All about dinosaurs, fossils and prehistoric animals by Everything Dinosaur team members.

Book reviews and information on dinosaur books by Everything Dinosaur team members.

24 05, 2025

The Amazing “Walking with Dinosaurs” Sequel Companion Book

By |2025-05-24T17:52:18+01:00May 24th, 2025|Book Reviews|0 Comments

Fans of dinosaurs and prehistoric animals are eagerly awaiting the first episode of the “Walking with Dinosaurs” sequel. Episode one, telling the tale of an orphaned Triceratops is due to be shown this weekend.  This six-part television series has been made by the BBC Studios Science Unit and is co-produced by ZDF and France Télévisions. A companion book has been published to accompany this exciting television event.

The official companion book to the long-awaited "Walking With Dinosaurs" sequel.

The companion book to the long-awaited “Walking With Dinosaurs” sequel. This new six-part series is made by the BBC Studios Science Unit production for the BBC and PBS, co-produced with ZDF and France Télévisions. Picture credit: DK Penguin Random House.

Picture credit: DK Penguin Random House

Walking with Dinosaurs

This new series made some twenty-six years after the original “Walking with Dinosaurs” first aired takes the viewer on a journey through deep time.  Each episode focuses on an individual dinosaur, whose remains are currently being studied by palaeontologists. A lonely giant Lusotitan (brachiosaurid) roaming the Late Jurassic of Portugal, a Tyrannosaurus rex in North America, the perils faced by an African Spinosaurus raising its young and in the first episode a young Triceratops takes centre stage.

The companion book goes beyond the television series.  It highlights the rich backstories of each dinosaur.  In addition, it explains the extraordinary work undertaken by palaeontologists in their quest to learn more about these amazing prehistoric animals.

Co-author Andrew Cohen (Head of the BBC Studios Science Unit), explained:

“This book will take readers behind the scenes of the series and back 100 million years to meet and understand these dinosaurs in ways never possible before.”

Mark Searle, Managing Director, DK+ added:

“Walking With Dinosaurs set a new ceiling for factual and documentary TV making back in 1999, and its influence on our continued fascination with dinosaurs cannot be underestimated. It’s a huge honour for DK to be working with the BBC Studios Science Unit on this fascinating book and we know dinosaur fans old and new will be amazed by the sheer level of insight Andrew, Helen, Kirsty and their teams have brought to the text.”

This exciting companion book, “Walking With Dinosaurs: Uncovering the Secret Stories of Prehistoric Life” will be released on the 5th of June 2025.

Book Details

Title: “Walking With Dinosaurs: Uncovering the Secret Stories of Prehistoric Life”
Authors: Andrew Cohen, Helen Thomas and Kirsty Wilson
Publisher: DK
Publication Date: June 5th, 2025
Format: Hardcover
Pages: 256
ISBN: 9780241761533

List Price: £25.00

This remarkable book can be pre-ordered here: “Walking with Dinosaurs” Companion Book.

2 05, 2025

The Latest Edition of “Prehistoric Times” is Reviewed

By |2025-05-05T06:46:26+01:00May 2nd, 2025|Magazine Reviews|0 Comments

Issue 153 (spring, 2025) of “Prehistoric Times” magazine has arrived.  This edition is packed with lots of fascinating articles and amazing illustrations. Our congratulations to all the contributors. Gryposaurus is one of Phil Hore’s featured animals, and it is on the front cover thanks to some excellent artwork by Chuck Egnaczak. Gryposaurus (G. notabilis) was named by the Canadian palaeontologist Lawrence Lambe (1914).  Palaeontologist Jordan Mallon of the Canadian Museum of Nature discusses this hadrosaur and documents his successful fund raising to restore the grave of Lawrence Lambe.

Issue 153 of "Prehistoric Times" magazine.

The front cover of “Prehistoric Times” magazine issue 153. Picture credit: Mike Fredericks.

Picture credit: Mike Fredericks

There are lots of reader-supplied Gryposaurus illustrations.  Nick Papadimitriou included a drawing of a Gryposaurus skeleton along with a close-up view of the head in his contribution.  Tony Pichler drew a pair of adults accompanied by a juvenile.  Elvind Bovor depicted a group crossing a small stream, whilst front cover artist Chuck Egnaczak chose to illustrate two species (G. latidens and G. notabilis).

