An unmatched reference work distinguished by its erudition and beauty, this volume is an illustrated who's who of prehistoric life, a Baedeker of more than 500 million years of evolution on Earth. With entries for more than 600 species, each arranged in its evolutionary sequence, this book presents a panorama of enormous diversity, from predatory dinosaurs to primitive amphibians, from giant armored fish to woolly mammoths, sabertooth tigers and dire wolves. Each entry features a specially commissioned full color painting prepared according to the best research of today in close collaboration with world renowned paleontologists. The records of rocks--fossil bones, teeth, skin, hair and even footprints and nests--have been combined with knowledge of the anatomy and behavior of present day descendants to arrive at informed judgments about posture, color and other aspects of appearance. Lively and informative "biographies" of the creatures accompany these remarkable illustrations: how they moved, what they ate, where they ranged and the habitats and ecological niches they occupied. Comparisons are made wherever possible with familiar living animals, highlighting both the contrasts and similarities. Also included are articles on subjects such as the time scale of evolution, fossil formation and interpretation and convergent evolution.

Professor Barry Cox is head of the biology department at King's College, University of London. His specialty is mammal like reptiles, and he teaches vertebrate paleontology. His publications include Prehistoric Life Explained.Professor R. J. G. Savage is head of the geology department at the University of Bristol. Author of several books, including Mammal Evolution, he is among the world's foremost experts on mammal fossils.Professor Barry Cox is head of the biology department at King's College, University of London. His specialty is mammal like reptiles, and he teaches vertebrate paleontology. His publications include Prehistoric Life Explained.Professor R. J. G. Savage is head of the geology department at the University of Bristol. Author of several books, including Mammal Evolution, he is among the world's foremost experts on mammal fossils.Professor Brian Gardiner teaches vertebrate paleontology at King's College, University of London. He is an expert on fossil fishes and amphibians, and advisor on paleontology to the Natural History Museum in London.Dr. Colin Harrison, an expert on bird zoology and paleontology, is the former principal scientific officer of ornithology at the British Museum (Natural History) in London.Dr. Douglas Palmer revised and updated this edition of the book. He was a senior lecturer in geology at Trinity College, Dublin, and now lectures on earth sciences for Cambridge University. He has written more than ten books on science, geology and prehistory, including The Atlas of Prehistory, and contributes regularly to Science, New Scientist and BBC Wildlife. Dr. Colin Harrison, an expert on bird zoology and paleontology, is the former principal scientific officer of ornithology at the British Museum (Natural History) in London.Dr. Douglas Palmer revised and updated this edition of the book. He was a senior lecturer in geology at Trinity College, Dublin, and now lectures on earth sciences for Cambridge University. He has written more than ten books on science, geology and prehistory, including The Atlas of Prehistory, and contributes regularly to Science, New Scientist and BBC Wildlife.