Customer Reviews

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

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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.

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.

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.

Stephen Louis Brusatte (b. April 24, 1984 in Ottawa, Illinois), is a young American paleontologist.

He is the author of the 2002 book Stately Fossils: A Comprehensive Look at the State Fossils and Other Official Fossils. Brusatte has additionally authored several scientific papers as well as over 100 popular articles for magazines such as Fossil News, Dino Press, Dinosaur World, and Prehistoric Times. Upon completion of a B.S. in geophysical sciences at the University of Chicago in 2006, Brusatte was awarded a Marshall Scholarship to study at the University of Bristol in the United Kingdom.

steve i heard you are going to be studying in the united kingdom of great britian and northern ireland for the next two years.... something i aspire to do. If you have a moment to sit down and talk, that would be great.

Steve Brusatte needs to work more on expanding his repertoire of what he calls "stately fossils," because these are only limitted to certain states. Additionally, he needs to work more on clarifying his ideas through careful selection of dictions and writing style. He needs to publish a second edition.