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Spinosaur Tales: The Biology and Ecology of the Spinosaurs
The spinosaurs – the dinosaur group that includes the largest land predator of all time, the awe-inspiring Spinosaurus – star in this cutting-edge review.
The giant sail-backed carnivorous dinosaur Spinosaurus is one of the most famous of all dinosaurs; a staple of documentaries, books and video games, and the beast that bested the mighty Tyrannosaurus rex in Jurassic Park III. But what do we actually know about this crocodile-headed monster and its relatives, the spinosaurs?
The spinosaurs were some of the strangest predatory dinosaurs, combining a long low skull with powerfully clawed hands. Some species had huge sails over their backs, as well as fin-like tails. A great deal of scientific mystery surrounds them. Their fossil remains are highly fragmentary, many aspects of their appearance uncertain, their evolutionary relationships elusive, and interpretations of their ecology and behaviour are hotly contested.
Spinosaur Tales explores the exciting, sometimes controversial world of spinosaur science. Bringing these creatures back to life with stunning illustrations, world-renowned palaeontologists David Hone and Mark P. Witton present the latest views on the evolution, anatomy and lifestyles of an enigmatic yet charismatic dinosaur group.
The giant sail-backed carnivorous dinosaur Spinosaurus is one of the most famous of all dinosaurs; a staple of documentaries, books and video games, and the beast that bested the mighty Tyrannosaurus rex in Jurassic Park III. But what do we actually know about this crocodile-headed monster and its relatives, the spinosaurs?
The spinosaurs were some of the strangest predatory dinosaurs, combining a long low skull with powerfully clawed hands. Some species had huge sails over their backs, as well as fin-like tails. A great deal of scientific mystery surrounds them. Their fossil remains are highly fragmentary, many aspects of their appearance uncertain, their evolutionary relationships elusive, and interpretations of their ecology and behaviour are hotly contested.
Spinosaur Tales explores the exciting, sometimes controversial world of spinosaur science. Bringing these creatures back to life with stunning illustrations, world-renowned palaeontologists David Hone and Mark P. Witton present the latest views on the evolution, anatomy and lifestyles of an enigmatic yet charismatic dinosaur group.
320 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 6, 2025
37 people are currently reading
213 people want to read
About the author
David Hone
15 books57 followersDavid Hone is a paleontologist and senior lecturer at Queen Mary University of London. He has written about dinosaurs for leading publications such as National Geographic, The Guardian, The Telegraph and HuffPost. His books include The Tyrannosaur Chronicles: The Biology of the Tyrant Dinosaurs
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Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews
December 21, 2025
A fascinating book that gathers together what is known about Spinosaurus, and related species, and presents them in a way that will interest both general readers and specialist (dinosaur and fossil lovers). The author is careful to state what the fossils actually tell us about Spinosaurus, and to provide speculations based on comparisons with other dinosaur families. At various times, the author does say that new fossil discoveries can invalidate what he says, so this should be not be considered an authoritative book with the final word on Spinosaurus.
The book starts out with an introduction to Spinosaurus and why it now in the limelight. Being the main dinosaur 'villain' in the film "Jurassic Park 3" made Spinosaurus well known to the public. Fewer fossils of Spinosaurus are known, especially compared to those for T. rex, and are fragmentary, resulting in media headlines whenever new significant fossils of Spinosaurus are discovered, helping to keep it in the news. But much of the public info on Spinosaurus is incorrect and not based on fossil evidence, which is fragmentary and more prone to reinterpretation.
Next, the author gives a brief history of dinosaurs and the position of Spinosaurus in the family tree, which is somewhat speculative due to a lack of early Spinosaur fossils that would help to place its location and origins.
The anatomy of Spinosaurus is then presented, starting with the head (which has more complete fossils), the neck, body, arms, legs and tail. Despite the lack of a complete skeleton of Spinosaurus, the fossil fragments reveal a very unusual dinosaur: one with a long head, a huge sail that rises above the back (with another sail above the tail) and comparatively short legs. This starts a debate over how Spinosaurus moved (two versus four legs) and whether it could swim. For now, the consensus is that it moved on two legs and can wade in water, but not swim.
The long head, which resembles alligators, presents a case that Spinosaurus was a fish eater. But this does not mean that Spinosaurus did not feed on other animals, like turtles or reptiles. The location of Spinosaur fossils indicates that it inhabits waterways and coastlines, and probably interacted with other animals (and dinosaurs) in those locations. While there is (yet) little evidence on what the sail on Spinosaurus is used for, the author speculates that it may be used as a social display or a mating display.
