Overview

The popularity of dinosaurs seems never ending, fuelled by films such as Jurassic Par and documentaries (Walking with Dinosaurs). But how much do these popular programmes really tell us about the recent scientific discoveries and the latest research into the world of the dinosaur? This is the first book explain the latest findings in dinosaur research and the exciting scientific discoveries that have built up a picture of how dinosaurs looked, what they ate, and how they moved and interacted with each other. Taking a new approach to the subject, David Norman combines many areas of science, such as anatomy, genetics, forensics and engineering design, to piece together the evidence of how animal life evolved on earth, and why it did in the way that it did. David Norman also discusses the role that informed speculation and luck has played in many of the major discoveries. Starting with ancient myths of dinosaur-like monsters (dragons) and the history of the discovery of dinosaurs, he goes on to discuss their evolution and the many different techniques used to understand them, including the latest virtual reality animation sequences and engineering design analysis. ABOUT THE SERIES: The Very Short Introductions series from Oxford University Press contains hundreds of titles in almost every subject area. These pocket-sized books are the perfect way to get ahead in a new subject quickly. Our expert authors combine facts, analysis, perspective, new ideas, and enthusiasm to make interesting and challenging topics highly readable.

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9780192804198

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...a fascinating series of brief, all-you-need-to-know introductions by experts to complex topics. * Iain Finlayson, The Times * 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 *

...a fascinating series of brief, all-you-need-to-know introductions by experts to complex topics. Iain Finlayson, The Times

`The Very Short Introduction series are fantastically informative books.' Simon Keegan, Big Issue in the North

...a fascinating series of brief, all-you-need-to-know introductions by experts to complex topics. * Iain Finlayson, The Times *

Author Information

David Norman is Director, Sedgwick Museum, Cambridge University and directs major research groups in the areas of palaeobiology, anatomy and evolution. He has published extensively on Dinosaurs both for the general and academic market. The Illustrated Encyclopaedia of Dinosaurs (Salamander/Crescent Books US 1985) has sold over half a million copies and was Library Journal Science Book of Year. Dinosaur! (Boxtree, 1992) was Library Journal Science Book of Year and Palaeontological Society (US) Best Popular Book 1996.

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