The extremely talented Professor Paul M. Barrett of the London Natural History Museum has written a new book all about the Dinosauria.  Entitled “A History of Dinosaurs in 50 Fossils”, this publication explains the evolution of the dinosaurs as outlined by fifty remarkable fossil specimens.  Many of these fossils are to be found within the Natural History Museum’s vertebrate fossil collection.

Published by the Natural History Museum, the book is likely to be available in time for the festive season.

We wanted to highlight this excellent book, so we created a YouTube short about it.

Video credit: Everything Dinosaur

“A History of Dinosaurs in 50 Fossils”

The book is split into three general sections.  It also includes a helpful cladogram and an inventory of the fossil specimens featured.  In addition, this new dinosaur book incorporates some stunning dinosaur themed artwork.  The first section sets the scene.  The Dinosauria are defined, and their evolutionary origins outlined.  Fittingly, the first dinosaur to be discussed in detail is Megalosaurus (M. bucklandii).  Megalosaurus was the first dinosaur to be scientifically described (1824).  The evolution of the Theropoda and the sauropods are reviewed.  Furthermore, the origins of the first entirely herbivorous dinosaurs are highlighted.  Also, there are extensive notes on Lesothesaurus, Massospondylus and Herrerasaurus.

A view of the skull and jaw material associated with the first dinosaur to be scientifically described (Megalosaurus). Megalosaurus bucklandii is the first dinosaur to feature in a new book written by Professor Paul M. Barrett. Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.

Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur

Part two of this well-written volume examines the huge variety of different types of dinosaur to evolve.  This astonishing variety is highlighted by beautiful photographs of fossil material. The dinosaurs featured include Mamenchisaurus, Allosaurus, Stegosaurus and Giraffatitan.  It is pleasing to note that many dinosaurs from the British Isles are included, although it is hard for us to imagine Hypsilophodon as “Mesozoic cows”.

To read a blog post from 2023 about the describing of a new species of Wessex Formation hypsilophodontid: Vectidromeus – A New Hypsilophodontid from the Isle of Wight.

Furthermore, this section delves into the evolution of powered flight amongst members of the Maniraptora and there are numerous, splendid photographs of feathered dinosaur fossils.  Naturally, look out for the text dedicated to the iconic Archaeopteryx lithographica.

The front cover of the book features a mounted skeleton of Triceratops. Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.

Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur

Locomotion, Diet, Breathing and Enormous Titanosaurs

The third and final section highlights dinosaur biology.  Topics covered include diet, locomotion, breathing, ontogeny and the endothermic versus ectothermic debate.  Of particular note was the “life at the extremes” segment.  This discussed the remarkable titanosaur Patagotitan, one of the largest terrestrial vertebrates known to science.  Perhaps, Professor Barrett was inspired by the recent Patagotitan exhibition held at the museum.

Sue from Everything Dinosaur poses in front of the colossal Patagotitan skeleton which is being exhibited at the Natural History Museum (London). Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.

Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur

“A History of Dinosaurs in 50 Fossils” by Professor Paul M. Barrett is published by the London Natural History Museum (ISBN: 9780565095338).

We expect it to be out in all good book stores in the autumn and, we highly recommend this new dinosaur book!