The Primate Fossil Record (Cambridge Studies in Biological and Evolutionary Anthropology) [Hardcover]

Walter Carl Hartwig (Editor)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 13, 2002 | ISBN-10: 0521663156 | ISBN-13: 978-0521663151 | Edition: 1

The Primate Fossil Record is a profusely illustrated, up-to-date, and comprehensive treatment of primate paleontology that captures the complete history of the discovery and interpretation of primate fossils. Each chapter emphasizes three key components of the record of primate evolution: history of discovery, taxonomy of the fossils, and evolution of the adaptive radiations they represent. The volume objectively summarizes the many intellectual debates surrounding the fossil record and provides a foundation of reference information on the last two decades of astounding discoveries and worldwide field research for physical anthropologists, paleontologists, and evolutionary biologists.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"The taxonomic and historical coverage of this landmark volume is remarkably inclusive, and the quality of the individual chapters and of the illustrations is high...this volume is destined to become an indispensable reference work for anyone interested in the mammalian fossil record, primate origins, or in human evolution...The book is a magnificent accomplishment which will set the standard in the field for years to come." Biodiversity

"The volume provides a valuable reference on finds in the last two decades and current interpretations and controversies...The Primate Fossil Record is a superb book and an extraordinary accomplishment by Hartwig. It will be an invaluable source for all vertebrate paleontologists who work in the Cenozoic and for biologists interested in the evolution of the Order Primates." Quarterly Review of Biology

"This valuable new volume challenges significant components of the normal view of primate history...The Primate Fossil Record could be the centerpiece of an excellent graduate seminar on the history and practice of systematics and paleontology...an excellent resource." Journal of Mammalogy

"...a welcome addition to anyone's shelf--especially university libraries. The book fulfills its job as a primary reference of fossil primates." Journal of Anthropological Research

"This volume, carefully edited and arranged by Walter Hartwig, is a necessary addition to what has become an almost exploding field of endeavor, the study of our won human and other primate evolutionary lines...a treasure-trove of up-to-date descriptive and interpretative summaries...all of the chapters are of a high quality, and will provide important up-to-date reviews of these fossil primates. The photographs are exceptionally good, and it is a pleasure to have this volume in my possession. This will be a must for any paleoanthropologist or paleontologist workng on fossil primates. The Editor and Cambridge deserve kudos for this product." Human Nature Review

"The Primate Fossil Record should prove useful and be a benchmark for subsequent primate evaluations." Canadian Palaeobiology

"This is the first book in more than 20 years to offer a complete and relatively detailed survey of the paleontology of primates, the zoological group including humans, apes, monkeys, lemurs, and our extinct relatives.... Hartwig has done an excellent job of organizing and editing a disparate set of surveys. The overall bibliography and author/taxon indexes add to the book's value. Recommended for general as well as anthropological, zoological, and natural history collections." Choice

"This is an admirable effort to provide a concentrated and uniform treatment of the fossil record of that mammalian order of primary interest to our ever-anthropocentric selves....This book...will serve as a starting point for professionals and advanced students for years to come." Reports

"a valuable resource for all physical anthropologists and primate paleontologists." Journal of Paleontology Russell L. Ciochon

" I can only sit back and marvel at the amount of effort it must have taken contributors to amass such comprehensive and detailed accounts of the fossil records of their particular taxonomic groups and time periods... although by no means an introductory text, the coverage of the volume, its relative detail and the quality of the contributions will make The Primate Fossil Record are essential reading for many years to come." Sarah Elton, Reviews in Anthropology

Book Description

The Primate Fossil Record is the first comprehensive treatment of primate palaeontology for 20 years. Profusely illustrated and up-to-date, this important new referen ce work explores the history of the discovery and interpretation of primate fossils ranging from primate origins to the advent of anatomically modern humans. Summarizing objectively the debates surrounding the fossil record and providing a firm foundation of information on the discoveries and field research on primate fossils, it will be an essential reference for all those interested in primates past.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 544 pages
• Publisher: Cambridge University Press; 1 edition (May 13, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0521663156
• ISBN-13: 978-0521663151
• Product Dimensions: 10.9 x 8.5 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.8 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,302,985 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Primates, February 6, 2010

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This review is from: The Primate Fossil Record (Cambridge Studies in Biological and Evolutionary Anthropology) (Hardcover)

A definitive work on fossil primates packed with photos and data. Although it is pricey, the book is worth the money.