Travels with Trilobites: Adventures in the Paleozoic

by Andy Secher

Trilobites were some of the most successful and versatile organisms ever to exist. Among the earliest forms of complex animal life, these hard-shelled marine invertebrates inhabited the primal seas of the Paleozoic Era. Their march through evolutionary time began in the Lower Cambrian, some 521 million years ago, and lasted until their demise at the end of the Permian, more than 250 million years later. During this vast stretch of planetary history, these adaptable animals filled virtually every available undersea niche, evolving into more than 25,000 scientifically recognized species.In Travels with Trilobites, Andy Secher invites readers to come along in search of the fossilized remains of these ancient arthropods. He explores breathtaking paleontological hot spots around the world—including Alnif, Morocco, on the edge of the Sahara Desert; the Sakha Republic, deep in the Siberian wilderness; and Kangaroo Island, off the coast of South Australia—and offers a behind-the-scenes look at museums, fossil shows, and life on the collectors’ circuit. The book features hundreds of photographs of unique specimens drawn from Secher’s private collection, showcasing stunning fossil finds that highlight the diversity, complexity, and beauty of trilobites. Entertaining and informative, Travels with Trilobites combines key scientific information about these captivating creatures with wry, colorful observations and inside stories from one of the world’s most prolific collectors.

Genres: Science, Nonfiction, Palaeontology, Biology, History, Natural History, Nature

694 pages, Kindle Edition

Published June 21, 2022

Reviews

[Nataliya · Rating 3 out of 5]

Travels with Trilobites is full of unbridled enthusiasm that any trilobite aficionado will undoubtedly appreciate. And Andy Secher is absolutely a trilobite enthusiast — a field associate in paleontology at the American Museum of Natural History and coeditor of their trilobite website, with his own quite impressive trilobite collection. It’s obvious that he would consider trilobites one of the best things since a few hundred million years before sliced bread, and he gladly includes many pictures from his own extensive collection of fossils: “They’re being displayed merely because of each trilobite’s inherent beauty and stunning strangeness, qualities that make them more than worthy of being seen, studied, collected, and admired.” 250 million years of trilobites ruling the seas — that makes us Homo Sapiens barely a blip on the life radar.

“From their initial moments on Earth some 521 million year ago, few animals were ever as evolutionarily “perfect” in their morphological design as that fascinating organism known as the trilobite.”

He lets his love of these weird Paleozoic creature shine throughout the book, and doesn’t stop even at Dad jokes to show how awesome he thinks they are (if you know me, you understand that I find Dad jokes just lovely; I’m an honorary Dad when it comes to jokes, really).

“Some trilobites were designed like a hydrodynamic rocket ship, and others resembled nothing more than a primordial meatloaf.”

The problem, however, is me. Apparently, as I found out, I’m not as much a member of “Paleozoically inclined people” as I had hoped. It seems that my interests lean a bit more Mezozoic, and despite loving everything about dinosaurs I tend to zone out quite a bit when trilobites take center stage. Well, you love what you love.

My attention did perk up a bit more in the end when Secher was discussing difficulties with acquiring trilobites fossils due to countries starting to treat these as “national treasures”, the paucity of sone museums collections, and the difficulty of extracting fossils. That was quite interesting and I wish he spent a bit more time on it.

And the photos are indeed gorgeous.

So if you love trilobites, you will probably love this book. If, like me, you turn out to be indifferent to them, you may find yourself a bit bored. So it’s not the book; it’s probably me.

3 stars.

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Thanks to NetGalley and Columbia University Press for providing me with a digital ARC in exchange for an honest review.

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Also posted on my blog.

[Joseph Spuckler · Rating 4 out of 5]

Travels with Trilobites by Andy Secher is as in-depth look at the ancient world's most well-known marine arthropod. Secher is a field associate in paleontology at the American Museum of Natural History and coeditor of the museum’s trilobite website. His private collection comprises more than 4,000 trilobite fossils. He was for many years the editor of the rock-and-roll magazine Hit Parader, a magazine geared for the heavy metal rock and roll audience and earned the ire of Guns N Roses in their song "In the Ring."

