Spinosaur Tales - by David Hone & Mark Witton (Hardcover)

About the Book

Book Synopsis

The spinosaurs - the dinosaur group that includes the largest land predator of all time, the awe-inspiring Spinosaurus - star in this cutting-edge review.

The giant sail-backed carnivorous dinosaur Spinosaurus is one of the most famous of all dinosaurs; a staple of documentaries, books and video games, and the beast that bested the mighty Tyrannosaurus rex in Jurassic Park III. But what do we actually know about this crocodile-headed monster and its relatives, the spinosaurs?

The spinosaurs were some of the strangest predatory dinosaurs, combining a long low skull with powerfully clawed hands. Some species had huge sails over their backs, as well as fin-like tails. A great deal of scientific mystery surrounds them. Their fossil remains are highly fragmentary, many aspects of their appearance uncertain, their evolutionary relationships elusive, and interpretations of their ecology and behaviour are hotly contested.

Spinosaur Tales explores the exciting, sometimes controversial world of spinosaur science. Bringing these creatures back to life with stunning illustrations, world-renowned palaeontologists David Hone and Mark P. Witton present the latest views on the evolution, anatomy and lifestyles of an enigmatic yet charismatic dinosaur group.

Review Quotes

"Dave Hone and Mark Witton bring dinosaurs to life. Blending rigorous science with accessible ideas they put more than flesh on fossilised bones, they animate these ancient creatures, extrapolate behaviour, give them character and personality. And here they use all the evidence to reshape some of paleontologies most enigmatic yet mysterious animals - the bizarre big-finned, curly clawed spinosaurs. After years of lost specimens, dodgy deals and ferocious scientific debate Dave and Mark bravely confront the controversies and introduce us to what we know and what it means. Its a joyous journey from the past to the present as these magnificent species rise from the pages to inhabit our prehistoric dreams!" --Chris Packham

"Dave Hone and Mark Witton bring dinosaurs to life. Blending rigorous science with accessible ideas they put more than flesh on fossilised bones, they animate these ancient creatures, extrapolate behaviour, give them character and personality. And here they use all the evidence to reshape some of paleontologies most enigmatic yet mysterious animals - the bizarre big-finned, curly clawed spinosaurs. After years of lost specimens, dodgy deals and ferocious scientific debate Dave and Mark bravely confront the controversies and introduce us to what we know and what it means. Its a joyous journey from the past to the present as these magnificent species rise from the pages to inhabit our prehistoric dreams!" --Chris Packham

"The lineage of an elusive yet fascinating dinosaur is teased apart with thoughtfulness and rigor ... Spinosaur Tales will delight dinosaur fanatics and casual readers alike. Its balance of science and speculation is well suited to its unique subject matter." --The Washington Independent Review of Books

"The lineage of an elusive yet fascinating dinosaur is teased apart with thoughtfulness and rigor ... Spinosaur Tales will delight dinosaur fanatics and casual readers alike. Its balance of science and speculation is well suited to its unique subject matter." --The Washington Independent Review of Books

"Hone and Wilson's lucid narrative not only informs readers about spinosaurs and where they fit into the Cretaceous ecosystem, it also demonstrates how modern paleontologists manage to draw plausible inferences from the scattered bits and pieces ancient life leaves behind." --Natural History magazine

"Hone and Wilson's lucid narrative not only informs readers about spinosaurs and where they fit into the Cretaceous ecosystem, it also demonstrates how modern paleontologists manage to draw plausible inferences from the scattered bits and pieces ancient life leaves behind." --Natural History magazine

"Hone and Witton are adroitly informative and entertaining in explaining everything science currently knows about spinosaur anatomy, biology, and behavior. The book has imaginative color illustrations, bone cross-sections, and most-likely anatomical reconstructions. The use of that signature spinal ridge? The strength of those dangling claws? The evolutionary development of that long toothy snout? Hone and Witton cover it all in fast-paced prose entirely accessible to non-specialists. pinosaur Tales brings together most of what's known about this remarkable group and crafts it all into a handy, informative overview." --Open Letters

