Best of
Prehistoric

2019

Survival of the Fittest


Jacqui Murray - 2019
    One leader. A treacherous journey across three continents in search of a new home. Written in the spirit of Jean Auel, Survival of the Fittest is an unforgettable saga of hardship and determination, conflict and passion. Chased by a ruthless enemy, Xhosa leads her People on a grueling journey through unknown and dangerous lands following a path laid out decades before by her father, to be followed only as a last resort. She is joined by other fleeing tribes from Indonesia, China, South Africa, East Africa, and the Levant, all similarly forced by timeless events to find new lives. As they struggle to overcome treachery, lies, tragedy, secrets, and Nature itself, Xhosa is forced to face the reality that her enemy doesn't want to ruin her People. It wants to ruin her. The story is set 850,000 years ago, a time in prehistory when man populated most of Eurasia, where ‘survival of the fittest’ was not a slogan. It was a destiny. Xhosa's People were from a violent species, one fully capable of addressing the many hardships that threatened their lives except for one: future man, a smarter version of themselves, one destined to obliterate all those who came before.

Neander (Neander, #1)


Harald Johnson - 2019
    These people really ARE Neanderthals!"At an archeological dig in Gibraltar, a boat explosion shatters the hopes of science journalist Tom Cook. His pregnant fiancée was on the boat and is missing.During the search, things go from bad to worse when Tom plunges through a time portal and into the strange and dangerous era of the Neanderthals. Can he get back, or is he stuck in the past forever?On top of figuring out how to return to the present, Tom must use his modern-day wits to fight for survival in the world of 40,000 years ago. And contend with a group of archaic humans that are not at all like what he expects.Finally, Tom faces a crucial decision that could alter the course of human history. A history he knows he has the power to change. Will he make the right choice?If you're a fan of the time travel fantasy novels of Jack Finney ("Time and Again"), Stephen King ("11/22/63"), or Michael Crichton ("Timeline"), you'll savor this science-fiction, time-travel adventure from historical-fiction author Harald Johnson."It's 40,000 years ago and I'm stuck here. Now what?"

Dinosaur Facts and Figures: The Theropods and Other Dinosauriformes


Rubén Molina-Pérez - 2019
    Dinosaur Facts and Figures is a stunningly illustrated book of records for these marvelous creatures--such as the biggest, the smallest, and the fastest theropods, as well as the ones with the most powerful bite.This one-of-a-kind compendium features more than 3,000 records, covers some 750 theropod species, and includes a wealth of illustrations ranging from diagrams and technical drawings to full-color reconstructions of specimens. The book is divided into sections that put numerous amazing theropod facts at your fingertips. "Comparing Species" is organized by taxonomic group and gives comparisons of the size of species, how long ago they lived, and when they were discovered. "Mesozoic Calendar" includes spreads showing the positions of the continents at different geological time periods and reconstructions of creatures from each period. "Prehistoric Puzzle" compares bones, teeth, and feathers while "Theropod Life" uses vivid, user-friendly graphics to answer questions such as which dinosaur was the smartest and which had the most powerful bite. Other sections chart theropod distribution on the contemporary world map, provide comprehensive illustrated listings of footprints, compile the physical specifications of all known theropods and Mesozoic birds, and much more.The essential illustrated record book for anyone interested in dinosaursFeatures thousands of records on everything from the smartest and fastest theropods to the largest theropod eggsIncludes more than 2,000 diagrams and drawings and more than 300 digital reconstructionsCovers more than 750 theropod species, including Mesozoic birds and other dinosauromorphsProvides detailed listings of footprints, biometric specifications, and scholarly and popular references

50 Dinosaur Tales


Sabrina Ricci - 2019
    She jumps on top of the body and rips open its neck with her teeth. The ornithopod becomes still and limp.Satisfied, Gualicho begins to feast. But, after only two bites, she senses something is wrong. She lifts her head and sees a Mapusaurus making its way toward her."Blending fiction with fact, 50 Dinosaur Tales imagines the way 50 newly described dinosaurs from the Triassic, Jurassic, and Cretaceous lived in their natural habitats.Also included is a list of fun facts for each dinosaur story, and facts about 108 additional dinosaurs.If you want to hear more about new dinosaurs as soon as they are discovered, listen to the weekly podcast I Know Dino.Review from SPR:"50 Dinosaur Tales: And 108 More Discoveries From the Golden Age of Dinos is the perfect blend of education and entertainment, as both young and old readers are invited to see the world through a very different set of eyes. Authors Sabrina Ricci and Garret Kruger bring to life some lesser-known dinosaurs from Earth’s prehistory, weaving unique facts into simple stories. At times, this book reads like Aesop’s Fables, if they had been set in the Mesozoic Era, while the post-story bullet points and reference materials give the book significant authority and impact."

Visions of Lost Worlds: The Paleoart of Jay Matternes


Matthew T. Carrano - 2019
    These treasured Matternes murals documenting mammal evolution over the past 56 million years and dioramas showing dinosaurs from the Mesozoic Era are significant works of one of the most influential paleoartists in history. Simultaneously epic in size and scope and minutely detailed, they also provide a window into the study and interpretation of vertebrate paleontology and paleoecology.Visions of Lost Worlds presents these unparalleled works of art, and also includes the sketches and drawings Matternes prepared as he planned the murals. Known for his technical genius and eye for detail, Matternes sketched from skeletons in museum collections and added muscle, skin, and fur to bring mammals and dinosaurs from prehistory to vivid life. This book offers a close look at these works of art, a peek inside the artist's process, and an examination of the works' impact and legacy.