A little boy really wants a dog, but instead he gets dinosaurs!

"Created for St. Martin's Press by Priddy Bicknell"--P. [4] of cover.

Ever since Jurassic Park we thought we knew how dinosaurs lived their lives. In this remarkable new book, Brian J. Ford reveals that dinosaurs were, in fact, profoundly different from what we believe, and their environment was unlike anything we have previously thought.

What can long-dead dinosaurs teach us about our future? Plenty, according to paleontologist Kenneth Lacovara, who has discovered some of the largest creatures to ever walk the Earth. By tapping into the ubiquitous wonder that dinosaurs inspire, Lacovara weaves together the stories of our geological awakening, of humanity’s epic struggle to understand the nature of deep time, the meaning of fossils, and our own place on the vast and bountiful tree of life. Go on a journey––back to when dinosaurs ruled the Earth––to discover how dinosaurs achieved feats unparalleled by any other group of animals. Learn the secrets of how paleontologists find fossils, and explore quirky, but profound questions, such as: Is a penguin a dinosaur? And, how are the tiny arms of T. rex the key to its power and ferocity? In this revealing book, Lacovara offers the latest ideas about the shocking and calamitous death of the dinosaurs and ties their vulnerabilities to our own. Why Dinosaurs Matter is compelling and engaging—a great reminder that our place on this planet is both precarious and potentially fleeting. “As we move into an uncertain environmental future, it has never been more important to understand the past.”

"A personal selection of circa 180 topics from dinosaur biology, including classification, fossil finds, biographies, and much more"--

A dinosaur book like you've never seen before! Not only is the "dinosaur mystery" solved, but you'll be taught the TRUE history of the earth and its inhabitants! Your thinking about this world will never be the same again! A wealth of information combined into one volume, this fascinating book is a perfect addition to your family library!

"Bubbles over with the joy of scientific discovery as he shares his natural enthusiasm for the blend of sleuthing and imagination."—Publishers Weekly, starred review What if we woke up one morning all of the dinosaur bones in the world were gone? How would we know these iconic animals had a165-million year history on earth, and had adapted to all land-based environments from pole to pole? What clues would be left to discern not only their presence, but also to learn about their sex lives, raising of young, social lives, combat, and who ate who? What would it take for us to know how fast dinosaurs moved, whether they lived underground, climbed trees, or went for a swim?Welcome to the world of ichnology, the study of traces and trace fossils – such as tracks, trails, burrows, nests, toothmarks, and other vestiges of behavior – and how through these remarkable clues, we can explore and intuit the rich and complicated lives of dinosaurs. With a unique, detective-like approach, interpreting the forensic clues of these long-extinct animals that leave a much richer legacy than bones, Martin brings the wild world of the Mesozoic to life for the 21st century reader.

An introduction to the physical characteristics, habits, and natural environment of a variety of dinosaurs.

Renowned paleontologist Robert T. Bakker and award-winning paleoartist Luis V. Rey combine forces in this oversized picture book about the evolution of dinosaurs. From the conquest of land by dino ancestor Acanthostega during the Devonian Period, through the mass die-off of dinosaurs at the end of the Cretaceous Period, Bakker and Rey take readers on a safari through time while paying subtle homage to the 1960 Giant Golden Book Dinosaurs and Other Prehistoric Reptiles that inspired them both as young dinophiles. With stops along the way to look at monster bugs, ferocious fin-backs, fluffy dinosaurs, sea monsters and the 12-year-old girl who discovered them, dinosaur orchestras, tickling tyrannosaurs, and much, much more, this is a journey readers will never forget. It's a perfect gift for young dinosaur lovers as well as adult fans of Dr. Bakker and Luis Rey!"

Dinosaurs are back. Say hello to the Giganotosaurus, the Velociraptor, and Tyrannosaurus rex. Ready yourself for the deadly horns of the Zuniceratops and the razor sharp tail of the Tuojiangosaurus. But above all, be sure to expect the unexpected. Armed with a host of stunning recent discoveries, Keiron Pim re-introduces us to these mind-boggling creatures in mesmerizing detail. As we live through a ‘golden age’ of discovery, the rise and fall of the dinosaur is once again staking its claim as Nature’s most spectacular phenomenon. For decades, these weird and wonderful creatures have roamed the imaginations of adults and children alike; now they are brought to life before our very eyes. If you think you know the world of Dinosaurs, then think again, for it grows stranger and more fascinating all the time. Filled with fun facts and gory details, with ancient history and modern discovery, and with stunning design and illustrated throughout, this book is sure to delight readers of all ages.