Michael J. Benton Libros

Take a journey through the prehistoric world and meet the most astonishing creatures ever to have walked the Earth.

‘If you want to know how we know what we know about dinosaurs, read this book!’ Steve Brusatte

A reference on dinosaurs for children. It contains all the information the young reader needs to understand the story of the dinosaur. Easy-to-follow coding on each section allows access to information and catalogue spreads provide facts and figures. Illustrated feature spreads concentrate on the specific questions most asked about these amazing reptiles.

An expert palaeontologist reveals how our understanding of the dinosaurs has been transformed by huge strides in technology in the 21st century.

Describes what the study of fossilized remains has told paleontologists about how dinosaurs moved, what colour they were, what they ate, if they slept, how they bred. Suggested level: intermediate, junior secondary.

Focusing on the dynamic field of vertebrate palaeontology, this new edition highlights recent discoveries beyond just dinosaurs, emphasizing significant finds from China. It showcases the international breadth of the discipline, reflecting ongoing research and advancements that keep the subject vibrant and relevant.

An alphabetically arranged guide to more than 130 varieties of dinosaur. Each one is illustrated in colour, and the information provided includes habitat, distribution, size and shape, pronunciation and meaning of name, and facts and theories about origins, disappearance and discovery.

Describes the largest dinosaurs, providing color illustrations, pronunciation guide and details on their physical characteristics, geographic areas, time periods and diets.

Three centuries of the Mughal Empire in one short book

“The focus is the most severe mass extinction known in earth’s history. The science on which the book is based is up-to-date, thorough, and balanced. Highly recommended.” —Choice Today it is common knowledge that the dinosaurs were wiped out by a meteorite impact 65 million years ago that killed half of all species then living. It is far less widely understood that a much greater catastrophe took place at the end of the Permian period 251 million years ago: at least ninety percent of life on earth was destroyed. When Life Nearly Died documents not only what happened during this gigantic mass extinction but also the recent renewal of the idea of catastrophism: the theory that changes in the earth’s crust were brought about suddenly in the past by phenomena that cannot be observed today. Was the end-Permian event caused by the impact of a huge meteorite or comet, or by prolonged volcanic eruption in Siberia? The evidence has been accumulating, and Michael J. Benton gives his verdict at the end of the volume. The new edition brings the study of the greatest mass extinction of all time thoroughly up-to-date. In the twelve years since the book was originally published, hundreds of geologists and paleontologists have been investigating all aspects of how life could be driven to the brink of annihilation, and especially how life recovered afterwards, providing the foundations of modern ecosystems.