Fossils - by Paul D Taylor (Hardcover)

About the Book

"This book explores the world of fossils, how we interpret them, and what they reveal about the history of life on Earth, from the development of new life forms to mass extinctions. Paleontologist Paul Taylor provides a comprehensive guide to all aspects of fossils, beginning with how they form, how they mark geological time, and what they tell us about the origins of life and major evolutionary events like the Cambrian Explosion. There are chapters devoted to each of the major groups found in the fossil record as well as practical advice on how to begin collecting fossils yourself. Illustrated with over two hundred color photographs, Fossils: An Essential Guide is an ideal introduction for those with an interest in the history of life"--

Book Synopsis

With stunning images and an expert guide, explore the world of fossils to uncover the story of life on Earth, from the origins of new life to mass extinctions.

Ancient Earth seems like an alien world. But the fossil record can help reveal the mysteries of the organisms that have lived on our planet since its formation some 4,600 million years ago. In this engaging and beautifully illustrated book, world-renowned paleontologist Paul D. Taylor provides a comprehensive guide to all aspects of fossils to tell the story of life on Earth.

Taylor begins with the basics: how fossils form, how they mark geological time, and what they tell us about the origins of life and major evolutionary events like the Cambrian Explosion. He then shows the oldest fossils--single-celled bacteria in amazing, three-billion-year-old microbial rock structures--before introducing the first animals in the fossil record. From fishes to amphibians, reptiles, and mammals, we meet these animal fossils in an appropriate evolutionary parade. Next, we imagine plants long past, charting the evolution of this kingdom and learning how ephemeral botanical remains can become permanent records. While comprehensive in his coverage of fossil groups and ages, Taylor pays particular attention to specimens fossil hunters are most likely to encounter, like crinoids and the iconic ammonites. Throughout, he introduces us to fascinating fossil folklore--like the idea that ammonites are the petrified remains of coiled snakes--and helps us distinguish true fossils from fakes.

With stunning color images of many original specimens from the collections of London's Natural History Museum, Fossils is an essential introduction, connecting life on Earth today to the ancient past.

Review Quotes

"Fossils: An Essential Guide is written for interested readers with little to no formal training. It is beautifully produced and richly illustrated, with a satisfying heft for its size. Any bibliophile would be proud to have this volume on their shelf. . . It is packed with information delivered in a lively and unintimidating way. I found it to be a delightfully fun read."

--Linda C. Ivany, Earth & Environmental Sciences, Syracuse University "Quarterly Review of Biology"

"This is one beautiful book. Besides the abundant illustrations and illuminating captions, the text is both comprehensive and comprehensible . . . Paul D. Taylor seems to have learned the art of incorporating big words, including names of genera and species, into the text without forcing the reader to skip over them. As a matter of fact, within the first few pages, this reader became familiar enough with several taxonomic binomials as well as geological epochs and eras to feel comfortable with each!"-- "The European Legacy: Toward New Paradigms"

"I thoroughly enjoyed it and learnt a great deal. . . . The book contains lovely full-colour pictures, which feature many original specimens from the Natural History Museum's collections, and . . . is written in a style that makes it accessible to everyone. . . . [I] would recommend it to you."-- "Deposits"

"As intriguing remnants of the geologic past, every fossil tells a story about the evolution of life on Earth. . . . This volume presents a sweeping panorama of ancient life."-- "Library Journal, on "A History of Life in 100 Fossils""

About the Author

Paul D. Taylor has worked at the Natural History Museum, London, for forty-five years, heading the Fossil Invertebrate and Plants Division between 1990 and 2003. His research focuses on fossil and living bryozoans, as well as on evolution, paleoecology, and fossil folklore. He is coauthor of A History of Life in 100 Fossils.