The Ascent of Birds: How Modern Science is Revealing their Story
by John Reilly
From Pelagic Publishing:
When and where did the ancestors of modern birds evolve? What enabled them to survive the meteoric impact that wiped out the dinosaurs? How did these early birds spread across the globe and give rise to the 10,600-plus species we recognise today ― from the largest ratites to the smallest hummingbirds? Based on the latest scientific discoveries and enriched by personal observations, The Ascent of Birds sets out to answer these fundamental questions.
The Ascent of Birds is divided into self-contained chapters, or stories, that collectively encompass the evolution of modern birds from their origins in Gondwana, over 100 million years ago, to the present day. The stories are arranged in chronological order, from tinamous to tanagers, and describe the many dispersal and speciation events that underpin the world’s 10,600-plus species. Although each chapter is spearheaded by a named bird and focuses on a specific evolutionary mechanism, the narrative will often explore the relevance of such events and processes to evolution in general.
Ok, I’m a little behind, so this book isn’t exactly new anymore. But it’s certainly worth calling attention to. The book’s subtitle is revealing: this is a story, not some dry textbook. Anyone interested in birds will learn a great deal…and greatly enjoy this book. I have a strong feeling this will make my list of favorite books of 2018.
The Ascent of Birds: How Modern Science is Revealing their Story
by John Reilly
Hardcover; 363 pages
Pelagic Publishing; April, 2018
ISBN: 9781784271695
$33.99
Buy from Buteo Books
(based in the U.S.)
Buy from NHBS
(based in the U.K.)
Posted by Grant McCreary on October 10th, 2018.
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