This is the book that got me into Dinosaurs.
I was never much of a Dino-kid, but always liked learning about them. Saw this book one day and decided to pick it up. Totally captivated me.
Nice! That's a cool perspective coming from someone that grew up loving dinosaurs and constantly playing with dinosaur toys when I was really little to the Jurassic Park movies and games when I got a bit older. Glad you gave it a chance.
They are truly fascinating! Excited to give this a read.
I just finished reading this on holiday!
I really enjoyed it, though, it was much too autobiographical in my opinion and I didn’t enjoy reading about his palaeontology buddies (many of whom sounded unbearable to be around), but the brief moments where he really painted a picture of what life was like back then and went into detail(s) on the species was absolutely incredible. The asteroid impact was really moving too.
Speaking of, does anyone have any recommendations for factual dinosaur books that are more “Picture This” and really take you back to that lost world? I just picked up “Dinosaurs: How they lived and evolved” which I’m excited to read, but I’d love to get a few stocked up!
Immediately after reading this, I read _Dinosaurs without Bones_ by Anthony J. Martin. I think his training a trace fossil researcher led him to naturally focus on painting this kind of picture---though it is a challenging (very technical) read.
> it was much too autobiographical
I’m a bit bummed to hear this because I’m interested in this book but this is the exact reason I had to drop *The Soul of an Octopus*.
I've read both and they're really not similar at all. This is not a puff piece at all. I liked the autobiographical parts of this book, my takeaway from them was more along this lines of "this is what it's actually like to be a modern paleontologist, and this how we do the science."
This is the best non-fiction book I've read in years, and his book on mammals is excellent as well.
Excited to really read into those brief moments. I can tolerate reading some of the other stuff but I can see why it could be distracting.
Part of me loves learning about the daily life of a paleontologist, but hopefully it goes into a decent bit of the day to day things with studying these animals.
Check out Raptor Red by Robert Bakker, it's fiction but written by a paleontologyst and it's one of my favourite dino-books.
Keep in mind that it was written in the 90s so some things might be a bit outdated
Yes! Author shifted research to early mammals later in his career, away from dinosaurs and he wrote probably the most comprehensive book on mammalian development that I've ever seen
Okay, that is amazing. I am assuming it goes into the history of mammals as well? I should just look it up right now lol. Definitely putting this on my list as well.
Yes! A decent amount covers their history long before the mass extinction. Mammals before then often aren't known about at all by the public and even less so by paleo-fans, so I'm sure you'll learn a thing or two. Early mammals are really fascinating.
One of the worst popular science books I have ever read. He knows a lot about dinosuars so you could potentially learn a thing or two, but I found his writing immature at best. Too many personal anecdotes on how cool his paleontologists buddies are, and so by extension is he. He improved a bit in the mammal sequel though, but there's better stuff out there. I don't know, it feels like this is the only book this subreddits seems to know about.
But that's just my opinion.
I agree there was a lot of personal anecdotes but I liked that about it. I like to read about the culture of fossil hunting and paleontology, the who's who in the field, the fun stories of collecting fossils and how they were discovered. It sort of brings to life the connection between the fossils, the dinosaurs, what we know about them and their lives and the people who discovered them and live and breathe paleontology and the passion it takes to go out there for months on end with very little money because it's your thing in life
For me the problem was less about him talking about who was finding the fossils and how they did it and how it related to paleontology, it was the segments that were like "this is my buddy so and so, he really drinks like no one else. What a cool guy. I remember this party in Argentina we went to..." that went on way too long.
Lmao-- that is random, I see what you're saying. It sounds like some of the stories were good in relating to paleontology and the book, specifically about dinosaurs and fossils, like NuffinSaid said, but some others get off track a bit.
Thanks for your thoughts. I saw it as one of the most popular books on dinosaurs and thought I’d pick it up at Barnes and Nobel.
If I could still learn a thing or two about dinosaurs, I think I’ll go forward with it anyway. I see what you’re saying thought, I could always read another book on dinosaurs! What would you suggest to read as something you really enjoyed?
In this sort of format, then 'Dinosaurs rediscovered' Micheal Benton is one that I really enjoyed a lot. But most of paleontology books I've read haven't been on dinosaurs, so I might not be the best person to ask on this particular subject. But have fun reading what ever you find to your liking :)
Hey, never heard of this one. I'll give it a go
Also, OP: https://www.reddit.com/r/Dinosaurs/comments/xe1agz/what\_are\_some\_of\_the\_best\_books\_youve\_read\_about/
Yeah I picked up a book of his (it was thick but I didn’t realize it was for 12 year olds) and it was ok at best. So much digging, not enough actual creatures. I grew to find it passable, but I’m prob not gonna pick up another book of his for a while. Alright but not for me. 4/10.
I read this last week! Found it interesting and accessible. I've loved dinosaurs since I was small but have never "studied" them. Hope you enjoy it too!
I'd never touch any book by that man--not after what happened with *Jurassic World Dominion*. Plus, he represents the mainstream side of Paleontology that puts the field under scrutiny.
started reading too recently. its a bit too autobiography imo, spents a lot of time talking about him and his friends which sometimes is interesting and then sometimes its just like this isn't why i bought the book. i want to read about dinosaurs.
Apparently the mammal one is way more scientific so looking forward to getting to that.
Its an amazing book
This is the book that got me into Dinosaurs. I was never much of a Dino-kid, but always liked learning about them. Saw this book one day and decided to pick it up. Totally captivated me.
Nice! That's a cool perspective coming from someone that grew up loving dinosaurs and constantly playing with dinosaur toys when I was really little to the Jurassic Park movies and games when I got a bit older. Glad you gave it a chance. They are truly fascinating! Excited to give this a read.
