Extinct [Hardcover]

Anton Gill (Author), Alex West (Author)

Book Description

Series: Extinct | Publication Date: October 1, 2001

Did you know that 99.9% of all species that have ever existed on Earth are now extinct? This book, based on a major British television series, follows the stories of 6 of these creatures: the mammoth, saber-toothed tiger, Irish elk, dodo, great auk, and Tasmanian tiger. Examining the interplay between evolution and extinction, where factors like disease, adaptability, climate change, and the arrival of man can all spell death, the mysteries behind the disappearance of these unique beasts are laid bare. Illustrated with scores of dramatic photos, Extinct is a compelling account of creatures locked in a battle for survival, of explorers who traveled to the ends of the Earth to discover them, and of the scientists who have pieced together the puzzles of the fossils left behind. Anton Gill is the author of Art Lover: A Biography of Peggy Guggenheim and Journey Back from Hell. Alex West is the producer of the television series.

Editorial Reviews

From the Publisher

Did you know that 99.9% of all species that have ever existed on Earth are now extinct? This book (based on a major British television series) follows the stories of six of these creatures: the mammoth, saber–toothed tiger, Irish elk, dodo, great auk, and Tasmanian tiger. Examining the interplay between evolution and extinction, where factors like disease, adaptability, climate change, and the arrival of man can all spell death, the mysteries behind the disappearance of these unique beasts are laid bare. Illustrated with scores of dramatic photos, Extinct is a compelling account of creatures locked in a battle for survival, of explorers who traveled to the ends of the Earth to discover them, and of the scientists who have pieced together the puzzles of the fossils left behind. Anton Gill is the author of Art Lover: A Biography of Peggy Guggenheim and Journey Back from Hell. Alex West is the producer of the television series.

About the Author

ALEX WEST is the series producer of Extinct for Wall to Wall. ANTON GILL is the award-winning author of several biographies and historical narratives, including The Devil's Mariner, Ruling Passions and The Journey Back from Hell.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 256 pages
• Publisher: Macmillan UK (October 1, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0752261622
• ISBN-13: 978-0752261621
• Product Dimensions: 10.7 x 7.8 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.4 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,487,853 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A very good book on Holocene extinctions, November 30, 2004

By 

Jerald R Lovell (Clinton Township, Michigan United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Extinct (Hardcover)

This book explains the nature and causes of post-Ice Age (Holocene) extinctions by focusing on six now-vanished creatures.
Based on a British television series, the authors examine the cases of the Columbian Mammoth, the saber-toothed cat, the Irish Elk, (all earlier than 500 B.C.) ,the dodo, (1700s), the Great Auk (1844) and the thylacine, (Tasmanian Tiger (1936). It is readily apparent that the hand of man and his actions is strongly implicated in the last three extinctions, and probably the firsr three, as well. However, the roles of changing climate, impact of exotic creatures, changing habitat, food supply, and other factors are also addressed. The book is delightfully impartial, presenting facts, and letting the reader draw his or her own conclusions from them.

The text is well-written and easily understood. The photographs and re-creations of tha animals' appearances are truly remarkable and form a high point of the book. Interesting inserts explain the computer animation and research behind such efforts.

The role of the extinction process has always been of interest to me, and I feel this one of the better books on the topic. I would recommend it highly to all readers. Even children will be fascinated by the stories and pictures.