In the end, the author does a good job of separating fact from fiction about what is now known about Spinosaurs, making this a good book to read to learn about what it really is, rather than what is presented about it in films or hyperbolic press releases.
The book starts out with an introduction to Spinosaurus and why it now in the limelight. Being the main dinosaur 'villain' in the film "Jurassic Park 3" made Spinosaurus well known to the public. Fewer fossils of Spinosaurus are known, especially compared to those for T. rex, and are fragmentary, resulting in media headlines whenever new significant fossils of Spinosaurus are discovered, helping to keep it in the news. But much of the public info on Spinosaurus is incorrect and not based on fossil evidence, which is fragmentary and more prone to reinterpretation.
Next, the author gives a brief history of dinosaurs and the position of Spinosaurus in the family tree, which is somewhat speculative due to a lack of early Spinosaur fossils that would help to place its location and origins.
The anatomy of Spinosaurus is then presented, starting with the head (which has more complete fossils), the neck, body, arms, legs and tail. Despite the lack of a complete skeleton of Spinosaurus, the fossil fragments reveal a very unusual dinosaur: one with a long head, a huge sail that rises above the back (with another sail above the tail) and comparatively short legs. This starts a debate over how Spinosaurus moved (two versus four legs) and whether it could swim. For now, the consensus is that it moved on two legs and can wade in water, but not swim.
The long head, which resembles alligators, presents a case that Spinosaurus was a fish eater. But this does not mean that Spinosaurus did not feed on other animals, like turtles or reptiles. The location of Spinosaur fossils indicates that it inhabits waterways and coastlines, and probably interacted with other animals (and dinosaurs) in those locations. While there is (yet) little evidence on what the sail on Spinosaurus is used for, the author speculates that it may be used as a social display or a mating display.
In the end, the author does a good job of separating fact from fiction about what is now known about Spinosaurs, making this a good book to read to learn about what it really is, rather than what is presented about it in films or hyperbolic press releases.
December 3, 2025
A very rigorous yet accessible account of the enigmatic group of dinosaurs, the spinosaurs. I know much more about how these creatures have been researched, the limited specimens found and the key contentious issues surrounding their behaviour and ecology. Superb book and a great collaboration between Hone and Witton. Focused, concise and well illustrated.
February 12, 2026
Absolutely loved it. I think the writing Style is really working for me, it is very fluid and not stuffy writing. I was fascinated by the history of the skeletons and how they were lost due to WW2, and how complicated it is to draw inference from such few available specimen and bones. I was not particularly into spinosaurs in the first place but I really loved this book.
January 21, 2026
Learned a lot about Spinosaurs. David Hone and Mark Witton really do amazing work.
January 23, 2026
Rigorous yet accessible. Do you want to know more about some of the most peculiar dinosaurs ever to walk (not swim) the Earth? Read “Spinosaur Tales”!
December 4, 2025
Amazingly written and the artwork is beautiful. So easy to follow even though my knowledge of dinosaurs is minimal. Incredible to learn so much about the spinosaurus and discovering how basically all I thought I knew about it was false.
February 5, 2026
I appreciate how cautious Hone and Witton are about what we can actually know (did not realize just how fragmentary the record for this clade is- almost every Spinosaur arm you see in paleoart is probably based specifically on Suchomimus, for example), while also making the case for specific theories about Spinosaur life and behavior.
It's also amusing that this is Hone's second book on a charismatic theropod clade. What's next, Therizinosaur Legends? Allosaur Accounts?
It's also amusing that this is Hone's second book on a charismatic theropod clade. What's next, Therizinosaur Legends? Allosaur Accounts?
January 31, 2026
A high I’ve been chasing since Tyrannosaur Chronicles. Thanks, Dave & Mark!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Spinosaur Tales: The Biology and Ecology of the Spinosaurs by David Hone and Mark Witton is a thorough, in-depth, and genuinely fascinating deep dive into one of the most debated and rapidly evolving dinosaur groups in paleontology. If you’ve ever been curious about spinosaurs (not just Spinosaurus, but Baryonyx, Suchomimus, Irritator, Ichthyovenator, and more!), or if you’ve been following the ongoing debates around Spinosaurus with interest, this book absolutely delivers.
Like a lot of people, my first real exposure to Spinosaurus was Jurassic Park III, where it burst onto the screen as the new “big bad” carnivore. At the time, that portrayal felt definitive, but it turns out that in 2001, paleontologists knew surprisingly little about this dinosaur. Since then, nearly everything about Spinosaurus- its appearance, posture, diet, lifestyle, and even how it moved-has been repeatedly revised. New papers seem to challenge old assumptions almost every year, making spinosaurs one of the hottest and most controversial topics in modern dinosaur research.
