In Search of Deep Time: Beyond the Fossil Record to a New History of Life

The title of "Deep Time" refers to the immense gulfs of time that separate the major events in evolution. The best known of these is the gap of 65 million years between the disappearance of the dinosaurs and the present, but this only one of many, and by no means the largest. More important than the size of these gaps for Henry Gee's arguments, however, is their emptiness: there are extremely few fossils to provide landmarks,... Read Full Review

This is a good book if for no other reason than its refreshing honesty with respect to paleontology. Gee attempts to pry the facts apart from the evolutionary story telling that plagues this business. On the other hand, he attempts to paint molecular cladistics as a purely objective and scientific alternative. Unfortunately, that is simply not true (not yet at least). Molecular cladistics has problems both in methodology... Read Full Review

A must read for anyone interested in the history of life on Earth and evolution research. A fascin-ating, delightful and informative read, highly accessible - the worst moment was three Latin nomenclatures in one sentence. Frequently insightful, occasionally inciteful; an enjoyable sledgehammer tour through the hallowed halls, that turns any number of previously held beliefs on their ears. I've just given it to my conservative... Read Full Review

Who would have thought that an explication of cladistics could be both fascinating and entertaining? This is not a dumbed-down book; yes, it is written for the intelligent lay person, not the specialist, but Gee doesn't simplify just to get the reader through the book. And guess what? A bird IS a dinosaur!

Henry Gee has produced a very readable book on paleontology and evolution. This is cladistic analysis for beginners, and will interest a wide audience. I read it cover to cover in one day. It will be very interesting to see how paleontology squares off with the genomic sequences that will soon become available. Very well written and enjoyable.