Dinosaurs - by Spencer Lucas (Paperback)

About the Book

Geared toward a broad variety of students, Dinosaurs: The Textbook offers a concise and lucid presentation of the core biological and geological concepts of dinosaur science. This seventh edition of the leading text for introductory courses on dinosaurs has been revised throughout based on recent fossil discoveries and the latest research.

Book Synopsis

Geared toward a broad variety of students, Dinosaurs: The Textbook offers a concise and lucid presentation of the core biological and geological concepts of dinosaur science. Revised throughout to reflect recent fossil discoveries and the current scientific consensus, this seventh edition details the evolution, phylogeny, and classification of various dinosaur species while modeling the best approach for navigating new and existing research.

Spencer G. Lucas takes readers through the major taxonomic groups, including theropods, sauropodomorphs, ornithopods, ceratopsians, pachycephalosaurs, stegosaurs, and ankylosaurs. He also examines the behavior and extinction of the dinosaurs, their biological relationship to birds, and their representation (or misrepresentation) in art, literature, film, and other forms of popular culture.

This seventh edition of the leading text for introductory courses on dinosaurs incorporates comprehensive updates based on the latest research. Lucas highlights how dinosaur science is rapidly evolving, exploring how new discoveries, methods, and ideas are expanding the frontiers of knowledge. The book features cutting-edge and scientifically rigorous illustrations by leading paleoartists. It also includes extensive and reader-friendly end-of-chapter summary tools, review questions, a detailed glossary, a dinosaur dictionary, and a comprehensive index.

Review Quotes

Dinosaurs is a concise, well-written, and profusely illustrated introduction to this ever-fascinating subject. It is ideally suited for college-level courses.--Hans-Dieter Sues, senior research geologist and curator of vertebrate paleontology, Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History, coauthor of Triassic Life on Land: The Great Transition

Concise and lucid. This seventh edition of the leading text for introductory courses on dinosaurs incorporates comprehensive updates based on the latest research.-- "Birdbooker Report"

I don't think that you can produce a better book than what Lucas has written. It has been well proved over many years, and this thoroughly updated edition meets the demands of the rapidly evolving science.--Sherwood W. Wise Jr., professor emeritus of geological sciences, Florida State University

Lucas brings four decades of experience in vertebrate paleontology to this logical and thorough treatment of dinosaurs. A challenging--and rewarding--text for students.--Lawrence H. Tanner, professor of environmental science systems and director of the Center for the Study of Environmental Change, Le Moyne College

This book is the best available introduction to dinosaurs for college students, as earlier editions have been.--John Cisne, professor emeritus of earth and atmospheric sciences, Cornell University

About the Author

Spencer G. Lucas is the curator of paleontology at the New Mexico Museum of Natural History and Science. He has published more than 500 scientific articles and authored or coedited close to twenty volumes, including Chinese Fossil Vertebrates (Columbia, 2002).