Dinosaurs at the Dinner Party

Bookseller recommendation

“A historical adventure about Victorian pioneers who uncovered dinosaur fossils and reshaped our understanding of Earth’s history. Focusing on eccentric figures like Mary Anning, William Buckland, and Richard Owen as they transform how we view the prehistoric world, this is an entertaining look at how the discovery of ancient fossils revolutionized our understanding of the past. ”

— Erica • Author's Note

Bookseller recommendation

“Dinosaurs at the Dinner Party by Edward Dolnick is as utterly entertaining as any best-selling novel. The entire time I read Dinosaurs at the Dinner Party I told everyone around me to read it. The knowledge of dinosaurs has obviously, never not been part of my life. But I had never thought about the initial discovery or urge to understand the discovery of giant bones before. The fact it wasn't until the 1800s that people began to imagine all the options about what these bones, footprints, and fossils were from is wild to me. That history is still so close to us, and it's funny to think about the fanciful ideas people thought of to explain these fossils. Many of the historical figures you meet in this book you learn about the highs and lows of their careers in a new science in its infancy. Also, women are awesome and I'm glad Mary Anning and the others are finally getting their credit and acknowledgment for their part in the discovery of dinosaurs. ”

— Rachel • Dog-Eared Books

Bookseller recommendation

“A look at how the discovery of and theories surrounding dinosaurs pitted science and religion (Christianity specifically) against each other during the Victorian era. The fascinating stories of a cast of colorful characters including geologists, fossil hunters, and clergymen are woven together beautifully by historian Edward Dolnick. As well as being a historical account, this work investigates the philosophy and evolution of scientific thought itself and how truly great thinkers will adapt and expand their understanding of things when presented with new information.”

— Allison • Page 1 Books

Bookseller recommendation

“An absolute fever dream of a book, truly brings into perspective, how lucky the human race is to still be an existence, given the tendencies of the Victorian people. Also dinosaurs, enough said.”

— Julia Y • Four Seasons Books