Book recommendations

[tyrantqueen]

Hi
This is sort of an odd request but I'll ask it anyway. I'm looking for a detailed, comphrensive book (like The Complete Dinosaur, by Michael K. Brett-Surman) but written from a pre dinosaur renaissance point of view. That would be the cold-blooded, tail dragging kind of dinosaurs.

Did such detailed volumes even exist? Or was it only after the '90s that scientists started to take dinosaur study seriously?

I know it's a bizarre thing to ask, but I am interested in perceiving how previous generations interpreted the fossils. Also, I am interested for nostalgia's sake.

The closest books I have are Dr Norman's encyclopedia (I think this one was written when the renaissance was beginning or underway), and Don Glut's Dictionary (written in the '70s), and Zdenek Burian's Life Before Man. But those aren't as comprehensive as Surman's book.

[Libraraptor]

http://www.amazon.de/Die-verlorenen-Welten-Zdenek-Burian/dp/3882210818/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1381867504&sr=8-1&keywords=die+verlorenen+welten+des+zdenek+burian

A book in German about the work of Zdenek Burian is going to be released soon! I´ll probably have it for Christmas and I am really looking forward to reading it and watching the illustrations. A promising new German publisher has been founded and also releases works on crows, donkeys and nature study for lovers, not necessarily meaning professionals. You´ll be informed about the value as soon as I have this book!

[tyrantqueen]

I think if you try to suggest books for others reading appetites when it comes to dinosaurs, that leaves alot of open ground. From paleontology, to the various periods, to the different zones where the fauna lived, there is a diverse selection in Literature to choose from. My personnal favorite when it comes to dinosaur books is "Hunting Dinosaurs " by Louis Psihoyos. (link to Amazon) The book takes you on a world wide journey and tour through nearly every corner of the pale scene at the time, and speaks with many of the prominent paleontologists who have helped to develop current thinking and understanding. It is useless as a species reference or dinosaur guide and deals more directly with the Paleo aspects of modern day dinosaur research. Crammed full of powerful pictures and thought provoking study. My second choice, would be "The Sauropods: Evoloution and Paleobiology" (link to Amazon) a book that gives in depth looks at many aspects of sauropod research and current scientific understanding regarding these barely understood animals.

Sorry for dredging up an old post, but can I ask you about this book? Is it very technical? What kind of audience is this book aimed at, would you say?
I'm thinking about buying it but I don't want to get one of those books that reads like a medical journal

Thanks

[wings]

My second choice, would be "The Sauropods: Evoloution and Paleobiology" (link to Amazon) a book that gives in depth looks at many aspects of sauropod research and current scientific understanding regarding these barely understood animals.

Sorry for dredging up an old post, but can I ask you about this book? Is it very technical? What kind of audience is this book aimed at, would you say?
I'm thinking about buying it but I don't want to get one of those books that reads like a medical journal

Thanks

The writing in this book is kind of like your "Encyclopedia of Dinosaurs" book (from your other thread) in difficulty. Probably less illustrations on average when compares to the encyclopedia.

[amargasaurus cazaui]

My second choice, would be "The Sauropods: Evoloution and Paleobiology" (link to Amazon) a book that gives in depth looks at many aspects of sauropod research and current scientific understanding regarding these barely understood animals.

Sorry for dredging up an old post, but can I ask you about this book? Is it very technical? What kind of audience is this book aimed at, would you say?
I'm thinking about buying it but I don't want to get one of those books that reads like a medical journal

Thanks

The writing in this book is kind of like your "Encyclopedia of Dinosaurs" book (from your other thread) in difficulty. Probably less illustrations on average when compares to the encyclopedia.

I have a copy of this book. I found it be a rather thorough and in depth treatment of the topic and a must have if you love sauropods. At the time I acquired mine it was rather pricey, but I love the book and think it one of the better books on the market today for sauropods. I did find the technical terms and wording at times a bit challenging, but still workable .

