Dionsaur Lives: Unearthing an Evolutionary Saga

To be published right after the release of the Spielberg/Crichton blockbuster The Lost World, this edifying follow-up to Digging Dinosaurs demonstrates why Spielberg chose paleontologist Horner to serve as technical advisor on both The Lost World and Jurassic Park despite Horner's lack of a formal college degree. As Horner describes his research over the past decade, it becomes clear that he has not only an uncanny nose for finding fossils but an equal ability to create exciting theories about them--including regarding the animals' nesting and parental care behaviors. Horner, not shy of technical details, makes the geological formations in which he finds fossils an integral part of his overarching tale--the story of how science, especially paleontology, works, and, as a major subplot, the story of evolution. Some of these details only other paleontologists will love, but aided by science writer Dobb, Horner spins many a lively tale, relating vividly the trials of his profession, which depends so often on the good will of landowners, as well as its triumphs. Part of Horner's appeal is his willingness to scrape; here, he challenges the popular theory that a meteor wiped out the dinosaurs, and takes on those who hunt fossils for profit. Horner bristles with opinions, and because he expresses so many here about so many subjects--including even the human soul--the book has a scattered feel, but those serious about science or dinos or both will relish digging its rich bed of ideas all the same. Illustrations not seen by PW. (June)