Don LessemKings of CreationMonika says:
Since the late 60ies and early 70ies there have been revolutionary developements in the field of dinosaur research. New theories were brought up, many received opinions were thrown out and replaced by new ones. But who are the scientists who brought all this about? Don Lessem informs us in his book KINGS OF CREATION about the most exciting discoveries of the last 30 years and presents the scientists who made them. But don't believe that after reading the book you are up to date as far as paleontology is concerned. After all the book was published in 1992 and some of the new findings presented are outdated in 1998. Those interested in the history of science, however, will find the book a treasury of stories and anecdotes. The book is structured according to the geological epochs. It starts with sites of the late Triassic and the Jurassic period, then the famous sites of the Cretaceous period are described, among them the Mekka of paleontology: the Gobi desert, for many years a dream out of the reach of western scientist. There in the 20ies an expedition of the American Museum of Natural History lead by Roy Chapman Andrews discovered the first dinosaur nests. The last chapter deals - as seems to be a rule in dinosaur books - with their becoming extinct. Whereas other books mostly concentrate on fossil finds Lessem presents the work of various scientists which makes the book easy to read. Included are also a glossary with technical terms, a map of the world with fossil sites marked on it, a list of museums and a reading list. The book is rather entertaining, but I can recommend it only with reservations. Don Lessem: Kings of Creation |
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Copyright 1998 Christina Gross & Monika Hübner |
