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The Rise and Fall of the Dinosaurs summary
Steve Brusatte
A New History of a Lost World
28 mins
Brief summary
"The Rise and Fall of the Dinosaurs" by Steve Brusatte is a thrilling account of the evolution, dominance and extinction of the dinosaurs. Brusatte draws on cutting-edge science to paint a vivid picture of these prehistoric creatures and their world, showing what made them so successful and ultimately, why they died out.
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The Rise and Fall of the Dinosaurs
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There was life on Earth before the dinosaurs, and it took a cataclysmic event for them to become dominant.
In the popular imagination, the dinosaurs' rule over the Earth lasted from the first stirrings of life on the planet right up until their extinction.
But, of course, dinosaurs weren’t the first inhabitants of Earth.
It was around 390 million years ago that life first crawled onto land. From then until the end of the Permian Period, around 252 million years ago, the animal kingdom comprised a range of strange reptilian and mammalian creatures.
The Permian Period, however, ended with the largest mass extinction event in Earth’s history.
It began when volcanoes started exuding vast amounts of magma. It continued to flow for several hundred thousand years, perhaps even a few million. There’s evidence of the scale of the disaster from geological records; when looking at formations from this period, the rock type changes dramatically and fossils simply stop appearing.
It was devastating: around 90 percent of all species had died out by the time the crisis ended and ushered in the Triassic Period.
However, not all life vanished. Tracks from early archosaurs – the early reptilian ancestors of dinosaurs – have survived from around 250 million years ago.
These archosaurs thrived in this new world, and soon divided into two groups. There were the ancestors of our modern crocodiles, the pseudosuchians – their name means "false crocodiles” – and the avemetatarsalians.
It was these avemetatarsalians that evolved into dinosaurs, who then split into three groups. There were the meat-eating theropods, the plant-eating ornithischians and the long-necked sauropods.
These groups didn’t just evolve and survive – they thrived.
For instance, 230 million years ago, in what is now Argentina’s Ischigualasto Provincial Park, numerous species established themselves. We know this because of the phenomenal quantity of fossils that have been found there over the course of the twentieth century. The hot and humid climate there, which led to occasional flooding, was ideal for preserving fossils.
So, it had taken a near apocalypse to for the dinosaur age to begin, but the Triassic Age had now truly dawned. It was to be a fascinating and diverse evolutionary journey – yet there was still quite a long way to go.
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What is The Rise and Fall of the Dinosaurs about?
In The Rise and Fall of the Dinosaurs (2018), leading young paleontologist Steve Brusatte takes us on a journey through time and space, detailing the history of the different dinosaurs and the worlds in which they lived. He is guided by his deep knowledge of fossils and geological evidence, and is thus able to bring the fascinating stories of dinosaurs into clear focus.
The Rise and Fall of the Dinosaurs Review
The Rise and Fall of the Dinosaurs (2018) is an enthralling exploration of the incredible world of dinosaurs and their remarkable journey from dominance to extinction. Here's why this book is worth reading:
- With vivid descriptions and meticulous research, it brings the ancient world of dinosaurs to life in a way that captivates readers of all ages.
- By combining scientific knowledge with storytelling, the book offers a fascinating narrative that educates and entertains in equal measure.
- The author's passion for the subject shines through, providing a compelling and engaging reading experience that ensures the book is never dull.
Best quote from The Rise and Fall of the Dinosaurs
Imagine Pangea as a giant pizza, being torn apart by two hungry friends at opposite ends of the table.
—Steve Brusatte
Who should read The Rise and Fall of the Dinosaurs?
- Anyone looking to take their knowledge of dinosaurs beyond Jurassic Park
- Adults who loved playing with dinosaurs when they were kids
- People interested in geology and fossils
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The Rise and Fall of the Dinosaurs FAQs
What is the main message of The Rise and Fall of the Dinosaurs?
The main message of The Rise and Fall of the Dinosaurs is the incredible story of the dinosaurs' domination and ultimate extinction.
How long does it take to read The Rise and Fall of the Dinosaurs?
The reading time for The Rise and Fall of the Dinosaurs varies depending on the reader's speed. However, the Blinkist summary can be read in just 15 minutes.
Is The Rise and Fall of the Dinosaurs a good book? Is it worth reading?
The Rise and Fall of the Dinosaurs is a fascinating book that takes you on a journey through the dinosaur era. It's definitely worth reading for anyone interested in ancient history and the wonders of the prehistoric world.
Who is the author of The Rise and Fall of the Dinosaurs?
The author of The Rise and Fall of the Dinosaurs is Steve Brusatte.
What to read after The Rise and Fall of the Dinosaurs?
If you're wondering what to read next after The Rise and Fall of the Dinosaurs, here are some recommendations we suggest:
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- Isaac Newton by James Gleick
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- The Eight Master Lessons of Nature by Gary Ferguson
- The Wide Wide Sea by Hampton Sides
- Inner Excellence by Jim Murphy
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