Book Reviews by Mike Fredericks from the pages of the
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Dinosaurs, Paleontology, and Prehistoric Life. Book Reviews by Mike Fredericks from the pages of the <<<Back to search4dinosaurs.com |
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From Issue #82 Summer 2007 Neptune's Ark: From Ichthyosaurs to Orcas (Hardcover) by David Rains Wallace (Author) $27.50 313 pages, University of California Press ISBN-10: 0520243226 ISBN-13: 9780520243224 It is along the western coastline of North America that naturalist Wallace (Beasts of Eden, 2004) bases his survey of marine evolution over the past 500 million years. Wallace examines the fantastic ancestors of today's species, as well as forms that left no direct descendants. Toothed birds flew above or dove below the seas, and dolphin-like ichthyosaurs patrolled the open oceans, and sea cows, now reduced to a few tropical species, once colonized the entire coastline. Wallace fills his narrative with stories of the often-quirky paleontologists who found these creatures and other history (eccentric John Lilly tries to communicate with dolphins and whales, the first migration of humans to the Americas, animal myths of Northwest Coast Natives and the destructive influence of Europeans) and cautionary tales about the decimation and later conservation of their modern kin. Wallace's look at mammalian evolution on our Pacific coast is quite fascinating. Good friend of PT, Ken Kirkland's illustrations are amazing and beautifully help illuminate the text. The Richness of Life: The Essential Stephen Jay Gould by Stephen Jay Gould (Author), Oliver Sacks (Foreword) Stephen Rose (Editor) $35.00 Hardcover: 672 pages Publisher: W. W. Norton ISBN-10: 0393064980 ISBN-13: 978-0393064988 In one book are collected the most entertaining and enlightening writings by the beloved paleontologist, evolutionary biologist, and celebrant of the wonder of life. Upon his death in 2002, Stephen Jay Gould stood at the pinnacle among observers of the natural world, recog- nized by Congress as a "living legend." His prodigious legacy sixteen best- selling and prize-winning books, dozens of scientific papers, an unbroken series of three hundred essays in Natural History combined to make Gould the most widely read science writer of our time. This collection of forty-eight pieces from his brilliant mind includes selections from classics such as Ever Since Darwin and The Mismeasure of Man, plus articles and speeches never before published in book form. This volume, the last that will bear his name, spotlights his elegance, depth, and sheer pleasure in our world a true celebration of an extraordinary mind. 20 illustrations. The Cave Painters: Probing the Mysteries of the World's First Artists by Gregory Curtis $25.00 Hardcover: 288 pages Publisher: Knopf ISBN-10: 1400043484 ISBN- 13: 978-1400043484 For centuries, people have been visit- ing caves in France and Spain, looking at the 30,000-year-old pictures painted there and asking, "What can they be?" In this informative book, Curtis, former Texas Monthly editor, makes it clear that while we'll never have a definitive answer, the quest is worth the effort. Starting with an explanation of who the painters likely were and what their world was like during the age of the Neanderthals. Curtis then covers the caves themselves and the bitter controversies on the art within, from the war of ideas between Marcelo Sautuola and Emile Cartailhac in the late 19th century to Jean Clottes's and David LewisWilliams's current, strongly disputed theory that the paintings are related to shamanic quests. The art in the cave called Lascaux, the Sistine Chapel of cave art,and in many others ranks with the greatest masterworks of Western art. Yet these paintings bring up as many questions as they have wonder and awe: What was their purpose? Why are there so many pictures of animals? The painters had many colors at their disposal, but why do black and red dominate? etc etc. In The Cave Painters, Gregory Curtis provides a intelligent introduction to the debate plus a fine guide to the aesthetics of the paintings themselves. Why Most Things Fail: Evolution, Extinction and Economics (Hardcover) by Paul Ormerod $24.95 Hardcover: 272 pages Publisher: Pantheon (February 28, 2006) ISBN-10: 0375424059 ISBN-13: 9780375424052 Businesses collapse just as surely as people do, yet economics textbooks concentrate on success rather than failure. Ormerod argues this outlook is flawed; failure, he says, is "the distinguishing feature of corporate life," and he uses it to link economic models with models of biological evolution, which he presents as a string of extinctions rather than survival of the fittest. His focus is on economic theory here and what he sees as its inadequate accounting of uncertainty and how it breeds failure. Economist Ormerod addresses "what is probably the most fundamental feature of both biological and human social and economic systems: failure. Species fail and become extinct, brands fail, companies fail, public policies fail." It is fortunate that everything does not fail at once. Interesting ideas that equal a tough read if you are not 100% invested in the ideas. The Last Human: A Guide to Twenty-Two Species of Extinct Humans (Hardcover) by