Discovering the Prehistoric World A Guide to the Astonishing Forms of Early Life on Earth

About this book

Delve into the mysteries of the ancient Earth with this highly visual, full-colour hardback guide, written by renowned natural history author, Marianne Taylor.

From the origins of life to the reign of the dinosaurs and the ice age, this fascinating book explores the diversity of life on Earth in the time before humans came to dominate the planet. Learn how species rose, fell, and evolved as they adapted to a changing climate and the varied ecosystems that arose. Discover the five mass extinction events and how life rose again despite the challenges. Explore the majesty of the dinosaurs and the fascinating ancestors of the many animals that we know and love today.

Includes:
- Paleozoic: marine life, the first plants, coral reefs, trilobites
- Mesozoic: dinosaurs and other reptiles, the first birds, the breakup of Pangaea
- Cenozoic: new mammals, the first horses, ice ages

The text is brought to life by superb full-colour photos, charts, maps and infographics to reveal the early history of the planet in all its splendour. A fascinating guide to the world which can be enjoyed by the whole family.

Customer Reviews

Biography

Marianne Taylor has a BSc in Psychology from Sheffield University and worked in publishing for several years before following her passion for natural history and starting to write about it. Today she is a naturalist, photographer illustrator, and the author of more than 30 books on natural history, including The Story of Life in 10½ Chapters, The Way of the Hare, Tracking the Highland Tiger, RSPB British Naturefinder, The Nature Book, Dragonflight: In Search of Britain's Dragonflies and Damselflies, The Pocket Book of Insect Anatomy, Owls, and RSPB Nature Watch. She is the author of Discovering the Animal Kingdom for Arcturus.