"Scientific American" Book Of The Cosmos

Plot

Discover how dinosaurs evolved, how they looked, where they lived, how they behaved, and why they died: the current state of knowledge about the Monsters of the Mesozoic, complete in one volume. Acclaimed dinosaur paleontologist and paleo-artist Gregory S. Paul conducts this definitive tour through the 140-million-year existence of the most exotic and interesting group of animals ever to walk the earth, assisted by the world's leading dinosaur experts. Here you'll find remarkable stories about the first discoveries of dinosaur fossils, the beginnings of dinosaur paleontology, how the field has changed with modern technology, the most sensational finds, and the latest theories. You'll also explore the answers to such questions as: Did dinosaurs have feathers? Did dinosaurs fly? Were the dinosaurs sluggish, cold-blooded reptilians, or something radically different? What are the different dinosaur families, how were they named, and how are they related? What was the dinosaurs' world like, and how did it change during their reign? Are the birds of today the living descendants of predatory dinosaurs? How and why did the major dinosaur famihes become extinct? Filled with spectacular full-color illustrations of dinosaurs in action, plus black-and-white art and graphics. The Scientific American Book of Dinosaurs features the latest information from the field of dinosaur paleontology, presented in a fascinating and accessible format. You'll never think about dinosaurs the same way again! AUTHORBIO: Gregory S. Paul is one of America's leading dinosaur paleontologists and also a gifted artist. For his anatomical accuracy, he is considered among his peers to be the "definitive" paleo-artist. Paul has worked on Disney's animated movie Dinosaur and was a consultant on the motion picture Jurassic Park. His published work includes dozens of scientific papers in magazines and journals, and the books Beyond Humanity, The Complete Illustrated Guide to Dinosaur Skeletons, Predetory Dinosaurs of the World, Dinosaurs of the Air: The Evolution and Loss of Flight in the Mesozoic, and Dinosaurs and Birds. Paul's illustrations have graced dozens of books, periodicals, and televised specials on the fabulous beasts. His art has also been exhibited in the Smithsonian Institution's traveling exhibit and has been displayed in ten natural history museums around the world.