Review by Choice Review
Generations of paleontologists lamented that their discipline did not have its rightful place at the "high table" of evolutionary studies. Stephen Jay Gould wrote of paleontology as having been seen as "the dullest variety of empirical catalouging [sic] practiced by the narrowest of specialists." This situation dramatically changed as a remarkably small group of scientists introduced more biological concepts into paleontology, forming "paleobiology" in the 1970s. The current synthesis of theoretical evolution now has paleobiology seated prominently. This book is a deliciously detailed account of the rise of paleobiology, built on archival records, correspondence, and interviews. Sepkoski (Univ. of North Carolina, Wilmington) records the often-surprising discussions and debates between the main characters (Gould, Raup, Schopf, Eldredge, Stanley, Jack Sepkoski, the author's father, et al.) with careful documentation and deep analysis. Chapter 1, "Darwin's Dilemma," discusses the "incomplete fossil record." The book then covers the 20th-century maturation of paleontology and the "revolution" of paleobiology through paleoecology, punctuated equilibria, and biodiversity studies. The author fully describes and assesses the intellectual roots of paleobiology; it is extraordinary how much depended on the personalities of the protagonists. A valuable acquisition for all libraries with science and history of science collections. Summing Up: Highly recommended. Upper-division undergraduates and above; general readers. M. A. Wilson College of Wooster
Copyright American Library Association, used with permission.
Review by Choice Review
