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Discusses the nature and formation of fossils, the different types, and how and where to find them. ... Read more

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"Carroll has to his credit an immense amount of useful labour in writing the book and will probably corner the market for a vertebrate paleontology text for the rest of this century."Nature ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

The book for bones!
I had Romer's Vertebrate Paleontology, which is an excellent book, until a paleontologist friend directed me to Carroll's book. He acknowledges Romer's work in the field but this is an updated version (for the time of publication).
It gives all the basic elements needed for a thorough understanding of this very important field of study. One caution: know your anatomy! The detailed information can be a bit overwhelming for the amateur (like me).
However, if you want to chart the course of evolution up to the present - read this book!

One of the few college texybooks I kept.
This book was my textbook for Vertebrate Paleontology and Evolution at the University of Rochester back in 1992.The book is very daunting to look at if you just flip through it.However, it does a nice job of introducing concepts and terms to the reader.Its organization is straightforward, starting with the simplest vertebrates and eventually finishing with mammals.Most groups are covered well, considering that the author's cover every group of vertebrates known.The biggest problem I had with the book was the section on dinosaurs, the biggest reason why I took the class. The information on them was limited to a few pages and much of the information was out-dated even in 1992.However, if you are looking for a good book on vertebrates, this is a must have.Just realize that some of the information may not reflect our current understanding since the book is over 10 years old and many new finds have come to light, new ideas have been introduced, and old ideas reexamined.

I spent 2 weeks chewing on this book...

...the only easily available work that goes to any depth on this intensely interesting subject.A large book of medium thickness with an average of about two drawings per page, including familial relationship diagrams.

Since the late Paleozoic, there have been two significantbranches of terrestrial vertebrates: the diapsids (crocs, dinosaurs, birds)and synapsids (pelycosaurs, theraspids, mammals).Sharing a commonancestry and evolving at times in parallel, nevertheless distinctivefeatures appear early that, though not of immediately apparentsignificance, in fact consign the lines to their separate fates.

Thepelycosaur Dimetrodon, the familiar lizard-like reptile with a sail on itsback that is often reproduced as a toy, and which I have always associatedwith the dinosaurs, is in fact a member of the synapsid line.The bookpoints out how the process on the mandible that reaches up toward thetemporal lobe is the beginning of a shift away from the ancestralquadrate-angular jaw articulation maintained by the diapsids through thebirds.With the additional points of leverage provided, mammals weredestined to become better chewers, able to move their jaws sideways inaddition to up and down.The angular bone and one other bone in themandible, incidentally, become modified to help pick up soundwaves, andeventually migrate to become one of the three bones in the middle ear. (Birds only have one bone in their middle ear, though interestingly, theirhearing appears to be just as acute.)

Mammals continued to refine theirchewing mechanism, introducing improvements to their teeth.Instead ofthe saw of teeth possessed by dinosaurs and early reptiles, the mammalsdeveloped closely occluding teeth that allowed them to grind food moreefficiently.Apparently the price for this matching of the upper and lowerteeth is that mammals cannot replace their adult teeth once lost.

Ifyou are a specialist in one of the larger groups of vertebrates, such asthe dinosaurs or the mammals, the coverage of this book will beunsatisfying.Sometimes I had difficulty determining what the definingcharacteristics that distinguished groups were, so I still can't look at askeleton and know whether it's a pelycosaur or an early theraspid.On arelated note, the relationship diagrams are not cladograms, butold-fashioned family tree type drawings, indicating not only relationshipbut the time period in which the group lived, with a thickening of thelines to show abundance. ... Read more

Product Description
Understanding Fossils is the first introductory level palaeontology text which demonstrates the importance of fossils in geological and biological studies, particularly in understanding evolutionary patterns, palaeoenvironmental analysis, and stratigraphy. The book contains three parts. Part One explores several key concepts: the processes of fossil preservation, the determination of evolutionary patterns, ancient ecologies and use of fossils as stratigraphical tools. Part Two introduces the main fossil groups of value in these applied fields. Each group is described with reference to their most important characters, and each has summaries of classification, evolutionary history and applications. Part Three concentrates on the examination of important case histories which demonstrate the use of fossils in diverse practical examples. Evolutionary studies, palaeoenvironmental analysis and stratigraphical applications are documented using up-to-date examples supported by overviews of the principles. ... Read more

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Customer Reviews (1)

