Trilobite!‪ ‬

This ebook edition does not include illustrations.

‘In Richard Fortey’s capable hands the humble grey trilobite has been transformed into the E.T. of the Lower Palaeozoic – a remarkable and fascinating book.’ SIMON WINCHESTER

Richard Fortey is one of Britain’s leading popular scientists. Life: An Unauthorised Biography, was short-listed for the Rhone Poulenc prize and has been reprinted five times. In all he writes, Fortey displays extraordinary range, delight and descriptive gifts which make complicated scientific facts and concepts not only easy to understand but a delight to absorb.

Trilobite! is an unashamedly trilobito-centric view of the world unravelling the history of the exotic, crustacean-like animals which dominated the seas for three hundred million years. These arthropods witnessed continents move, mountain chains elevated and eroded; they survived ice ages and volcanic eruptions, evolving and adapting exquisitely to their environment. They watched through their crystal eyes whilst life evolved. Their own evolution calibrated geological time itself.

Structured like a detective story, this is a light, but highly informative account of the wonders of scientific discovery and an engaging, quirky and fascinating introduction to evolution.

Note that it has not been possible to include the same picture content that appeared in the original print version.

Reviews

Praise for ‘Dry Store Room No 1’:

‘This book is worthy of the place it tells us about, and that is a pretty lofty chunk of praise.’ The Times

‘In this loving survey of his life at the museum, Fortey…is never less than enthused by all the museum's collections.’ Financial Times

‘Fortey…in his affectionate portrayal of the institution in which he spent his working life … sneaks us behind the scenes with all the glee of a small child seeing for the first time the museum's iconic Diplodocus skeleton … always authoritative … the beauty of the book is that - just like a museum - you can visit the different sections in any order you choose, lingering in the places that most take your fancy … and there is plenty of solid science to enjoy, elucidated with brilliant flair.’ Sunday Times

About the author

Richard Fortey is senior palaeontologist at the Natural History Museum. His previous books include the critically acclaimed LIFE: AN UNAUTHORISED BIOGRAPHY and the prize-winning THE HIDDEN LANDSCAPE. He lives in London.