Issue 153 of “Prehistoric Times” Magazine

Tracy L. Ford continues his analysis of dinosaur skin by starting a topic concerning the integumentary coverings associated with armoured dinosaurs. In contrast, J.R. Lavas focuses upon three groups of extinct proboscideans in his long-running series documenting the artwork of Zdeněk Burian.  We learn that Hydrodamalis gigas, otherwise known as Steller’s sea cow, is related to proboscideans in the clade Tethyheria.  Phil Hore provides a history lesson documenting the exploration of Alaska and explains how within twenty-seven years of being discovered Steller’s sea cow was extinct.  The article includes some wonderful illustrations.  Congratulations to John Trotter, William Stout, Ethan Martinicky and Mark Hallett for their contributions.  The article even features an excellent sculpture by Jaime Martinez.

There are some excellent photographs of sea cow fossils illustrating the interview of Dr Jonathan Hoffman (Curator of Earth Science at the Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History). The interview was conducted by Krishna García-Martínez.

Comic book fans are treated to an article that discusses the work of illustrator George Wilson and Randy Knol examines sauropodomorph figures in his regular “Dinosaur Collector News” feature.  Editor Mike Fredericks discusses the new CollectA figures, we recognise the illustrations, and he also provides an update on newly published books and other media.  For example, he looks at a new boxed set containing all three “Jurassic Park” and “Jurassic World” films.

Maip macrothorax illustration.

A drawing of the large megaraptorid Maip macrothorax. Picture credit: Mike Fredericks.

Picture credit: Mike Fredericks

Exploring the Burgess Shale and Accessing an Amazing Australian Fossil Collection

Issue 153 includes an interview with Luke Sparke, the director of “Primitive War”, a film adaptation of the multimedia novel series created by Ethan Pettus. How the powerful jaws of some ornithischian dinosaurs could have deterred predators is discussed and Joey Shaffar provides a guided tour of his vast collection of fossils and minerals from Australia. Sean Kotz outlines how he painted a 1:20 scale Styracosaurus and Pat Schaefer returns to discuss the last of the Marx prehistoric playsets.

Dr Andreas Forrer profiles some of the inhabitants of the famous Burgess Shale of British Columbia.  In addition, he explains the importance of the extensive Cambrian fossil collection housed at the Field Museum (Chicago).

The spring edition of “Prehistoric Times” magazine is a triumph. It boasts an extensive and diverse range of fascinating articles complemented beautifully by the impressive reader art submissions

To learn more about the magazine and to subscribe: “Prehistoric Times” Magazine.

30 04, 2025

A New Dinosaur Book – “The Secret Lives of Dinosaurs”

By |2025-04-29T22:11:49+01:00April 30th, 2025|Book Reviews|0 Comments

Exciting news for fans of dinosaurs, palaeontology and fossils.  A new book written by the extremely talented Dr Dean Lomax is due to be published later this year.  The book, entitled “The Secret Lives of Dinosaurs: Unearthing the Real Behaviors of Prehistoric Animals” will be available in September (2025).  Published by Columbia University Press, it will be available from all good booksellers, including Amazon, and it can be pre-ordered from the publisher’s website ninety days prior to the publication date.  However, we at Everything Dinosaur have been given access to the front cover image and a sneak preview.

The "Secret Lives of Dinosaurs" by Dr Dean Lomax and illustrated by Bob Nicholls.

The “Secret Lives of Dinosaurs” by Dr Dean Lomax and illustrated by Bob Nicholls. This exciting new book will be published in September (2025). Picture credit: Dr Dean Lomax.

Picture credit: Dr Dean Lomax/Bob Nicholls

“The Secret Lives of Dinosaurs”

This amazing new book is illustrated throughout by the world-renowned palaeoartist Bob Nicholls.  It tells the stories behind some incredible fossil discoveries that focus on direct evidence of behaviours.  How remarkable insights into the lives of prehistoric animals have been captured in deep geological time.  With Dr Lomax acting as your guide, the reader is provided with a forensic, behind-the-scenes examination of some astonishing fossils.  From ammonite eggs to the meals of mosasaurs and a pregnant ichthyosaur that ate a bird.  Each chapter sheds new light on the private lives and intimate moments of animals that once inhabited our planet.  Vivid, full-colour illustrations by Bob Nicholls bring these incredible stories and insights to life.

