Customer Reviews

Evolution of Tertiary Mammals of North America: Volume 1, Terrestrial Carnivores, Ungulates, and Ungulate like Mammals

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

 

 

In the editorial review - all stated is very true and extremely useful for any researcher studying the biostratigraphy and evolutionary trends of the mammalian groups within this volume (hopefully volume 2 is coming...someday!). HOWEVER, it is imperative that one double check references, statements, timelines, etc., with collaborating information on the group studied in detail as I have found some errors. Also, please note that each chapter is written by the "specialist" of that group...but not all mammalian paleontologists will agree to their overview. Ahh...the wonders and joys of academia! I am extremely pleased that each chapter on the groups of mammals discussed are organized the same way, thus allowing for consistency and aid in reference localities that may be applicable to several groups of mammals. Another pertinent point to remember is that this type of study is never stagnant as new information regarding fossil finds in new strata and/or localities can constrict or expand the timelines for particular genera, as I have found with the Oligocene fossils found within the White River Badlands, particularly within the Orellan and Whitneyan "NALMAs." Other researchers focused on particular groups would state the same. Nevertheless, this is an excellent starting point for graduate students and other researchers - a must have reference book. Publication references for each chapter appear thorough, it has an excellent index and a decent locality database for each state. Additional information within this tome is also very useful, particularly background data for the various geological times during the Cenozoic. For me, price is definitely not an issue in regards to the information garnered from this book (in addition to the quality of the paper and binding) and now that a paperback is available, it is definitely more affordable for the poor graduate student. I am sure that this book will be updated in the future as new information is published in reputable journals over the years. Janis, Scott and Jacobs have done an excellent job as editors with the enormous task compiling information from the authors in a timely manner so as to get this volume published. If you are a mammalian paleontologist or one that studies the Cenozoic, this is definitely a book to have in your library.

Volume Two is out! It is every bit as good as Volume 1 and covers many of the smaller mammalian taxa that are better used for climatic conditions over time. Nevertheless having both volumes will aid vertebrate paleontologists in finding references, understanding taxon relationships, and immigration/extinction/other events worthy in the field of mammalian paleontology. Again the quality of the book itself (binding, pages) is worth its price...it is a definite plus in my library!

A must have volume to complement Volume I. Although this volume is rather expensive, it is worth the money in terms of the amount of information given, illustrations of skeletal material, and illustrative restorations.

A very useful book for essentially all the genera of mammals in the groups listed in the title. The two things that kept me from giving it 5 stars are; it is VERY overpriced, aside from libraries, few can afford it, also the listings of localities are done a bit ackwardly. Overall a very useful resource.