Name: FOSSILS: THE KEY TO THE PAST
Rating: 4.08 (6 reviews)
ISBN: 9780113100194

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FOSSILS: THE KEY TO THE PAST

Richard Fortey

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This introduction offers an explanation of how fossils are a product of our evolving habitat. The emphasis is on what paleontology is really about, how the paleontologist tries to find out the ways in which fossil animals lived and how geological processes have interacted with the history of life.

GenresScienceBiologyNonfictionPalaeontologyHistoryGeologyEvolution

Paperback

First published January 1, 1982

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About the author

Richard Fortey

37��books301��followers

Richard Alan Fortey was a British palaeontologist, natural historian, writer and television presenter, who served as president of the Geological Society of London for its bicentennial year of 2007.

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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews

Nicky

4,138 reviews1,102 followers

March 6, 2018

This is probably more of a reference book than one to read straight through; it’s beautifully illustrated with sketches and photographs reproducing common and interesting fossils, and it has advice on how to identify fossils, clean them up and store them, along with the relatively straightforward explanations of how fossils form, how they can be useful, and specific titbits on various different individual fossils.

The information wasn’t new to me, and it isn’t Fortey’s finest writing, though he can always make geology sound fascinating. It’s a beautiful book, though, and one I’ll definitely keep for reference.

non-fiction science-fact

Hydre Lana

192 reviews37 followers

September 11, 2024

Es un libro fascinante. Es mi primera introducción a los fósiles y a la geología en materia teórica. El libro está lleno de ejemplos de fósiles y pese a que tiene sus buenos 10 añazos ha envejecido bastante bien (en comparación con otros de la misma época sobre paleontología que he leído). Aunque la narración es un poco accidentada (poco fluida) la información que contiene está muy bien para los que no tenemos ni pajolera idea del tema. Cabe decir que en UK el tema de buscar fósiles no tiene que ver con el de España. En mi país te pones a excavar y se lía parda. Supongo que en Reino Unido el mercado negro de fósiles debe de ser lucrativo a más no poder ('Oh, Dios del capitalismo, para qué nos das fósiles si no podemos hacer negocio con ellos', deben de pensar).
En fin, libro muy recomendable para quién le guste el tema.

jon

125 reviews

August 22, 2022

.....wow there was really a lot going on here.... in a good way ofc!!!

biology

James Porter

8 reviews1 follower

July 26, 2024

Thoroughly enjoyed this book! The book doesn't comprehensively cover anything but it does provide you with a nice overview of many different aspects of paleontology in a way which makes it accessible. It also provides a lot of practical information if you're looking to start fossil hunting yourself in the UK specifically though I believe the information would be useful in other locations too. Overall I'd say in very happy I took the time to read the book!

John Rasmussen

183 reviews1 follower

August 30, 2013

a very clear presentation of fossils and paleontology. this book is targeted at the lay public and offers a great explanation of many concepts from paleontology and historical geology. The presentation is concise and complete. I enjoyed the general review of my college classes.