“The Secret Lives of Dinosaurs” builds upon the phenomenally successful and best-seller “Locked in Time”.  This was an earlier collaboration between Dr Lomax and Bob Nicholls (published 2021).  It told the stories of extinct animal’s behaviour perceived from fifty extraordinary fossils.  However, this new book offers an entirely different approach.

To read our review of “Locked in Time”: “Locked in Time” Reviewed.

The book "Locked in Time"

The front cover of the book “Locked in Time – Animal Behaviour Unearthed in 50 Extraordinary Fossils” by Dean Lomax with illustrations by Bob Nicholls. Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.

Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur

Mammals Feeding on Dinosaurs

Dr Lomax takes readers on a journey through the grand cycle of life.  The scientific explanations are given extra authority and relevance as Dr Lomax writes about his own escapades and adventures.  Of course, this highly enjoyable book is imbued with a dash of dinosaur humour too.

The prehistoric animal behaviours described in “The Secret Life of Dinosaurs” include evidence that dinosaurs were not always the predator.  Our mammalian ancestors more than held their own ground against the “terrible lizards”.  For example, one section of the book outlines how a mammal took down a dinosaur!

We were fascinated by the cover of the book! The two-headed animal is a type of aquatic reptile from the time of the dinosaurs. We asked Dr Lomax about the cover choice and he replied:

“I am thrilled that you love the cover! Believe me, Bob and I spent a lot of time working up many ideas with various animals – mostly dinosaurs – on the cover. In the end, we both agreed, as did the team at Columbia University Press, that this book is so different to anything else in the dinosaur/palaeo book world that the cover should represent that. So, we thought, why not go for one of the most extraordinarily rare fossils – a two-headed reptile. Sure, it’s not a dinosaur, but the book is not entirely dedicated to dinosaurs, hence the subtitle. We’re very proud of the cover and know that people will be blown away by some of the remarkable stories that are featured in this book.”

Marine reptile casts - "Proteosaurus" cast from the Natural History Museum (Berlin, Germany)

Dr Dean Lomax working on an ichthyosaur cast from the Natural History Museum (Berlin). This new book features marine reptiles too. Picture credit: Dr Dean Lomax/University of Manchester.

Picture credit: Dr Dean Lomax/University of Manchester

Book Details – “The Secret Lives of Dinosaurs”

Title: “The Secret Lives of Dinosaurs”
Author: Dr Dean Lomax
Illustrator: Bob Nicholls
Publisher: Columbia University Press
Publication Date: September 3rd, 2025
Format: Hardcover
Pages: 312
ISBN: 9780231211307

List Price: $38.95/£32.00

Also available as an E-book

Available from Columbia University Press: More Details/Order “The Secret Life of Dinosaurs”.

27 03, 2025

New Front Cover of “Prehistoric Times” Magazine

By |2025-04-19T16:24:16+01:00March 27th, 2025|Magazine Reviews|2 Comments

The next issue of the quarterly magazine “Prehistoric Times” will be out shortly. Our thanks to the editor for sending us an image of the front cover of the next issue (issue 153).  Hadrosaurs feature prominently in this spring edition.  Pete VonSholly and Mark Hallett have written about duck-billed dinosaurs.  Gryposaurus features and is highlighted by Phil Hore.  A member of the Hadrosauridae subfamily Saurolophinae, Gryposaurus is known from the Late Cretaceous of North America.  The dramatic front cover art is by the regular contributor Chuck Egnaczak, a highly respected palaeoartist.

Readers may recognise Chuck’s artistic style.  He has supplied many illustrations for the magazine and if I recall correctly, his spectacular close view of the head of a Suchomimus was the front cover illustration for issue 139.

Issue 153 of "Prehistoric Times" magazine.

The front cover of “Prehistoric Times” magazine issue 153. The artwork for the spring edition was created by Chuck Egnaczak. Picture credit: Mike Fredericks.