I first met trilobites in college historical geology. They were interesting creatures that lived long ago and were represented very well in the fossil record. What I didn't know could fill a book, and that's exactly what Secher has done. Travels with Trilobites is a book that answers many questions as well as filled in many gaps in my knowledge of the species.... well not species but class of animals, trilobita. Ten orders of trilobites are recognized along with literally thousands of species. The trilobite is much more than one simple animal.


Trilobites survived and thrived for more than a half billion years and are extremely well represented in the fossil record because of their exoskeletons. Soft bodies animals are usually preserved as one-dimensional smudges rather than the three-dimensional forms as trilobite fossils. Secher takes the reader around the world to the best trilobite sites as trilobites spread across the world and the world's various land configurations. Trilobites also managed to occupy several layers of the food chain, from predators, to scavengers, to food for others. They came out of nowhere, expanded, adapted, evolved, and quickly vanished in the Permian extinction.

Secher takes the reader tour, not only of geography, but also the evolution of a marine arthropod which was one of the most successful animals of early earth life. This is a very well written, illistrated, and researched book. It is easy enough for all to understand but also detailed enough for those who already have an interest in trilobites.

[Peter Tillman · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good, profusely-illustrated trilobite book, but one that is intended for trilobite collectors, which I'm not. I have maybe two? But even fossil-fans with only a casual interest in trilobites will find this oversize book worth a look -- I happened to spot it on our public library's new-book shelf. If you are a collector and decide to buy a copy, be aware that some of the photo reproductions are a bit blurry. I have no way of judging if this is a one-off or a widespread problem. I did enjoy leafing through this, even though I'm not quite the intended audience. 3.3 stars, cautiously recommended.

Nature's short review, which prompted me to read the book:
"The fascinating marine invertebrate known as a trilobite belongs to the beginning of complex animal life. It appeared some 521 million years ago, and endured for more than 250 million years, evolving more than 25,000 recognized species. Palaeontologist Andy Secher coedits the trilobite website for the American Museum of Natural History in New York City. He owns more than 4,000 trilobite fossils, many of which are pictured in this paean to “the omnipresent monarchs of the world’s ancient seas”.

[Roxana Chirilă · Rating 5 out of 5]

For some reason, all I keep thinking of is that one day, very, very long ago, there was a very last trilobite in the ocean. It didn't know anything about the history of its kind, or even of its species. It wasn't aware that it was the final one there would ever be, but once it died, no creature of its kind ever existed again.

You could say that about all extinct species, I guess; but trilobites weren't *one* species. They were over 25,000 species, according to what we know today. They started swimming in the oceans probably about 521 million years ago, and kept on swimming them for 270 million years. Which means the very last trilobite lived closer in time to us than to the very first trilobite - and they still all died out before the dinosaurs.

...I can't handle so much time. I can't compute it. I'm trying to put it in terms of distance: if every year is a millimeter, then the first trilobite is 521 kilometers away, and the very last one is 252 kilometers away. The first dinosaur is 240 kilometers away, and the last dinosaur is 66 kilometers away. None of them are within walking distance. And the first human is 300 meters away, which is a short stroll. And the Egyptian pyramids are built a room's length away.

I don't know how I feel about all this.

Anyway. Trilobites. They were arthropods, which means they're distant cousins to both scorpions and butterflies, which really brings home how different they might have been from any of the creatures we have today. They swam the seas. They had exoskeletons, and they molted. Some were very spiny, while others seem to be smooth. Some had complex and interesting eyes. They were usually small - a few centimeters long - except for some giants which could be 20-30 centimeters long. Humans have come across their fossils time and again, and considered them "locusts" or other types of petrified bugs; and turned them into jewelry and amulets as far back as 15,000 years ago.

Trilobite fossils can be found all over Earth, in certain places where there are sediments from the right age - and then, you're likely to find *a lot* of them. Some are so well preserved that legs, eyes, gills, muscles, digestive tracks and eggs can be observed.

"Travels with Trilobites" is a journey through both time and space: its chapters are chronological, but its smaller sections take us through various quarries all over Earth where trilobites of that age appeared. It reads very much like an enthusiastic trilobite collector sharing all the exciting details with a deep passion for the subject: descriptions of quarries, explanations of what trilobite life may have been like, speculation about why they disappeared (according to current scientific theories), a bit of sighing about digging for trilobites being more and more regulated these days, enthusiasm for new techniques of extracting trilobites from their stony tombs - and so many photos!

