Fossils /

This new edition (formerly titled Fossils: The Key to the Past; 3rd ed., 2002; 2nd ed., CH, Mar'92, 29-3909; 1st ed., 1982) discusses fossils in the context of geologic history and what they reveal about life in the distant past. Fortey (formerly, senior paleontologist, National History Museum, London, UK) touches on many of the most interesting highlights in the field of paleontology. He describes phylogenetically a representative sampling of fossilized animal/plant remains (including microfossils), affording readers a brief glimpse into the history of life on Earth. He also discusses the natural history of several major groups of extinct organisms, their distribution through geologic time, and aspects of their evolutionary relationships. Other topics include the origin of life, evolution (including human evolution), fossil fuels, fossil collecting, and major mass extinction events. A chapter on fossil DNA is especially intriguing. Ancient DNA provides information on genetic relatedness and can be used as a yardstick to measure sampling deficiencies in the fossil record. This primer on fossils is a good introduction to paleontology and an excellent selection for fossil collectors or general readers interested in the field. The text is generally quite readable and nicely illustrated with numerous excellent charts, tables, diagrams, and photographs. Summing Up: Highly recommended. All undergraduate students, general readers. D. A. Brass independent scholar

A new edition of Fortey's Fossils, which previously appeared in 1982, incorporates developments in paleontology as it introduces the subject in general. Intending to show the usefulness of fossils, their applications to dating sedimentary strata, reconstructing the evolution of life and the geological history of earth, and exploring for fossil fuels, the book predominantly carries illustrations of such zonal fossils as the graptolite and a recent discovery an odd animal called the conodont. Fortey's text explains why study of these, more than celebrity fossils of dinosaurs, are both scientifically revealing, and an opportunity for amateurs to take up fossil hunting. Dinosaur fossils are rare; the abundance of smaller creatures permits people to start a collection, with the potential to make their own scientific contribution as new species are continually identified. Fortey, author of such popular works as Trilobite! (2000) and Earth (2004), mentors these readers by grounding them in the field, from identifying and dating fossils to techniques for collecting them. A reliable source for the paleontology introduction that every library requires.--Taylor, Gilbert Copyright 2009 Booklist