That’s what makes Spinosaur Tales feel so timely and satisfying. Fans have been following these discoveries closely for years, and it’s wonderful to finally have a book dedicated entirely to spinosaurs: their history, the fragmentary evidence, the many recent discoveries, and the growing list of species that fall under this unusual theropod group.
I was thrilled when I got the notification that paleontologist David Hone had another book coming out, and genuinely surprised (in the best way) to see how specific the focus was. Hone has a real talent for making complex paleontological topics accessible, and this book continues that trend. It’s written in a way that’s welcoming to anyone with an interest in dinosaurs, without ever talking down to the reader.
Mark Witton’s involvement takes the book to another level. Known for his paleoart, Witton’s illustrations here are fantastic. The artwork doesn’t just look good; it actively helps you understand how spinosaurs may have lived and moved. Combined with photographs of fossil sites and specimens, the visuals make the science feel tangible. Given how limited spinosaur material actually is (which was one of the most shocking parts of the book for me), it’s impressive how much clarity the authors are able to provide.
One of the strongest aspects of Spinosaur Tales is how clearly it explains the process of paleontology itself. The book emphasizes just how fragmentary the spinosaur fossil record is, and how researchers work carefully with incomplete evidence. Hone does an excellent job walking readers through why disagreements exist, how interpretations change, and why that’s not a flaw in science but a feature of it.
As always with Hone’s books, the graphs and timelines are excellent. They’re informative without being overwhelming and serve as great visual anchors for the text. By the end, you really get a sense of how spinosaurs fit into their different ecosystems, and how different they were from the stereotypical land-based theropod. I can confidently say I will never look at a white heron stalking prey the same way again; the comparison to spinosaur behavior is now permanently lodged in my brain.
What really stood out to me was just how many spinosaur species have been named in recent years-far more than I realized. The book does a great job breaking down these discoveries and explaining what sets each one apart, while still acknowledging the uncertainty that comes with such limited fossils.
Overall, Spinosaur Tales is an incredible, engaging, and highly accessible breakdown of the spinosaur group and its many mysteries. Fans of Spinosaurus in particular will be thrilled to add this to their collection, and anyone interested in how paleontology actually works will find it rewarding. Hopefully, future discoveries will continue to shed light on this uniquely strange theropod, but until then, this book is the definitive place to start.
Highly recommend - 5 stars - can't wait for my preorder to arrive!
Spinosaur Tales has been published in the UK (November 2025) and will be released in the US on January 27, 2026.
Huge thank you to NetGalley and Bloomsbury USA for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.
Like a lot of people, my first real exposure to Spinosaurus was Jurassic Park III, where it burst onto the screen as the new “big bad” carnivore. At the time, that portrayal felt definitive, but it turns out that in 2001, paleontologists knew surprisingly little about this dinosaur. Since then, nearly everything about Spinosaurus- its appearance, posture, diet, lifestyle, and even how it moved-has been repeatedly revised. New papers seem to challenge old assumptions almost every year, making spinosaurs one of the hottest and most controversial topics in modern dinosaur research.
That’s what makes Spinosaur Tales feel so timely and satisfying. Fans have been following these discoveries closely for years, and it’s wonderful to finally have a book dedicated entirely to spinosaurs: their history, the fragmentary evidence, the many recent discoveries, and the growing list of species that fall under this unusual theropod group.
I was thrilled when I got the notification that paleontologist David Hone had another book coming out, and genuinely surprised (in the best way) to see how specific the focus was. Hone has a real talent for making complex paleontological topics accessible, and this book continues that trend. It’s written in a way that’s welcoming to anyone with an interest in dinosaurs, without ever talking down to the reader.
Mark Witton’s involvement takes the book to another level. Known for his paleoart, Witton’s illustrations here are fantastic. The artwork doesn’t just look good; it actively helps you understand how spinosaurs may have lived and moved. Combined with photographs of fossil sites and specimens, the visuals make the science feel tangible. Given how limited spinosaur material actually is (which was one of the most shocking parts of the book for me), it’s impressive how much clarity the authors are able to provide.
One of the strongest aspects of Spinosaur Tales is how clearly it explains the process of paleontology itself. The book emphasizes just how fragmentary the spinosaur fossil record is, and how researchers work carefully with incomplete evidence. Hone does an excellent job walking readers through why disagreements exist, how interpretations change, and why that’s not a flaw in science but a feature of it.
As always with Hone’s books, the graphs and timelines are excellent. They’re informative without being overwhelming and serve as great visual anchors for the text. By the end, you really get a sense of how spinosaurs fit into their different ecosystems, and how different they were from the stereotypical land-based theropod. I can confidently say I will never look at a white heron stalking prey the same way again; the comparison to spinosaur behavior is now permanently lodged in my brain.
