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The science of Jurassic Park and the Lost World, or, How to build a dinosaur
DeSalle, Rob.
Adult Nonfiction QH442.D47 1997
From Publishers' Weekly:
Like Dinosaur Lives (reviewed above), this entertaining look at the viability of the cloning portrayed in Michael Crichton's two dinosaur novels (and, by extension, Spielberg's films) is keyed to the release of the movie version of The Lost World. The major premise of Jurassic Parkthat dinosaurs could be recreated from bits of their DNA that has been preserved in ancient blood-sucking insects fossilized in bits of amberdoesn't seem all that far-fetched, especially given the recent scientific successes in sheep duplication. Here, in a chatty but rigorous manner, DeSalle, a curator at the American Museum of Natural History, and Lindley, an editor at Science News, do a commendable job of looking at all aspects of dinosaur life, matching what is known with what Crichton's two novels and the film of Jurassic Park portray. Along the way they present, in an understated manner, much information about the life sciences, from genetic engineering to animal physiology, and from animal behavior to ecology. They also explain that both Crichton and Spielberg have taken considerable license with their science, and they convincingly demonstrate that recreating a dinosaur will be a nearly impossible feat. This book doesn't compete with Horner and Dobb's more substantial work so much as complement it, and quite nicely too. Illustrations. (June) (c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved
From Library Journal:
The best science fiction must be consistent with science fact. With the blockbuster status of Michael Crichton's Jurassic Park and its sequel, The Lost World (LJ 9/15/95), it is fair to ask, Could dinosaurs really be cloned from ancient DNA? DeSalle, an associate curator at the American Museum of Natural History in New York, and Lindley, an associate editor of Science News, do not have a definitive answer, but they do explore how it might possibly be done. The authors take a critical approach, questioning every premise and exposing presumptions. Copious references to events and characters in Crichton's books make familiarity with them a prerequisite. George and Roberta Poinar's Quest for Life in Amber (LJ 9/14/94) would be a better choice for anybody who hasn't read the book or seen the movie. Still, this book will benefit greatly from the tie-in to the forthcoming release of the film version of The Lost World and will be in demand at public libraries.Gregg Sapp, Univ. of Miami Lib. (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
DeSalle, Rob.
Adult Nonfiction QH442.D47 1997
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From Publishers' Weekly:
Like Dinosaur Lives (reviewed above), this entertaining look at the viability of the cloning portrayed in Michael Crichton's two dinosaur novels (and, by extension, Spielberg's films) is keyed to the release of the movie version of The Lost World. The major premise of Jurassic Parkthat dinosaurs could be recreated from bits of their DNA that has been preserved in ancient blood-sucking insects fossilized in bits of amberdoesn't seem all that far-fetched, especially given the recent scientific successes in sheep duplication. Here, in a chatty but rigorous manner, DeSalle, a curator at the American Museum of Natural History, and Lindley, an editor at Science News, do a commendable job of looking at all aspects of dinosaur life, matching what is known with what Crichton's two novels and the film of Jurassic Park portray. Along the way they present, in an understated manner, much information about the life sciences, from genetic engineering to animal physiology, and from animal behavior to ecology. They also explain that both Crichton and Spielberg have taken considerable license with their science, and they convincingly demonstrate that recreating a dinosaur will be a nearly impossible feat. This book doesn't compete with Horner and Dobb's more substantial work so much as complement it, and quite nicely too. Illustrations. (June) (c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved
From Library Journal:
The best science fiction must be consistent with science fact. With the blockbuster status of Michael Crichton's Jurassic Park and its sequel, The Lost World (LJ 9/15/95), it is fair to ask, Could dinosaurs really be cloned from ancient DNA? DeSalle, an associate curator at the American Museum of Natural History in New York, and Lindley, an associate editor of Science News, do not have a definitive answer, but they do explore how it might possibly be done. The authors take a critical approach, questioning every premise and exposing presumptions. Copious references to events and characters in Crichton's books make familiarity with them a prerequisite. George and Roberta Poinar's Quest for Life in Amber (LJ 9/14/94) would be a better choice for anybody who hasn't read the book or seen the movie. Still, this book will benefit greatly from the tie-in to the forthcoming release of the film version of The Lost World and will be in demand at public libraries.Gregg Sapp, Univ. of Miami Lib. (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
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