Fossils
The Key to the Past
Published on 1. November 1991
Book
Hardback
208 pages
978-0-674-31135-0 (ISBN)
Description
Fossils, far from being mere dry bones, provide the key to understanding the stuff of history: past climates, evolution, and extinction. In this introduction, Richard Fortey offers an explanation of how fossils are a product of our endlessly evolving habitat. The story begins with the Precambrian era, more than 600 million years ago. As Fortey traces the history of life from the dawn of the Precambrian to the present, he paints a picture of the emergence of the plants and animals that we would recognize today. He covers a broad range of animals and plants and includes invertebrate fossils. The book includes not only a history of paleontology but a review of those parts of general geology that are needed to appreciate the information contained in the fossil record: stratigraphy, measurements of paleotemperatures and radiometric ages, turbidites, reefs, sandstones, and so on. But the main emphasis of the book is on what paleontology is really about, how the paleontologist tries to figure out the ways in which fossil animals lived, and how geological processes such as plate tectonics have interacted with the history of life.
"Fossils" attempts to survey the contemporary paleontological scene in order to communicate the excitement of investigating the past. A primary goal of the book is to inspire and instruct the amateur fossil collector; hence, the specimens illustrated - many of which are presented in full colour - are ones that are not too difficult for the amateur to collect. To aid to the neophyte, the author has appended notes on the occurence, significance, and preparation of each specimen. Of particular interest to the amateur are the discussions on how to collect fossils and on the economic and practical importance of fossils and their enclosing sediments.
"Fossils" attempts to survey the contemporary paleontological scene in order to communicate the excitement of investigating the past. A primary goal of the book is to inspire and instruct the amateur fossil collector; hence, the specimens illustrated - many of which are presented in full colour - are ones that are not too difficult for the amateur to collect. To aid to the neophyte, the author has appended notes on the occurence, significance, and preparation of each specimen. Of particular interest to the amateur are the discussions on how to collect fossils and on the economic and practical importance of fossils and their enclosing sediments.
Reviews / Votes
In this attractive, well-illustrated book, Richard Fortey traces a more or less chronological progression from early Precambrian life through the vertebrates, including hominids, giving due credit to the great diversity and abundance of invertebrate fossils. Fortey also explains the essential biological, taxonomic and geological concepts that underlie paleontology...Fortey maintains the reader's interest throughout by his use of lyrical, commonly humorous language and excellent black-and-white drawings and color photographs...This book offers an excellent introduction to paleontology, pulling together in a concise manner the multiple facets that make contemporary paleontology a dynamic and exciting field of study. -- Samantha A. Harlow and Joseph G. Carter American Scientist This book is not a field guide, yet it provides essential information that many field guides lack. It is not a picture book, yet it provides many good pictures of fossils. It is not a textbook, yet it provides excellent text on fossils. So, what is it? Answer: It is a rarity among its flashier rivals in the publishing trade. Fossils is a clearly written, straightforward book...This is an excellent and intelligent book. -- William C. Philips The Science Teacher [This book] is written in a clear and engaging style, technical terms are minimized but well defined, and complex concepts are simplified yet accurately presented such that both novice and professional will profit from this work...Fortey's many years of service as a paleontologist with the British Museum of Natural History prepared him well for the technical material presented, but his superb writing ability will account for much of the probable success of this book. It should appeal...to anyone interested in a very readable account of the history of life on our planet. ChoiceMore details
Language
English
Place of publication
Cambridge, Mass
United States
Target group
College/higher education
Illustrations
125
Dimensions
Height: 276 mm
Width: 216 mm
Weight
1044 gr
ISBN-13
978-0-674-31135-0 (9780674311350)
Copyright in bibliographic data is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or its licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Content
Buried in the rocks; setting the stage - time and change; rocks and fossils; how to recognize fossils; bringing fossils back to life; evolution and extinction; origin of life and its early history; fossils in the service of man; discovery of a new dinosaur - the story of "claws'; making a collection.