What really stood out to me was just how many spinosaur species have been named in recent years-far more than I realized. The book does a great job breaking down these discoveries and explaining what sets each one apart, while still acknowledging the uncertainty that comes with such limited fossils.
Overall, Spinosaur Tales is an incredible, engaging, and highly accessible breakdown of the spinosaur group and its many mysteries. Fans of Spinosaurus in particular will be thrilled to add this to their collection, and anyone interested in how paleontology actually works will find it rewarding. Hopefully, future discoveries will continue to shed light on this uniquely strange theropod, but until then, this book is the definitive place to start.
Highly recommend - 5 stars - can't wait for my preorder to arrive!
Spinosaur Tales has been published in the UK (November 2025) and will be released in the US on January 27, 2026.
Huge thank you to NetGalley and Bloomsbury USA for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.
January 30, 2026
Spinosaur Tales, David Hone and Mark P. Witton, is as thorough and exhaustive a detailing of what we currently know about this fascinating dinosaur (I realize “fascinating dinosaur” is redundant), as well as what we don’t know, which is vitally important for a creature whose fossil record is woefully scarce. Both writers are scientists (Witton is also a paleoartist and his illustrations are included) and have written both books and scientific papers, but the book is not aimed at scientists or academics. It hits the sweet spot for what I’d call “informed laypeople.” Those who read popular science article or books and so won’t be thrown by references to “clades,” for instance. That said, while we get a brief (very brief) intro into some anatomical terms early on, the book is relatively free of specified terminology, and what is there is always either clear from context or clearly explained by the authors.
Similarly, the structure is logical and easy to follow, and the writing flows extremely well, from sentence to sentence, paragraph to paragraph, and chapter to chapter (13 in all, including a general introduction). The early chapter tend to be broad-based, covering the basic history of research into spinosaurids (including the tragic loss of the original specimen when the museum housing its fossils was bombed in WWII), their placement in the larger grouping of dinosaurs, the various types of spinosaurids, and a brief tour of their fossil record. Then we get several detailed chapters on anatomy, specifically on the head, the “body, limbs, and tail,” and appearance, followed what they anatomy might tell us about their locomotion (particularly their ability to swim well), feeding methodology, reproduction and socialization, and how they might have interacted with the surrounding ecology.
As noted, all of this is laid out wonderfully clearly and also without any hype or sense of undeserved certainty. Thanks to the aforementioned dearth of fossils, there’s a lot of past surmises that have been overturned with newer fossils or better technology. The authors are more than generous in how they portray these errors, showing how while prior scientists were wrong in various interpretations, those analyses made sense based on what they were working with. Similarly, they are even-handed in their presentation of various theories, giving views they don’t necessarily agree with themselves a fair airing, pointing multiple times to how the poor fossil record means much is going to be pure conjecture and thus being willing to say their views could be wrong (though they do a convincing job of making clear why they think that’s not highly likely). As for instance when they provide a host of separate anatomic reasons why theories that Spinosaurus was an adept swimmer will probably not be confirmed, such as the drag caused by that large sail on their back, the lack of streamlining in their legs, their bone density, and others. You can see how it might turn out to be the case — as noted, the writers are fair to the other side — but you leave pretty sure it won’t.
Beyond the clarity and thoroughness of the text, the book contains a number of helpful diagrams and illustrations and also, at the end, a good number of plates showing the spinosaurids in action, such as one of a Baryonyx fishing or another of two Suchomimus rivals wrestling with each other.
Spinosaur Tales is a great example of a focused popular science book. Because of its narrow focus on a single group, one gets the sense by the end that one knows all there is about the creatures (with the caveat provided by the authors that more is coming to light all the time). And while in lesser hands, such thoroughness might have led to an overly dense book, or one that lost the reader at times in a thicket of information or confusing terminology, structurally and stylistically, the authors have nailed it so that it all reads smoothly and clearly. Highly recommended.
Similarly, the structure is logical and easy to follow, and the writing flows extremely well, from sentence to sentence, paragraph to paragraph, and chapter to chapter (13 in all, including a general introduction). The early chapter tend to be broad-based, covering the basic history of research into spinosaurids (including the tragic loss of the original specimen when the museum housing its fossils was bombed in WWII), their placement in the larger grouping of dinosaurs, the various types of spinosaurids, and a brief tour of their fossil record. Then we get several detailed chapters on anatomy, specifically on the head, the “body, limbs, and tail,” and appearance, followed what they anatomy might tell us about their locomotion (particularly their ability to swim well), feeding methodology, reproduction and socialization, and how they might have interacted with the surrounding ecology.