G. J. Sawyer (Author), Viktor Deak (Author), Esteban Sarmiento (Author), Richard Milner (Author), Donald C. Johanson (Foreword), Maeve Leakey (Afterword), Ian Tattersall (Introduction) $45.00 256 pages Publisher: Yale University Press, ISBN-10: 0300100477 ISBN-13: 978-0300100471 This is a very fine, new collaboration among scientists and artists revealing the vast panorama of hominid evolution. The project began when the Fossil Hominid Reconstruction and Research Team, led by anthropologist Sawyer and paleoartist Deak, began reconstructing fossilized skulls and skeletons, using the same procedures of forensic anatomical reconstruction to build three-dimensional models of contemporary humankind's known predecessors. Paleontological and anatomical data for each species were combined with anthropological and climatological research to produce this volume, covering 22 species and 7 million years. Chapters move chronologically from the most primitive, mysterious "ape-men" to the Austral op ithicines, Homo habilis and Neanderthals with the data growing in complexity and quantity. Illustrated with photo-realistically life-like portraits of long-gone species, this volume also includes appendices that describe in detail how those portraits were achieved. As paleoanthropologist Ian Tattersall points out in his introduction to this great new book on our ancestors, we Homo sapiens find ourselves as being alone on the planet as the sole surviving hominid. Unbelievably, for most of the history of the hominid lineage, the world was home to coexisting prehumans and humans. This beautiful coffee table book illustrates and describes this history in a most entertaining and educational way. Encyclopedia Prehistorica Mega-Beasts (Sabuda Encyclopedias) (Hardcover) by Robert Sabuda (Illustrator), Matthew Reinhart (Illustrator) $27.99 Ages 4-8 Hardcover: 12 pages Publisher: Candlewick (May 8, 2007) ISBN-10: 0763622303 ISBN-13: 978-0763622305 First it was Encyclopedia Prehistorica Dinosaurs: The Definitive Pop-Up by Robert Sabuda and then Encyclopedia Prehistorica: Sharks and Other Sea Monsters by Robert Sabuda, and now we received our copy of the latest in the series from the publisher. Within these dynamic pages lurk fearsome saber-toothed cats, bears taller than basketball hoops, and everyone's favorite Ice Age giant the woolly mammoth. Prehistoric Yeti-like mammals, extinct birds, and giant flying lizards all come alive in a showcase featuring more than thirty-five astonishing pop-ups. In this third and final volume of the best-selling Encyclopedia Prehistorica series, 3-D masters Robert Sabuda and Matthew Reinhart tackle the titans of the ancient world, awing us with a humbling close-up look at some startling mega-beasts that preceded us on planet Earth. This latest contains the many prehistoric animals that didn't fit into the first two books and is every bit as well done as they were. The pop-ups in these titles are ten times more elaborate than any pop-up book before. As well as the main, large pop up animal on each page are three or four more smaller pop-ups surrounding it with much information describing these beasts. A heck of a lot of fun and an amazingly well thought out, beautiful series. Giant Sea Reptiles of the Dinosaur Age by Caroline Arnold (Author), Laurie Caple (Illustrator) $17.00 Reading level: Ages 9-12 Hardcover: 40 pages Publisher: Clarion Books ISBN-10: 0618504494 ISBN-13: 9780618504497 We have reviewed all of Amold's previous books in PT and now we hold the latest. This time, the subject is the enormous reptiles called ichthyosaurs, plesiosaurs, and mosasaurs that swam the seas throughout the Dinosaur Age. Some of these massive creatures weighed more than 20 tons. Others had enormous necks as long as 23 feet. From Kansas and Canada to Antarctica and New Zealand, fossil bones of these real-life sea monsters have been found. Children's science author Caroline Arnold and artist Laurie Caple pair up once again to show how fossil evidence worldwide is helping us learn about these amazing reptiles. Featuring colorful illustrations that bring, t h i s thoroughly researched book gives insight into what Earth was like when prehistoric predators roamed the seas. The pair's previous books include PTEROSAURS, GIANT SHARK, DINOSAURS WITH FEATHERS, and WHEN MAMMOTHS WALKED THE EARTH. Raptor: The Life of a Young Deinonychus (Hardcover) by Michel Henry (Author), Rich Penney (Artist) $15.95 Ages 9-12, 32 pages Publisher: Abrams Books for Young Readers ISBN-10: 0810957752 ISBN-13: 97S-0810957756 In a colorfully illustrated book the life of a raptor 100 million years ago leaps off the page for boys and girls alike. An eye-grabbing cover promises young dino lovers a ripping good time in this picture-book bio of a young Demonychus as he matures, mates, and muscles his way into leadership of his pack. North America was home to the raptor Demonychus. Children may be surprised that in the time of the dinosaurs, even the deadliest predators had much to fear! Follow one young raptor as he makes his way through the trials of a savage life. He must find a mate, hunt for food, deal with predators, and negotiate the dynamics of pack life. Can the raptor survive? Will he be able to lead his pack and protect his family'? Young dinosaur fans will embrace this view of a