Scan barcode
tanyagold's review against another edition
An interesting book about early paleontology—the fossil hunters, the discoveries, the influence of religion, and the impact of the discoveries.
maddyb001's review against another edition
1.0
This book very much fell into the trap of judging history from modern eyes instead of contextualizing it into its cultural framework and current knowledge. As a result, it comes off as very judgy.
inquiry_from_an_anti_library's review
adventurous
informative
inspiring
medium-paced
5.0
This book describes the history of paleontology, geology, and evolution. A lot of the science behind the search for fossils and interpretation of the fossils is explained in great detail. Science takes time to obtain a proper findings, made even harder due to the extraction of fragile fossils and made rare by geological events that crush the dinosaur skeletons. The theory of evolution would not have been possible without the work of Cuvier in the field of anatomy or of Lamarck's theory of transmutation. Many of the fossilists held non-secular beliefs about their work which sometimes slowed down the proper interpretation and understanding of the events in the past.
The author does a very good job at presenting the information. Each key fossilist is discussed in terms of what they have found and their responses to various groups who help an interest in the field. Some Fossilists such as Hawkins, like in many if not all profession, tried to deceive the data by adding or creating parts in large amounts to the fossils discovered. Many fossilists were collectors only part time while completing their practice in medicine or surgery. Other fossilists like great Anning found and sold the fossils to various collectors through sheer perseverance and love for the fossils.
The author does a very good job at presenting the information. Each key fossilist is discussed in terms of what they have found and their responses to various groups who help an interest in the field. Some Fossilists such as Hawkins, like in many if not all profession, tried to deceive the data by adding or creating parts in large amounts to the fossils discovered. Many fossilists were collectors only part time while completing their practice in medicine or surgery. Other fossilists like great Anning found and sold the fossils to various collectors through sheer perseverance and love for the fossils.
kait_unicorn's review against another edition
4.0
Delightful! Fascinating and well told account of the early days of fossil hunting. I appreciated that he topped and tailed the book with appreciation and recognition for the work of Mary Anning.
skullfullofbooks's review
4.0
I have to say that the book fulfilled its promised of being specifically about the closed group of fossil hunters, their findings, and the way they slowly changed the scientific climate to pave the way for Darwin and his Origin of Species to be published. Ithe was a very detailed account of their lives, including the societal pressures that created the environments for them to display work, or the things that shaped their conclusions. For instance, possible neanderthal remains were attributed to Romans because it better fit the beliefs of the time than what they saw.
A great book for someone like me who wants to see not just the science but also the sociological ramifications of these findings.
A great book for someone like me who wants to see not just the science but also the sociological ramifications of these findings.
More...