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Any good books/documentaries on dinosaurs?
Topic Started: Mar 26 2014, 04:27 PM (3,598 Views)
Superpredator
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I've recently become more interested in dinosaurs (specifically carcharadontosaurus) so I was wondering if you guys know any good books or documentaries on dinosaurs. :)
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theropod
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We know a great many documentaries, the question is, what are your criteria for a good one? None that I know are scientifically accurate. Among the least bad in this regard is BBC’s Planet Dinosaur.
In terms of the visual effects and the dramatic composition, walking with Dinosaurs (or the whole walking-with-series for that matter) and Dinosaur planet (sic!) are likely still the best, with Dinosaur revolution also a strong contender. All of course terribly inaccurate from a scientific point of view.

In terms of books, I strongly recommend Dodson, Weishampel & Osmolska (2004): The Dinosauria, since that’s a standard work giving detailed introductions into all the major taxa. Sadly you won’t find some of the most recent, intriguing discoveries in there, although certain animals described later than 2004 get a mention.

If you are interested in palaeontography, the Princton Field Guide to Dinosaurs is great because of its illustrations (but some of the data in there are questionable). All Yesterdays is not strictly about dinosaurs, but also very good in terms of its amazing, speculative life reconstructions. Together I think the three make for a great combination.
Edited by theropod, Mar 27 2014, 01:23 AM.
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Palaeogirl
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Dinosaurs: The Most Complete, Up-to-Date Encyclopedia for Dinosaur Lovers of All Ages is a good introduction if you're not too familiar with dinosaur taxonomy and that sort of thing. Some of the information and art is outdated but generally speaking its still one of the best popular dinosaur books in quite a while.
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Jinfengopteryx
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I have no good dino books at home, but The Tyrant King looked very good in Google Books.
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Superpredator
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In terms of documentaries, I'm looking for the most accurate and the most interesting one.

In terms of book, I'm looking for accurate ones with good info (preferably on theropods)
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theropod
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Jinfengopteryx
Mar 28 2014, 12:57 AM
I have no good dino books at home, but The Tyrant King looked very good in Google Books.
It is very good! One would think it would be very specialized, but the chapters cover many aspects useful for research in giant theropods in general.
Definitely worth reading!
Edited by theropod, Mar 29 2014, 01:23 AM.
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Jinfengopteryx
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Theropod, which would you rather recommend, The Tyrant King or The Dinosauria (I want to get one of them).
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theropod
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The Dinosauria is a more comprehensive work containing a lot of essential information, so in question I’d prefer it, but if possible, I’d recommend reading both. I’d first check of which one there’s more on Google books.
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Superpredator
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The Princeton field guide to dinosaurs looks interesting. Is it good and how accurate is it?
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Superpredator
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Just looked up 'the dinosauria'. Looks good.
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theropod
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The princeton field guide is unique in that it contains a huge number of taxa, almost all of them with a high-quility reconstruction or a skeletal drawing. I’m not really in the position to judge the accuracy of each and every claim in there. The majority are probably valid, although some of Greg Paul’s statements have to be taken with a grain of salt.
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Superpredator
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What would you recommend, 'The Dinosauria' or 'The Princeton Field Guide'?
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blaze
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http://blogs.scientificamerican.com/tetrapod-zoology/2012/02/21/greg-pauls-dinosaurs-a-field-guide/

Here's Darren Naish's review of "The Princeton Field Guide to Dinosaurs".
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theropod
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@superpredator: That’s a very difficult decision, it depends on what you are looking for. The same applies to the choice The Dinosauria/The Tyrant King.

imo Naish’s review gives a very good idea what the Princeton field guide is and what it isn’t.

The Dinosauria is more rigorous, longer, but also harder to read and a bit older, and the two look at different aspects of dinosaurs.
Edited by theropod, Mar 30 2014, 04:05 AM.
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Superpredator
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So what does Dinosauria offer compared to The Princeton Field Guide.


Everyone's asking for theropod's opinion lol
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