Dinosaurs: A Very Short Introduction

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David Norman (Odell Fellow in the Natural Sciences, Reader in Palaeobiology, University of Cambridge)

Dinosaurs

A Very Short Introduction

David Norman (Odell Fellow in the Natural Sciences, Reader in Palaeobiology, University of Cambridge)

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English

Oxford University Press
12 September 2017

Mathematics & Sciences; Evolution; Earth sciences; Palaeontology; Dinosaurs & the prehistoric world

Series: Very Short Introductions

Dinosaurs are fascinating creatures and their popularity seems never ending, fuelled by films such as Jurassic Park and documentaries such as Walking with Dinosaurs. Yet dinosaurs (or more precisely non-avian dinosaurs) last trod the Earth 65 million years ago. All we know of them today are their fossilised bones, the tracks and traces that they left behind and, in very rare instances, some of the soft tissues or even traces of their chemistry. In many respects dinosaurs present us with one of the ultimate forensic challenges: they comprise the fragmentary remains of creatures that died many tens of millions of years ago, rather than just recently, or a few tens of years ago, which is the problem usually faced by forensic pathologists. How much do we really know about them, and to what extent can their remains inform us about ancient worlds, and indeed about the history of our planet?

In this Very Short Introduction David Norman discusses how dinosaurs were first discovered and interpreted, and how our understanding of them has changed over the past 200 years. He looks at some of the amazing discoveries that have enabled us to gain new and unexpected insights into dinosaurs as animals with natural histories and behaviours, and considers some of the biggest questions in dinosaur biology, such as the implications of them having warm blood. Norman also shows how research upon dinosaurs has been enriched, particularly in recent decades, by technological break-throughs, which complement the informed speculation and luck which have played a part in many of the major discoveries.

By: David Norman (Odell Fellow in the Natural Sciences Reader in Palaeobiology University of Cambridge)
Imprint: Oxford University Press
Country of Publication: United Kingdom
Edition: 2nd Revised edition
Dimensions: Height: 176mm, Width: 115mm, Spine: 11mm
Weight: 165g
ISBN: 9780198795926
ISBN 10: 0198795920
Series: Very Short Introductions
Pages: 192
Publication Date: 12 September 2017
Audience: General/trade , ELT Advanced
Format: Paperback
Publisher's Status: Active

INTRODUCTION; REFERENCES; FURTHER READING; INDEX

David Norman is a palaeontologist based at the University of Cambridge. Much of his research work has concentrated on the anatomy, biology, and evolution of ornithischian dinosaurs. He is one of the world's leading experts on iguanodontian dinosaurs and has trained a group of students who are themselves now leading palaeontologists and functional morphologists in their fields of research. David is a best-selling author and has been awarded prizes for some of his books, many of which are intended to introduce science to audiences through the use of dinosaurs as a starting point; he has also been an advisor on various television programmes, notably for Sir David Attenborough (Lost Worlds, Vanished Lives) and the late Walter Kronkite (Dinosaur!), as well as the multi-award winning Walking with Dinosaurs.

Reviews for Dinosaurs: A Very Short Introduction

Dinosaurs: A Very Short Introduction is anything but. Instead, Dave Norman's book is a tour de force on the latest research on these terribly great reptiles, much of it by himself. An excellent read!! * David B. Weishampel, Senior Editor, The Dinosauria *