Dinosaur

Synopsis

Journey a hundred million years back in time, and see 8 amazing dinosaurs in motion. A New York Times bestseller! Using unique Photicular® technology that's like a 3-D movie on the page, DINOSAUR brings these legendary, long-extinct creatures to life. Each image delivers a rich, immersive visual experience-and the result is breathtaking. There's a herd of giant sauroposeidons, with their impossibly long necks, lumbering across the sun-drenched plains, a threatened velociraptor waving its wildly feathered arms, and more. Flipping through these pages is transports readers to Earth's distant past. With informative text by science writer Kathy Wollard, it's like a natural history museum but better-experience it for yourself!

Summary

Chapter 1: The Bone Wars

* Introduction to the bitter rivalry between paleontologists Othniel Charles Marsh and Edward Drinker Cope, who competed to discover and name new dinosaur fossils.
* Example: Marsh's discovery of the first complete dinosaur skeleton, Triceratops horridus, in 1891, which sparked the rivalry with Cope.

Chapter 2: Dinosaur Discovery

* Overview of the early history of dinosaur discovery, from the first reported fossil in 1677 to the establishment of paleontology as a scientific discipline in the 19th century.
* Example: William Buckland's naming of the first dinosaur genus, Megalosaurus, in 1824.

Chapter 3: Dinosaur Classification

* Discussion of the different taxonomic groups of dinosaurs, including carnivores, herbivores, and flying reptiles.
* Example: The classification of Tyrannosaurus rex as a theropod dinosaur, a group known for their bipedalism and predatory nature.

Chapter 4: Dinosaur Anatomy

* Detailed examination of the skeletal structure and physiology of dinosaurs.
* Example: The description of the unique hollow bones and air sacs that reduced the weight of dinosaurs and enabled their large size.

Chapter 5: Dinosaur Evolution

* Exploration of the evolutionary history of dinosaurs, from their origins in the Triassic period to their extinction at the end of the Cretaceous period.
* Example: The tracing of the evolution of feathers and flight in theropod dinosaurs, leading to the emergence of birds.

Chapter 6: Dinosaur Extinction

* Examination of the various theories proposed to explain the mass extinction of the dinosaurs 66 million years ago.
* Example: The discussion of the asteroid impact theory, which suggests that a large asteroid or comet collided with Earth, causing widespread devastation and an extinction event.

Chapter 7: Dinosaur Legacy

* Exploration of the enduring fascination with dinosaurs and their impact on popular culture.
* Example: The success of the Jurassic Park film franchise, which has introduced dinosaurs to a global audience.

Chapter 8: The Future of Dinosaur Research

* Outlook on the future of paleontology and the ongoing discoveries that continue to shed light on the world of dinosaurs.
* Example: The use of new technologies, such as CT scanning and genetic analysis, to gain new insights into dinosaur biology.