Impossible Monsters

This book confirms what I've suspected for a while, that Michael Taylor is the most talented young historian around. This book dazzles in its originality and there is something you want to commit to memory on every page. A triumph -- SATHNAM SANGERA An account of the discovery of deep time that is as thrilling as it is sweeping, populated by a brilliantly drawn cast of characters, and vivid with a Mesozoic bestiary -- TOM HOLLAND In this stunning work of popular history, historian Michael Taylor shows how the discovery of dinosaurs triggered a domino effect that shook the foundations of western culture, and loosened the grip of traditional Biblical values on British society. This is a book of surprises and revelations, scholarly yet accessible, erudite and quirky, a most engrossing account of science, history, religion, culture, and yes, dinosaurs, all woven together into an epic tale of how Britain modernized in the 19th century -- Steve Brusatte, author of The Rise and Fall of the Dinosaurs A sweeping account of the discovery of dinosaurs and the horrifying depths of time, and their impact on god-fearing Victorians. Taylor marches us with panache from Bishop Ussher's impossibly young world to today's incomprehensibly old planet. We feel the awe and fright across society as the vast reptilian empires are brought to light -- ADRIAN DESMOND, author of Darwin's Sacred Cause An outstanding and gripping revelation ... essential reading -- Simon Sebag Montefiore on The Interest A magnificent book ... riveting * Evening Standard on The Interest * Taylor can tell a story superbly * Economist on The Interest * Scintillating ... brisk, gripping ... compulsively readable * Guardian on The Interest * First-rate and riveting * The Times on The Interest * A compelling story, graced with anecdotes but driven by argument ... scorching * New Statesman on The Interest * One of the pleasures of teaching modern historians is that they go on to write great books like this -- Mary Beard on The Interest Impressively researched and engagingly written -- Dominic Sandbrook, Sunday Times, on The Interest