As noted, all of this is laid out wonderfully clearly and also without any hype or sense of undeserved certainty. Thanks to the aforementioned dearth of fossils, there’s a lot of past surmises that have been overturned with newer fossils or better technology. The authors are more than generous in how they portray these errors, showing how while prior scientists were wrong in various interpretations, those analyses made sense based on what they were working with. Similarly, they are even-handed in their presentation of various theories, giving views they don’t necessarily agree with themselves a fair airing, pointing multiple times to how the poor fossil record means much is going to be pure conjecture and thus being willing to say their views could be wrong (though they do a convincing job of making clear why they think that’s not highly likely). As for instance when they provide a host of separate anatomic reasons why theories that Spinosaurus was an adept swimmer will probably not be confirmed, such as the drag caused by that large sail on their back, the lack of streamlining in their legs, their bone density, and others. You can see how it might turn out to be the case — as noted, the writers are fair to the other side — but you leave pretty sure it won’t.
Beyond the clarity and thoroughness of the text, the book contains a number of helpful diagrams and illustrations and also, at the end, a good number of plates showing the spinosaurids in action, such as one of a Baryonyx fishing or another of two Suchomimus rivals wrestling with each other.
Spinosaur Tales is a great example of a focused popular science book. Because of its narrow focus on a single group, one gets the sense by the end that one knows all there is about the creatures (with the caveat provided by the authors that more is coming to light all the time). And while in lesser hands, such thoroughness might have led to an overly dense book, or one that lost the reader at times in a thicket of information or confusing terminology, structurally and stylistically, the authors have nailed it so that it all reads smoothly and clearly. Highly recommended.
September 21, 2025
Most people like dinosaurs. Dinosaurs are among the most fascinating animals ever to have lived. And for most who are interested, these dinosaurs are discovered early in life. Books on dinosaurs of all types are, therefore, popular publishing matters. But, what do we really know about a particular dinosaur species like the Spinosaur? This type has been described as some of the strangest predatory dinosaurs to have existed and for which a great deal of scientific mystery remains. The authors of this new popular science work observe that the pace of scientific research and understanding has dramatically increased in recent years. The authors of this new book are experienced British paleontologists. David Hone is a senior lecturer in London; his books include The Tyrannosaur Chronicles: The Biology of the Tyrant Dinosaurs (Bloomsbury Sigma 2016). Mark Witton is also a noted paleoartist who restores the life appearance of extinct organisms. An early book illustration shows the changing shape of Spinosaurus and notes that few dinosaurs have been subjected to such dramatic revisions in form and predicted ecology as this peculiar dinosaur. Further scientific exploration and discussions about these characteristics continues even today. The first Spinosaur fossils were discovered in the early 1900s. The original collection of fossil bones were destroyed by Allied bombing in World War II. New discoveries have spurred additional research into this group of dinosaurs. The introductory chapter takes pains to identify the changing characteristics that paleontologists adopted to describe Spinosaurus. This is an engaging and understandable summary of the history, discovery, and scientific study of an intriguing species of dinosaur. It is a "Bloomsbury Sigma" publication which refers to the popular science imprint. The new book is truly a work of popular science aimed for as wide a reading audience as possible. The Bloomsbury Sigma imprint also includes a range of works on diverse topics such as space, climate change, and other scientific subjects. The book should appeal to anyone who has at least a passing interest in the world of dinosaurs. Highly recommended.
November 22, 2025
As objective and concise as one can hope to be when talking about Spinosaurines in 2025.
I love Spinosaurus. A childhood fascination fuelled by Jurassic Park 3 turned into true adoration that came with my love of water-fowl (particularly waders) in adulthood - something something something about being an angry teen in the 00s with the vicious ‘arch nemesis of T-rex’ that evolved into an ostentatious noodle-heron feels partially to blame for my queer awakening, I won’t lie.
But I digress.
This book was like soul food for me.
It aligned all of the blurriness that I ‘sort of’ knew about Spinosaurs as someone who is more focused on mammalian palaeontology, and packed it into this beautiful, digestible hard-back.
I love Hone’s writing and Witton’s illustrations have always been some of my favourite paleo-art out there. The combination is irresistible.
This book reads less like a textbook (good luck writing a textbook on this clade) or literature review, and more like a biography - a blow-by-blow account of every newsworthy controversy, like poor Spinosaurus is a hapless Hollywood actor. The arguments are all put on the table, regardless of whether or not the authors ultimately agree with them. The evidence is presented and weighed in a way that feels measured and fair but not pandering. Speculative analysis vs. true fossil evidence is always clearly labelled, and the authors encourage the reader to keep an open mind throughout the book.