What I felt it lacks, just a bit, is a couple of diagrams to help us identify the main parts of a trilobite and the main differences between orders and species (aside from the really obvious things, like spikes). And maybe a reconstruction for people like me, who have a hard time imagining what these creatures must have looked like in life, antennae and all.

But all in all, "Travels with Trilobites" is a wonderful book even if, like me, you've never paid much attention to amazingly old fauna before. It's informative, interesting, exciting, and I breathed it in in a couple of days. I do recommend getting the physical book, though - like all books containing many photos, it's probably much nicer like that.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Columbia University Press for providing a free ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Sportyrod · Rating 4 out of 5]

Trilobites are magnificent bundles of cuteness and wonderful sources of information about our planet’s history. Trilobite fossils are abundant across the world. They thrived for eras, evolving into more and more complex species. The oldest fossils had a basic form but over the millenia they grew eyes and armour. They also lived in all marine environments from the deep to the shallow. Trilobite morphology helps us understand what was occuring during their evolution. Were the spikes for protection from predators or merely to attract mates? Why were some eyeless while others had complex eyes? Some of them sounded sci-fi-like.

Secher describes the differences between trilobite species and what that means. The information is set out according to geological eras and locations that have unearthed remarkable specimens. He also provides insights into predation, environmental change, mass extinction and so much more. Almost every page has a photo of a trilobite like a catalogue.

The one thing that impresses me most about trilobites is how these marine creatures died in the ocean, only to be found in the ground in inland places of high elevation like Bolivia. I think this would make for interesting conversation.

This non-fiction book contains science but is written more from a collectors point of view and uses casual language rather than bombarding readers with overly scientific language. I think most readers would enjoy the photography and captions. I think a good appreciation of trilobites is needed to get through all of the content.

Thanks to NetGalley and Columbia University Press for providing me with a digital copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

[Ola G · Rating 3 out of 5]

6/10 stars

My full review on my blog.

Andy Secher’s book is a love letter to trilobites. Filled with purple prose and overly emotional at times, its enthusiasm and open admiration for its subject is nonetheless quite catching. A chapter or two of this book, especially if accompanied by careful examination of the photographs, and I’m ready to hit the road and roam the countryside, hammer in hand, in search of trilobites. Say what you will, trilobites were amazing creatures and their fabuluously strange bodies preserved for millions of years can be both a source of aesthetic pleasure and of intellectual curiosity. Looking at some of the species, you can almost see what inspired H.R. Giger… 😀

[...]

Secher conveys a bit of his hard-earned knowledge here, although mostly of the more pragmatic, collector-oriented type: where the most interesting or popular species of trilobites can be found, how much they can cost, who digs them out and how they are prepared, how to make sure you’re not getting a Frankenstein trilobite artfully concocted from disparate parts of completely disparate species, etc. The book is intentionally light, filled with anecdotes and conversations with fellow collectors. He takes his readers on a trip through the most trilobite-infested (I imagine Secher would have been quite offended at my use of the term, as he prefers to call them trilobite-rich) places on Earth, from Grenland and Canada to the U.S. to Morocco to Russia to China and Australia, and along the way delivers a general overview of the quirks of geological time and tectonic plate movement. If you expect a scientific book, however, that’s not it. In Secher’s own words, his book should be treated as engaging infotainment. Light on science, full to the brim with pretty pictures, Travels with Trilobites would make a perfect coffee table book: to be picked now and then, with focus on the delightful images (of which there are 300!), with bits of entertaining text to be read if the mood’s right. And the mood must be right, because, truth be told, the style is so ornate, verbose and purple that sometimes it’s quite difficult to endure – at least for me.

[...]

Still, the enthusiasm palpable on these pages makes up for the overly purply tinge of the long and winding sentences ;) Secher clearly loves trilobites in all their sizes and forms. His admiration for these unique, long-gone creatures, as well as his collecting zeal, are really contagious. So, if Secher’s true purpose was to unleash a growing horde of trilobite lovers upon the world, he actually has a pretty good chance of succeeding. Count me in!

