Riddle of the Dinosaur [Paperback]

John Noble Wilford (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 039474392X | ISBN-13: 978-0394743929 | Publication Date: June 12, 1987 | Edition: 1st Vintage Books ed

The Pulitzer Prize-winning science reporter of The New York Times presents here a "lively introduction to many of the fascinating characters who have pursued and studied dinosaur bones, and a survey of two centuries of scientific thought on evolution" (The New York Times). Black-and-white halftones.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

In the last two decades, scientists have taken a fresh look at dinosaurs and have revised theories about evolution and extinction in the light of new evidence: a colony of dinosaur nests with eggs and complete skeletons of different sizes was one of the major finds of this century. Wilford, science reporter for the New York Times and author of The Mapmakers, here reviews our past and present knowledge of the prehistoric creatures. He writes about fossil-hunters and their discoveries on every continent, about the "bone wars" of the 19th century. He traces the development of current theoriesthat some dinosaurs were warm-blooded and fast-moving; that in some species, parents took care of their young; that extinction was due to an extraordinary catastrophe on earth. Wilford's account of conflicts over interpretation, of the building and testing of hypotheses, gives us a stunning portrait of science in ferment. The "new" dinosaurs are just as intriguing as the old ones. Illustrations not seen by PW. Macmillan Book Club main selection; History Book Club alternate. January 14
Copyright 1985 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Library Journal

Unlike many other dinosaur books, this is not a picture book (although it is illustrated) or a review of specific types of dinosaurs. Rather, it is a sophisticated overview of how dinosaurs have been discovered, studied, and theorized about for the past two centuries. The text includes numerous sketches of paleontologists, with attention given to their early interest in dinosaurs. Wilford gathers momentum as he finishes reviewing the historic background and proceeds in the second half of the book to give an informed, exciting review of the past few years' debates, from "hot-blooded dinosaurs" to dinosaurs' possible extinction by an asteroid. He is particularly successful in describing the convoluted method of scientific thesis formation and testing. Highly recommended. Susan Klimley, Columbia Univ. Libs.
Copyright 1986 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Paperback: 360 pages
• Publisher: Vintage; 1st Vintage Books ed edition (June 12, 1987)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 039474392X
• ISBN-13: 978-0394743929
• Product Dimensions: 7.8 x 5.2 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,152,051 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars An interesting science book by a reporter, February 26, 2000

By 

Johanna Seltz Seelen - See all my reviews

This review is from: Riddle of the Dinosaur (Paperback)

For the most part, the author seems to have pretty good information for the time of the book's printing, but for anyone who wants to read this book on purely scientific terms, be warned; there are several places where the book goes awry, for example: the author states that tracks of tyrranosaurus indicate that it was a solitary animal, occasionally hunting in pairs. Problem: no tracks of a t. rex have been discovered to date, a decade and a half after the writing. Aside from that and a few other points, though, the book is good reading.

5.0 out of 5 stars Fantastic Book, January 26, 2012

By 

Suraj H. Pandya "Sr. Systems Analyst" (Philadelphia, PA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Riddle of the Dinosaur (Hardcover)

I loved this book. It was a little slow to start but offers a fantastic overview of the major discoveries in the history of Paleontology. From the forst scientific thoughts on dinosaurs, to the notorious bone wars of Cope and MArsh, to the modern greats Ostrom, Bakker, Horner, etc. It's all covered here in a well written enjoyable fashion.

4.0 out of 5 stars A Riddle Well-Explained, January 20, 2009

By 

rkroningam - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Riddle of the Dinosaur (Hardcover)

This is a fascinating and well-written account of the history of the paleontological exploration and research carried on in the past century on dinosaur fossils. Readable, as many such are not, well-illustrated, and full of wonderful tales and anecdotes, it is a pleasure to read and own. I wish I had the dj for my copy.