Life Before Man [Paperback]

Z. V. Spinar (Author), Zdenek Burian (Illustrator)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 1996

This is an introduction to the panorama of life on Earth, from its earliest beginnings more than 3000 million years ago to the arrival of Homo sapiens and the introduction of settled farming, 5000 years ago. The text is accompanied by a sequence of over 160 specially commissioned illustrations, showing the conditions on Earth in its early days and the strange animal life that once roamed its surface or moved in its seas. Beginning with an account of the various theories that seek to explain the birth of the solar system and its planets, the book continues with a detailed explanation of the evolution of living things, from the first signs of single-celled life to the arrival of marine vertebrates, from the appearance of dinosaurs to the emergence of the ape-like ancestors of modern man. Time charts show the sequence of geological eras and the points at which various forms of life first appeared.

Editorial Reviews

Language Notes

Text: English (translation)
Original Language: Czech

Product Details

• Paperback: 256 pages
• Publisher: Thames & Hudson; Rev Sub edition (June 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0500277966
• ISBN-13: 978-0500277966
• Product Dimensions: 10.6 x 8.3 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,091,807 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars It`s a prehistoric art book., March 1, 2001

By 

Johannes Ehn Hellstrand (Stockholm,Sweden) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Life Before Man (Paperback)

This book is very special,although it is old and may not continue the today`s vision of the dinosaurs (for example,the Apatosaur is living in water)it is fun to see the old visions of the prehistoric. And this edition is completley updated,with the latest facts. The text is completley different from that of the old edition. It is also fun to see the new illustrations,although those are not made by Burian himself. I am a great enthusiast of his prehistoric paintings,and I think they are very inspiring,because I like to paint own dinos in aquarelle. Over all,Life Before Man is a classic in illustrated natural history books. The only thing I miss is that some of the old paintings are gone and has been replaced by others. Life Before Man covers the history of the Earth,from a time with volcanoes to the dawn of man. So,sit down and enjoy this exciting adventure under 3000 million years!

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Cover to cover top notch art work by Zdenek Burian., December 5, 1998

By 

[e-mail] (Syracuse, New York) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Life Before Man (Paperback)

The 233 illustrations in this book easily make the cover price seem trivial. Mr. Burian was one of the finest prehistoric illustrators ever. These paintings and drawings were previouly printed in several earlier works and combined here.

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This book is a work of art!, November 29, 1999

By 

RAY L ROBINSON - See all my reviews

This review is from: Life Before Man (Paperback)

Burian is an excellent illustrator of prehistoric life. One of the best of the early illustrators, this catalog of his paintings rates with the best paintings of Charles R. Knight (several of these paintings occur in National Geographic's 'Our Continent'). Though the science has changed some of the depictions painted, I still HIGHLY RECOMMEND this book for those who simply love outstanding paintings of dinosaurs, trilobites, etc. living out their lives in excellent dioramas. I wouldn't part with my copy for anything.