[Dee · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a gorgeous doorstop/coffee table book featuring hundreds of high-quality trilobite photos, accompanied by just as many pages of illustrating text. Secher walks the reader chronologically and geographically through the world’s most important trilobite deposits, adding regional flavor and trilobite fun facts throughout.

I have a few gripes which lead me to deduct one star in total. First, Secher’s prose can be florid, with multiplying adjectives before every noun rendering some sentences incomprehensible. I wish the prose and content had been more academically oriented, and I would seriously have appreciated an apparatus with references and recommendations for further reading. Some more content and organizational editing would have been in order, too, since many details are repeated throughout the book, sometimes even in the same section, and the repeated info is presented as if it hadn’t occurred just a few pages prior. Moreover, often, text and images don’t mesh, suggesting that the essays were likely added as “flavor” rather than text and images being conceived together. Secher regularly spends full paragraphs gushing about a particularly cool species, and the full-page image on the verso shows — not that species. These issues are maybe not surprising for a photo book, of course, but it made the experience of reading it cover to cover a bit awkward.

Second, while I very much appreciated the book’s trilobite-collecting-for-aspirational-dummies outlook (especially the final chapter was very helpful in that regard!), Secher’s constant warnings of the trilobite supply drying up due to national and World Heritage restrictions felt quite one-sided. There are many good reasons to slow or even stop the free flow of ancient fossils across national borders (and to keep random people from haphazardly mining fossils on federal lands in the U.S.), and Secher doesn’t spend any time investigating the causes of this changing legal landscape. Lots of obvious the-collector-knows-best libertarianism here.

Finally, and this not Secher’s fault, trilobite collecting and fossil enthusiasm in general seem to be historically male domains, and not a single woman makes an appearance in these pages. Secher, at one point, confirms that, yes, the best prep people are “all men,” emphasis on “all” included, just in case we were wondering (p. 331). The vibe here feels off. Moreover, instances where Secher describes collectors and fossil hunters as being certain types of men abound. While there’s no reason for Secher to misrepresent the current state of the trilobite enthusiast’s world, I wish he had made a greater rhetorical effort to make the field more inviting for folks like me.

[Elmira · Rating 5 out of 5]

Prior to reading this book I had only a passing interest in and very little experience with trilobite fossils. I love hiking and rock hounding and have found other (nontrilobite) fossils so this book looked interesting.

"Travels With Trilobites" was part fun science lesson, part world travel adventure, part picture book! I read it all the way through from beginning to end, but this would also work well as a reference book because there are many dozens of pictures of trilobite fossils that are meticulously labeled, as well as text sections dedicated to widely varied subjects including fake trilobite fossils, fossil prices, legal implications of fossil collecting, difficulty of reaching certain fossil rich areas, and museum collections versus private collections.

This book inspired me to purchase my first trilobite fossil from a rock shop in Scottsdate, AZ while I was there visiting. I'm hooked!

[Stephanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was provided the eARC of this book via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

Like the title implies, Travels with Trilobites, is a journey. It’s a journey back through time. It’s a journey across the globe. And it’s a love letter to one of the most important and fascinating prehistoric creatures to grace planet Earth, the trilobites. And don’t mention hundreds of stunning photographs!

Secher takes us on a journey through each Paleozoic period, guiding us across the globe to the paleontological sites where the fossilized remains of these ancient arthropods have been discovered. He celebrates the scientists who dedicate their lives to discovering, understanding and preparing the fossils. He gives an in depth look at Trilobite collecting, both public and private, and shares the thoughts and observations of fellow collectors and scientists. He explores topics like what life was like for the ancient arthropods, their anatomy, differences between species, predation, feeding behavior and so forth. So many questions I had about trilobites were explored and answered in this book. I really felt like I was on a private tour and being given a behind the scenes look at all things trilobite.

For the layperson or casual enthusiast, who isn't enveloped in the science world, any book grounded in prehistory and science can feel intimidating or dry. ‘Travels in Trilobites’ was neither of these things. It was both informative and entertaining. Secher’s writing is warm and inviting. It’s easy to understand for those who simply have a casual interest in trilobites, yet, its depth makes it perfect for the serious enthusiasts and longtime collectors as well.

The thing I loved the most about this book is the way that Andy Secher’s passion for trilobites comes through on every page. It’s infectious and shines a light on these fascinating marine organisms, who don’t often get mainstream attention. As a casual trilobite enthusiast, my love and appreciation for these fascinating creatures grew after reading this book.

