Customer Reviews

How to Keep Dinosaurs

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"How to Keep Dinosaurs" is a must have for any dinosaur lover, because as the author clearly points out (using a handy graphical directory) some dinosaurs are good with babies and others eat babies, and knowing the difference is both critical and not easily discerned. Moreover, some dinosaurs are, er..., more openly amorous than is generally considered tasteful, and others pass worrying amounts of gas. Still others require government permits, so it is best to check local laws and regulations.

With tongue planted firmly in cheek Robert Mash has produced a book that is always entertaining, but which is also more informative than he would probably openly admit. "How to Keep Dinosaurs" is broken up into sections such as pets, flying dinosaurs and farmable dinosaurs; one might think of these sections as a cross between the groupings at the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show and those at a state fair. Within each section Mash then presents a variety of dinosaurs, and cogitates on their relative merits and weaknesses. Each one of these dino bios follows more or less the same approach: a derivation of the creature's name (usually accurately translated, but hilariously misunderstood), a general description of breed characteristics, a synopsis of housing/food requirements, breeding possibilities and finally, where to buy the dinosaur if you are interested. As I alluded to above, each dinosaur also comes with handy quick reference icons for such attributes as "worryingly smart" or "picky eater".

While much of what Mash writes is clever fiction, he has generally tried to be as accurate as possible. For example, the smart dinosaurs are generally carnivores, and information about diet and breeding is vague, but will get specific when supported by the fossil record. Furthermore, dinosaurs are always available for purchase where they have been discovered, so Mongolian and North American breeders are heavily represented. It is obvious that Mash didn't pick his dinosaurs at random, but rather tried to make logical choices for his various categories based upon what is know to science. Finally, Mash works in little bits of paleontology's history with such asides as Iguanadons being successfully raised in coal mines in Germany (they were first discovered in a coal mine in Germany).

All that said, "How to Keep Dinosaurs" wouldn't be the book it is if it not for the superb illustrations. Photo-realistic dinosaurs veritably leap of the page and are frequently shown happily frolicking with their owners.

The illustrations will engage any child, but it would be a mistake to consider this a children's book. The writing is well beyond the abilities of an early reader, and the humor, while by no means offensive, is aimed squarely at adults. So, if you are an adult who has never outgrown your fascination with dinosaurs, and who still whimsically ponders how cool it would be to have your own, this is well written and beautifully illustrated book is a must read.

Enjoy!

Jake Mohlman

This book is saving my sanity. Our five-year-old has been obsessed with dinosaurs for so long that we've read pretty much everything you can get your hands on about the beasts. This refreshing and extensive manual has us laughing while reading it out loud over and over again. Our son loves the handy symbol key, which allows him to look up critical traits on each dinosaur, such as which ones "like children," or "like to eat children," or are, alas, "worryingly stupid." He's got it all figured out now, which ones we should get. The photos are great.

The book is a humerous mix of pseudo-field guide and dinosaur reference. It's funny and creative with excellent illustrations and imaginative "pictures" of humans interacting with their pet dinosaurs. The Amazon price is too low for this hard back book that would make a great gift for folks interested in dinosaurs and/or just like to laugh. Don't miss this one. I'm buying more to give away to friends and family.

I breed and show Boxers and am used to the standard "Owners guides" published on almost all dog breeds. This book reads as such and is CHARMING! It takes itself seriously from cover to cover, including an author photo showing his pet dino in his yard. Its fantastic, and is a SUPER coffee table book, after you are done with this clever read! Recommended to any dog/cat/horse fancier who may be beginning to take themselves too seriously.

I actually worked at a dinosaur museum and the volunteers and I along with the paleontologist used to get a good laugh from this book. I wanted to have the buyer get this for the gift shop, but they were unable to obtain more copies. Maybe it was out of print? This is imaginative, clever and a good laugh.

I loved this book! It showed me how to care for even the fiercest of dinosaurs. I used it with my camarasaurus. She loves her new home in Dinoland national park. She is the park's first resident, and I hope to get more dinos to keep her company. I may point out, however, that I wasn't too particularly fond of the "Dinosaurs for Meat and Eggs" section, and their weren't any marine reptiles.

This is a really fun book. My daughter, son and I really enjoy comparing notes, thinking about which dinos we might want as pets and how various dinos stack up against fish, cats, dogs and the like. It is nearly believable that there are markets throughout the world to purchase your very own raptor!

So many people just go out and pick the cutest dinosaur they see in the pound or pet store and use this as a decision on which one to take home. If only more pet owners took responsibility before purchasing their pets and researched how big they would get, how their temperament is with children and other pets, how much they will cost in food and other expenses and how big a yard they really need to run around in then there wouldn't be so many dumped animals or feral once were pet animals running around in our national parks. Whilst there are many decision helping and informative books out in the marketplace on dogs, cats, birds and fish, there has been a severe lack of information on the large reptilian pets that are growing in popularity.

Thankfully Robert Mash has written an extremely helpful guide to dinosaur ownership complete with sensational photographs of humans interacting with their best friends around the house, out in the parks and on the sports fields. The photographs alone mean that even those who have no interest in owning a dinosaur will still be able to get great enjoyment from this book. Those doing school assignments and others who wish to use this as a research book on the facts of different types of dinosaurs will find this a lot more entertaining and easier to read than most research books. A must for any dinosaur lover.