Overview

What can we learn about the evolution of jaws from a pair of scissors? How does the flight of a tennis ball help explain how fish overcome drag? What do a spacesuit and a chicken egg have in common? Highlighting the fascinating twists and turns of evolution across more than 540 million years, paleobiologist Matthew Bonnan uses everyday objects to explain the emergence and adaptation of the vertebrate skeleton. What can camera lenses tell us about the eyes of marine reptiles? How does understanding what prevents a coffee mug from spilling help us understand the posture of dinosaurs? The answers to these and other intriguing questions illustrate how scientists have pieced together the history of vertebrates from their bare bones. With its engaging and informative text, plus more than 200 illustrative diagrams created by the author, The Bare Bones is an unconventional and reader-friendly introduction to the skeleton as an evolving machine.

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9780253018328

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Reviews

A clear, largely jargon-free retelling of one of the greatest stories in evolution the rise of vertebrates that should have broad appeal. It integrates the facts and principles that underlie evolutionary theory by taking a common-sense approach that doesn t talk down to the reader. Nicholas Geist, Sonoma State University

Bonnan combines wit and passion with the sensibilities of a talented instructor in this encyclopedic tour of the vertebrate skeleton...accessible even for those without a background in anatomy. -Publishers Weekly A clear, largely jargon-free retelling of one of the greatest stories in evolution-the rise of vertebrates-that should have broad appeal. It integrates the facts and principles that underlie evolutionary theory by taking a common-sense approach that doesn't talk down to the reader. -Nicholas Geist, Sonoma State University

No bones about it, a text like The Bare Bones was sorely needed in the popular literature of vertebrate paleontology. Matthew Bonnan's tome on the evolution, form, and function of the vertebrate skeleton may seem daunting in size, but it is written in an enjoyable and readable fashion that will absolutely delight all sorts of readers from expert to soon-to-be-expert. -Palaeontologia Electronica A clear, largely jargon-free retelling of one of the greatest stories in evolution-the rise of vertebrates-that should have broad appeal. It integrates the facts and principles that underlie evolutionary theory by taking a common-sense approach that doesn't talk down to the reader. -Nicholas Geist, Sonoma State University Bonnan combines wit and passion with the sensibilities of a talented instructor in this encyclopedic tour of the vertebrate skeleton... accessible even for those without a background in anatomy. -Publishers Weekly

The Bare Bones covers a lot of ground, much of it familiar, but it is a remarkably fun book to read. Bonnan avoids the most intimidating jargon of anatomy and phylogenetics, elucidating the necessary concepts through clear writing and clever application of nonbiological analogies. He is forthcoming about the simplifications and omissions that make the volume so readable, and his conversational style and wit make this an unintimidating yet highly informative book that would work wonderfully in college courses. * The Quarterly Review of Biology * Bonnan combines wit and passion with the sensibilities of a talented instructor in this encyclopedic tour of the vertebrate skeleton... accessible even for those without a background in anatomy. * Publishers Weekly * No bones about it, a text like The Bare Bones was sorely needed in the popular literature of vertebrate paleontology. Matthew Bonnan's tome on the evolution, form, and function of the vertebrate skeleton may seem daunting in size, but it is written in an enjoyable and readable fashion that will absolutely delight all sorts of readers from expert to soon-to-be-expert. * Palaeontologia Electronica *

Author Information

Matthew F. Bonnan is a Vertebrate Paleontologist and Associate Professor of Biology at Stockton University. Bonnan's research focuses on the evolution of locomotion in sauropod dinosaurs and the functional morphology of forelimb posture in reptiles, birds, and mammals using traditional anatomy and computer-aided modeling.

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