While reading, I referenced a Trilobite Geographical Time Scale, just to keep the periods of the Paleozoic straight. I also referenced a Pictorial Guide to the Orders and Suborders and a map that showed all the Trilobite localities around the world (all on www.trilobite.info). This probably wouldn’t even be a necessity for a seasoned trilobite enthusiast, so I understand why diagrams like this weren’t included, they are easy enough to access online.

I have so much admiration for the research and hard work that went into this book and all those in the trilobite world who make it possible for the rest of us to enjoy.

I read this as an ebook, but because of the hundreds of beautiful photos, I recommend a physical copy.

Thank you Netgalley, Columbia University Press and Andy Secher.

[Sharon Tyler · Rating 4 out of 5]

Travels with Trilobites: Adventures in the Paleozoic by Andy Secher is a nonfiction book. Trilobites were among the most successful and versatile organisms ever to exist. Among the earliest forms of complex animal life, these hard-shelled marine invertebrates inhabited the primal seas of the Paleozoic era. Their march through evolutionary time began in the Lower Cambrian, some 521 million years ago, and lasted until their demise at the end of the Permian, more than 250 million years later. During this vast stretch of planetary history, these adaptable animals filled virtually every available undersea ecological niche, evolving into more than 25,000 scientifically recognized species. Explore paleontological hot spots around the world—including Alnif, Morocco, on the edge of the Sahara Desert; the Sakha Republic, deep in the Siberian wilderness; and Kangaroo Island, off the coast of South Australia—and get a behind-the-scenes look at museums, fossil shows, and life on the collectors’ circuit. The book features hundreds of photographs of unique specimens drawn from Secher’s private collection, showcasing stunning fossil finds that highlight the diversity, complexity, and beauty of trilobites.

Travels with Trilobites offers readers information and some entertainment. The text is accessible and explains scientific information about trilobites with observations and insight about the collections and all that goes along with them. There is a great deal to cover here- since there were so many kinds of trilobites and they lived for so long, in so many places. I liked that the book was organized choreographically and that there were some subsections that went into greater detail on specific topics. I thought the information was understandable, and that Secher's enthusiasm and humor often shone through. Sometimes that enthusiasm got to be a bit much, but I kind of love it when the people around me geek out about the things they are passionate about- and it reminded me of that kind of conversation. I found the images to be fascinating and well chosen, and I think any reader interested in the topic, or related fields, will find this an engaging and informative read. I think that many will find Secher's enthusiasm and interest in the topic to spark a little in themselves. I liked the inclusion of a glossary and list of museums to visit, with information on the trilobites in their collection. I thought that was helpful and interesting for readers.

[Zan Safra · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley and Columbia University Press for this advance review copy.

Impressively researched, beautifully photographed, and wonderfully entertaining!

I've always been a Paleozoic nerd with a fascination for trilobites, and Andy Secher's TRAVELS WITH TRILOBITES is an excellent addition to my "bug" book collection. The author's expertise is impressive and his enthusiasm infectious, and his love for these ancient animals shines through in both his prose and wonderfully photographed fossils.

I particularly enjoyed the "travels" theme, as most of what I've read on paleontology focuses on the animals and not the environments in which their remains were discovered. This book took me to far eastern Russia, remote areas of China, Canada's Burgess Shale and South Australia, which was one of the most entertaining aspects of this book. (Also, I now really, really want to take a trip to Kangaroo Island.)

I read this in ebook form, but once it's available, I'm definitely getting myself a hardcover. (Also, if Columbia ever releases a book on the Ediacaran, I'll be first in line.)

A fantastic reading experience, and I look forward to this author's coming books!

