Product Description

Palaeobiology: A Synthesis was widely acclaimed both for its content and production quality. Ten years on, Derek Briggs and Peter Crowther have once again brought together over 150 leading authorities from around the world to produce Palaeobiology II. Using the same successful formula, the content is arranged as a series of concise articles, taking a thematic approach to the subject, rather than treating the various fossil groups systematically.

This entirely new book, with its diversity of new topics and over 100 new contributors, reflects the exciting developments in the field, including accounts of spectacular newly discovered fossils, and embraces data from other disciplines such as astrobiology, geochemistry and genetics.

Palaeobiology II will be an invaluable resource, not only for palaeontologists, but also for students and researchers in other branches of the earth and life sciences.

• Written by an international team of recognised authorities in the field.
  
• Content is concise but informative.
  
• Demonstrates how palaeobiological studies are at the heart of a range of scientific themes.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #428687 in Books
• Published on: 2001-01-15
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 600 pages

Review
"One of the great strengths of the volume is the combination of focused treatments of well–studied areas (Taylor on locomotion in Mesozoic marine reptiles or Trewin on the Rhynie Chert) with discussion on broader principles (the late Jack Sepkoski, to whom the volume is dedicated, on competition in macroevolution or Cerling on the evolution of modern grasslands). … This approach provides both the general patterns and processes behind the history of life as well as the richness of unique events." Douglas H. Erwin, The Palaeontological Association Newsletter

"The bottom line, as I think you′ll see, is that this volume is an entirely new one, and it provides an excellent complement to the first. … I will have to recommend it. If not for individual purchases, then an absolute must for libraries. Faculty will find it very useful in preparing their lectures … Students will find it useful for getting a comprehensive survey of what′s going on in palaeontology all in one place … In addition, it is an easy–browsing text. … I very much recommend it." Linda C. Ivany, American Paleontologist

“Palaeobiology II is an essential reference work for any geology library and most palaeobiologists will want their own copies, but do not lend them out as they may never return. … The editors have done an excellent job of marshalling their authors and the huge volume of information into a readily usable structure and format.” Douglas Palmer, Geoscientist

"What this book covers is no less than the current state of thinking on just about every paleontological topic imaginable...I would recommend it to anyone interested in adding a comprehensive, authoritative, up–to–date volume to their library. I can guarantee that you won′t be disappointed." Fossil News, August 2003

From the Back Cover
Palaeobiology: A Synthesis was widely acclaimed both for its content and production quality. Ten years on, Derek Briggs and Peter Crowther have once again brought together over 150 leading authorities from around the world to produce Palaeobiology II. Using the same successful formula, the content is arranged as a series of concise articles, taking a thematic approach to the subject, rather than treating the various fossil groups systematically.

This entirely new book, with its diversity of new topics and over 100 new contributors, reflects the exciting developments in the field, including accounts of spectacular newly discovered fossils, and embraces data from other disciplines such as astrobiology, geochemistry and genetics.

Palaeobiology II will be an invaluable resource, not only for palaeontologists, but also for students and researchers in other branches of the earth and life sciences.

Customer Reviews

New contents for second book by same editors. Excellent.
The editors have lived up to their expectations of production of another excellent reference volume. The layout is very similar to that of their 1990 book "Paleobiology". The content they have chosen for "Paleobiology II" is complementary to that for the earlier book.
The articles are of the standard that is required for high quality scientific publications for the general scientifically-based reader.
The book is also intended to a reference work for workers in the field. The diagrams are well presented. Lists of references are provided.

high quality selection of relevent articles by experts
This book, published in 1990, remains an excellent background read. The quality of the editing is excellent, and the choice of authors for the individual articles is good. Leading authorities provided excellent chapters.
It is complementary to the 2001 publication "Paleobiology II" by the same two editors. The new book is not a second edition of the first. They contain different material.