Prehistoric Predators, by Brian Switek, Julius Csotonyi - A Review

I was excited when I heard about a children’s book written by well-known science writer Brian Switek, and illustrated by the amazingly talented paleoartist Julius Csotonyi.  I was even more excited when I had the chance to delve into my own copy of the book.

 

The first thing you’ll notice upon picking this book up (or perhaps even before), is the beautiful cover.  A puffy hardcover, brightly colored and oversized, is what you’ll find.  A beautiful theropod dinosaur stares back at you, maw framing the title text.  The animal, as Brian might say, is “enfluffled” with a covering of “dinofuzz.”  I love it!

Open the book itself, and you’re treated to page after page of lavish illustrations from the always-amazing Julius Csotonyi.  Vibrantly colored, feathery, active, and dynamic, no amount of positive praise for the art will really be sufficient.  I have been and will continue to be a fan of Csotonyi’s paleoart.  For that alone, this book is worth the purchase—whether you are an adult or not.  (And it should be said, this “children’s” book is suitable for adolescents, or for that matter any true paleo buff such as myself.)

Brian’s accompanying text is as usual to those familiar with his writing: well-worded, succinct, and flavorful.  Brief yet accurate descriptions of the many dinosaurs (and other “prehistoric predators,” not simply members of the dinosauria/theropoda) can be found in the pages of this book.  The species names are listed—something that I truly love and so many generalized paleo books lack.  However, I was sad to see that geographic locations for the species were left out. 

I had a few small quibbles with the book.  For instance, one or two controversial claims are made, such as Therizinosaurus ate not just plants but fish, and terror birds are described as being carnivorous, which is the general consensus, but Brian himself reported on the hypothesis that terror birds were possibly melon and seed eaters (unless I missed something, that’s the last new study on terror bird diet I’ve read about).  I was disappointed to see a clearly fake Dimetrodon skeleton in the beginning of the book, but was happy to see quotation marks around the word “raptor” later on.  Yes, I don’t think we should ever use the word at all when it comes to nonavian dinosaurs, but many do (including paleontologists), so at least having some quotation marks was appreciated.  The author also gets major points for specifically reminding the reader that Carcharadon megalodon is extinct, as you know no one out there is trying to tell young, impressionable minds otherwise.… *cough*  We are also told what Allosaurus did with its claws, something that is, to my knowledge (including a personal study done of the animal) still an unknown.  Beyond that, I also caught a few spelling errors (Tyrannosaurus rex had a possible bite force of “12,8000” pounds?  Extra zero, guys!).

All that really sounds like it’s a lot.  Well, it isn’t.  I seriously enjoyed the book, and recommend it.  The biggest endorsement I can give it is the admission that I would purchase this and give it as a gift to any youngster.  I am seriously hoping for more books from this team of author and artist, because I’ll eagerly buy and read those, too.  I simply loved this book.

Spencer Bronte

Science, to a Student

Disclosure: I received a free copy of this book from the publisher in order to review it.  I received notification of this offer due to the fact that I personally know Mr. Switek.  The publisher, or the author (Mr. Switek) or illustrator (Mr. Csotonyi), have not influenced nor read this review before it’s publishing.  The opinion(s) expressed in this review are solely those of the author of said review.