Written in Stone: Evolution, the Fossil Record, and Our Place in Nature

Written in Stone: Evolution, the Fossil Record, and Our Place in Nature
Brian Switek (Author)
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ASwitek seamlessly intertwines two types of evolution: one of life on earth and the other of paleontology itself.”ADiscover Magazine

AAIn delightful prose, [Switek] . . . superbly shows that A[i]f we can let go of our conceit,’ we will see the preciousness of life in all its forms.”APublishers Weekly (starred review)

AHighly instructive . . . a warm, intelligent yeoman’s guide to the progress of life.”AKirkus Reviews

AMagisterial . . . part historical account, part scientific detective story. Switek’s elegant prose and thoughtful scholarship will change the way you see life on our planet. This book marks the debut of an important new voice.”ANeil Shubin

AElegantly and engagingly crafted, Brian Switek’s narrative interweaves stories and characters not often encountered in books on paleontologyAat once a unique, informative and entertaining read.”ANiles Eldredge

AIf you want to read one book to get up to speed on evolution, read Written in Stone. Brian Switek’s clear and compelling book is full of fascinating stories about how scientists have read the fossil record to trace the evolution of life on Earth.”AAnn Gibbons

A[Switek's] accounts of dinosaurs, birds, whales, and our own primate ancestors are not just fascinating for their rich historical detail, but also for their up-to-date reporting on paleontology’s latest discoveries.”ACarl Zimmer

"After reading this book, you will have a totally new context in which to interpret the evolutionary history of amphibians, mammals, whales, elephants, horses, and especially humans.”ADonald R. Prothero

Spectacular fossil finds make today's headlines; new technology unlocks secrets of skeletons unearthed a hundred years ago. Still, evolution is often poorly represented by the media and misunderstood by the public. A potent antidote to pseudoscience, Written in Stone is an engrossing history of evolutionary discovery for anyone who has marveled at the variety and richness of life.

• Rank: #127569 in Books
• Published on: 2010-11-30
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Dimensions: .82" h x 6.07" w x 8.97" l, .75 pounds
• Binding: Paperback
• 320 pages