[John Cooper · Rating 4 out of 5]

A must-have for any trilobite collector and a good purchase for anyone interested in prehuman life, Travels with Trilobites is packed tighter with gasp-inducing photographs than almost any other coffee-table book I can think of. We've learned a lot about these creatures since I last thought much about them about fifty years ago — because of the difficulty of getting the specimens out of the rock without damage, the details of their defensive spines, much less their long, delicate antennae, were mostly unknown then, and until I read this book, I wasn't even sure that trilobites had eyes. Advances in preparation have been so significant since then that many of the specimens in the book, often much larger than life, look as though they're ready to crawl over your hand. The text of the book is extremely informative as well, covering all aspects of knowledge about trilobites from locations to lifestyle and even to historical human interactions with trilobite fossils (apparently the Ute people carried trilobites as talismans). Unfortunately, the book lacks an index to the photos, so it's hard to visualize the species that are mentioned in the text. This is a particular problem since the photos rarely match the animals mentioned on the same page. All in all, this is a fantastic book for any confirmed enthusiast and might well awaken interest in anyone who knew nothing about trilobites before. But if you need a reference to species, or even a basic overview of trilobite terminology before diving in deep, you'll have to consult other books.

[Daniel Morgan · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is a fun read, but definitely a one-time read; I am glad that I got it from the library instead of buying it.

Pros:
* Hundreds of large, beautiful photos
* Organized by geologic period (Cambrian, Ordovician, Silurian, Devonian, Carboniferous/Permian)
* Focuses on the collecting of trilobites - on their major sites, the process of locating and excavating them, restoration, shows, fakes, museum collecting habits vs private collectors

Cons
* Very little geology and paleontology context; almost no references to earth history or to maps
* The fossils are the weight here, not the paleobiology itself. The actual life functions are maybe 20% or less of each chapter.
* Zero works cited - I don't understand why I keep finding Ivy League universities publishing works with zero citations

So this is a fun read and I did learn a lot, but not great as a long-term resource.

[Charlie · Rating 3 out of 5]

If you love trilobites and have some working knowledge of paleontology, this book is a 4, maybe a five, but it's a tough go for a lay person. It is lavishly filled with beautiful, full-color photos, but you better know what you're looking it because the captions are little more than names and location found. It was a hard read for because of the minute details, of which I understood little, I had to wade through to get any overall comprehension. In the end, I read about a third then skimmed the rest. I'm sure I missed a lot of good information. Add to that, it's a coffee-table book, hard to hold onto and actually read.

[Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love trilobites, but more than trilobites I love people who love trilobites. Andy Secher clearly loves trilobites, and it shows in this fun book.

This isn't a technical book, it's exactly what the title says - a world-spanning adventure of all the places trilobites can be found and their significance. There are also tonnes of photos, which really shows the diversity of these unique creatures. I did find the format a bit difficult to read on an ereader - I recommend getting the physical book if you can.

I received an eARC of this book from the publisher and NetGalley.

[Steve Corwin · Rating 5 out of 5]

I acquired Travels with Trilobites earlier this year, and only began seriously perusing it recently. I was immediately impressed by the quality and quantity of amazing photos, and later became equally smitten by the colorful and entertaining text. While I have long held a fascination for these primal beasts, this book has accomplished the near-impossible task of bringing these long-gone creatures back to life... at least in a literary sense.

[Annarella · Rating 5 out of 5]

Trilobites are quite famous and are part of our imaginary regarding fossils. I knew what they are but I didn't know anything specific.
This was a fascinating, informative, and well written book that made me understand more about these fascinating creatures.
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this ARC, all opinions are mine

[Miguel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Likely should have classified this as a DNF as can’t honestly say that I read all of the text, but what a great & comprehensive view of the topic. The accompanying photos appeared to cover all possible permutations of these ancient critters and it inspires a bit of awe and wonder of what this period in earth’s history was actually like.

[Зорница Атанасова · Rating 3 out of 5]

Beautifully illustrated book portraying many species of this magnificent order of invertebrates. The writing is quite chaotic: a mixture between higher level scientific and too non-technical, popular-sciencey at once. I couldn't follow through with it. I would recommend as an interesting coffee table book to entertain your nature-loving guests with.

[The Inquisitive Biologist · Rating 3 out of 5]

Travels with Trilobites provides an enthusiastic collector's perspective on trilobite fossils but is let down by the quality of some of its images. Read my full review on https://inquisitivebiologist.com/2022...

[Josh · Rating 4 out of 5]

A bit wordy in places, but the language is understandable. I guess I mostly just wanted to look at the pictures, but I broke down and finally settled into it.

Recommended for anyone with that paleontological itch.

[Mhd]

[led to this book by article in Smithsonion newsletter]