Customer Reviews

Evolution of Fossil Ecosystems

5 star:		(1)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I had looked forward to receiving this book but was more than disappointed when it arrived. I have been fascinated with fossils for the last 68 years and own a large number of books on fossils - several on individual "Lagerstatten" sites.

The "Lagerstatten" fossil sites have always been of great interest to me as they preserve such a wonderful and complete window on the past.

I have hunted extensively in one of the sites listed - Pit 11 of Mazon creek were many soft bodied fossil creatures are preserved. I was lucky enough to find one unique specimen that resides in the Field Museum in Chicago.

I have two other books covering several "Lagerstatten" fossil sites and they are both quite interesting. The problem with this book is that there is so little on each site and the pictures are quite quite small. The "Tully Monster" from Pit 11 is unrecognizable unless you had held one of them in your hand and knew what they looked like.


The BIG plus for this book is that they cover several sites that are not listed in my other "Lagerstatten" books and the pictures are in color even though quite small and for that I am also most thankful. Expanding the number and size of pictures and expanding the text describing the material at each site would make this book worth 5 stars. I hope the authors decide to do just that in the future.

I really enjoyed this book. Well-organized, beautifully illustrated. A great read for anyone who loves paleontology and geology.
Being an amateur, though, I can't but note that a glossary of terms would be very helpful.