Picture credit: Mike Fredericks

The front cover of the spring edition features a pair of hadrosaurs being ambushed by a tyrannosaur.  In addition, we can expect articles from Randy Knol, Tracy Lee Ford and the continuation of the long-running series on the influential Czech artist Zdeněk Burian.

Issue 153 of “Prehistoric Times” Magazine

Inside the spring issue, subscribers will find an article by Andreas Forrer about the Burgess Shale.  The Chicago Field Museum’s extensive collection of Cambrian fossils is highlighted. Furthermore, a collector from Florida shows us some of his vast collection of fossils from Australia.  There will be lots of reader’s art on display too.

Mike from Everything Dinosaur commented:

“I believe one of the creatures to be featured in this issue is Steller’s sea cow.  This huge marine mammal is believed to be extinct. It was thought to have died out in the late 1700s.  However, I am interested in finding out how the article treats supposed sightings from as recently as the 1960s.”

To learn more about the magazine and to subscribe: “Prehistoric Times” Magazine.

24 03, 2025

A New Tyrannosaurus Book by Dr Mark Witton

By |2025-03-24T21:04:19+00:00March 24th, 2025|Book Reviews|0 Comments

We have some exciting news!  A new dinosaur book by the extremely talented British palaeontologist and palaeoartist Dr Mark Witton is due to be published in May (2025).  Entitled “Tyrant King A Natural History of Tyrannosaurus rex“, this beautifully illustrated Tyrannosaurus rex book is available to pre-order from Princeton University Press.  Mark skilfully translates complex scientific concepts into an engaging narrative, helping to bridge the gap between academia and the general reader.

Mark is a highly respected palaeoartist. He has an extensive portfolio of prehistoric animal themed artwork. He created the striking front cover illustration.

The front cover of the new dinosaur book by Dr Mark Witton.

The fabulous front cover of the new book “King Tyrant A Natural History of Tyrannosaurus rex” by Dr Mark P. Witton. Dr Witton is an accomplished author and palaeoartist as well as a highly respected palaeontologist. Naturally, this stunning T. rex artwork on the front cover was created by the author. Picture credit: Princeton University Press.

Picture credit: Princeton University Press

A New Tyrannosaurus rex Book – “King Tyrant”

T. rex is arguably the world’s favourite dinosaur.  At Everything Dinosaur, Tyrannosaurus rex models outsell all the other figures that we stock.  Virtually, every range we supply has at least one figure of this iconic Late Cretaceous theropod within it.  However, it is one of those dinosaurs so often depicted in the media, that sometimes the actual science gets overlooked.  Dr Witton sets out to distinguish the hyperbole surrounding this dinosaur from the actual fossil evidence.  The book presents these predators as palaeontologists consider them from the perspective of having interpreted the tyrannosaur fossil record.

With numerous original paintings, illustrations and diagrams by the author, this book focuses on the latest discoveries and provides a modern understanding of the Tyrannosaurus taxon.

Titus the T. rex Skull and Jaws. Dinosaur extinction.

The skull of a T. rex on display at Wollaton Hall (Nottinghamshire). This new dinosaur book discloses details about T. rex behaviour such as intraspecific combat and hunting strategies. Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.

Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur

Dr Mark Witton has written several other books.  For example, in 2013 he wrote the highly acclaimed “Pterosaurs” which coincidently is also published by Princeton University Press.

To read Everything Dinosaur’s review of “Pterosaurs” by Dr Mark Witton: A Book Review “Pterosaurs” by Dr Mark Witton.

With over one hundred and fifty superb, photographs, illustrations and diagrams, this new Tyrannosaurus rex book is going to delight dinosaur fans.

Book Details

The book reviews the evidence for there being more than one species of Tyrannosaurus.  It examines whether they were solitary hunters or social animals.  How fast could T. rex run?  Was its bite as powerful as depicted in popular culture?   These are just some of the questions examined in the book’s seven chapters.  Some of the chapters have intriguing titles.  For example, chapter six entitled “Life, Food, Love, Death”.

“King Tyrant A Natural History of Tyrannosaurus rex

Publisher: Princeton University Press

Publish Date: May 13th, 2025 | Price: £35.00/$39.95 | Pages: 320

Illustrations: 150+ colour illustrations

ISBN: 9780691245584

Size: 20 x 25 cm (8 x 10 inches)

Visit the Princeton University Press website: Princeton University Press. To find the book search for “King Tyrant” or the author.

