Discovering Fossils: How to Find and Identify Remains of the Prehistoric Past (Fossils & Dinosaurs) [Paperback]

Frank A. Garcia (Author), Donald S. Miller (Author), Jasper Burns (Illustrator)

Book Description

Series: Fossils & Dinosaurs | Publication Date: January 1, 1998

Complete beginner's guide, with vertebrate and invertebrate fossil descriptions.

Product Details

• Paperback: 224 pages
• Publisher: Stackpole Books; 1st edition (January 1, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0811728005
• ISBN-13: 978-0811728003
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #311,425 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #26 in Books > Science & Math > Nature & Ecology > Field Guides > Rocks & Minerals
  • #38 in Books > Professional & Technical > Professional Science > Biological Sciences > Animals > Fossils

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

25 of 26 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Best Fossil Reference Book, Ever, December 6, 2002

By 

Guy L. Ditorrice (Newport, OR USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Discovering Fossils: How to Find and Identify Remains of the Prehistoric Past (Fossils & Dinosaurs) (Paperback)

Frank Garcia pierces the veil of paleontology and brings you right down to the surface of your own dig.

This book is the best fossil reference book for the casual collector as well as a great addition to any science or teacher's library where geology and-or paleontology are included.

Written in a very down-to-earth style, the book walks you step-by-step through the basics of why fossils exist, where you will find them, how to properly (and safely) collect them and what to do when you get them home or back to the classroom.

Any family that includes fossil-hunting in their vacation, home-school or travel plans should pack this book along for the added benefit of the wide range of fossils identified within.

Any teacher who brings students to potential fossil or geology sites on field trips should include readings from this book BEFORE heading out as well as keeping it handy while in the field.

There's enough packed into this book that every school library science section should include this volume if budgets restrict purchases.

It's a great gift for the budding fossil collector and an excellent addition to a serious collector's library.

The soft, but protected cover, makes it safe to handle in the field.

Take my advice - purchase two: one for the field and one for the desk or prep table.

19 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Informative and easy to understand, with a sense of wit ., September 30, 1999

By 

Cynde "Rosalinda" (fantaseasinartcy... (Alamogordo, New Mexico) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Discovering Fossils: How to Find and Identify Remains of the Prehistoric Past (Fossils & Dinosaurs) (Paperback)

I enjoyed reading this book, as well as others by the same author. It was well written and easy to understand by the beginning fossil collector, yet it was not in any way condensending to the amateur. Frank writes, as he speaks, in a down to earth, witty and conversational form. I especially enjoyed his commentary on the other great amateur and professional paleontologists, in particular, Ben Waller. One could tell, by reading, that Ben help a special place in Frank's heart, it was good to see him write his feelings in this book. I would gladly reccommend this book to all ages. The book contains valuable knowledge for fossil collects of all types, and the well drawn and accurate illustrations provide excellent examples for what one should be searching.

16 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great guide to get you started in fossil collecting, August 17, 2001

By 

Dallas E. Pryor (Seffner, FL United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Discovering Fossils: How to Find and Identify Remains of the Prehistoric Past (Fossils & Dinosaurs) (Paperback)

A very good guide book to get started in collecting fossils. Great advice on equipment, locations and methods for collecting. The illustrations of typical specimens are extremely helpful in identifying finds. Mr Garcia writes with a great wit and a genuine love of science. His matter of fact story telling coupled with the excitement of discovery makes it obvious that to him, science is a verb.