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merrow's review against another edition
informative
fast-paced
3.5
It’s very nice to get the full picture of how such a ubiquitous group of animals got to where they are now. However to get the full picture it does feel like we don’t quite get to know stories in their full depth - but then again maybe the scientific community doesn’t either.
There’s a tendency to spend a lot of time on the big names and only fully describe the teeth of every other player. That being said, it’s an incredibly riveting and interesting book that I enjoyed reading in just a few sessions.
There’s a tendency to spend a lot of time on the big names and only fully describe the teeth of every other player. That being said, it’s an incredibly riveting and interesting book that I enjoyed reading in just a few sessions.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death
Minor: Gore, Gun violence, Incest, Sexual content, Slavery, Blood, Excrement, Colonisation, War, and Injury/Injury detail
gnomeguy1138's review against another edition
informative
fast-paced
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death
phoebemurtagh's review against another edition
adventurous
informative
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
4.75
Content Warnings
Moderate: Animal death
pterodog's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
informative
inspiring
fast-paced
4.5
This book is a delightful journey through the evolution of mammals, and walks the line between not enough and too much detail perfectly. I went into it thinking I knew loads about mammalian history, and finished it realising that I actually didn't.
My favourite quote, which made me think long and hard about the 'reign' of the dinosaurs and the way I had perceived the mammals that lived alongside them is:
My favourite quote, which made me think long and hard about the 'reign' of the dinosaurs and the way I had perceived the mammals that lived alongside them is:
"While it is true that dinosaurs kept mammals from getting big, mammals did the opposite, which was equally impressive: they kept dinosaurs from becoming small."
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death
mmccombs's review against another edition
informative
slow-paced
4.0
If you liked The Rise and Fall of Dinosaurs you will like the Rise and Reign of the Mammals! It kind of just felt like I never stopped reading his dino book, this was a very natural continuation of his previous project. This was definitely a bit broader in scope and in time, but I found it to be just as informative and engaging. I could see the ways Brusatte grew as a writer between his dino book and this installment, though he still loves his vivid character descriptions of fellow scientists and paleontologists (which can get a bit old after a while). Super informative and approachable, I’d recommend this one for a story of us (and to consider how we must change our behavior to ensure the future of mammals).
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death
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