Battle of the Dinosaur Bones
Othniel Charles Marsh vs Edward Drinker Cope
From the Series Scientific Rivalries and Scandals
In the 1880s, science witnessed a major shift: Charles Darwin proposed his theory of evolution. People dug up the first dinosaur fossils. And the field of paleontology—the study of ancient plants and animals—emerged.
Othniel Charles Marsh and Edward Drinker Cope became enthralled with these new ideas, discoveries, and developments. Both were determined to become world-famous paleontologists. When they met in 1863, they started off as friends. But within a few years, competition drove the men apart. Each fought bitterly to discover more fossils, name more species, and publish more papers than the other. In their haste to outdo each other, they both produced some shoddy work. The resulting confusion took many years to discover and correct, and their toxic relationship crippled the field of paleontology for decades afterward.
However, the competition also produced a wealth of fossils. These laid a firm foundation for the field of paleontology and supported Darwin’s theory of evolution. Marsh’s and Cope’s discoveries generated keen public interest in prehistoric life and rich data for future generations of paleontologists. This book explores the great rivalry between Marsh and Cope, showing how it brought out the best and the worst in them—while bringing humankind a brand-new view of life on Earth.
| Format | Your Price | Add |
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978-0-7613-5488-8
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$24.99 | |
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978-1-4677-0141-9
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$37.99 |
Awards
- Missouri State Teacher's Association Reading Circle Selection
Reviews
Library Media Connection
“The books are short and full of illustrations; they explore topics students find interesting and provide facts and details enough to give readers a solid beginning.” —Library Media Connection
Booklist
“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.” —Booklist
School Library Journal, Series Made Simple
“These 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… Written cleanly and fluidly, these titles let the drama and occasional absurdity of the players’ actions speak for themselves.” —School Library Journal, Series Made Simple