Kings of Creation: How a New Breed of Scientists is Revolutionizing Our Understanding of Dinosaurs

These are exciting times in the field of dinosaur paleontology--new discoveries, techniques, interpretation and controversies. Lessem, founder of the Dinosaur Society, presents a lively sampling of current and significant work on dinosaurs worldwide. He introduces taphonomy, the study of circumstances of dinosaur death and preservation, and cladistics, a classification system that helps define relationships among dinosaurs. We meet scientists Robert Bakker, Peter Dodson, John Ostrum, Phil Currie, Paul Soreno, Jack Horner and others who have upended the traditional world of dinosaur studies with theories of warm-bloodedness, nurture and migration. Examining plausible causes of extinction, Lessem tends to support climatic change, though he concedes a possible catastrophic meteor impact. This is the best book on the subject since Robert Bakker's Dinosaur Heresies and a treat for buffs. Illustrations not seen by PW. (Apr.)