Dinosaurs of Australia and New Zealand and Other Animals of the Mesozoic Era (Hardcover)

by John A. Long (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Review
John Long's book is a definitive, up-to-date account of all dinosaurs known from Australia and New Zealand. In fact, Long surveys the entire record of Mesozoic tetrapods---with amphibians, birds, mammals, turtles and marine reptiles all given pride of place along with Minmi, Muttaburrasaurus and many less familiar stablemates. Long's attractive and enjoyable book should satisfy a wide audience---schoolkids, science teachers, fossil buffs, and even professional palaeontologists. The most important fossils are illustrated with colour photographs and drawings of the bones; most species are reconstructed with line drawings or paintings, with a number of field photographs and historical accounts of discoveries. Introductory chapters explain geological time, how fossils are found, prepared and reconstructed, as well as basics about dinosaurs (their evolution, classification and theories about their extinction). A glossary helps the layreader understand even the more technical parts of the text, and the bibliography cites all scientific publications on Australasian Mesozoic tetrapods.
--Greg Edgecombe (Nature )

This is the first full account of dinosaurs and other ancient Anzac vertebrates. Long, an Australian paleontologist, spices his serious account of such issues as the relation between birds and dinosaurs and when the reptiles began their rise, with a large number of colourful illustrations.
--Jonathan Bordo (Globe and Mail )

A fascinating glimpse of animals that may provide missing pieces to the dinosaur puzzle.
--Eugene S. Gaffney (American Museum of Natural History )

Well-written, informative, and well-illustrated, Dinosaurs of Australia and New Zealand compiles and conveys a large body of information about the fascinating animals of the Australian Mesozoic. (Cryptozoology Review )

Product Description
In this first comprehensive account of Mesozoic vertebrates from New Zealand and Australia, John Long shows that recent finds and fossil trackways from the region offer new and occasionally startling evidence that has the potential to challenge current views. 147 color and 245 b&w illustrations.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 192 pages
• Publisher: Harvard University Press (October 15, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 067420767X
• ISBN-13: 978-0674207677
• Product Dimensions: 11.2 x 8.6 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,897,152 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Fills a real void, a feast for all dinophiles!, September 28, 1998

By A Customer

DINOSAURS OF AUSTRALIA AND NEW ZELAND (ISBN 0-674-20767-X) by John A. Long, Curator of Vertebrate Paleontology at the Western Australian Museum, Perth, may at first glance seem primarily a beautiful picture book, because of the many fine photos and illustrations. BUT EXAMINE THE TEXT! The book is imbued with reader-friendly scientific insight and description. Not just dinophiles, but all lovers of ancient vertebrates will find a book to celebrate, one beautifully filling a hitherto serious void. Here is an admirable synthesis of quality information, technical data, and easily comprehended explanations that will prove a joy to both amateur and professional paleontologists. Furthermore, magnificent color photos of Australian dinosaur tracks, along with detailed descriptions, and photos of opalized dinosaur bones add a welcome dimension to this exciting 'journey' around the Land of Oz (as Australia is often called)during Mesozoic times. John A. Long, the well-known author of The Rise of Fishes: 500 Million Years of Evolution, can add one more feather to his hat. Meanwhile, we dinophiles should tip ours to him!

5.0 out of 5 stars An excellent book, with some fascinating information , September 28, 2007

By	Ryan M. Parr "Estranged Erudite" (D/FW, TX USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

It isn't too often that you find a book covering Australia and New Zealand primeval life, and especially a Harvard publication, for that matter. Some excellent visuals and examples of fauna, with a chart of genus.

As specified in the book title, it focuses on dinosaurs, so no flora representation, nor elaborate info on geologic time. It really is a book aimed at curious individuals, perhaps early to late teens, and something that is uncommon to find now days in subject matter. This was published following the time period of Jurassic park, where curiosity about genetic involvement with amber were all the rage. Such things are relegated to sci-fi, though it doesn't mean such intrigue about the dinosaurs must end in the 1990s. It's an excellent book, and one that I wish I knew of earlier on. Perhaps supplement this book alongside the first Dinotopia book? :)

RMP

5.0 out of 5 stars Fills a real void, a feast for all dinophiles!, September 28, 1998

By A Customer

DINOSAURS OF AUSTRALIA AND NEW ZELAND (ISBN 0-674-20767-X) by John A. Long, Curator of Vertebrate Paleontology at the Western Australian Museum, Perth, may at first glance seem primarily a beautiful picture book, because of the many fine photos and illustrations. BUT EXAMINE THE TEXT! The book is imbued with reader-friendly scientific insight and description. Not just dinophiles, but all lovers of ancient vertebrates will find a book to celebrate, one beautifully filling a hitherto serious void. Here is an admirable synthesis of quality information, technical data, and easily comprehended explanations that will prove a joy to both amateur and professional paleontologists. Furthermore, magnificent color photos of Australian dinosaur tracks, along with detailed descriptions, and photos of opalized dinosaur bones add a welcome dimension to this exciting 'journey' around the Land of Oz (as Australia is often called)during Mesozoic times. John A. Long, the well-known author of The Rise of Fishes: 500 Million Years of Evolution, can add one more feather to his hat. Meanwhile, we dinophiles should tip ours to him!