Stately Fossils: A Comprehensive Look at the State Fossils and Other Official Fossils [Paperback]

Stephen Brusatte (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 2002

This extensively illustrated volume covers every U.S. state fossil, state dinosaur, and state stone or gem that is a fossil. Taxonomy, morphology, paleoecology, history of discoveries, and even legislative antics are discussed. This is the only book available covering the state fossils.

Editorial Reviews

Review

Stately Fossils is written clearly and informatively...it's a genuine slice of Americana! -- Allen Debus, Dinosaur World, March 2003

This book should be on everyone's gift list...it is a handy reference, very well written and researched. -- Trilobite Tales, December 2003

From the Publisher

The definitive book on the natural and cultural history behind the official fossils of the American States.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 234 pages
• Publisher: Fossil News (September 2002)
• ISBN-10: 097244162X
• ISBN-13: 978-0972441629
• Product Dimensions: 8.2 x 6.4 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,630,968 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Stately Fossils is interesting and well-written, April 2, 2004

By A Customer

This review is from: Stately Fossils: A Comprehensive Look at the State Fossils and Other Official Fossils (Paperback)

Stately Fossils is a book that even a total amateur or student can enjoy, while covering the subject of state fossils, state dinosaurs, and state stones and gems that happen to be fossils in a lot of detail. Some states aren't included but that is because they do not have official fossils. You will learn what the fossil looks like (there are pictures of every one, usually photographs but also some nice drawings), how, when, and where it lived, what the local environment was at the time, the history of its discovery, and the path it took in becoming a state symbol. The text is easy to read even for someone with little background in paleontology - that is, it is written in plain English without a lot of jargon - but at the same time the author does not 'talk down' to you as if you don't even know what a fossil is. Teachers needing a resource for information on their state fossils will love this book with its more than 300 references to more information. There is even a companion Web site, statefossils.com, where you can read the highlights of the book before deciding to buy a copy. I have not found any other resource which brings all this information together in a well-organized, interesting, and informative manner.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Best book about fossils I have ever read., January 25, 2004

By 

Tony Rosengreen (New York, NY USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Stately Fossils: A Comprehensive Look at the State Fossils and Other Official Fossils (Paperback)

I am not a hardcore fossil fan but do enjoy reading about fossils and history. This book delivered both. I was not extremly excited when I was given this book because I did not believe that I would enjoy a scientific book. I was wrong. Anyone would be able to relate to this book it was written so well that it made me interested in everything that the author presented. I would definetly recomend this book to any and everyone no matter how much you are interested in fossils.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Stately fossils is highly informative and captivating!!!!!, June 8, 2004

By A Customer

This review is from: Stately Fossils: A Comprehensive Look at the State Fossils and Other Official Fossils (Paperback)

When purchasing the book Stately Fossils, I imagined it to be a great book, but surely not as wonderful as it turned out to be. Both highly informative and largely captivating, this is a sure-read for anyone out there looking for a good book. Written in a style that both appeals to fossils enthusiasts and those just briefing the subject, this learning tool is a gift that you can't stop reading!!! Especially interesting is the foreword, in which we learn of the incredible story of the author and his brother.