packs in a lot of fun info. You don't feel like you get cheated, like can sometimes happen when the focus is on the illustrations.
There is obviously a lot of talk about dinosaurs, the stars of paleontology, but the author does a good job of including other animals and plants too. Some of my favorite bits were about these other creatures, though I also loved the tiny Ankylosaur from chapter 4.
Overall, quite fun and well done.
February 2, 2023
The perfect book for the paleontology enthusiast! Just not quite a 5 star read because the illustrations didn't really link up with the context of the writing so I didn't feel like it flowed the best. Otherwise, it was an interesting read.
"A century ago the stories of extinction and environmental catastrophe recounted by fossils were interesting historical diversions, while now they stand as warnings. After all, those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it."
"A century ago the stories of extinction and environmental catastrophe recounted by fossils were interesting historical diversions, while now they stand as warnings. After all, those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it."
August 14, 2024
The book actually wasn’t that bad. I wouldn’t recommend it to someone who isn’t familiar with the subject, especially someone younger like me.(Young teen) I think all the vocab was a little much, however, I think it was really good especially was covering some critical topics about the history of paleontology. 💜✝️
I would try it out if you like the subject, just be ready to pull out your dictionary. 😆
I would try it out if you like the subject, just be ready to pull out your dictionary. 😆
October 19, 2022
Honestly such a great book for a visual learner like me. Even for the information, it gave a brief overview of the paleontologist with the most concise discoveries. The way the different periods were split up as chapters were amazing as well ! Loved this book
May 9, 2023
Een heel goed boek over de geschiedenis van de paleontologie. De vele afbeeldingen zijn erg interessant, maar de afbeeldingen die uit wetenschappelijke tijdschriften komen zijn niet altijd begrijpelijk.
September 16, 2024
Overall it was an excellent book which I expect to find very useful. My only gripe is that it doesn’t include a bibliography, which is excusable given that it seems to be intended for a general audience.
August 22, 2022
Short but full of good info and even better images.
October 14, 2022
Beautifully illustrated. A wonderful quick tour through the history of paleontological finds, and those who found them!
November 2, 2023
4/5 stars.
Great coffee table book, gorgeous illustrations. Bug and plant enthusiasts, beware - this book heavily focuses on vertebrate paleontology.
Great coffee table book, gorgeous illustrations. Bug and plant enthusiasts, beware - this book heavily focuses on vertebrate paleontology.
August 18, 2023
The review won’t be long. This was a very informative novel, the imagery was wonderful and the book as a whole had a lovely printing. It stayed true to its word and was a history of palaeontology, a history of the science, of paleo. Of the way the scientists had worked from the beginning, the things they believed of the first bones, and first dinosaurs.
I do think that there was too many pictures and I like seeing the development of the dinosaurs more than I do the science. So, I wanted a little more from it, but for a book that achieved what it was supposed to achieve, it was great!
I do think that there was too many pictures and I like seeing the development of the dinosaurs more than I do the science. So, I wanted a little more from it, but for a book that achieved what it was supposed to achieve, it was great!
June 30, 2025
I seem to have read this before and I completely forgot about it. I just finished reading it for a second time and it was still very good 👍
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews