Dinosaur and Other Prehistoric Vertebrate Books and Publications

Microraptor gui

2003. Acrylic on stretched canvas. 18"x24".

A split second after launching itself from a tree, a tiny dromaeosaur named Microraptor gui begins spreading its feathered limbs. Whether or not it is an evolutionary "missing link" between dinosaurs and birds, one thing is fairly certain: it could glide through the air like a flying squirrel.

Academic Press. Encyclopedia of Dinosaurs. General Editors Dr. Philip Currie, Royal Tyrrell Museum of Paleontology, Alberta, Canada and Dr. Kevin Padian, Museum of Paleontology, University of California, Berkeley. The Encyclopedia of Dinosaurs is a major reference work that will provide accurate, comprehensive information to professionals in this field and also to the interested public. The encyclopedia includes more than 275 different articles providing a wide-ranging picture of the current scholarly research on dinosaurs. The articles are written by a group of more than 100 different authors, including virtually all of the prominent authorities in this field. The entries cover eleven general subject areas and range from extended articles of more than 10 pages in length on major themes, to capsulated entries of one paragraph on specific issues. The articles are accompanied by black-and-white and full-color artwork.
Dino Russ's Recommended Books A listing of recommended references for dinosaur enthusiasts of all ages.
Dino Russ's Reviews. From time to time I am asked by publishers to review new publications. Below is a listing of those reviews:
- Dactyls! Dragons of the Air. by Dr. Robert T. Bakker; illustrated by Luis V. Rey. (From publisher) Dactyls. Flying Dragons. Pterodactylus. Whatever you call them, they are simply wonderful! Renowned paleontologist Dr. Robert T. Bakker explains how scientists observe fossils and living animals to determine how dactyls flew, walked, climbed, fed, and thought.
- DIG: The Search For Dinosaurs: DIG is a book about what it is like to be out on a professional dinosaur dig. It is more about the digging, but there is some science added in a way that really gets you thinking. There are many fun adventures all over the world. Go on the hunt for a dinosaur. The COLOR version of DIG is a bit more expensive ($20 vs $10) but the color is worth it. Note that this is a self published book and needs to be ordered from author at above link. (Dino Russ 2-26-07)
- Dinosaurs! by Dr. Robert T. Bakker; illustrated by Luis V. Rey. (From publisher) Dinosaurs! follows the evolution of these spectacular creatures from their earliest beginnings as little fellows who had to evade attacks from giant croc relatives to today’s living dinosaurs.
- The Most Complete, Up-to-Date Encyclopedia for Dinosaur Lovers of All Ages by Dr. Thomas R. Holtz, Jr; Illustrated by Luis V. Rey WRITTEN BY A PROFESSIONAL paleontologist specifically for young readers, this guide to the Dinosauria is packed with enough detail and insider information to satisfy even die-hard dinophiles! The text includes brief entries on all 800+ "named" species of Mesozoic dinosaurs, as well as chapters on the history of dinosaur discoveries, the science of dinosaur art, dinosaur biology, and much more. With sidebars by 33 world-famous paleontologists, museum-quality illustrations, and over 20 never-beforeseen restorations of new dinosaur species, this is a must-have compendium of fact and fandom that dino enthusiasts of all ages will devour with glee!
- The Dragon seekers. While we know much about dinosaurs, most of us do not appreciate how their discovery and the advent of Darwin's theory of evolution are intertwined. Christopher McGowan's book tells a tale of the early scientists who gave us our first vision of dinosaurs as living creatures as they sought to explain a vision of a world long past and the evolutionary theory supported by the finds of these ancient "dragons" from our remote past. As Peter Dodson says about this book, " These were the intellectual giants who through their researches drew back the veil on a vanished primeval world."
- Jurassic Park Institute Dinosaur Field Guide. The Jurassic Park Institute Dinosaur Field Guide by Thomas R. Holtz and Michael Brett-Surman, Michael, is soon to be released Random House Children's Books on July 2001 . The Jurassic Park Institute is a new educationally-focused program dedicated to dinosaur science and a web site for the institute (www.jpinstitute.com) will also be launched in July 2001, along with the release of the feature film Jurassic Park III.