I am truly grateful to own both the physical copy and audiobook (Gavin Osborn’s voice is delicious) and my only regret is that I didn’t manage to pin down either author for a biro squiggle in the cover at SVP last week.
I completely recommend this book to anyone with even a passing interest in Spinosaurs: it won’t fill all the gaps, but it will demystify these immensely cool animals enough to leave you chomping at the bit for new discoveries. This is what palaeontology is all about.
I love Spinosaurus. A childhood fascination fuelled by Jurassic Park 3 turned into true adoration that came with my love of water-fowl (particularly waders) in adulthood - something something something about being an angry teen in the 00s with the vicious ‘arch nemesis of T-rex’ that evolved into an ostentatious noodle-heron feels partially to blame for my queer awakening, I won’t lie.
But I digress.
This book was like soul food for me.
It aligned all of the blurriness that I ‘sort of’ knew about Spinosaurs as someone who is more focused on mammalian palaeontology, and packed it into this beautiful, digestible hard-back.
I love Hone’s writing and Witton’s illustrations have always been some of my favourite paleo-art out there. The combination is irresistible.
This book reads less like a textbook (good luck writing a textbook on this clade) or literature review, and more like a biography - a blow-by-blow account of every newsworthy controversy, like poor Spinosaurus is a hapless Hollywood actor. The arguments are all put on the table, regardless of whether or not the authors ultimately agree with them. The evidence is presented and weighed in a way that feels measured and fair but not pandering. Speculative analysis vs. true fossil evidence is always clearly labelled, and the authors encourage the reader to keep an open mind throughout the book.
I am truly grateful to own both the physical copy and audiobook (Gavin Osborn’s voice is delicious) and my only regret is that I didn’t manage to pin down either author for a biro squiggle in the cover at SVP last week.
I completely recommend this book to anyone with even a passing interest in Spinosaurs: it won’t fill all the gaps, but it will demystify these immensely cool animals enough to leave you chomping at the bit for new discoveries. This is what palaeontology is all about.
February 11, 2026
Spinosaur Tales: The Biology and Ecology of the Spinosaurs is a dynamic and rigorously researched deep dive into one of the most enigmatic dinosaur groups ever discovered. David Hone and Mark Witton tackle the scientific uncertainty surrounding spinosaurs with clarity, intellectual honesty, and palpable enthusiasm.
What makes this book especially compelling is its willingness to embrace controversy. Rather than presenting simplified conclusions, Hone and Witton guide readers through evolving interpretations fragmentary fossils, shifting reconstructions, debates over aquatic behavior, and the dramatic reimagining of Spinosaurus in recent years. The book becomes not just about dinosaurs, but about how science itself progresses through evidence, revision, and challenge.
The blend of accessible prose and cutting-edge research makes this an ideal bridge between academic palaeontology and general readership. Witton’s visual reconstructions further enhance the experience, grounding complex anatomical discussions in vivid imagery. Spinosaur Tales restores nuance to a dinosaur too often reduced to pop-culture spectacle, revealing instead a fascinating evolutionary puzzle still unfolding.
What makes this book especially compelling is its willingness to embrace controversy. Rather than presenting simplified conclusions, Hone and Witton guide readers through evolving interpretations fragmentary fossils, shifting reconstructions, debates over aquatic behavior, and the dramatic reimagining of Spinosaurus in recent years. The book becomes not just about dinosaurs, but about how science itself progresses through evidence, revision, and challenge.
The blend of accessible prose and cutting-edge research makes this an ideal bridge between academic palaeontology and general readership. Witton’s visual reconstructions further enhance the experience, grounding complex anatomical discussions in vivid imagery. Spinosaur Tales restores nuance to a dinosaur too often reduced to pop-culture spectacle, revealing instead a fascinating evolutionary puzzle still unfolding.
December 27, 2025
Spinosaur Tales was a genuinely fun read. It held my attention from start to finish, which isn’t always easy for nonfiction, and I honestly have no critiques.
What I loved the most was how clearly and engagingly Hone and Witton walked through the history of Spinosaurus discovery, from the earliest finds to how new evidence has repeatedly reshaped our understanding of this animal. Seeing how each discovery influenced (and sometimes contradicted) the way Spinosaurus was depicted at the time was interesting, especially when compared to how it’s portrayed today. The evolution of scientific thought was explained in a way that felt easy to understand and was even funny at times.
The balance between scientific depth and readability was perfect. It never felt super technical, yet it never talked down to the reader either. If you’re even remotely interested in dinosaurs, paleontology, or how science changes over time, this book is for you. Informative, engaging, and incredibly well done.
