Customer Reviews

Digging Dinosaurs: The Search That Unraveled the Mystery of Baby Dinosaurs

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Digging Dinosaurs, by John Horner, is a firsthand account of the discovery of fossilized Dinosaur eggs that led to extensive discoveries of nesting sites in Montana. The book describes the geology of the area, the discovery of the nesting sites, their excavation, and the changes in paleontology that ensued. The book was made all the more fascinating by the fact that you can visit the actual site, called egg mountain. The Museum of the Rockies, in Choteau, Montana sponsors tours. On a recent trip to Montana, my wife and I took the tour and met John Horner, digging up more dinosaurs.

I read this book as I was going through something of a mid-life crisis. I originally bought the book as a child but never read it. However, I have always pondered whether I made the right choice in not going into paleontology. Unfortunately for me, this book made paleontology so exciting I think I did make the wrong choice!

One of the best things about this book is that it is appropriate for dinosaur lovers of all ages. Horner and Gorman write clearly and simply enough that young adults would find the book understandable. However, the book and the discoveries described wherein are fascinating for adult readers as well. Horner frames the book as a mystery CSI-style investigation, explaining his thought process as he deduces the true significance behind his find. Even 20 years later, the book is fresh, not because of the state of the science (which may be outdated) but rather because of its description of the intellectual and practical aspects of paleontology.

Unlike a lot of other books in this genre, Horner does not focus undue attention on his own life (even though it is fascinating - he had dyslexia and became a paleontologist without a PhD). Rather, he keeps his focus where it belongs - on the dinosaur fossils and his analysis of their significance.

Is it too late to change careers?

Digging Dinosaurs written by John R. Horner et.al. is a book that covers the search that unraveled the mystery of baby dinosaurs. Honer has dedication, insight, and a sharp eye, but good luck is always nice to have when searching for the past in Western Montana on the Eastern slopes of the Rocky Mountains.

At the time of writing this book Horner had spent six years digging at Egg Mountain and the surrounding area. His finds are rocking the knowledge base for nestings, babies and herd research.Whether you like to read about dinosaurs or are a dinosaur buff, reding this book gives you an appreciation for being a paleontologist. Also, you get to read about and see how they reexamine their venerable theeories.

The remarkable discoveries found in this book are interesting and they are advancing new hypotheses about dinosaur behavior and ecology... also, how did dinosaurs interact between species is new ground covered within these pages. Clever detective work while uncovering the past bodes well for future knowledge obtained.

Some of that knowledge coming from this large find of dinosaur remains is that duckbills probably moved like birds, with their heads bobbing forward and back. They did not look like the dinosaurs that have their tails dragging on the ground; the tails of most dinosaurs, not only duckbilld but also the sauropods,were held out straight behind them. The duckbills' tails were reinforced by rigid, ossified tendons that we can still see in many fossil skeletons.

Bipedal dinosaurs were built the same way, when a duckbill walked it bobbed its neck to get a fluid gait. Duckbills lived in herds and one of their major defenses against predators was their running ability, herding instinct, and a solid kick with the hind legs.

Reading this book was a delight as the narrative was engrossing and kept my interest. Horner has a easy-going style that will captivate the reader and the next thing you know you've reached the end and you what to know more about these denizens of the past. An interesting book that questions conventional interpretations, making for an enjoyable, educational read.

Like a lot ofchildren I always wanted to be a paleontologist when I was a boy. Then I realized that that was a silly concept and stopped thining about it. Then decades later I read this book and realize, (hitting my forehead like they do on a "I coulda had a V-8 commercial"), "Damn, I coulda been a paleontologist!" Not only that, if I had become a paleontologist I could spend my Summer days in Montana digging up fossils and the nights drinking Ranier beer with grad students! I missed an opportunity, I think. Good book, by the way.

THIS IS A BOOK I BOUGHT MY GRANDDAUGHTER FOR ONE OF HER CLASSES IN COLLEGE. THE PRICE WAS SO LOW MY GRANDDAUGHTER STATED THAT IF ORDERED FROM THE COLLEGE BOOKSTORE IT WOULD HAVE COST HER OVER $50. IT IS SO WORTH BUYING ON LINE FOR SOME OF THE BOOKS NEEDED FOR COLLEGE CLASSES,SAVES ALOT OF MONEY FOR COLLEGE STUDENTS.