Still The Best Academic Introduction to Paleontology
"Principles of Paleontology" remains the finest introductory academic text to paleontology, written by two of the foremost paleontologists in the latter half of the 20th Century. It may be of interest too to historians and philosophers of science since the book reflects paleontology's emergence as a quantitative science shaped by recent advances in systematic biology and theoretical ecology. David Raup, now professor emeritus of geophysical sciences at the University of Chicago, was probably the paleontologist most responsible for paleontology's emergence as a quantitative science; his research covered many aspects of theoretical paleontology from analyzing shell morphology to measuring evolutionary rates. Steven M. Stanley, still a professor of geology at Johns Hopkins University, is noted for his research on the functional morphology of mollusk shells, measuring evolutionary rates, and introducing the concept of "Species Selection".

Raup's and Stanley's text covers all aspects of paleontology from preservation and the fossil record to functional morphology, biostratigraphy, paleoecology, and macroevolution. Of special note to historians of science is the considerable attention that they devoted to then recent advances in community and population ecology, such as the MacArthur-Wilson theory of equilibrium island biogeography. Admittedly, much of the book emphasizes invertebrate paleontology, though some attention is devoted too to paleobotany and vertebrate paleontology. ... Read more

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Paleontology of the Green River Formation, with a review of the fish fauna
This is the one indispensable book for any serious collector of the beautifully preserved fossil fish from the Eocene age lacustrine formations of Wyoming, Colorado, and Utah.Numerous drawings and photographs accompany the inciteful conclusions drawn by Lance Grande, the author.Rare and common fossil species are described and detailed data is presented to allow differentiation between closely related species.
Published in 1980, this volume was followed up in the next two years in the American Museum of Natural History "Novitates."Novitates numbers 2728 and 2730 by Grande contain priceless updates to the knowledge of the Green River fauna provided by this main volume.
... Read more

Product Description
Designed for use in conjunction with a variety of textbooks, but particularly with Boardman's "Fossil Invertebrates" , the manual provides exercises, tying palaeobiological concepts to an examination of fossil specimens. So that its use can be tailored to the fossil material available, the manual includes more exercises than will be required by most laboratory courses. Some exercises or their components may be omitted. The author's prime intention is to familiarize students with fossil taxonomy and morphology and to incorporate principles of paleobiology to demonstrate problems in historical geology and evolution for which fossils are useful. ... Read more

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This comprehensive text on plant biology deals with the structure, biology and evolution of fossil plants, cyanobacteria, fungi and plant/animal interactions. Global in its perspective, there are plants from every continent, including Antarctica. Major biotic events, such as the evolution of photosynthesis, origin of eukaryotic cells and origin of flowering plants, are discussed in detail. ... Read more

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Here The New York Times journalists examine the latest theories of all types of evolution.

The New York Times Book of Fossils and Evolution traces life's first foothold on Earth and the explosion of creation in the Cambrian era, through the reigning years of the largest animals to ever walk the planet-the dinosaurs of the Mesozoic-to the emergence of Homo sapiens two hundred thousand years ago.

This illustrated book reports on extraordinary fossil finds and currently vying theories of evolution. Itself a trove of treasures, this book will be enjoyed by amateur archeologists, naturalists, students, dinosaur enthusiasts, and everyone interested in science. ... Read more

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This book is the only definitive guide that presents a collection of the state's most common fossils and also shows the most important, noteworthy, and unusual speciments. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (5)

A Field Guide to Fossils of Texas
Excellent pictures which are needed when you read the descriptions of each specific fossil.
Very well written and detailed book of fossils within Texas.

Field Guide to Texas Fossils
The Field Guide to Texas Fossils is an excellent resource guide for working in the field.We found we already had some rare sharks teeth and were able to identify them in the book.

Review of Fossil Book for Texas
I found this book very helpful and take it with me in the field when I am looking as it helps identify fossils I am finding. Very useful book to have for those who live in Texas.

