Encyclopedia of Prehistory (Facts on File Library of World History)

Surveys the Earth's origins, prehistoric life forms, the dinosaurs, and the first humans.

Although its purpose is to "provide a concise, up-to-date key to the processes that forged our planet, and to the vast array of prehistoric animals, plants, and other organisms" that appeared and vanished, this volume also includes plenty of information about modern plants, animals, and geographic features. Typical Diagram Group charts and illustrations help tie old and new together.

Arrangement is in four sections ("The Evolving Earth," "Evolving Life," "Dinosaurs," and "The First Humans") that offer a chronological presentation. Within these sections, chapters are divided into one- or two-page spreads that address topics such as "How Lakes Form," "Jawless Fishes," "How Primates Began," and "Neanderthal Toolkits." The two-color drawings, charts, and diagrams are well labeled and very good for showing landforms, body parts, and relationships between modern and ancient organisms.

Current evolution and dinosaur theories are presented, often with "probably" and "may have" as qualifiers in the text. The chapter on "Dinosaur Life" states that "much of what we say and show is not proven fact, just plausibly inferred from careful scientific study and research." Specific sources aren't cited, but there are a few references provided at the end of the volume. Also listed are world museums and scientists, although neither listing is detailed or comprehensive. Younger students may the material is challenging reading. An example is this statement on chelonians: "They might be anapsids evolved from pareiasaurs, but molecular studies place them near crocodiles as reptiles that lost their diapsids' skull holes."

With some direction from librarians, users will find this work tremendously valuable, especially for the diagrams and charts. Drawings showing how land is shaped by ice, the difference between the monocot and dicot types of flowering plants, the evolution of the horse, and the like fill page after page. Keeping in mind the reading level, the fact that one-fifth of the pages deal with the ever-popular dinosaurs, and that there's nothing quite comparable, many school and public libraries will want to add this title. RBB
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