The Cambrian Fossils of Chengjiang, China: The Flowering of Early Animal LifeISBN: 978-1-4051-6719-2
Paperback
248 pages
July 2007, Wiley-Blackwell
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Journal of Vertebrate Palaeontology<!--end-->
"Scratching about in the ancient rock strata of southern China
is also producing a fossil bonanza, wonderfully illustrated in
Cambrian Fossils of Chengjiang. Mainly intended for
professional palaeontologists, this spotter's guide details the
amazing fossils, 525 million years old, that have been shaking the
tree of life for the past 10 years. Chengjiang's hundred species,
from algae to chordates, challenge North America's Burgess Shale
fauna for the quality and amount of new information they
provide."
Douglas Palmer, New Scientist, March 2004
"The authors offer anyone interested in paleontology or
evolutionary biology an excellent overview of the setting, study,
preservation and paleoecology of the Chengjiang fauna as well as
brief descriptions, photographs and reconstructions of more than 90
species."
Science, June 2004
"...this beautifully produced book...is the best systematic
compendium of the entire Chengjiang biota, offering a rare view of
this great episode in the diversification of animal life."
Zhe-Xi Luo, Carnegie Museum of Natural History, Nature, August
2004
"This book is an excellent introduction for anyone interested in
the palaeobiology of not only Cambrian ecosystems but also
exceptional faunas in general. It is a platform from which to
follow discussion on topics such as these, reports of new forms and
re-interpretations of those known already, in the coming years.
"
Patrick J Orr, University College Dublin, Palaeontological
Association Newsletter, September 2004
"...a beautifully illustrated monograph..." from The
Ancestor's Tale: A Pilgrimage to the Dawn of Life by Richard
Dawkins
"A Chinese-English-Swedish team have combined to produce this
summary of the fossils, with the text for each taxon a lucid
summary of its points of interest and biological affinities,
without the dry words of a technical systematic monograph. Each
type of fossil is exquisitely illustrated in this stunning book,
with virtually all of the pictures in faithful colour. "
Magazine of the Geologists' Association, December 2004
"This is a fine book indeed....It is beautifully produced, and
all the maps, charts, and photographs are in colour, the latter
faithfully reproducing the yellow, brown, red and pink of the
flattened fossils and the contrasting paler sediment...Whereas
research still continues, this book presents an invaluable summary
of knowledge at the present time."
Euan Clarkson, Times Higher Education Supplement, January
2005
"This is one of those rare books...that delights the eye as well
as the mind. Layouts, fonts, and illustrations are very pleasingly
done; the writing is clear, concise and easy to understand even for
the non-specialist. Plus the science is impeccable...one is
enchanted by the beauty of the fossils, and the diversity of
unusual creatures blows your mind. I found myself having a
difficult time putting this book down, and I suspect that you will
too."
Fossil News: Journal of Avocational Paleontology, June
2005
"...this is a timely production...[which] can only reinforce our
sense of astonishment as to the amazing fossils of
Chengjiang..."
Geological Magazine, August 2005
"There is no doubt that the superb photographs of these
wonderful fossils are the highlight of this book...This first book
in English on the Chengjiang biota is a delight..."
The Journal of Biogeography, September 2005
"I have a shelf of books of superb fossil illustrations, to
which I turn late in the day, when weary of analysis, and ready for
aestheti recreation. We are lucky that paleontology is rich in such
books, and this one deserves pride of place."
Priscum, November 2005