Review by Choice Review
Glut is a devoted amateur member of the Society of Vertebrate Paleontology, and author of the well-received Dinosaur Dictionary (2nd ed., 1984). The manuscript for this book was reviewed by a panel of noted dinosaur paleontologists. The work begins with background information including discussions of the Mesozoic era, dinosaur origins, the relationship of dinosaurs and birds, the "warm-" versus "cold-blooded" debate, and dinosaur extinction. A chapter on dinosaur systematics precedes the section which makes up the bulk of the book, alphabetically arranged descriptions of dinosaur genera. Entries cover the paleontological history of each genus from earliest fossil discovery to the present, with data on original specimens and copious references to the original literature. There are plentiful black-and-white photographs and drawings of fossils, mounted skeletons, and some "life restorations." All of the latter were prepared by artists recognized in the field of vertebrate paleontology and are based on original fossil material. Changes and controversies in scientific thinking are well covered; e.g., from "Brontosaurus," one is referred to "Apatosaurus," where the history of confusion and controversy over specimens and names is described, including the mounting of a Camarasaurus skull on an Apatosaurus skeleton, which influenced for years how the head of this animal was portrayed. Recent speculations and disagreements about that animal's probable lifestyle are also presented. The book is rounded out with a list of "nomina nuda" (doubtful genera), excluded genera (not considered dinosaurs), a helpful glossary, an extensive bibliography, and a serviceable index. Not for general audiences, but larger public libraries where there is strong interest in the subject might consider purchasing it. Highly recommended for any college or university where paleontology is taught. V. S. Mitchell; Reed College
Copyright American Library Association, used with permission.
Review by Booklist Review
It is safe to say that dinosaurs are popular. Since the discovery of the first dinosaur fossil 150 years ago, our fascination with the most successful animal to ever populate the earth has been passionate and intense. In popular culture, the dinosaur is stereotypically portrayed as a monster from our worst nightmares; in science, it represents one of the greatest scientific mysteries nature has ever written. However, as the recent controversy between scientist John Horner and producer/director Steven Spielberg attests, these two worlds rarely meet in agreement. Donald F. Glut's Dinosaurs: The Encyclopedia and Philip J. Currie and Kevin Padian's Encyclopedia of Dinosaurs attempt to bridge this chasm in informative and accessible ways. They are published at a time when "dinomania" is at a new height, inspired in part by the Jurassic Park movies. As author Michael Crichton notes in the foreword to Currie and Padian: "In every country of the world, children and adults are entranced by dinosaurs." These works also come out in the midst of a three-decade boom in the study of dinosauria that has been motivated by John Ostrom's discovery in the 1960s of the birdlike Dienonychus genus. Encyclopedia of Dinosaurs opens with a dedication to Ostrom, telling the story of his find and its subsequent influence on the science. The encyclopedia itself provides a wonderful reference to the literature and science of dinosaurs that have resulted from Ostrom's work. As the editors note, it is intended as a resource, not as an exhaustive compendium. It is composed of alphabetically arranged essays on a variety of topics: Abelisauridae, Behavior, Jurassic Park, Zigong Dinosaur Museum. There is a thematic table of contents and an extensive index. All essays are signed by the various experts that have written them and usually feature detailed bibliographies and cross-references. The bibliographies cite both English-and non-English-language journal articles and monographs. Additional features are an alphabetized, classified list of dinosaur genera, a list of further readings, a chronology related to the study of prehistoric life, and a glossary. Most of the illustrations are black and white, although there are some colorplates. In the preface to Encyclopedia of Dinosaurs, Currie and Padian note that Donald F. Glut's New Dinosaur Dictionary (Citadel, 1982) provides a comprehensive listing of dinosaurian names and histories. Dinosaurs: The Encyclopedia is a detailed and much more technical revision of Glut's earlier work, accounting for the discoveries and taxonomic revisions of the last two decades. Glut has organized his new volume into sections: Background, Dinosaurian Systematics, Dinosaurian Genera, Nomina Nuda ("naked names," or doubtful genera), and Excluded Genera. Also included are an index, a glossary of terms, and a thorough bibliography. It is the section Dinosaurian Genera that is the most extensive, being an alphabetical compilation of dinosaurian generic names, from Abelisaurus to Zizhonosaurus. Entries generally include description and comments, in addition to information on first publication in paleontological literature. Both of these works serve as ideal companions to one another. Encyclopedia of Dinosaurs is less technical, so it would fit into a public or undergraduate library reference collection with ease. Glut's work is more suited to an academic library or a library that also has other, more accessible reference works to accompany it. Both are worthy of the stature dinosaurs have earned in contemporary culture.
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by Library Journal Review
Here are two new encyclopedias for the more serious dinosaur enthusiast. Intended as a companion to the classic taxonomic reference, The Dinosauria (LJ 3/15/91), Encyclopedia of Dinosaurs emphasizes discoveries published in the scientific literature since 1990. In this context, the paucity of maps and illustrations seems a less serious omission. Written by well-known paleontologists and organized alphabetically by subject, the signed articles cover kinds of dinosaurs, biology, geology, research, and museums where dinosaurs are on display, including a worldwide list of museums and sites. There is some overlap with The Dinosauria in dinosaur descriptions, but this encyclopedia offers authoritative articles on many topics not covered in that work, such as "color," "intelligence," and "ornamentation." While the language may sometimes be too technical for the general reader, Encyclopedia of Dinosaurs provides a nice link between popular and scientific dinosaur studies. The author of The Complete Dinosaur Dictionary (Carol Pub., 1995), which was aimed at young adults, Glut now offers a far more detailed and technical work oriented toward dinosaur material in museum collections. Following 74 pages of background information, the encyclopedia is devoted to an alphabetical list of dinosaur genera. Each entry tells the date of discovery, name derivation, occurrence, age, and diagnosis; gives a list of key print references; and refers to important museum specimens that have furthered the study of dinosaur paleontology. The black-and-white illustrations are mainly photos of museum specimens and reconstructions, with a deliberate avoidance of fanciful interpretation. The emphasis on museum collections makes this a unique work. Both titles are recommended for academic and larger public libraries.Amy Brunvand, Univ. of Utah Lib., Salt Lake City (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by Choice Review
Review by Booklist Review
Review by Library Journal Review