Mike from Everything Dinosaur commented:

“I am so excited about this.  I can’t wait to read this new book all about this most iconic of all the non-avian dinosaurs.  After all, who doesn’t love a T. rex!”

The Everything Dinosaur website: Dinosaur Models and Prehistoric Animal Figures.

13 02, 2025

New Issue of “Prehistoric Times” Magazine is Reviewed

By |2025-02-17T06:58:05+00:00February 13th, 2025|Magazine Reviews|0 Comments

The winter edition of “Prehistoric Times” magazine, (issue 152) features a wraparound front cover by the extremely talented Luis Rey.  Inside, an interview with the London-based artist can be found.  Luis Rey has published a third instalment in the “Extreme Dinosaurs” series, the first of which was published in 2000.  The new book is entitled “Extreme Dinosaurs Part 3, Blogging!” It features a wealth of incredible artwork and in the interview with Mike Fredericks, some of the remarkable illustrations are highlighted.

"Prehistoric Times" front cover artwork issue 152

The stunning wraparound artwork created by Luis Rey for issue 152 (winter) of “Prehistoric Times” magazine. A Triceratops is ambushed by a Tyrannosaurus rex. Picture credit: Luis Rey.

Picture credit: Luis Rey

The artist has a unique style.  Dinosaurs are often depicted as vibrant and extremely colourful animals.  Luis Rey highlights inferred behaviours and creates dramatic dioramas.

To learn more about this beautifully illustrated book we recommend contacting Luis Rey via email at [email protected], he will be able to provide you with information about this new publication.

On the subject of innovative artwork, take a look at the second part of “Paint Strokes in Time” by Alain Omer Duranceau.  Issue 152 includes more imagined artwork if great artists of the past had an understanding of palaeontology. There is a fabulous reincarnation of Hokusai’s “The Great Wave”, complete with marine reptiles and a pterosaur.  Our personal favourite is the parody of a Turner landscape that portrays the Permian mass extinction event.

“Prehistoric Times” Magazine Winter 2025

Phil Hore discusses the British palaeontologist Francis Rex Parrington and Nyasasaurus parringtoni, perhaps one of the earliest dinosaurs known.  The article features lots of amazing reader art.  Our congratulations to all the contributors.  Particular mentions to Tim Bollinger for his scale drawing, Victoria Grabowsky, Ethan Martinicky and Sam Allred for their colourful illustrations. Moreover, we noted the Nyasasaurus drawing by eleven-year-old Ronin Johnston from Canada.

In the previous edition of “Prehistoric Times” magazine John Lavas highlighted Zdeněk Burian’s art that featured early proboscideans. In the latest issue, deinotheres are to the fore in the long-running series outlining the incredible contribution to prehistoric animal illustration made by the Czech artist.

It is always a pleasure to see such fantastic and detailed studies.

"Prehistoric Times" magazine issue 152 features prehistoric elephant illustrations by Burian.

A canvas by Burian completed in 1968 featuring the giant, prehistoric Deinotherium giganteum. Picture credit: Zdeněk Burian.

Picture credit: Zdeněk Burian

In his regular column Randy Knol outlines different horned dinosaur models and their merits.  He discusses pterosaur figures and highlights the recently released CollectA Dearc model.  His section on Neanderthal and Cro-Magnon figures seems to have been cut short.  However, editor Mike Fredericks in his “What’s New in Review” examines new model introductions from CollectA and Safari Ltd.  The PNSO Lokiceratops figure gets a mention too.

Mike also looks at the latest books in his section entitled “Mesozoic Media”.  It is pleasing to see books penned by scientists based in the UK being included.  For example, “The Little Book of Dinosaurs” by Rhys Charles (School of Earth Sciences from the University of Bristol) and the latest book by Professor Paul Barrett of the London Natural History Museum.

To read Everything Dinosaur’s review of “The Little Book of Dinosaurs”: “The Little Book of Dinosaurs” is Reviewed.

