Douglas Palmer – författare

An identification guide to the most important and best known dinosaursDo you know the difference between a Coelophysis and a Diplodocus? How much larger than a human was a Spinosarus? Is it likely that the Parasaurolophus made a sound like a trombone? All these questions and many more are answered in Collins Gem Dinosaurs, a highly illustrated guide to the world's very wild life hundreds of millions of years ago.A fully illustrated guide to the lost world of dinosaurs, the book provides descriptions of the most significant features and habits of these fascinating prehistoric reptiles, with profiles of nearly 70 dinosaurs which include in-depth looks at how dinosaurs lived, from keeping warm to moving about.For each species information is given ono What they ateo How their size compares to ourso How they behavedo Where they livedThe book also includes explanations of what the dinosaur names mean and how to pronounce them.

This handy guide covers everything you need to know when looking for fossils in any part of Britain and Europe. Many different types of fossilized objects are included, from plants and coral, to insects, birds and dinosaurs.Collecting fossils is a popular pastime that offers an exciting glimpse of life before man while at the same time takes you to some of the most beautiful landscapes and coastlines.This practical introductory guide provides general fossil identifications with information on their geological age and distribution. Additionally, it also covers some of the aspects involved in the process of fossilization and how to collect fossils.Major groups of fossils are illustrated and some of the important anatomical features to keep in mind when identifying them are shown and explained.The book includes advice and safety tips for fossil hunters and all those eager to make exciting discoveries about the ancient past.

The dramatic history of planet Earth and the rocky road to understanding the past A probing account of the history of the earth and an introduction to the many eccentric characters that have attempted to understand its origins.Full of fascinating anecdotes about 19th century explorers and natural philosophers who first carved up Earth's history just as others were carving up the globe.Unravels the fascinating history of rock strata and the implications they have had on accepted theories on the Earth's life.Considers the future of the earth, and what a repeat of some of the catastrophic events of the earth's past, such as major earthquakes and asteroid collisions, could mean for life today.

The dramatic history of planet Earth and the rocky road to understanding the past A probing account of the history of the earth and an introduction to the many eccentric characters that have attempted to understand its origins. Full of fascinating anecdotes about 19th century explorers and natural philosophers who first carved up Earth''s history just as others were carving up the globe. Unravels the fascinating history of rock strata and the implications they have had on accepted theories on the Earth''s life. Considers the future of the earth, and what a repeat of some of the catastrophic events of the earth''s past, such as major earthquakes and asteroid collisions, could mean for life today.

Fossils provide us with a tantalizing glimpse of Britain's prehistoric past and hold the key to unlocking the secrets of life's history and evolution. Since the appearance of primitive organisms in Britain more than a billion years ago, oceans, deserts, swamps and vast mountains have come and gone in our corner of western Europe; forests of long-extinct trees, flowers and grasses have covered the land, and dinosaurs and other strange creatures have roamed across it. How do we know? The evidence is all around us - in the rocks and fossils that lie beneath the landscape.In this highly informative and practical book, which accompanies the BBC series, presenter Hermione Cockburn and renowned palaeontologist Douglas Palmer take an in-depth look at the most exciting fossil stories from around the country. When and why were dinosaur fossils first discovered in Britain? How was the biggest fish ever to have swum in the sea unearthed near Peterborough? What do modern medical techniques have to offer fossil hunters?Packed with colour photographs and illustrations, Fossils Detectives is full of surprising facts and features. And for those who want to try their hand at some fossil detecting of their own, the book includes an extensive regional gazetteer of fossil-hunting sites and places to visit, and guidance on identifying your fossil finds.Get ready for some time travel around Britain, with the Fossil Detectives!