Thank you, NetGalley & Bloomsbury USA, for the ARC copy!
What I loved the most was how clearly and engagingly Hone and Witton walked through the history of Spinosaurus discovery, from the earliest finds to how new evidence has repeatedly reshaped our understanding of this animal. Seeing how each discovery influenced (and sometimes contradicted) the way Spinosaurus was depicted at the time was interesting, especially when compared to how it’s portrayed today. The evolution of scientific thought was explained in a way that felt easy to understand and was even funny at times.
The balance between scientific depth and readability was perfect. It never felt super technical, yet it never talked down to the reader either. If you’re even remotely interested in dinosaurs, paleontology, or how science changes over time, this book is for you. Informative, engaging, and incredibly well done.
Thank you, NetGalley & Bloomsbury USA, for the ARC copy!
January 22, 2026
I felt a little short changed by this book in the end. Having read The Tyrannosaur Chronicles by D. Hone, I expected Spinosaur Tales to be equally riveting and deep, but it seems that a lack of certainty in the palaeontological world about Spinosaurs left the authors constantly covering their backs in this book. So much of what we ‘know’ about Spinosaurs is uncertain and unproven, it didn’t make the ideal candidate for an entire book, with hindsight. It felt like they picked a ‘celebrity’ dinosaur to try and pull in Laymans, but realistically the book would have been more enriching and well received by palaeontological-lovers had they picked a less popular dinosaur, with more knowledge available. Too much ‘this is the precedent’, and conservative conjecture, and not enough established exciting facts.
Despite the pragmatic delivery, the book is very interesting and builds the Spinosaur world vividly in areas, remaining loyally focussed on Spinosaurs, without becoming sidetracked by other species, or anecdotes.
Despite the pragmatic delivery, the book is very interesting and builds the Spinosaur world vividly in areas, remaining loyally focussed on Spinosaurs, without becoming sidetracked by other species, or anecdotes.
January 26, 2026
ARC
I'd like to thank Bloomsbury USA and NetGalley for the opportunity to give "Spinosaur Tales: The Biology and Ecology of the Spinosaurs" an early read in return for an honest review.
"Spinosaur Tales" shows that an iconic creature that we've come to know through pop culture is much more than that one representation. Hone does a great job at balancing the knowledge that we all have from "Jurassic Park 3" and it's actual scientific roots. That being said, this is a fairly dense read, reading more like a textbook, rather than a book you sit and read for entertainment. I was anticipating the latter, which made it feel like a bit of a trudge to get through. But, the information Hone was able to put in was surprisingly interesting, really getting ot understand these creatures' relation with each other and their surroundings.
Be sure to give this a read when it is published on January 27, 2026!
I'd like to thank Bloomsbury USA and NetGalley for the opportunity to give "Spinosaur Tales: The Biology and Ecology of the Spinosaurs" an early read in return for an honest review.
"Spinosaur Tales" shows that an iconic creature that we've come to know through pop culture is much more than that one representation. Hone does a great job at balancing the knowledge that we all have from "Jurassic Park 3" and it's actual scientific roots. That being said, this is a fairly dense read, reading more like a textbook, rather than a book you sit and read for entertainment. I was anticipating the latter, which made it feel like a bit of a trudge to get through. But, the information Hone was able to put in was surprisingly interesting, really getting ot understand these creatures' relation with each other and their surroundings.
Be sure to give this a read when it is published on January 27, 2026!
December 28, 2025
This book is absolutely gorgeous.
I preordered it as I've been quite hyped when I saw this book was about to publish. I've been a huge dino nerd and reading about them since I've been only 4, the spinosaurus has been my favorite since then, and now holding this in my hands? Wow!! I totally love it!
I personally like the writing style alot and it's so up to date. Furthermore, the illustrations are lovely and the information is easy to understand (English's my second language).
The chapters are quite easy to follow: starting with the history and origins after a short introduction! We've species/relationships and 3 full chapters for the spinosaur anatomy - and alot more!
A must for spino fans - BIG recommendation ^^
I preordered it as I've been quite hyped when I saw this book was about to publish. I've been a huge dino nerd and reading about them since I've been only 4, the spinosaurus has been my favorite since then, and now holding this in my hands? Wow!! I totally love it!
I personally like the writing style alot and it's so up to date. Furthermore, the illustrations are lovely and the information is easy to understand (English's my second language).
The chapters are quite easy to follow: starting with the history and origins after a short introduction! We've species/relationships and 3 full chapters for the spinosaur anatomy - and alot more!