- Jurassic Park Institute -Dinosaurs Alive: The Dinosaur-Bird Connection. By Dennis Shealy; illustrated by Mike Skrepnick. Are birds the descendants of dinosaurs? Many scientists believe dinosaurs are still alive among us in the shape of our fine feathered friends! Now young dinosaur enthusiasts can read for themselves about this exciting theory in dinosaur science, including the importance of the newly discovered feathered dinosaurs. Created with the advice and approval of a noted paleontologist, this easy-to-read Step 4 title is fully illustrated and great for classroom use.
- Jurassic Park Institute -Dino Dung. World-famous “Dung Detective” Dr. Karen Chin explains how coprolites (a.k.a. fossil feces) tell stories that bones cannot tell themselves—like which plants and animals lived together in the ancient past. And who was eating whom. And how waste isn’t bad, but is, in fact, a very important part of the process of living! !
- Jurassic Park Institute -T. Rex : Hunter or Scavenger?. By Dr. Thomas R. Holtz, Jr.; illustrated by Mike Skrepnick. Was Tyrannosaurus rex a speedy and savage hunter that killed its own food? Or was it a slow-moving scavenger that stuffed itself with other dinosaurs' leftovers? One of the world's top tyrannosaur experts looks at the evidence--- T.rex's "small" eyes, great sense of smell, tiny arms, bone crushing teeth, and "short" legs -- and tkes a big bite out of the "scavenger-only" argument.
- The Kingfisher Illustrated Dinosaur Encylopedia. Chronological encylopedia of dinosaurs and other prehistoric animals through the ages with an emphasis on dinosaurs. Timelines give visual guide to prehistoric time, latest research is utilized in the information contained in this volume. This volume makes this another family reference for school projects on prehistoric creatures
- The Random House Dinosaur Travel Guide. By Kelly Milner Halls, illustrated by Luis V. Rey. This new book by Kelly Milner Halls, picks up where Kelly left off in Dino-Trekking with lots of new facts and information about sites one can travel to to visit dino-destinations. You can find famous paleontological museum collections to roadside attractions and theme parks in this new much revised editon. The book contains over 300 locations in the U.S and Canada, with lots of great illustrations by paleo illustrator Luis V. Rey.
- Maximum Triceratops by Dr. Robert T. Bakker; illustrated by Luis V. Rey. (From publisher) Tyrannosaurus rex was the biggest, baddest bone-crunchingest meat-eater of its time, right? And every other dinosaur was afraid of it, right? Wrong! There was one animal that scared even the mighty T. rex. It’s name? Triceratops maximus—a 100% plant-eating veggie-saur that scientists have been arguing about for over 70 years. World renowned paleontologist Dr. Robert T. Bakker examines this fascinating fossil—and the controversy surrounding it—in an easy-to-read format that young dinophiles will devour.
- National Geographic Dinosaurs. This book has information that young readers are seeking about dinosaurs and the ancient world that they once lived in and it can be found in one well-illustrated and current family reference.
- National Geographic My First Pocket Guide- Dinosaurs . By Dr Paul M. A. Willis. The National Geographic pocket size series is a kid-friendly (their words) guide to encourage young children to investigate nature on their own. The text is written in a simple and easy to read style, providing just enough information to help this potential next generation of paleontologists to begin to identify some of the dinosaurs that have been found and learn something about the science. The book is geared for ages 6-10
- Raptor Pack. By Dr. Robert T. Bakker; illustrated by Michael Skrepnick Paleontologist Robert T. Bakker tells the amazing story of a day in the life of a pack of Deinonychus (a.k.a.“raptor”) dinosaurs. Readers follow the creatures as they single out, kill, and devour an injured tenontosaur; climb up into a tree; fall asleep; and are themselves stalked by a giant predator. Includes an explanation of how scientists study rocks and minerals; fossil roots, claws, teeth, and bones; and modern predators to understand raptor behavior.
- What Did Dinosaurs Eat? (subtitled and other things you want to know about dinosaurs) is a catchy title on this book geared for the youngest set of dinosaur lovers, namely children in Pre-K to about second grade. The book attempts to answer some of the typical and common questions that even I receive every day from this group of very interested children. It attempts through a simple question-and-answer format and the use of illustrations to address some of these questions. It also includes a basic glossary of some dinosaur names and how to pronounce them and a listing of a few web sites.

