商品簡介
This two-volume encyclopedia attempts to cover all the major groups of fossil organisms. While the major portion surveys the current state of knowledge, some historical information appears in many of the contributions dealing with major taxa, the several regional profiles, and in biographies of major figures in the field such as energetic fieldworkers, individuals whose strengths lay in reconstruction and description, and scientists who revolutionized theory and analysis. In his introduction, Singer (biology and medical sciences, U. of Chicago) discusses how paleontology is not only relevant to the past but is essential for understanding the history of life and for imagining the future. Entries are arranged alphabetically. Contains many b&w photographs and drawings. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)