[wings]

One element that I forgot to add is that what is presented in the book are original researches (primary sources) so you could think of it (the sauropod book) as reading a bunch of technical papers.

[tyrantqueen]

Thanks for the info, guys. Maybe I'll get it one day, but it's not high on my list at the moment

[Mauro "Raptor86"]

I bought my copy of Pterosaurs: Flying Contemporaries of the Dinosaurs by Andre J. Veldmeijer via Amazon Canada. There was a significant amount of time (1.25 years) between the purchase and the delivery in part because I had bought it as a pre-order for about 50.00 Cdn$.

I'm glad I have but Mark Whitton's new book is substantively better in my opinion not only in terms of scope & material covered but purchased price also.

I just got Mark Witton's book today, I like it a lot. What kind of content does Veldmeijer's book offer? Is it an encyclopedia or just a general guide?

That is unfortunate, I bought mine for approx. $30 AU (including shipping cost) at book depository. Maybe you have to wait for the "hype" to die down a bit and check out the second hand book stores like albris or AbeBooks (there is one but also quite expensive...

I guess so. *Is sad* Do you recommend the book?

For the ones of you interested in Veldmeijer's book http://www.scribd.com/doc/103038682/Veldmeijer-et-al-2012-Pterosaurs-Flying-contemporaries-of-the-Dinosaurs

[postsaurischian]

For the ones of you interested in Veldmeijer's book http://www.scribd.com/doc/103038682/Veldmeijer-et-al-2012-Pterosaurs-Flying-contemporaries-of-the-Dinosaurs

Thanks for the insight!
I don't like the art - a bit too sloppy for my tastes. And I don't like the childish 'Mark explains' sections.
I decided for Mark P. Witton's Pterosaurs.

[tyrantqueen]

For the ones of you interested in Veldmeijer's book http://www.scribd.com/doc/103038682/Veldmeijer-et-al-2012-Pterosaurs-Flying-contemporaries-of-the-Dinosaurs

Thanks for the insight!
I don't like the art - a bit too sloppy for my tastes. And I don't like the childish 'Mark explains' sections.
I decided for Mark P. Witton's Pterosaurs.

Regarding the illustration- Mark Witton illustrated this book and his pterosaur book also.

[postsaurischian]

Regarding the illustration- Mark Witton illustrated this book and his pterosaur book also.

That's right, but I like the structure.
The book doesn't focus on illustrations of Pterosaurs in nature. All the different species are shown in the same pose with a skeletal reconstruction below. That's nice for comparing .

[tyrantqueen]

Regarding the illustration- Mark Witton illustrated this book and his pterosaur book also.

That's right, but I like the structure.
The book doesn't focus on illustrations of Pterosaurs in nature. All the different species are shown in the same pose with a skeletal reconstruction below. That's nice for comparing .

Yeah, I like Witton's book on pterosaurs a lot. I just wish I owned Veldmeijer's book too, because books on pterosaurs are quite rare and I feel like I'm missing out 

[HD-man]

Did such detailed volumes even exist? Or was it only after the '90s that scientists started to take dinosaur study seriously?

Pretty much.

Sorry for dredging up an old post, but can I ask you about this book? Is it very technical? What kind of audience is this book aimed at, would you say?
I'm thinking about buying it but I don't want to get one of those books that reads like a medical journal

For future reference, you should use the following lists. I usually refer ppl to the 1st list b/c it's more straightforward with only 3 categories in order from least to most technical, but in this case, I thought it'd be helpful to include all 3 lists b/c 1) it's easier to categorize a given book when you have more examples to compare it to, & 2) the other 2 lists have sub-categories: The 2nd list splits up the "For the Specialist" books into less & more technical books (I.e. "More detailed books about the science of dinosaurs" & "Journal-quality books and papers, only for the real enthusiast", respectively); The 3rd list splits up the "Casual Readers" books into children's & adult books (I.e. "FOR YOUNG READERS"/"FOR INTERMEDIATE READERS" & "DINOSAURS AS LIVING ANIMALS", respectively).

