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Every fossil tells a story. Best-selling paleontology author Donald R. Prothero describes twenty-five famous, beautifully preserved fossils in a gripping scientific history of life on Earth. Recounting the adventures behind the discovery of these objects and fully interpreting their significance within the larger fossil record, Prothero creates a riveting history of life on our planet. Ideal for all who love prehistoric landscapes and delight in the history of science, this book makes a treasured addition to any bookshelf, stoking curiosity in the evolution of life on Earth.
List of contents
Preface
Acknowledgments
1. Planet of the Scum: The First Fossils (
Cryptozoon)
2. Garden of Ediacara: The First Multicellular Life (
Charnia)
3. "Little Shellies": The First Shells (
Cloudina)
4. Oh, Give Me a Home, When the Trilobites Roamed: The First Large Shelled Animals (
Olenellus)
5. Is It a Worm or an Arthropod? The Origin of Arthropods (
Hallucigenia)
6. Is It a Worm or a Mollusc? The Origin of Molluscs (
Pilina)
7. Growing from the Sea: The Origin of Land Plants (
Cooksonia)
8. A Fishy Tale: The Origin of Vertebrates (
Haikouichthys)
9. Mega-Jaws: The Largest Fish (
Carcharocles)
10. Fish out of Water: The Origin of Amphibians (
Tiktaalik)
11. "Frogamander": The Origin of Frogs (
Gerobatrachus)
12. Turtle on the Half-Shell: The Origin of Turtles (Odontochelys)
13. Walking Serpents: The Origin of Snakes (
Haasiophis)
14. King of the Fish-Lizards: The Largest Marine Reptile (
Shonisaurus)
15. Terror of the Seas: The Largest Sea Monster (
Kronosaurus)
16. Monster Flesh-Eater: The Largest Predator (
Giganotosaurus)
17. Land of the Giants: The Largest Land Animal (
Argentinosaurus)
18. A Feather in Stone: The First Bird (
Archaeopteryx)
19. Not Quite a Mammal: The Origin of Mammals (
Thrinaxodon)
20. Walking Into the Water: The Origin of Whales (
Ambulocetus)
21. Walking Manatees: The Origin of Sirenians (
Pezosiren)
22. Dawn Horses: The Origin of Horses (
Eohippus)
23. Rhinoceros Giants: The Largest Land Mammal (
Paraceratherium)
24. The Ape's Reflection? The Oldest Human Fossil (
Sahelanthropus)
25. Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds: The Oldest Human Skeleton (
Australopithecus afarensis)
Appendix: The Best Natural History Museums
Index
About the author
Donald R. Prothero
Summary
Every fossil tells a story. Best-selling paleontology author Donald R. Prothero describes twenty-five famous fossils in a gripping scientific history. Recounting the adventures behind the discovery of these objects and interpreting their significance within the larger fossil record, Prothero creates a riveting history of life on our planet.
Additional text
[The book], written with bright enthusiasm and describing clearly how the fossil record shows evolution to have occured, is a wonderful primer about what paleontologists do.
Report
Donald R. Prothero is one of the most talented science writers of his generation - as a paleontological writer, he has no peer. This is an engaging, attractive book! David J. Bottjer, University of Southern California
