The Evolution and Extinction of the Dinosaurs

This is a comprehensive treatment of dinosaurs designed to be used mainly as a textbook for students in first or second year undergraduate courses, although non-specialists are also sure to find the book of great interest. Nonetheless, it is unique in that it truly portrays dinosaurs from a specialist viewpoint. It is the only comprehensive text that takes an explicitly phylogenetic approach to this group. The geological context of dinosaurs is also stressed, and dinosaurs are presented in the context of contemporary plate tectonic and climatic settings. The authors also cover topics of interest in dinosaur palaeobiology, 'hot-blooded' dinosaurs, aspects of dinosaur functional morphology and the relationships of dinosaurs to birds. All of the discussion is couched in lively and accessible language, and the book is lavishly illustrated by specially commissioned line drawings and colour plates that show dinosaurs in a variety of natural settings.

This book treads the line between a scholarly presentation and a readable popular account; its intended use as a textbook for a college-level course is reflected in the highlighting of key concepts, the inclusion of a bibliography with each chapter, and a text packed to capacity with information since the authors hope to present a complete overview of the state of dinosaur science. This presentation succeeds well in two ways: first, in giving an idea of the scientific process by which paleontologists learn, share, and build on information and, second, in explaining background concepts in biology. Both authors are authorities in the field (Weishampel edited the standard reference Dinosauria, LJ 3/15/91) and definitely know their stuff. Challenging but very well written and informative.?Amy Brunvand, Univ. of Utah Lib., Salt Lake City
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Such is the popularity of dinosaurs that an intended college text will probably find even elementary schoolers hot to devour it. Acknowledging this, Fastovsky and Weishampel strive to write as accessibly as possible while also discussing "dinosaurs as professionals understand them." They succeed wonderfully, and the copious illustrations and their presentation of the ancient creatures within the overall history of Earth's biosphere make their effort more than a gallery of great beasts that will please only the kids. Good taxonomic and general subject indexing ensure their text a job in many ready reference collections, too. So consider at least two copies. Ray Olson