Dinosaurs: The Most Complete, Up-to-Date Encyclopedia for Dinosaur Lovers of All Ages | 
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| Editorial Review / Publisher's Information:
Product Description
WRITTEN BY A PROFESSIONAL paleontologist specifically for young readers, this guide to the Dinosauria is packed with enough detail and
insider information to satisfy even die-hard dinophiles! The text includes brief entries on all 800+ "named" species of Mesozoic dinosaurs, as well as chapters on the history of dinosaur discoveries, the science of dinosaur art, dinosaur biology, and much more. With sidebars by 33 world-famous paleontologists, museum-quality illustrations, and over 20 never-beforeseen restorations of new dinosaur species, this is a must-have compendium of fact and fandom that dino enthusiasts of all ages will devour with glee!
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Customer Reviews:
• Colorful, Captivating, Brilliant 24 July, 2008
Not only is this book packed with information, but it also offers perspectives from many paleontologists. In fact, over 23 paleontologists contributed toward the book, and it is really enjoyable to read from them. This is not one of the regular dinosaur encyclopedias where the book just lists each dinosaur name and gives its features. Instead, this book groups some species into one (such as stegosaurus). And for each chapter, the author presents colorful information, such as stories, pictures, interesting behaviors, etc. In addition, there are information about geology, geography, paleontology, and much more. You won't be bored with dry, boring facts with this book!
- Reviewed by customer ID: A2ZL7WHPGTQZJA
• A Very Good Overview Of The Subject 22 March, 2008
This is a very good overview of the subject of dinosaurs for the lay person. It covers the systematics of the subject with good descriptions of each grouping and the morphological characters that distinguish them. Most of all it conveys to the reader the breadth of the group and how diverse dinosaurs are; they're not just giant predators and plodding plant-eating monsters, but that they occupied nearly all ecological niches of the Mesozoic world. I certainly wasn't aware of how many different species have been described.
Holtz writes for the adolescent and older lay-person in generally informal language that's not too patronizing for the older reader. It certainly is not a challenging read other than the breadth of the subject. In addition he's generally good about pointing out what are facts based on examination of the fossil evidence and what is pure speculation. He discusses how different paleontologists have different interpretations of the evidence and doesn't present his views like they are the only possibility. This is a very good resource for the person who wants to know just how diverse and extensive dinosaur species were and how they lived based on recent scientific research.
- Reviewed by customer ID: A2AFZNHGGSASZL
• Best Intermediate Dinosaur Book Available Despite Deinonychus Looking Like A Turkey 07 July, 2008
See all my reviews of dinosaur books.
Paleaontologist Holtz provides a cutting-edge commentary - far better than most dinosaur books and would have received 5 stars if it wasn't for some questionable illustrations from Luis Rey.
This 420 page book is not aimed at all ages, like the title suggests. Being a science teacher and dinosaur lover, I think reading this book requires a certain level of experience in dinosaurs or a high school level of science which I put at perhaps 15 years plus. It is not an introductory book as the information is quite dense.
Introductory dinosaur books give some basic contextual information and then profiles on individual dinosaurs; the best being Burnie's "Kingfisher Illustrated Dinosaur Encyclopedia" and Barrett's "National Geographic Dinosaurs". Holtz's "Dinosaurs" is a 40-chapter onslaught of information. Chapters include:
* History of Dinosaur Discoveries
* Rocks and Environment
* Fossils and Fossilisation
* Dating
* Finding Fossils
* Dinosaur Art
* Taxonomy
* Evolution
* Cladistics
The chapters then go into narrow clades (roughly Families if your're Linnean), for instance: Coelophysoids and Ceratosaurs; Spinosauroids; Carnosaurs; Primitive Coelurosaurs; Tyrannosauroids; Ornithomimosaurs and Alvarezsaurs; Oviraptorosaurs and Therizinosauroids; Deinonychosaurs; Avialians; Prosauropods; Primitive Sauropods; Diplodocoids; Macronarians; Ornothischians; Primitive Thyreophorans; Stegasaurs; Ankylosaurs; Primitive Ornithopods; Iguanodontians; Hadrosauroids; Pachycephalosaurs; Primitive Ceratopsians; and Ceratopsids.
The information contained therein is as up-to-date as 2006, including the recent discoveries of the feathered dinosaurs in China and entries on all 800 named species. But what I really like is the commentary; Holtz provides balanced arguments from ground zero. Here is a paleaontologist writing information on dinosaurs instead of someone who just interviews paleaontologists and writes their own material. Holtz writes in an attractive style while comparing the anatomies and adaptations of the dinosaurs. Holtz also includes brief essays from as many as 30 specialist collaborators on things such as 'The Fighting Dinosaurs of Mongolia', 'Male and Female Dinosaurs - Can We Tell the Difference?' and 'Dinosaur Paleopathology'.
My one issue with this book is the artwork. Even though he is an excellent artist, Luis Rey's illustrations in some places are bordering on provocative. There seems to be too much emphasis on linking too many dinosaurs to birds, resulting in an overabundance of feathered dinosaurs that there is no evidence for. There are feathered dinosaurs but when I see Deinonychus with wings and soft facial tissue like a turkey I think Holtz has let down his audience. It is OK to speculate so long as there is evidence (ie feathers) but there is no evidence whatsoever that dinosaurs had soft tissue adorning their heads like foul. Holtz should have edited Rey's work more stringently. As a reviewer, it is my responsibility to let you know of this whether it's an issue for you or not.
Anyway, this is still the best book available for intermediate study. It is cutting-edge and meaty enough for anyone, especially those who are looking to step up from beginner dinosaur books.
- Reviewed by customer ID: A1ZUC5J8G6KZXA
• Better For Tweens And Adults 28 August, 2008
I am not knocking this book at all. It is an excellent book for the older kids group. I read several reviews that stated people bought it for thier children aged around 5 years. My son is 5 and he is as die hard about dinosaurs as any one I have ever seen. There are not enough pictures in this book. The content is a bit scientific for a 5 year old. It is chock full of information. If you are looking for an A-Z guide to dinosaur books this is not it. It is organized through time rather than alphabetically. Overall this is a book you would absolutely love if you are about 10 years old and up.
- Reviewed by customer ID: A2852X5GJDPMZW
• Courtesy Of Teens Read Too 17 April, 2008
I am not a paleontologist (obviously). I am not, truth be told, even a dinosaur fanatic. What I am is a reader who is always looking to extend my knowledge base on interesting subjects, and this dinosaur encyclopedia fulfills that quest in spades!
Everything you could ever want to know about dinosaurs -- all types, all genuses, all sizes and shapes and colors -- is detailed, extensively, within the pages of DINOSAURS. There are wonderful illustrations by Luis V. Rey, timelines, graphs, rock cycles, detailed drawings of skeletons -- you name it, and this book has it. With an appendix that includes a 48-page Dinosaur Genus List and a Glossary of hundreds of terms, this is pretty much the only encyclopedia on dinosaurs that you're ever going to need.
I'm sure that some scientifically-minded people will yearn to find something that is missing, and they may even find it. But for the general dinosaur lover, this is definitely the book to add to your collection. Although the reading level is too advanced for younger children, those over the age of eight will find plenty to keep them interested and entertained.
DINOSAURS is highly recommended for classroom and home libraries, or as the perfect present for that dinosaur crazy kid on your gift list.
Reviewed by: Jennifer Wardrip, aka "The Genius"
- Reviewed by customer ID: A2TX179XAT5GRP
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