carnivorous dinosaur favorite. We haven't seen Rich Penney's art in PT for awhile. Apparently he has been busy illustrating this book. Penney's large, dramatic paintings depict the pack as being heavily feathered and will be enjoyed by young and old. Encyclopedia of Dinosaurs and Other Prehistoric Creatures by James Pickering (Editor), John Malam (Author), Steve Parker (Author) Hardcover: 256 pages Publisher: Parragon Books Ltd. ASIN: BOOOQJBXOQ Barnes & Nobles book stores publish a number of their own dinosaur books and also carry a large selection from BackPack Books, especially for kids. This book is one of them and is an illustrated guide to the awesome animals that ruled our planet millions of years ago. The young reader will discover more than 250 ancient species, many of which have only just been unearthed. Accompanied by spectacular double-page illustrations, the encyclopedia is packed full of extra information on the anatomy, behavior, diet, and habitat of prehistoric creatures. Find out about the very first dinosaurs and their descendants, the giant herbivores, the fierce meat-eaters and the reptiles that ruled the seas and skies. And read about the amazing quest of the fossil hunters who have gradually revealed a hidden world. This coffee table book is specially priced extremely low at Barnes & Noble. It is impressively illustrated with tons of nice artwork and truly packed with info. A bargain! 3-D Dinosaur Discovery book series published by Scholastic Inc. I reviewed this series a while back in PT when only the first book in the series had been published. Scholastic initially contacted me and asked me to recommend some artists for a big series of dinosaur books they had in the works. I gave them a big list and they hired most everyone on it. The books include 3-D glasses so the artwork really seems to jump out at you. With all of the fantastic artwork, color photography and up-to-date information, these books are great for kids interested in prehistoric life. Plus, as each book arrives in the mail, kids also receive posters, a dinosaur figure, a lit viewer with dinosaur movie slides to view and more. Its really a great series to subscribe to for your child and I highly recommend it. 3-D Dinosaur Discovery is offered through the Scholastic Book Club randomly throughout the year (these are the flyers that are distributed through the schools). Customers can also call Customer Service at 1-800- 353-3140 and ask to be enrolled in 3-D Dinosaur Discovery club to sign up immediately. Scholastic is hoping to add it to their website store soon too. Lost On Adventure Island, DVD (formerly Supersimian Island) Available from www.dinosaurmoviefans.com Price $14.95 plus $5.00 Shipping In this modern version of Kong's Skull Island, our King Kong sized gorilla is a female and she captures a guy instead of Fay Wray. It was filmed entirely on location in Hawaii where local filmmaker and actor, Yancey Hendrieth found exotic locations for his prehistoric island of ferocious dinosaurs. Besides directing this film, he has been a member of the Screen Actors Guild, since 1976 and plays the role of "Buddy the Gorilla", son of the giant ape. On a moonlit night, a battleship collides with Anna and Alex's sailboat and they wash up on a prehistoric island. They first flee from a marauding Plesiosaurus and then begin to explore the island. Along the way, they save an amiable gorilla from a trap and meet this ape's King Kong size parent, whom Alex calls "Supersimian". When the junior ape (nicknamed "Buddy" by Alex) snatches Anna's necklace, the couple give chase until being captured by warrior women on horseback, but Anna is abducted from her abductors by cannibalistic islanders and is taken to their village. Meanwhile, the warrior women lead Alex to their Tyrannosaurus Rex, inside an iron gate, whom they worship as their God, but luckily for Alex, "Buddy the Gorilla" whom he earlier saved from a trap drops him a life-saving rope from a cliff. The two pals head off in search of Anna, assisted by Buddy's towering parent, Supersimian. The rescuers arrive just in time to save Anna from the cannibals, but one overlooked savage hurls a spear into Alex's abdomen. Anna screams ... only to wake up in a hospital bed with her mom at her side. Yancey Hendrieth borrowed Dorothy's famous line from The Wizard Of Oz", when Anna says, "There is no place like home, I'll never ever leave again!" "Was I dreaming about that island, Mom?" she asks. "I don't know, Anna", her mom replies, "I just don't know"? Writer/Producer/Director Yancey Hendrieth is the main man behind this amateur film with special visual and mechanical effects designed and created by L.B. Carvelo, Keith Finkelstein and David Dane. This novice film will definitely make you laugh (possibly not always where its makers want you to laugh). The dinosaur special effects are definitely the best thing about this short flick (which is probably the reason PT readers would buy it in the first place). The acting, lighting, sound and even the focus leave something to be desired through much of the film but again, pick up a copy for a laugh and some stop motion dinosaur animation which is actually quite well done. Dinosaurs (First Discovery Books) by Gallimard Jeunesse (Corporate Author), Claude Delafosse (Author), Jame's