20 Best Books About Paleontology (2023 Update)

The author does a very good job of correcting the wrong notion that the ancients didn't discover and then attempt to explain fossils of extinct species. A silly notion on top of being wrong. She also does a great job of scholarship that uses writings that have survived from ancient times to demonstrate that the fossils were discovered and put on display. That adds breadth to the image of those people of that long-ago time. The fossils also provided a physical evidence basis for what we regard as purely imaginary creatures.bradinmadison

The unique story of Mary Anning, who being an impoverished and uneducated woman living in the early 1800's, turned the scientific and religious world on it's ear, through the discovery of superb fossil specimens from the Blue Lias area of Lyme Regis, England. The young science of Geology and the new born science of Paleontology owe their starts to the toil of Mary Anning. She was largely ignored and rejected for being a woman in an age when Men ruled. Her male friends gained prosperity and titles, while she slowly died from breast cancer.martinandazola

This book has been written so well. You learn much about the early findings in Paleontology by the incredible Mary Anning, who as a young lady of only 12 years old discovered the first dinosaur (ichthyosaur) in 1811. This carved the way for future scientists, geologists and anatomists the world over. Charles Darwin wrote his epic book on his theory of evolution using the finds from Marys hard work down on the beaches and cliffs of Lyme Regis. Read this if you are a budding amateur fossil hunter (thats me) or have an interest in the history of discoveries that changed the world.barefootblue

I enjoy learning about history but reading a history textbook is not high on my 'Must Read' list. I took the minimum required Science classes to obtain my degree(s) and neither of those were the study of Paleontology Geology Zoology or Botany and the archeology class I had was without a lab experience. So when it was recommended that I read this book in preparation for an adventure in the near future it was a good thing that I was unaware that it was a history textbook that covers the beginning of the discipline of American vertebrate Paleontology which requires a rudimentary understanding of Geology Zoology and Botany. Had I known it contained such information I fear I would have not been as open to the delight I found in reading of the early exploratory often conflictual days of American archeology and Paleontology. Dr. Lanham takes a topic that can be dry and writes of dates people places and events with such clarity and enthusiasm that it reads more like a novel than a primer for college introductory to science course. When dinosaur bones were discovered in the Western United States they were so plentiful that seekers could and did walk along and pick up bones by the ton. When explorers began seeking these fossils in the mid-1800's there was a rush to find as many 'new' fossils as possible; as with all discoveries those who get the 'find' get to 'name;' many of the bones (fossilized) found had to be classified and given a scientific name. Those who achieve such honors bring fame to both the fossils and the finder. In the 1860's through the early decades of the 1900's the news of this new science and its scientists made the front pages of major New York newspapers. The major players seeking to be given credit for their discoveries often at the expense of each other were Othniel Charles Marsh the son of impoverished Massachusetts merchants and the nephew of the 'fabulously rich' George Peabody and Edward Drinker Cope a Pennsylvania Quaker whose family had obtained a large amount of wealth through farming and other endeavors. Both men distinguished themselves as excellent scientists and pioneers in the field of American vertebrate paleontology they also became mortal enemies in seeking to be recognized as The Paleontologist of the United States. The feud that ensued over 'who discovered what when' largely ruined both of their reputations and was so harsh that neither lived beyond ten years after the dust settled. Dr. Lanham is thorough in laying the ground work for the reader to understand the placement and time-frame for the books' complicated subject matter. He names the important participants in the development of this science framing their contribution to its advancement and how their work played into the Marsh/Cope feud. He does not do as well in detailing the early work of archeology in finding these (now) World-Famous fossils. By the turn of the 20th Century the fossils were no longer 'just laying around by the ton' as they were forty years earlier but the difficult often dangerous work (at the onset of these searches the 'Indian' and Range Wars were in full swing) those collecting them endured is merely alluded to. He is even-handed in describing the contributions both Cope and Marsh made to the expansion of a new science and to the viciousness with which they attacked each other. The book was published in 1973 and the language and writing style is a bit dated but not to the extent that it is a distraction to reading it easily. There is no vulgar language sexual situation or violence to be found in its pages even though the early days of these adventurers was during the Indian and Range Wars of the American West. I doubt this book will be made into a movie and that is a shame. The story has excitement to match Indiana Jones breath-taking scenery characters that are honest and vile enough to create tremendous drama and a plot that takes place from the 'horse and wagon' days of the old west to the present day. I would buy a ticket to see it.Thomas in Kentucky

Got this for a birthday gift for a dinosaur loving girl. She loves this book and is fascinated with the information and pictures.J-me

This little book is aweosme – has a female lead who beat the odds in her field and succeeded despite set backs for being a female 🙂TMKM

I read this before giving to my 6 yr old grandson. It is very interesting, and easy reading for a nearly 7 yr old. I really think he will love it, when we get to read it.mrskusz

It is really a great book for the study of palaeotology. The principles demonstrated here is very useful. However, the margin of the book was wet and plicated, and several pages are broken, which makes me unconfortable.zhilianzhan_0

It's so nice to discover a book about another smart woman named Ruth Mason. Julia Lyon does a fantastic job telling the story of an inquisitive young girl who never gave up on her discovery. The illustrations by Alexandra Bye are beautiful and tell the story well. My 7-year-old daughter loved it, along with my 7-year-old twin nieces who want to be paleontologists. Highly recommend it!!SLCMom

There have been five mass extinctions in Earth’s history. As Elizabeth Kolbert writes, we could be going through the 6th extinction, with many species becoming extinct from climate change and other environmental issues. Each chapter goes through a different species or area. Well researched, with a lot of scientific analysis and fieldwork. Worth reading for anyone interested in conservation or wildlife science. I am not a scientist, so perhaps did not enjoy it as much as others would.Benjamin

This book is clearly and well written. It provides interesting history on mass extinctions and great anecdotes and information about the human-caused environmental changes sweeping the globe, typically told from a scientific perspective.berkeleyscotta

It is really a great book for the study of palaeotology. The principles demonstrated here is very useful. However, the margin of the book was wet and plicated, and several pages are broken, which makes me unconfortable.zhilianzhan_0