"Hone and Witton are adroitly informative and entertaining in explaining everything science currently knows about spinosaur anatomy, biology, and behavior. The book has imaginative color illustrations, bone cross-sections, and most-likely anatomical reconstructions. The use of that signature spinal ridge? The strength of those dangling claws? The evolutionary development of that long toothy snout? Hone and Witton cover it all in fast-paced prose entirely accessible to non-specialists. pinosaur Tales brings together most of what's known about this remarkable group and crafts it all into a handy, informative overview." --Open Letters

"Spinosaurus and relatives are some of the strangest flesh-eating dinosaurs and they are contenders with T. rex for the title of scariest dinosaur. Hone and Witton provide an authoritative account of the recent rush of new specimens and news research that seeks to understand how these remarkable animals hunted and swam." --Michael J. Benton, author Dinosaurs: New Visions of a Lost World

"Spinosaurus and relatives are some of the strangest flesh-eating dinosaurs and they are contenders with T. rex for the title of scariest dinosaur. Hone and Witton provide an authoritative account of the recent rush of new specimens and news research that seeks to understand how these remarkable animals hunted and swam." --Michael J. Benton, author Dinosaurs: New Visions of a Lost World

"An unauthorized biography of one of the most famous but elusive dinosaurs. Once an obscure species, Spinosaurus is now among the most iconic dinosaurs, although so much about it remains shrouded in mystery. If you want to encounter the real Spinosaurus, and understand what we know and don't know about it, read this book. Written by a leading paleontologist and illustrated by one of the world's premier paleoartists, Spinosaur Tales is a thoroughly researched, well crafted, and beautifully illustrated guide to the newest celebrity dinosaur." --Steve Brusatte, bestselling author of The Rise and Fall of the Dinosaurs

"An unauthorized biography of one of the most famous but elusive dinosaurs. Once an obscure species, Spinosaurus is now among the most iconic dinosaurs, although so much about it remains shrouded in mystery. If you want to encounter the real Spinosaurus, and understand what we know and don't know about it, read this book. Written by a leading paleontologist and illustrated by one of the world's premier paleoartists, Spinosaur Tales is a thoroughly researched, well crafted, and beautifully illustrated guide to the newest celebrity dinosaur." --Steve Brusatte, bestselling author of The Rise and Fall of the Dinosaurs

"A comprehensive overview of modern research into spinosaurs ... Dinosaur enthusiasts will find much of interest." --Publishers Weekly

"A comprehensive overview of modern research into spinosaurs ... Dinosaur enthusiasts will find much of interest." --Publishers Weekly

"The only book on spinosaurs you will ever need. A detailed, factually accurate, and up-to-date insight into the world of some of the most peculiar dinosaurs." --Dr Dean Lomax, author of The Secret Lives of Dinosaurs

"The only book on spinosaurs you will ever need. A detailed, factually accurate, and up-to-date insight into the world of some of the most peculiar dinosaurs." --Dr Dean Lomax, author of The Secret Lives of Dinosaurs

"Hone and Witton aim to bring the creature to life with their well-illustrated book. Its introductory chapter is particularly useful, summarizing how paleontologists' knowledge of the spinosaur has changed over time... Recommend to any dinosaur fanatic." --Library Journal

"Hone and Witton aim to bring the creature to life with their well-illustrated book. Its introductory chapter is particularly useful, summarizing how paleontologists' knowledge of the spinosaur has changed over time... Recommend to any dinosaur fanatic." --Library Journal

About the Author

David Hone is a palaeontologist at Queen Mary University of London. Author of the acclaimed The Tyrannosaur Chronicles, his research includes multiple scientific papers on spinosaur systematics and biology, and he was part of a team that named two new species in 2021.

Mark P. Witton is a palaeontologist based at the University of Portsmouth. Widely recognised as one of the world's leading paleoartists, he has also published dozens of scientific papers and six books that feature his art.