Sarkastodon mongoliensis

Phil Hore tells the story of the discovery of Sarkastodon mongoliensis, a giant hypercarnivore of the Eocene. He pays tribute to the pioneers who discovered the sparse fossils that represent this enormous predator. Phil suggests that there is an opportunity for palaeontologists to undertake further research on the S. mongoliensis fossil material.  Congratulations to John Trotter, Jeri Hurt, Aaron Marsh and M. Elliot Massion for their Sarkastodon illustrations.

Tracy L. Ford examines the skin of ornithopods and there is plenty of new research and fossil discoveries to dive into in the regular “Paleonews” section. Regular contributor Sean Kotz builds an updated Concavenator and Allen A. Debus begins a new series exploring how palaeontology has been depicted in popular culture.  John M. Navroth contributes an extensive article entitled “Cavemen versus Dinosaurs”, which provides a detailed examination of the classic 1966 Hammer Film “One Million Years B. C.”.

All in all, this is another jam-packed edition of “Prehistoric Times” magazine.  Highly recommended.

To learn more about this magazine and to subscribe: “Prehistoric Times” Magazine.

6 01, 2025

Stunning Front Cover Artwork for the New Edition of Prehistoric Times

By |2025-01-09T12:53:13+00:00January 6th, 2025|Magazine Reviews|0 Comments

Our thanks to editor Mike Fredericks who sent to Everything Dinosaur some stunning artwork.  The illustration features a Triceratops being ambushed by a T. rex. This dramatic scene was created by talented artist Luis Rey.  This artwork will be used to create the wraparound cover for the next issue of “Prehistoric Times” magazine.  Published four times a year, this magazine captivates fans of prehistoric animals by showcasing stunning artwork of dinosaurs and other extinct creatures.

"Prehistoric Times" front cover artwork issue 152

The stunning wraparound artwork created by Luis Rey for issue 152 (winter) of “Prehistoric Times” magazine. A Triceratops is ambushed by a Tyrannosaurus rex. Picture credit: Luis Rey.

Picture credit: Mike Fredericks (artwork by Luis Rey)

“Prehistoric Times” Magazine

We are looking forward to receiving our copy.  Each quarterly issue features superb articles and features penned by leading experts.  The magazine covers news, fossil discoveries and fascinating insights into the study of dinosaurs.  Readers get the chance to submit their artwork too.

Luis Rey has the third edition of his book series “Extreme Dinosaurs” coming out soon.  Issue 152 includes an interview with him and there is plenty of his amazing artwork featured.  John Navroth wrote a most intriguing article about “King Kong” in an earlier issue.  He returns with an article about the Hammer Films “One Million Years BC”.  This classic movie from 1966, complete with its stop-animation monsters, remains extremely popular today.

The magazine not only entertains but also educates its readers, fostering a deeper appreciation for the ancient life that once roamed our planet.

For more information about “Prehistoric Times” and to subscribe: Subscribe to “Prehistoric Times” magazine.

4 01, 2025

New Book Explores the Fossils of the Beautiful Fleet Lagoon

By |2025-01-05T17:40:00+00:00January 4th, 2025|Book Reviews|0 Comments

The beautiful Chesil Beach and the Fleet Lagoon attract over 150,000 visitors each year. The site is managed by Natural England, and it is famed for its stunning views and wildlife especially migratory birds.  However, the Fleet Lagoon (England’s largest lagoon at around 480 hectares), is a great place to visit if you are a fossil collector.   Fossils can be found along almost the entire length of the lagoon. There are exposures of the Oxford Clay, Forest Marble, Kimmeridge Clay formations and Corallian limestones.  It would be great if a visitor to this part of the UNESCO “Jurassic Coast” had a guide to help them navigate this remarkable part of the Dorset coastline.

Such a guide is now available, thanks to authors Steve Snowball and Heather Middleton.  The pair have compiled a comprehensive and informative field guide to the safe and responsible collection of fossils from the Fleet Lagoon area.

"A Field Guide to the Jurassic Fossils of the the Fleet Lagoon, Dorset"

The front cover of the new book that explores the remarkable fossils of the Fleet Lagoon of Dorset entitled “A Field Guide to the Jurassic Fossils of the Fleet Lagoon, Dorset” written by Steve Snowball and Heather Middleton.

