Mystery Library: Extinction of the Dinosaurs

by Don Nardo

Book Overview

What killed the dinosaurs? Since their discovery in the early nineteenth century, the extinction of these fascinating beasts that ruled the earth for some 160 million years has baffled modern researchers. This up-to-date, well-documented study examines the major theories that were proposed and then discarded until the recent discovery of intriguing evidence suggesting that the impact of an extraterrestrial object exterminated the dinosaurs.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1560068906
• ISBN13: 9781560068907
• Release Date: August 2001
• Publisher: Lucent Books
• Length: 112 Pages
• Weight: 0.82 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.5" x 7.4" x 9.2"
• Age Range: 12 to 17 years
• Grade Range: Grades 7 to 12

Customer Reviews

Informative and fascinating

This book is part of The Mystery Library series, with this book examining the mystery of the disappearance of the dinosaurs. The book begins with the first discovery of the dinosaurs, and the rise of the question, "If these creatures once existed, how come they are no longer around?" Chapter two covers from 1920 to 1970, and lists the causes suggested for the dinosaur's extinction. Chapter three begins the roller coaster ride, with Walter and Luis Alvarez's discovery of an unusual concentration of iridium at the K-T boundary, and unfolds the theory that the dinosaurs were destroyed by a massive comet or meteor. This book is not a mere apologia for the cosmic collision, though. The final chapter looks at other surviving theories, primarily the theory of supervolcanism.While I found this book in the Young Adults section, I would not say that this book is only for the young. I personally found this book to be informative and fascinating. It has quite a few illustrations, but sadly they are all in black-and-white. That said, though, this is a great book, one that will give you a quick overview of the reigning theory of what happened to the dinosaurs. I highly recommend this book.

First Rate

Here is a terrific new book that tells about the current theories for dinosaur extinction like good a mystery story that unravels the terrible truth a little at a time. It's very well written and also up to date, concentrating most of its space and details on the impact of an asteroid and a competing though not as widely accepted theory- massive volcanic eruptions. A very good and educational read!