Hope this helps.

"Paleo Reading List" by Miller: http://whenpigsfly-returns.blogspot.com/2008/04/paleo-reading-list.html

"Dinosaurs and Other Mesozoic Creatures" by Woolf: http://www.jwoolfden.com/dinosaur.html

"A Dinosaur Lover's Bookshelf" by Holtz: http://jd-man.deviantart.com/journal/SD-A-Dinosaur-Lover-s-Bookshelf-374321353

[tyrantqueen]

Did such detailed volumes even exist? Or was it only after the '90s that scientists started to take dinosaur study seriously?

Pretty much.

Sorry for dredging up an old post, but can I ask you about this book? Is it very technical? What kind of audience is this book aimed at, would you say?
I'm thinking about buying it but I don't want to get one of those books that reads like a medical journal

For future reference, you should use the following lists. I usually refer ppl to the 1st list b/c it's more straightforward with only 3 categories in order from least to most technical, but in this case, I thought it'd be helpful to include all 3 lists b/c 1) it's easier to categorize a given book when you have more examples to compare it to, & 2) the other 2 lists have sub-categories: The 2nd list splits up the "For the Specialist" books into less & more technical books (I.e. "More detailed books about the science of dinosaurs" & "Journal-quality books and papers, only for the real enthusiast", respectively); The 3rd list splits up the "Casual Readers" books into children's & adult books (I.e. "FOR YOUNG READERS"/"FOR INTERMEDIATE READERS" & "DINOSAURS AS LIVING ANIMALS", respectively).

Hope this helps.

"Paleo Reading List" by Miller: http://whenpigsfly-returns.blogspot.com/2008/04/paleo-reading-list.html

"Dinosaurs and Other Mesozoic Creatures" by Woolf: http://www.jwoolfden.com/dinosaur.html

"A Dinosaur Lover's Bookshelf" by Holtz: http://jd-man.deviantart.com/journal/SD-A-Dinosaur-Lover-s-Bookshelf-374321353

Thanks, these are useful

[tyrantqueen]

I thought I'd share this site with you guys: http://mysite.verizon.net/markcrowell/Index%20of%20Vintage%20Dinosaur%20Books.html

If you're into vintage dinosaur books, this site is excellent. It even has books dating back into the 1890s

[tyrantqueen]

I have a secret weapon in next year's diorama contest Mwuhahahahaha



Hahahaha, but seriously, I think this will be an interesting read. I have always been interested in how dioramas are constructed for the Natural History Museums.

[Jetoar]

Wonderful book  !

[Gwangi]

I have a secret weapon in next year's diorama contest Mwuhahahahaha



Hahahaha, but seriously, I think this will be an interesting read. I have always been interested in how dioramas are constructed for the Natural History Museums.

Richard Kissel (one of the authors) actually works for the museum where I volunteer. That said, I've never heard of this book! It looks interesting though, I'm gonna add it to my wish list. Let me know how you like it.

EDIT: I can see why I've never heard of it, it has not been released here yet!

[tyrantqueen]

I have a secret weapon in next year's diorama contest Mwuhahahahaha



Hahahaha, but seriously, I think this will be an interesting read. I have always been interested in how dioramas are constructed for the Natural History Museums.

Richard Kissel (one of the authors) actually works for the museum where I volunteer. That said, I've never heard of this book! It looks interesting though, I'm gonna add it to my wish list. Let me know how you like it.

EDIT: I can see why I've never heard of it, it has not been released here yet!

Actually, my copy is still in the preorder stages too. Sorry, I didn't mean to confuse anyone

I remember seeing a documentary on tv a while back where it showed that one of the taxidermists of the museums (Carl Akeley?) went to Africa to study the wildlife and learn how to make a diorama based on their natural habitats and behaviour. It really piqued my interest in the subject

[Gwangi]

Speaking of Carl Akeley, you might be interested in reading "Kingdom Under Glass".