Customer Reviews

Exceptional Fossil Preservation

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4 star:		(2)
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"Exceptional Fossil Preservation: A Unique View on the Evolution of Marine Life" edited by David J. Bottjer, Walter Etter, James W. Hagadorn, and Carol M. Tang is a book about Lagerstatten and taphonomy or fossil geological deposits of economic interest and understanding the processes behind the preservation of all fossils ranging from the most common shells to the rare, soft-bodied remains found in Lagerstatten.

Much of the literature on Lagerstatten is widely scattered, and information on many of these deposits, especially those outside of North America and Europe, is commonly published in sources that are not easily accessible, until now, in this book. This book walks us through time, through a treasure trove of marine paleontology, from one spectacular fauna to another.

In "Exceptional Fossil Preservation" the authors walk us through various times and have provided a sampling of marine Lagerstatten from Precambrian Ediacara to the Ecocene Monte Bolca sites. Each case the taxa are preserved , with illustrations pointing the reader in the right direction. We are exposed not only to an enormious diversity of ancient life, but to diverse preservational processes, which, in many cases, remain problematic.

This is an excellent text for the paleontologist, geologist, and taxonomist. I learned a great deal about those destructive forces that tear a fossil apart and how they were briefly suppressed, allowing more of the record to slip through. "Exception Fossil Preservation" starts with the oldest fossil first (543-600 million years) and works through time till we reach 34-53 million years. All together there are 18 Lagerstatten covered.

"Exceptional Fossil Preservation" is a solid 5 star book as there is a wealth of knowledge within its pages all the reader has to do is read the book and travel back in time to when these deposits were formed and use your imagination.

The book offers a rare view into the world of exceptionally preserved fossils. From the point of view of the physical sedimentary history and preservation details the book is exceptionally good. Having an opportunity on reporting on rare and well preserved fossils, the authors merely brush by. Too few illustrations of fossils, and many are of organisms that have been widely pictures already. With an opportunity to show relatively unknown fossil, they pass. Pictures could also have been clearer.A disappointment.

This is my second time reading this book. I have no formal training in geology, paleontoloy or marine organisms. I just like reading about ancient life. Terms are difficult for the layperson, and I've spent some time "googling" words like bethnic, lobopod, and pyrtization. I do like how the chronological chapters are broken down into specific sections, and spend time talking about the enviroment and specific organisms found at each conservation locale. To most, I would assume, this would be dry reading. However, if you are reading this review then you are probably a geek for fossils like me and would enjoy this very in-depth book.