Synopses & Reviews
Review
In this attractive, well-illustrated book, Richard Fortey traces a more or less chronological progression from early Precambrian life through the vertebrates, including hominids, giving due credit to the greatdiversity and abundance of invertebrate fossils. Fortey also explains the essential biological, taxonomic and geological concepts that underlie paleontology...Fortey maintains the reader's interest throughout by his use of lyrical,commonly humorous language and excellent black-and-white drawings and color photographs...This book offers an excellent introduction to paleontology, pulling together in a concise manner the multiple facets that make contemporarypaleontology a dynamic and exciting field of study.
Review
This book is not a field guide, yet it provides essential information that many field guides lack. It is not a picture book, yet it provides many good pictures of fossils. It is not a textbook, yet it providesexcellent text on fossils. So, what is it? Answer: It is a rarity among its flashier rivals in the publishing trade. Fossilsis a clearly written, straightforward book...This is an excellent andintelligent book.
Review
[This book] is written in a clear and engaging style, technical terms are minimized but well defined, and complex concepts are simplified yet accurately presented such that both novice and professional will profitfrom this work...Fortey's many years of service as a paleontologist with the British Museum of Natural History prepared him well for the technical material presented, but his superb writing ability will account for much of the probablesuccess of this book. It should appeal...to anyone interested in a very readable account of the history of life on our planet.