A must for spino fans - BIG recommendation ^^
February 7, 2026
A great effort at depicting a mysterious and weird animal. Spinosaurus has become one of the most famous Dino thanks to Hollywood but it is mainly thanks to advanced technology that paleontologists can describe and hypothesize so much about it. Spinosaurus remains, up to now, a weird living being, whose complete understanding remains crippled by doubts, as for all the dinosaurs ever discovered. And yet, Hone and Witton summarized with fine details the state of the art about this species.
As usual, Hone is a master in science communication and the book is brilliant, being fully paleontologically focused. In conclusion, it is a very informative, specific and exciting read about this marvelous species of dinosaurs.
As usual, Hone is a master in science communication and the book is brilliant, being fully paleontologically focused. In conclusion, it is a very informative, specific and exciting read about this marvelous species of dinosaurs.
December 31, 2025
Loved this. It didn't over promise. It is the story of the spinosaurs: dinosaurs that include Baryonyx as well as the Spinosaurus. It debunks a lot of the popular imagery created in films and documentaries while at the same time recognising the importance of the media in bringing this less understood group of dinosaurs to the public's attention. Its well written, balanced, and recognises the limitations of what we know. It has good line drawings that illustrate the text usefully. Perhaps it is a little dry but it's not a long book. It is suitable for an adult to read or a good reader of nine upwards who loves dinosaurs.
February 13, 2026
Wonderfully enlightening! But why am I not surprised to find out that political & military action had negative impacts on spinosaur research? Noticing similar comparisons to Neil deGrasse Tyson & Avis Lang's book Accessory to War which chronicled the influences of military interest in astronomy. I'd be EXTREMELY interested to read a paleontologist's POV on the subject. What would a book like that be called? Empire of Bones?! lol
Overall, I am incredibly inspired to learn more about spinosaurs and have my fingers crossed that we make more discoveries soon! David Hone and Mark Witton did an incredible job on this book and I hope to see more collaborations from them as well!
Overall, I am incredibly inspired to learn more about spinosaurs and have my fingers crossed that we make more discoveries soon! David Hone and Mark Witton did an incredible job on this book and I hope to see more collaborations from them as well!
November 19, 2025
A comprehensive discussion of the family
This was a fantastic book, well written, accessible, and thorough. I have read other books by Dave Hone and it is of equal quality to those. I can only imagine that Mark Witton’s other works will be of comparable quality.
It’s incredible how we can infer so much from so little extant material. I definitely recommend this book to paleo nerds but I also think it would be a good gateway for someone who is interested in dinosaurs but maybe hasn’t read anything about them since their childhood.
This was a fantastic book, well written, accessible, and thorough. I have read other books by Dave Hone and it is of equal quality to those. I can only imagine that Mark Witton’s other works will be of comparable quality.
It’s incredible how we can infer so much from so little extant material. I definitely recommend this book to paleo nerds but I also think it would be a good gateway for someone who is interested in dinosaurs but maybe hasn’t read anything about them since their childhood.
January 23, 2026
Spinosaur Tales is an incredible telling of the history of Spinsaurus and a fascinating detailing of where the group as a whole stands today. There is so much still to learn about these enigmatic dinosaurs and this book does a great job at outlining what is known and what we are still yet to learn. Hone and Witton also do an amazing job at dispelling any misconceptions the public might hold, specifically regarding the aquatic pursuit predator hypothesis. The illustrations are also very well done. Great book, highly recommend.
January 13, 2026
Fascinating! I freaking love dinosaurs and I love learning about them so this was basically a perfect read. I think it's very digestible to the average reader, I didn't have to look things up as much, and it was laid out incredibly well. The authors really told a story and fleshed it out with facts. A truly great read!
Thank you to NetGalley and Bloomsbury Sigma for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.
Thank you to NetGalley and Bloomsbury Sigma for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.
January 31, 2026
This book uncovers the secrets of the spinosaurs, some of the strangest predatory dinosaurs ever to walk the Earth. It explores their evolution, anatomy, and lifestyles, bringing these enigmatic creatures to life with stunning illustrations and the latest scientific findings. The book is fascinating and easy to read.
Thanks, NetGalley, for the ARC I received. This is my honest and voluntary review.
Thanks, NetGalley, for the ARC I received. This is my honest and voluntary review.
November 26, 2025
Spinosaur Tales brings together two of the finest popular palaeontology writers for a nuanced and detailed overview of this challenging group of dinosaurs. Read the full review at https://inquisitivebiologist.com/2025...
December 9, 2025
Interesting.
January 3, 2026
This book is a very interesting, accessible account of our current understanding of this fascinating group of dinosaurs. The artwork is beautiful, too!
January 6, 2026
First book of the New Year, great read.
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