Battle of the Dinosaur Bones

November 1, 2012

Gr 8 UpT-hese books showcase major scientific developments and the brutal competition behind the scenes. They are highly engaging accounts of researchers resorting to cheap shots, spying, and double crossing to take credit for pivotal discoveries. But they are also disturbing documentation of how ego can trump the greater good, as in the battle between Luc Montagnier and Robert Gallo over the discovery of the virus that causes AIDS. Proprietary arguments and fraud delayed progress in its identification, which undoubtedly came at the cost of lives. Written cleanly and fluidly, these titles let the drama and occasional absurdity of the players' actions speak for themselves. Captioned photographs and diagrams correspond well to the texts, while sidebars contribute additional facts. In-depth time lines are the most noteworthy of the strong supplementary features. This fascinating set would be equally useful in history and science classrooms.

Copyright 2012 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

November 1, 2012
Grades 5-8 This entry in the Scientific Rivalries and Scandals series focuses on the bitter antagonism between two pioneering nineteenth-century paleontologists, Marsh and Cope. Their contentious rivalry to discover the largest and most unusual dinosaur fossils of the American West became know as the Bone Wars and was at the forefront of American science for decades. The moral of the story is clear, revealing how rivalry can be positive and detrimental. Both Marsh and Cope made several important discoveries in the race to preeminence, but they also made critical classification errors in their haste. Packed with photos, maps, and diagrams, this orange-and-gray-heavy book emphasizes the importance of the scientific method on evaluating hypotheses and the misconceptions that arise with shoddy research. Dinosaurs are a topic of interest for many kids, and this well-researched book provides a rare glimpse into the historiography of biological science via a strongly narrative style.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2012, American Library Association.)

January 1, 2013
Marsh and Cope, each determined to be seen as the greatest paleontologist, became bitter enemies in their race to discover and name prehistoric species. Hastily prepared papers, deception, and a public feud discredited their reputations as professionals and scientists, yet future paleontologists would benefit from the number of species they discovered. Archival photographs, sidebars, and diagrams extend the narrative but contribute to a cramped design. Reading list, timeline, websites. Bib., glos., ind.

(Copyright 2013 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)