Fossils: A Fully Illustrated, Authoritative and Easy-to-Use Guide

by Frank H. T. Rhodes, Herbert S. Zim, Paul R. Shaffer

This introduction to the life of the past as revealed through fossils

-Descriptions of the typical plants and animals of major geological eras
-Maps showing where fossils can be found
-The history of the development of life on earth

Full-color illustrations and concise information make this an invaluable and enjoyable guide to a fascinating subject.

Genres: Science, Nonfiction, Reference, Nature, Geology, Field Guides, History

160 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1962

About the author

Frank Harold Trevor Rhodes (1926–2020), science author and the ninth president of Cornell University

Reviews

[Love of Hopeless Causes]

Fossils for beginners, plus an overview of ages. Iconic series and art. If I keep but one dino-book, it is likely to be this.

[K]

Part overview of geology and prehistoric life and part field guide to marine fossils which are apparently by far the most common fossils. This 1962 edition is only a little dated in some of the finer details of taxonomy. Nice as a little intro to the subject.

[Jenny]

I love Golden guides! They are so neat to read and fun to look at with my kids.

[Rob Jacobs]

Spent a lot of time with this book as a 6 year old.

[Taveri]

Wow! This compact book (with 461 colour illustrations) is the go to guide for lifeforms through the ages. It is extremely informative and well laid out providing two pages per geological period showing animal types and map location of those fossil types in North America. It provides details on twenty different types of trilobytes and gently reminds the reader that plants were going through many changes as well. The illustrations are phenomenally helpful; the text is concise but detailed. It's only shortcoming is in being nearly six decades old it does not have up to date groupings and only limited information on hominid species (as available at the time). I am going to get a copy for myself.

March 2nd I ordered a brand new copy at Coles for $7. Used copies were selling for $20+ on Amazon.

[Thomas Schulte]

Small enough to be a pocket field guide, this has as much or more about the evolution of species and the definition of geologic eras as it does about the art of applied paleontology for the earnest hobbyist. Profusely illustrated and easy to read this can be a match to light a fossil-hunting interest in a young reader.

[Holly Brown]

Of the many stunning illustrations, the dioramas are easily my favorite. Some of the science is a little dated, but the fossil-hunting tips remain timeless. Be considerate of where you're hunting, and take care when you make a discovery!

[Kathryn]

You need a bit of previous knowledge regarding zoology and anatomy. Other than that, not too bad of a guide.

[Steve LaForest]

Date read slightly approx.

[Matthew Harwood]

A fantastic introduction to fossils and the world of fossil hunting/collecting. This is a great addition for anyone interested in exploration and the outdoors.

[Keith Taylor]

Not what I was expecting, but a fast and interesting gallop through several billion years

[Tri]

This is a very handy overview over the history of fossils and life on Earth. It’s definitely outdated now, in 2020, and is focused almost entirely on animal adaptation and evolution.
It has over 400, beautiful, color illustrations, and lots of in depth information on fossil invertebrates. Some of the illustrations are outdated, with dragging tails and such, but it’s to be expected.
A very lovely little book, although some of the adjectives seemed strange and off putting. It seemed nothing in prehistory can be described as graceful to this author.
3.5/5 stars. If I’d read it when it first came out and the information was not outdated, 4/5.
(Plus a trilobite on the cover? Always a plus.)

[Michael P.]

I coveted this book as a child, so I had to read it when a copy finally fell into my hands. It is a catalogue of prehistoric life that starts with fossils and moves up to the once-living animal. Though serious minded, and I’m sure it was true to the science as it was known at the time, this book is nonetheless very much a children’s guide, written in language a smart, science curious child can understand. Parts are out of date now, but even at this remove that book gave me some nostalgic pleasure. I’m sure it would earn more stars could I have read and reviewed it as a child.

[Kooshmeister]

A nice guide for the amateur geologist, still sold in rock and gem shops to this day (I got it this past weekend in Gatlinburg when I got my fossil trilobite). Only things are it's slightly out of date, referring to Tyrannosaurus rex as the largest carnivorous dinosaur, despite having (apparently) been published in 2002 (!), and also much of the artwork is clearly copied (admittedly with some skill) from the paintings of Charles R. Knight, who goes uncredited in the book.

[Foxtower]

Who says Golden Books are just for kids? I had great fun identifying a variety of fossils I found around the country... maybe not perfectly accurate all the time, but close enough for a hobbyist to add extra enjoyment and appreciation of the treasures out there.

[John]

One of my favorite books of childhood.

[Don Gubler]

Good simple introduction.

[SmarterLilac]

A nice retread through my Geology 101 days.

[Amanda]

A guide to the different types of fossils.

[Benjamin Plume]

Helped me through a phase in childhood.

[James Violand]

Only for those who want an introduction to fossils. The very basic, everyman guide.