Very informative, shows more than only the best specimens.
I have used this book to refer to numerous times.
It gives a very good perspective of the diversity of the geography of Texas.
Good book, thanks for writing it, Chuck.
Jessy Boedeker
The Texas FossilCollector

A great guide to texas fossils
This book is easy to use, informative and quite helpful to the texasfossil hunter. The pictures cover a very broad range of texas fossils, andthough not always in color, are very helpful in identification. ... Read more

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Customer Reviews (2)

A very nicely done Lagerstatten chronological rundown.
This new release is a very good overview on the fine fossil record of each
age from oldest to youngest. Make no mistake, it has the pictorals of a coffee table book; but packed with information to enlighten the novice and the learned. Having visited most of the localities; I can make the statement that this book does a very good job of representing the locations, the fossils and the known information from studies. Excellent pictures and the quality of the graphics make it the next best thing to holding the very fossils of these famous locations. This book is well worth the price of this hardcopy. Bravo to John Nudds, Paul Seldon and all the contributors, efforts well done. - John A. Spina Jr. in NY

Fossil Ecosystems one great concise volume
I had been waiting for this book for a year, but it was worth it. While a better title would probably attract more readers, the book is written with the collector in mind as well as documentation that should be required of undergraduates studying geology and paleontology.
Since we rarely get a glimpse of the extraordinary prehistoric remains (fossils) in museum collections, I appreciate being able to see many via this profusely illustrated work. A wide-range of fossil material is presented, from nearly 2 billion year old microfossils (Gunflint Chert) to the Pleistocene lifeforms in the Rancho La Brea tar deposits in Los Angeles. ... Read more

Product Description
Fossil Invertebrates is a textbook for undergraduates and for research scientists interested in invertebrate palaeontology. Generously illustrated, it provides a balanced treatment of the current state of knowledge by research specialists. The large, diffuse and specialized literature makes understanding invertebrate palaeontology a formidable task. The combined research experience of twenty-six authors gives this book a unique richness in information, interpretation, and evaluation of controversies and unanswered questions that are necessary to present the current state of invertebrate palaeontology and evolution ... Read more

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Illustrated with hundreds of photographs and drawings, this authoritative yet readable book describes the fossil vertebrates found in Florida--many unique to the state--and summarizes more than 100 years of paleontological discoveries and research. All types of vertebrates are covered, including sharks and other fish, amphibians, reptiles, birds, and mammals. The book includes a comprehensive list of every verified fossil species ever collected in Florida. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Much-needed reference
This is an excellent book for Florida fossils.It is profusely illustrated and, though academically thorough, is easy for the layman to use and appreciate.It is the best reference for the fossil vertebrate fauna of Florida I've seen.The only thing I would change is to see a more detailed index. ... Read more

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Pat Shipman sets forth the taphonomic methods of analyzing how animal remains are acted upon and altered, both by biological and by geographic phenomena, in their passage from the biosphere of bones and carcass into the lithosphere of fossils. She explains the role of disease, predation, accidents, postmortem destruction, and transport in the life history of a fossil, and provides an introduction to the relevant geological concepts and to faunal analysis. ... Read more

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Customer Reviews (2)

Poor photos detract from guide's usefulness
The book's title, "The Complete Guide to Michigan Fossils" leads the reader to expect a useful field guide, but the book's poor-quality fuzzy black and white photos are not helpful.

On the plus side, the writing is straightforward and engaging.The author has done many school presentations, and he's figured out a simple, easy to understand explanation for many geological concepts.A sizeable portion of the book is dedicated to where to find fossils in Michigan, including directions to various sites. While this might be helpful to some, it's not what I was expecting out of a field guide.Perhaps a better title would be "Where to find fossils in Michigan."

The most helpful section is the last forty pages, which actually describe the most common fossils found in Michigan.Here the photos are sharper, but still feature grey fossils on a dark background, in a black and white photo.The best photo is on the cover.

Lot of information
This book has lots of great information.I grew up in Michigan and didn't know about some of the fossels.Now when I'm looking for rocks and fossels I can identify them.And I now look for specific ones.Plus it gives you ideas on different places to find some.Very happy with this choice ... Read more

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The Primate Fossil Record is a profusely illustrated, up-to-date, and comprehensive treatment of primate paleontology that captures the complete history of the discovery and interpretation of primate fossils. Each chapter emphasizes three key components of the record of primate evolution: history of discovery, taxonomy of the fossils, and evolution of the adaptive radiations they represent. The volume objectively summarizes the many intellectual debates surrounding the fossil record and provides a foundation of reference information on the last two decades of astounding discoveries and worldwide field research for physical anthropologists, paleontologists, and evolutionary biologists. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Primates
A definitive work on fossil primates packed with photos and data. Although it is pricey, the book is worth the money. ... Read more