# Why Dinosaurs Matter - Hardcover

by **Kenneth Lacovara** (Author)

**What can long-dead dinosaurs teach us about our future? Plenty, according to paleontologist Kenneth Lacovara, who has discovered some of the largest creatures to ever walk the Earth.**

By tapping into the ubiquitous wonder that dinosaurs inspire, Lacovara weaves together the stories of our geological awakening, of humanity's epic struggle to understand the nature of deep time, the meaning of fossils, and our own place on the vast and bountiful tree of life.

Go on a journey--back to when dinosaurs ruled the Earth--to discover how dinosaurs achieved feats unparalleled by any other group of animals. Learn the secrets of how paleontologists find fossils, and explore quirky, but profound questions, such as: Is a penguin a dinosaur? And, how are the tiny arms of _T. rex_ the key to its power and ferocity?

In this revealing book, Lacovara offers the latest ideas about the shocking and calamitous death of the dinosaurs and ties their vulnerabilities to our own. _Why Dinosaurs Matter_ is compelling and engaging--a great reminder that our place on this planet is both precarious and potentially fleeting. "As we move into an uncertain environmental future, it has never been more important to understand the past."

### Author Biography

Dr. Kenneth Lacovara has unearthed some of the largest dinosaurs ever to walk our planet, including the super-massive _Dreadnoughtus_, which at sixty-five tons weighs more than seven _T. rex_. Through his work, blending exploration with the latest techniques from medicine and engineering, Lacovara portrays dinosaurs as vigorous, competent creatures--the adaptable champions of an age.

Lacovara is sought around the world for his ability to bring the wonders of science and the thrill of discovery to a wide range of audiences. "He's got a way of illuminating the bigger picture, of somehow turning 'why' into wonder. It's not just that he's speaking about what happened way back when, but what it might mean for us today." Says Chris Anderson, Curator of TED.

He has appeared in many television documentaries and his discoveries have landed him three times in _Discover_ magazine's 100 Top Science Stories of the year and in _Time_'s Top Stories of 2014. Lacovara was named by _Men's Journal_ as one of "The Next Generation of Explorers" and he is an elected fellow of the prestigious Explorers Club in New York.

Kenneth Lacovara is the founder and director of the Edelman Fossil Park of Rowan University in New Jersey. _Why Dinosaurs Matter_ is his first book.

**Number of Pages:** 192

**Dimensions:** 1.1 x 7.1 x 5.4 IN

**Illustrated:** Yes

**Publication Date:** September 19, 2017

## Details

- **Price:** 24.99 USD
- **Vendor:** Books by splitShops
- **Type:** Books
- **Tags:** Books by splitShops, Shopify Collective

## Variants

| Variant | Price | Available |
|---------|-------|-----------|
| Default Title | 24.99 USD | In stock |

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- Why Dinosaurs Matter - Hardcover

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