Dinosaurs of Utah. Frank DeCourten. 1998, The University of Utah Press, 1795 E. South Campus Dr., Suite 1001, Salt Lake City, Utah 84112-9402. Color illustrations by Carel Brest van Kempen. Photographs by John Telford and Frank DeCourten. Dinosaurs of Utah enlivens our understanding of these amazing prehistoric creatures and their world by presenting information about the dinosaurs’ anatomy, feeding habits, reproduction, and social behaviors in the context of the changing geological record. Twenty-two spectacular color paintings commissioned for this book capture the spirit of these animals in the most accurate renditions of dinosaurs to date. Through the lens of this book, we can travel backward in time to view a landscape millions of years old. 47 color plates, 75 line drawings and maps. ISBN 0-87480-556-2 Cloth $45.00

Discovering Dinosaurs recommended reading list. It contains a selection of current books about dinosaurs. Many of the titles are linked to an online bookstore, barnesandnoble.com, and can be ordered directly from their web site.

Fossil News - Journal of Amateur Paleontology is monthly magazine published specifically with the fossil enthusiast or amateur paleontologist in mind. A wide variety of articles is presented, most of them written by amateur paleontologists, on subjects ranging from field experiences to fossils of a given type or region to paleoart to evolutionary theory. Whether you are an armchair paleontologist or an experienced field collector, they have something to offer you. In addition to their feature articles, Fossil News has book reviews, summaries of the latest findings reported in the primary literature, and a marketplace where fossils, books, and paleoparaphernalia and services are advertised for sale and trade. This is an excellent publication and it contains many articles from time to time related to dinosaurs and other aspects of vertebrate paleontology. I lost track of the URL for this site when it apparently moved now have it back! Check this web site out, it contains good samples of the magazine and info it offers.

Prehistoric America: A Journey Through the Ice Age and Beyond, by Miles Barton, Nigel Bean, Stephen Dunleavy , Ian
Gray, and Adam White. 192 pp. 8 1/2 x 10, Cloth ISBN 0-300-09819-7 $29.95

The authors . . . have brought [Ice Age] animals to life with amazing computer graphics. Now we can actually see woolly mammoths and giant short-faced bears standing in the stunning scenery. . . . No other [book] has so masterfully or beautifully presented this story. --from the Foreword. When human beings first arrived in North America at the end of the last Ice Age, they encountered a teeming variety of animals, from ground sloths and mastodons to zebras and camels. This spectacularly illustrated book takes us on a captivating journey back to that time, showing us the entire continent and its incredible wildlife as it looked 13,000 years ago.
The book travels the ancient continent region by region, from the icy Arctic vastness to the steamy tropical swamps of Florida. We are introduced to bizarre beasts, now extinct (including glyptodonts, scimitar-toothed cats, and mammoths); animals that have long since disappeared from their North American habitats (lions, cheetahs); and species still seen today (grizzlies, condors, alligators). A wealth of fossil evidence informs the stunning computer-generated panoramas that fill the pages of this extraordinary book. The bones of the ancient beasts again have flesh and fur, unfamiliar animals again roam the landscapes, and the world of prehistoric North America comes startlingly to life.
Miles Barton is the series producer of the Discovery Channel series Prehistoric America, which was originally televised by the BBC. Ian Gray and Stephen Dunleavy are producers of the series, and Nigel Bean and Adam White are assistant producers.
To air this summer on the Discovery Channel. (July 13 and 14, 20030)

Marsh's Dinosaurs: The Collections from Como Bluff, by John H. Ostrom and John S. McIntosh. First published in 1966, this paleontological classic is now being reissued with a new foreword by Peter Dodson. Marsh's Dinosaurs, and a new historical update by Clifford Miles and David Hamblin

"When I began my career in paleontology, Marsh's Dinosaurs was one of the very first books on my shelf. Now my students, and the enormously expanded public who devour great dinosaur books, will have the same opportunity afresh. Huzzah!"--Peter Dodson, from the foreword

In the 1870s a wealth of fossil dinosaur and Jurassic mammal bones were uncovered at Como Bluff, Wyoming, the first major discovery of such remains in the world. O. C. Marsh, then paleontologist for Yale University's Peabody Museum, managed to finance and claim the greater portion of the excavations. He reunited the bones that were excavated and had lithographs made of them. This classic book, first published in 1966, recounts the trials, fortunes, and misfortunes behind the collection of the Como Bluff fossil bones and reproduces most of the lithographs. This edition of the book includes a new foreword by Peter Dodson that places the discovery at Como Bluffs well as the book that describes it's historical perspective, and a historical overview by Clifford Miles and David Hamblin that presents the current state of work at this famous site.

So You Want To Dig Dinosaurs? This is an announcement on the publication of a new book about dinosaurs and paleontology, entitled �So You Want to Dig Dinosaurs? A Field Manual on the Practice, Principles, and Politics of Vertebrate Paleontology�, published by Dragons Claw Press 2001, and written by noted geologist and field paleontologist Walter W. Stein. This new work combines the romance and adventure of creative non-fiction, with the usefulness and detail of a college text book. The first edition manual consists of over 260 pages of text, photographs, tables, illustrations, and appendices and is designed to teach introductory students (junior high school through senior level in college), dinosaur enthusiasts, collectors, and amateurs, the basic tools they need to work with dinosaur fossils.

Troodon Productions Inc. Dinosaur Story Books The combined talents of Phil Currie (Tyrell Museum), Jan Sovak (Illustrator), and Eric Felber create factual based story books that give you a glimpse into the ancient world of dinosaurs. Click here to see samples of some of Jan's art!

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Last Updated: 12/03/07 RJJ