Product Description

Vertebrate Palaeontology is a complete, up–to–date history of the evolution of vertebrates. The third edition of this popular text has been extensively revised to incorporate the latest research, including new material from North and South America, Australia, Europe, China, Africa and Russia.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #144380 in Books
• Published on: 2004-10-05
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 472 pages

Review
"This book is a ′must′ for a biology or geology student and researcher concerned by palaeontology. It perfectly succeeds in showing how palaeobiological information is obtained." (Zentrallblatt fur Geologie und Palaontologie, 2007)

"This fine textbook by Michael Benton (Department of Geology University of Bristol) sets the standard in the field – a well–developed and wonderfully researched book that will serve the student community in the study of Palaeontology for years to come." (Electric Review.Net, September 2004)

"This is the third edition of a very long running (1990) and highly successful textbook in the field of vertebrate palaeontology...an invaluable aid to those who wish to know more about vertebrate fossils. There are plenty of well–drawn labelled diagrams. The text is clear and the book superbly planned and ordered...A classic textbook..." (Down to Earth, December 2004)

[The] simple language and general attitude make it accessible even to readers not familiar with paleontology at all. ...the author has succeeded in making it as comprehensive as possible in respect to such complex factual material. In few other books is the biological diversity of vertebrates presented in such an elegant and precise manner.... These parts of the book impressively show the unusual extent of the author′s knowledge. Michael Benton is an expert on the early evolution of dinosaurs, but his expertise in a range of problems of vertebrate paleontology is astonishing... No doubt that Michael Benton′s professional review of the evolution of the most complex of animals has to be placed high on the evolutionary tree of university textbooks. There is probably no better, more comprehensive and up–to–date source..."
(Journal of Sedimentary Research, March 2005)

"...a textbook aimed at enthusiasts and undergraduates...it is well laid out and the clear narrative style makes it accessible and easily read. I am sure anyone who wishes to learn more about the history of vertebrates will find it a very useful and informative book with much of interest to be gleaned." (Glasgow Naturalist, June 2006)

From the Back Cover
Vertebrate Palaeontology is a complete, up–to–date history of the evolution of vertebrates. The third edition of this popular text has been extensively revised to incorporate the latest research, including new material from North and South America, Australia, Europe, China, Africa and Russia.

The third edition:

• highlights astonishing new discoveries including new dinosaurs and Mesozoic birds from China

• features an expanded chapter on how to study fossil vertebrates

• provides an increased emphasis on the cladistic framework, with cladograms set apart from the body of the text and full lists of diagnostic characters

• includes new molecular evidence on early mammal diversification

• presents new features to aid study, including new functional and developmental feature spreads, key questions and extensive references to useful web sites

The book has a strong phylogenetic focus making it an up–to–date source of the latest broad–scale systematic data on vertebrate evolution. This book will be essential reading for vertebrate palaeontology students in earth science and biology departments.

About the Author
Michael Benton is Professor of Vertebrate Palaeontology at the University of Bristol. He is interested particularly in early reptiles, Triassic dinosaurs and macroevolution, and has published 50 books and 160 scientific articles.

Customer Reviews

From Pikaia to Hominids - A Brief History of Us All
Michael Benton, a professor at the University of Bristol, is one of the worlds most eminant Vertebrate Paleontologists. His strength lies in his ability to powerfully convey complex geology, biology and palaeoevolution to his audience : be they children, interested amateurs or his university students. Vertebrate Palaeontology is no different.

As vertebrates ourselves, we all have an interest in this book - Bentons very structured writing and editorial style allows the reader to follow his own family tree back from the present to the Pre-Cambrian.

Vertebrate Paleontology is a vast subject to cover - Michaels book simply outlines the key time markers, the key subjects and the key organisms along the route from Pikaia of the Burgess Shales to modern Hominids. The references, as always, are ubiquitous for those dedicated readers.

An excellent book.