Book cover of The Rise and Fall of the Dinosaurs: A New History of Their Lost World

Book description

The Times Science Book of the Year.
A Sunday Times Bestseller.

66 million years ago the dinosaurs were wiped from the face of the earth. Today, Dr. Steve Brusatte, one of the leading scientists of a new generation of dinosaur hunters, armed with cutting edge technology, is piecing together the…

When you buy books, we may earn a commission that helps keep our lights on (or join the rebellion as a member).

Why read it?

3 authors picked The Rise and Fall of the Dinosaurs as one of their favorite books. Why do they recommend it?

The best seller of all time, a lively romp through dinosaur research (and researchers).

This is for all readers, and you’ll be hooked by the lively, pacy text by Steve, as he hurtles from continent to continent, digging up bones from China to Poland, working on Tyrannosaurus rex and other great beasts in the basements of the world’s museums, and sharing with readers what it’s like to be a working paleontologist.

For aspiring young bone-diggers, this is an inspiration, although it’s not like this all the time: paleontologists also sometimes have to mark student essays and fight with university systems…

From Michael's list on dinosaurs from a paleontologist.

There’s no shortage of books about dinosaurs, but this is one of the best.  Brusatte’s engaging account blends an enthusiasm for dinosaur fossils that any eight-year-old will recognize with a masterly understanding of the thunder lizards and their times.  Enlightening and fun to read, The Rise and Fall of Dinosaurs will delight all who love those greatest of all land creatures. 

From Andrew's list on fossils and the history of life.

Dinosaur paleontologists never seem to lose their kid-like enthusiasm. Merge that with scientific expertise and skillful writing, and you have this book. Among the crowded field of popular dinosaur books, this one stands out as scientific storytelling at its best. Brusatte takes us from discovery to boney discovery, tracing the origin of dinosaurs, their rise to dominance, and their bad-luck demise. 

From Keith's list on geology that tell great stories.

If you love The Rise and Fall of the Dinosaurs...

Book cover of December on 5C4

December on 5C4 by Adam Strassberg,

Magical realism meets the magic of Christmas in this mix of Jewish, New Testament, and Santa stories–all reenacted in an urban psychiatric hospital!

On locked ward 5C4, Josh, a patient with many similarities to Jesus, is hospitalized concurrently with Nick, a patient with many similarities to Santa. The two argue…

Want books like The Rise and Fall of the Dinosaurs?

Our community of 12,000+ authors has personally recommended 100 books like The Rise and Fall of the Dinosaurs.

Browse books like The Rise and Fall of the Dinosaurs

Book cover of The Story of Earth: The First 4.5 Billion Years, from Stardust to Living Planet
Book cover of Annals of the Former World
Book cover of Earthquake Storms: The Fascinating History and Volatile Future of the San Andreas Fault

Share your top 3 reads of 2025!

And get a beautiful page showing off your 3 favorite reads.

1,298

readers submitted
so far, will you?

📚 If you like The Rise and Fall of the Dinosaurs, you might also like...

Book cover of Karl's War

Karl's War by Neil Spark,

Karl's War is a coming-of-age-meets-thriller set in Germany on the eve of Hitler coming to power. Karl – a reluctant poster boy for the Nazis – meets Jewish Ben and his world is up-turned.

Ben and his family flee to France. Karl joins the German army but deserts and finds…

Book cover of Girl in the Ashes

Girl in the Ashes by Douglas Weissman,

Odette Lefebvre is a serial killer stalking the shadows of Nazi-occupied Paris and must confront both the evils of those she murders and the darkness of her own past.

This young woman's childhood trauma shapes her complex journey through World War II France, where she walks a razor's edge…

5 book lists we think you will like!