Earth Before the Dinosaurs

This beautiful volume introduces the incredible animals that populated the planet before the Age of the Dinosaurs. Readers voyage to a time, beginning about 370 million years ago, when the first four-footed vertebrates appeared, and ending 200 million years later at the moment when the dinosaurs begin their ascent. During this time, vertebrates emerge from the sea and there appears a parade of animals, each more astonishing than the last. On this expedition, we learn how paleontologists become detectives to understand the history of life and we discover that many widely held ideas about the evolution of species are completely false. Earth before the Dinosaurs is an entertaining and informative guide to an astonishing and little-known world.

"As when Darwin first stepped foot on the Galapagos Archipelago, you will also discover a new world, a little known continent, far-removed from the familiar haunts of the iconic dinosaurs or the well trampled world of pre-humans. This new world is that of the Earth before the dinosaurs." --from the Preface

"Earth before the Dinosaurs is an entertaining and informative guide to an astonishing and little-known world." --Birdbooker Report Indiana University Press Indiana University Press

"[T]his book should fascinate all laymen interested in vertebrate paleontology or evolution, and many paleontologists will want to get it even if only for the artwork." --Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology

"A fascinating exploration of past life forms, this book will appeal to anyone interested in paleontology and Earth's history." --Library Journal Indiana University Press

"Highly recommended." --Choice

"This book invites you on a journey to a time before the dinosaurs; a journey into a distant past to discover animals as surprising as they are fascinating." --from the Preface

Sébastien Steyer is paleontologist at the Muséum d'Histoire Naturelle, Paris, and the Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique.

Alain Bénéteau is an illustrator who specializes in paleontology.

Chris Spence is a professional translator, freelance journalist, and Paris tour guide.

Preface

1. The Great Transition

2. Where Did the Limbs Come From?

3. Pangean Chronicle

4. Between Earth and Sky

5. A Brief Guide to Paleontology

Bibliography

Index