Prunier (Illustrator), Henri Galeron (Illustrator) Paperback Publisher: Scholastic $5.99 First Discovery is a series of books on various subjects that makes use of transparent plastic pages that flip to transform images and add text on opaque spreads: a giant Brachiosaurus, seen from the front and compared to a turkey-sized contemporary cousin becomes the same giant from the rear, contrasted with a herd of elephants; a painting of a pterodactyl lifts to reveal its fossilized remains; a huge foot conceals its fossilized track, large enough for a wading pool where a toddler can "go for a dip"; or scattered bones are assembled with the turn of another page. There's not a vast amount of information here, but kids will like the visuals. Dinosaur Dig It by Jonathan Kronstadt (Author), Dan Jankowski (Illustrator) List Price: $9.99 Publisher: Tangerine Press (Scholastic) ISBN- 10: 0439926343 ISBN-13: 9780439926348 Kids will learn all about the dinosaurs in this book box set. included is a 48 page, colorful book all about the dinos. Also included is tools to allow kids to dig a dinosaur "fossil" out of a supplied "stone" block. Also included is a 20 card dinosaur card game. Lots of fun for young paleontologists. How Do Dinosaurs Go To School? (Hardcover) by Jane Yolen (Author), Mark Teague (Illustrator) $16.99 Hardcover: 40 pages Publisher: The Blue Sky Press ISBN- 0439020816 ISBN-13: 978-043902081 This eighth entry (counting the two board books) in the Yolen/Teague How Do Dinosaurs series features a cast of 10 brightly colored dinosaurs now placed in school-day situations. Fans of the other titles in the series will welcome this new lesson on how to behave properly yet manage to remain a true dinosaur. Night at the Museum DVD - When I first saw the movie theater poster and then the coming attraction trailer for this film with its Tyrannosaurus rex skeleton and old museum theme I thought to myself that I was going to have to tell the PT readers about it. Unfortunately, it came out before the next issue and I barely got to mention it in the mag a couple issues back. Well, the DVD is available now so how about a review of that instead? The story here is that Ben Stiller's character is trying to find a steady job to impress his son and applies for the new night watchman gig at the New York Museum of Natural History. He will be replacing the three existing night watchmen who are retiring. Why they now only need one man to replace three is unknown to me. Anyway, as he finds out on his first night on the job, everything comes to life in the museum after sundown including a mammoth, a group of Neanderthals and the T. rex skeleton. Other fun "animated exhibits" in the museum include Robin Williams as Theodore Roosevelt, cowboys, Roman soldiers, civil war soldiers, Attila the Hun, lions and monkeys and much more. While Ben Stiller is not one of my favorite actor/comedians, he has made some funny films in the past. He definitely has his hands full in this comedy and does a good job playing the initial victim who soon becomes the leader of his museum of characters. This is certainly a funny movie with a lot going on at all times. It was very popular at the theaters and lasted longer than most films there, bringing in big bucks for Fox Studio. I definitely recommend it. One interesting aspect for me was the last name of the original head watchman's character (played by Dick Van Dyke) is Fredericks. Is there a fan at Twentieth Century Fox paying tribute to me and this magazine? I'm saying there is and I'm sticking to that story. From Graves to Caves:: Modeling Your Diorama! (Paperback) by Fred DeRuvo (Author) $25.99 Paperback: 60 pages Publisher: BookSurge Publishing ISBN-10: 0977424413 ISBN-13: 9780977424412 Fred DeRuvo who published Modeler's Resource magazine has self published this new book which centers around creating model kits in dioramas. (Something we don't see enough examples of in PT.) Many, very talented modelers show their work and tell you how they did it in this full color book. The book includes a couple of dinosaur-themed dioramas but all of the articles can help you create beautiful dioramas of your own for any subject. A lot of good info that's a lot of fun to read and check out! http://www.adroitventures.net/modelers resource Uneversaurus (Hardcover) by Aidan Potts $ 16.99 Reading level: Ages 48 Hardcover: 48 pages Publisher: David Fickling Books ISBN-10: 0385751192 ISBN-13: 978-0385751193 No human has ever seen a dinosaur ... and no human has ever seen a dinosaur book like this one! We all think we know what dinosaurs looked like, but how can we be sure? From fossils to fur, skeletons to skin color, Professor Potts leads a colorful investigation into what we know and what we can only guess, and encourages readers to make some guesses of their own. Kids will love this colorful book that discusses many of the possible appearances of dinosaurs, sometimes serious, but usually silly! You will never think about dinosaurs in the same way again. Aidan Potts, alter ego of the dashing Professor Potts, has worked as an illustrator for all the national daily newspapers in England and currently produces a weekly comic strip about idioms for the Times Educational Supplement. He lives in London. |
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