Picture credit: Steve Snowball

Readers of this blog will be familiar with a series of guidebooks, co-authored by Steve Snowball that help fossil collectors explore various parts of the Dorset coast.  Back in 2022, we wrote about a wonderful collaboration between Steve Snowball and Craig Chivers who imagined an Edwardian gentleman visiting this picturesque part of the world.

To read Everything Dinosaur’s review of the excellent: Jurassic Fossils of the West Dorset Coast – A Time Traveller’s Guide.

Fossil Collecting on the Dorset Coast

Several excellent guides have been published about fossil hunting on the Dorset coast by Steve Snowball and Craig Chivers. Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.

Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur

“A Field Guide to the Jurassic Fossils of the Fleet Lagoon, Dorset”

This is a comprehensive and beautifully crafted field guide.  It is illustrated in full colour throughout, and it focuses on the wide variety of fossils associated with the area and its unique geology. If you thought that Tidmoor Point and its Oxford Clay exposures was the only place to collect fossils in this area, it’s time for a rethink.  This is an up-to-date and definitive guide with superb photographs of fossil specimens and wonderful artwork by the talented palaeoartist Andreas Kurpisz.

Fleet lagoon ichthyosaurs.

A school of curious ichthyosaurs. Fossils of these marine reptiles have been found in the Fleet Lagoon area. Picture credit: Andreas Kurpisz.

Picture credit: Andreas Kurpisz

Helpful Identification Charts

Readers will be able to explore marine reptile bones and teeth from the Kimmeridge Clay as well as Corallian echinoids and stunning ammonites such as Quenstedioceras as well as Kosmoceras from the Oxford Clay.  The book contains helpful identification charts and plenty of advice on making the most of your fossil hunting adventure. All the localities along the thirteen-kilometre length of this picturesque, tidal body of water, which separates Chesil Beach from the mainland, are fully described.

The vivid artwork of Andreas Kurpisz brings to life the ancient landscapes of southern England and the huge variety of prehistoric creatures that once inhabited them.  It is a wonderful guidebook for either the keen walker, casual visitor to the area or dedicated fossil hunter.

Fleet Lagoon pterosaurs.

A trio of rhamphorhynchid pterosaurs soar over the tropical landscape of the area we now know as Dorset. Picture credit: Andreas Kurpisz.

Picture credit: Andreas Kurpisz

“A Field Guide to the Jurassic Fossils of the Fleet Lagoon, Dorset” has received praise for its informative text and illuminating photographs.  If you intend to visit this part of Dorset, it will prove to be an essential companion on your travels.

Book Details

Here is further information about this new fossil hunting guide:

Title: “A Field Guide to the Jurassic Fossils of the Fleet Lagoon, Dorset”

Authors: Steve Snowball and Heather Middleton

Illustrated by Andreas Kurpisz

ISBN: 978-1-7395570-3-4

Publisher: Siri Scientific Press

It contains 256 pages.

RRP: £24.99 and it is available on Amazon: “A Field Guide to the Jurassic Fossils of the Fleet Lagoon, Dorset”

9 12, 2024

A New Dinosaur Book “Uncovering Dinosaur Behavior”

By |2024-12-15T08:46:14+00:00December 9th, 2024|Book Reviews|0 Comments

You might think we know a lot about dinosaurs.  In truth, our knowledge of the Dinosauria has been transformed over the last few decades.  New fossil discoveries and the application of evermore sophisticated research techniques are providing palaeontologists with a wealth of new data.  Some of this data is allowing scientists to get a better understanding of dinosaur behaviour.   How these animals fed, communicated, chose mates, reproduced and formed social groups such as herds.

A new book written by Dr David Hone and illustrated by Gabriel Ugueto provides an up-to-date assessment of some of this research. The author skilfully guides the reader through the fundamentals of dinosaur biology and explains how pioneering research is shedding new light on dinosaurs and how they lived.

"Uncovering Dinosaur Behaviour" by Dr David Hone and illustrated by Gabriel Ugueto.

The front cover of the newly published dinosaur book “Uncovering Dinosaur Behavior” by Dr David Hone. Book illustrations are provided by Gabriel Ugueto. Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.

Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur

“Uncovering Dinosaur Behavior”

Published by Princeton University Press (hence the Americanisation of the word “behavior”), this is a beautifully crafted book.  The fossil record rarely captures evidence of activity. However, Dr Hone describes a wide range of behaviours and provides helpful scientific explanations.

Understanding dinosaur behaviour has traditionally faced challenges due to the scarcity of evidence preserved in the fossil record.  Dr David Hone sets out what we can learn from remarkable trace fossils and other fossil material. He presents the latest findings on dinosaur behaviour while explaining how researchers interpret the often limited and conflicting data available. Moreover, the author highlights how pioneering research sheds new light on prehistoric life, offering insights like never before. He also discusses future research directions in this exciting and rapidly evolving area of palaeontology.

The book contains lots of photographs of fossils and helpful diagrams.  The wide range of topics covered are beautifully illustrated by the extremely talented Gabriel Ugueto.

Book Details

Here is further information about this new dinosaur book:

Title: “Uncovering Dinosaur Behavior – What They Did and How we Know”

Author: Dr David Hone

Illustrated by Gabriel Ugueto

ISBN: 9780691215914

Publisher: Princeton University Press

Published on November 5th, 2024. It contains 248 pages. The book features 12 colour and 70 mono illustrations.

The publisher’s website: Princeton University Press.

Overall, “Uncovering Dinosaur Behavior” is a must-read for anyone interested in the captivating world of dinosaurs. It not only informs but also inspires curiosity about how these ancient animals may have lived.

Highly recommended.

4 11, 2024

New Book Provides a Fresh Perspective on Dinosaur Extinction

By |2024-11-04T06:49:38+00:00November 4th, 2024|Book Reviews|0 Comments

A new book written by English author Andrew Norman entitled “The Dinosaurs and their Mysterious Demise” proposes a new theory to explain the dinosaur extinction.  The K-Pg extinction event remains one of the most dramatic episodes in the history of life on our planet.  Of the five mass extinction events, referred to as the “Big Five”, that have occurred during the Phanerozoic, it is perhaps the end-Cretaceous event that has attracted the most interest.  We suspect that this interest is largely down to the dramatic end of the reign of the non-avian dinosaurs.

We seem to be fascinated with the Dinosauria. Our curiosity prompts us to delve into the scientific theories that attempt to explain their extinction.  It is the dinosaur extinction that reminds us of our own fragility of existence.

Renowned author Andrew Norman puts forward a new hypothesis that explains why some groups of animals survived this extinction event, whilst others such as the non-avian dinosaurs did not.

The front cover of "Dinosaurs and Their Mysterious Demise".

The front cover of “Dinosaurs and Their Mysterious Demise”. This newly published book looks at the extinction of the non-avian dinosaurs and provides a new perspective on why some groups of animals died out whilst others survived. Picture credit: Pen and Sword Books Ltd.

Picture credit: Pen and Sword Books Ltd

A New Idea About the Dinosaur Extinction

Published by Pen and Sword Books Limited, this new release has already attracted extremely favourable reviews.  The author’s writing style has been praised.  Team members at Everything Dinosaur were intrigued when they heard about this new publication.  There have been numerous hypotheses put forward to explain the dinosaur extinction.  However, fresh perspectives are always welcome, and we exchanged emails with the publisher, requesting further information.

Whilst it would not be fair to elucidate on the new ideas proposed by the author Andrew Norman, we did receive this statement:

“The question as to why the dinosaurs became extinct is no longer in doubt. However, the question that has not been addressed is, why was it that the dinosaurs, which ranged in size from the largest terrestrial creatures ever known, to ones the size of chickens, were completely eliminated when an asteroid struck the Earth, whereas the mammals and reptiles survived? The likely answer is to be found in my newly published book.”

We welcome, this new addition to a controversial area of vertebrate palaeontology and we are sure that the ideas expressed in this new book will inform and intrigue a whole new generation of readers.

Book Details

Here is further information about this new publication:

Title: “The Dinosaurs and Their Mysterious Demise”

Author: Andrew Norman

ISBN: 9781399041126

Publisher: Pen and Sword Books Ltd

Published on October 16th, 2024. It contains 160 pages and 32 mono illustrations.

The publisher’s website: Pen and Sword Books.

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