The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Dinosaurs

Fülszöveg

208 pages
150,000 words of lively, authoritative text.
This magnificent illustrated reference book includes more than 700 pictures: 370 detailed line drawings; 200 photographs and more than 110 explanatoiy diagrams,
most in colour.
Special feature: 25 superb double-page spread colour restorations featuring 68 of the best known dinosaurs
ainwiw, .
pllKr^H
The Illustrated
Encyclopedia of
Dinosaurs
The word 'dinosaur' conjures up a mentái image in us all. Generation after generation of children are fascinated by these awesome creatures, and many a five-year old is quick to distinguish a Tyrannosaunis from a Triceratops. The popular aduit conception of a dinosaur, however, usually pictures it as a dull-witted, slow-moving animal, ill-adapted to its environment. Anyone even glancing through this book will rapidly appreciate that this is a serious misconception. Dinosaurs were among the most diverse and successful terrestrial creatures ever, their reign on Earth lasting an... Tovább

Fülszöveg

208 pages
150,000 words of lively, authoritative text.
This magnificent illustrated reference book includes more than 700 pictures: 370 detailed line drawings; 200 photographs and more than 110 explanatoiy diagrams,
most in colour.
Special feature: 25 superb double-page spread colour restorations featuring 68 of the best known dinosaurs
ainwiw, .
pllKr^H
The Illustrated
Encyclopedia of
Dinosaurs
The word 'dinosaur' conjures up a mentái image in us all. Generation after generation of children are fascinated by these awesome creatures, and many a five-year old is quick to distinguish a Tyrannosaunis from a Triceratops. The popular aduit conception of a dinosaur, however, usually pictures it as a dull-witted, slow-moving animal, ill-adapted to its environment. Anyone even glancing through this book will rapidly appreciate that this is a serious misconception. Dinosaurs were among the most diverse and successful terrestrial creatures ever, their reign on Earth lasting an astonishing 140 millión years.
In this exciting new book Dávid Norman provides a thoroughly up-to-date review of what we know about the appearance, life-style and relationships of the dinosaurs. His opening chapters summarise current theories of their origins, and chronicle the history of dinosaur discoveries. In a unique chapter, Dr Norman alsó explains how a palaeontologist-actually studies a fossil, taking us through the stages of excavation, laboratory preparation of the bones, and the methods of interpreting the skeletal evidence to build up a picture of the animal's anatomy and likely behaviour.
The central section of the book describes in detail all the known families of dinosaur within their scientifically recognised Orders. The major genera of each family are illustrated by probably the finest colour restorations of dinosaurs yet published. Additional colour diagrams reveal the geography of fossil finds, the time periods when these dinosaurs lived, and their 'family tree'. A second spread is devoted to a drawing of the skeleton of a representative species, around which are ranged numerous detailed drawings of skulls, individual bones and the üke, all chosen to highlight the distinctive physical characteristics of the family group. A third spread concentrates on the life-style' of the creatures with drawings of typical patterns of behaviour, and alsó provides information about lesser-known members of the family. Included here are numerous colour photographs of fossils and skeleton displays in museums around the world.
The final chapters then consider the contemporaries of the dinosaur — pterosaurs, crocodiles, marine reptiles, mammal-like reptiles, mammals, lizards and snakes — and the many controversies that surround the study of dinosaurs: how did they evolve; were they warm-bloöded; are they related to birds; why did they become extinct? The book is rounded off by appendices that record where dinosaur fossils have been found; what museums and displays are open around the world; and a comprehensive glossary and index.
All in all, for the magnificence of its illustrations and the lucidity of its text The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Dinosaurs seems certain to establish ítself as a reference book without rival, fit to grace the shelves of young enthusiast and professional scientist alike. Vissza