The Fossil Book: A Record of Prehistoric Life (Paperback)

~ Patricia Vickers Rich (Author), Thomas Hewitt Rich (Author), Mildred Adams Fenton (Author), (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

Definitive guide provides paleontologists and amateur fossil enthusiasts with invaluable information about where fossils have been found, how to care for samples and what can be learned by studying them. Profusely illustrated and expanded edition contains fascinating information about everything from single-celled organisms, arthropods and amphibians, to dinosaurs, birds and mammals. Includes identification keys, glossary and more. Over 1,500 illustrations.

Product Details

• Paperback: 760 pages
• Publisher: Dover Publications (January 28, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0486293718
• ISBN-13: 978-0486293714
• Product Dimensions: 10.2 x 7.5 x 1.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #472,029 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A great book for your fossil library, July 27, 2000

By	M Manning (United States) - See all my reviews

I have to admit this is one of the best and easiest to read of all the books dealing with life from the Pre-cambriam to the present. More than half of Rich's book deals with aquatic flora and fauna, which is basic for understanding how life began on land. The other half of the book involves the flora (plant) invasion on dry land preceeding to present day angiosperms, also included is the development of terrestrial fauna (animals) until the Pleistocene period. Diagrams and photo's(blk/wht) are more that abundant thoughout each chapter, making identification an easy task. There is even a chapter on fossil collection! It has it all! This is a must have book for any geology student interested in paleology or for that matter anyone interest in fossils. The purchase of Rich's book would be a worth wild investment.

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars If you only purchase one book on fossils, make it this one., February 8, 1999

By A Customer

Much in the way of really good material on fossils including some 1500 pen and ink drawings in this excellent compendium. It also includes highly readable text which others of its ilk seem not to include. Would highly recommend to both the novice and somewhat advanced collector. Has been revised and updated several times since its original 1958 publishing with 1996 being the latest. I equate it to the USA Today of fossil books. Bottom line, an excellent value.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Solid fossil book, November 27, 2000

By	Howard Schneider (Thornhill, Ontario Canada) - See all my reviews

Easy to read, well illustrated, reconstructed fossils from protists to sponges to arthropods to fish to reptiles to mammals. It is noted that the original edition of this reference was written in 1958 by Carroll Lane Fenton and Mildred Adams Fenton, with revisions provided in 1996 by Patricia Vickers Rich and Thomas Hewitt Rich.