I just finished reading this on holiday! I really enjoyed it, though, it was much too autobiographical in my opinion and I didn’t enjoy reading about his palaeontology buddies (many of whom sounded unbearable to be around), but the brief moments where he really painted a picture of what life was like back then and went into detail(s) on the species was absolutely incredible. The asteroid impact was really moving too. Speaking of, does anyone have any recommendations for factual dinosaur books that are more “Picture This” and really take you back to that lost world? I just picked up “Dinosaurs: How they lived and evolved” which I’m excited to read, but I’d love to get a few stocked up!
Immediately after reading this, I read _Dinosaurs without Bones_ by Anthony J. Martin. I think his training a trace fossil researcher led him to naturally focus on painting this kind of picture---though it is a challenging (very technical) read.
> it was much too autobiographical I’m a bit bummed to hear this because I’m interested in this book but this is the exact reason I had to drop *The Soul of an Octopus*.
I've read both and they're really not similar at all. This is not a puff piece at all. I liked the autobiographical parts of this book, my takeaway from them was more along this lines of "this is what it's actually like to be a modern paleontologist, and this how we do the science." This is the best non-fiction book I've read in years, and his book on mammals is excellent as well.
That's good to hear. I'll have to look into his book on mammals too!
Excited to really read into those brief moments. I can tolerate reading some of the other stuff but I can see why it could be distracting. Part of me loves learning about the daily life of a paleontologist, but hopefully it goes into a decent bit of the day to day things with studying these animals.
Check out Raptor Red by Robert Bakker, it's fiction but written by a paleontologyst and it's one of my favourite dino-books. Keep in mind that it was written in the 90s so some things might be a bit outdated
Did you buy this or get 50% off?
Got another book, got this one 50% off :)
Great book and I loved Rise and Reign of Mammals even more!
Same author?
Yes! Author shifted research to early mammals later in his career, away from dinosaurs and he wrote probably the most comprehensive book on mammalian development that I've ever seen
Okay, that is amazing. I am assuming it goes into the history of mammals as well? I should just look it up right now lol. Definitely putting this on my list as well.
Yes! A decent amount covers their history long before the mass extinction. Mammals before then often aren't known about at all by the public and even less so by paleo-fans, so I'm sure you'll learn a thing or two. Early mammals are really fascinating.
I just got mine too!
Sweet!
One of the worst popular science books I have ever read. He knows a lot about dinosuars so you could potentially learn a thing or two, but I found his writing immature at best. Too many personal anecdotes on how cool his paleontologists buddies are, and so by extension is he. He improved a bit in the mammal sequel though, but there's better stuff out there. I don't know, it feels like this is the only book this subreddits seems to know about. But that's just my opinion.
I agree there was a lot of personal anecdotes but I liked that about it. I like to read about the culture of fossil hunting and paleontology, the who's who in the field, the fun stories of collecting fossils and how they were discovered. It sort of brings to life the connection between the fossils, the dinosaurs, what we know about them and their lives and the people who discovered them and live and breathe paleontology and the passion it takes to go out there for months on end with very little money because it's your thing in life
For me the problem was less about him talking about who was finding the fossils and how they did it and how it related to paleontology, it was the segments that were like "this is my buddy so and so, he really drinks like no one else. What a cool guy. I remember this party in Argentina we went to..." that went on way too long.
Lmao-- that is random, I see what you're saying. It sounds like some of the stories were good in relating to paleontology and the book, specifically about dinosaurs and fossils, like NuffinSaid said, but some others get off track a bit.
Spot on!
I can see how that connection can kinda bring life to the whole thing and could make you even more engaged.
Thanks for your thoughts. I saw it as one of the most popular books on dinosaurs and thought I’d pick it up at Barnes and Nobel. If I could still learn a thing or two about dinosaurs, I think I’ll go forward with it anyway. I see what you’re saying thought, I could always read another book on dinosaurs! What would you suggest to read as something you really enjoyed?
In this sort of format, then 'Dinosaurs rediscovered' Micheal Benton is one that I really enjoyed a lot. But most of paleontology books I've read haven't been on dinosaurs, so I might not be the best person to ask on this particular subject. But have fun reading what ever you find to your liking :)
Hey, never heard of this one. I'll give it a go Also, OP: https://www.reddit.com/r/Dinosaurs/comments/xe1agz/what\_are\_some\_of\_the\_best\_books\_youve\_read\_about/
I will have to put that on my list, thanks for the suggestion!
Yeah I picked up a book of his (it was thick but I didn’t realize it was for 12 year olds) and it was ok at best. So much digging, not enough actual creatures. I grew to find it passable, but I’m prob not gonna pick up another book of his for a while. Alright but not for me. 4/10.
One of my favourites!
I really enjoyed it. Lots of info without feeling dry
Great book.
Ah, a classic! I'm reading that, as well!
Got this book for my paleontologist brother for his birthday! I enjoy the excerpts he's read me!
That's really cool
Such a good book. You'll love it.
Great to hear :)
I just read this and it inspired me to join this sub!
Awesome!
It's like a YouTube commentary about dinosaurs getting into controversy
I read this last week! Found it interesting and accessible. I've loved dinosaurs since I was small but have never "studied" them. Hope you enjoy it too!
I'd never touch any book by that man--not after what happened with *Jurassic World Dominion*. Plus, he represents the mainstream side of Paleontology that puts the field under scrutiny.
started reading too recently. its a bit too autobiography imo, spents a lot of time talking about him and his friends which sometimes is interesting and then sometimes its just like this isn't why i bought the book. i want to read about dinosaurs. Apparently the mammal one is way more scientific so looking forward to getting to that.
I'm wanting to buy that book but i want to make sure it has that cover, does that cover only come with a hardback version???