As many other people have previously mentioned, the first thing I noticed straightaway was the colloquial, easygoing language of the text. I feel like the author is giving a personal guide through the process in the simplest means possible. Additionally, Shubin makes connections to the real world that I never would have understood otherwise. An example would be the “zoo analogy” and accompanying diagram on page nine. Placing living creatures into distinct categories helps me to clearly visualize how time periods are separated and how the bone structures change over time.
The process in finding certain fossils is certainly more difficult than I have previously perceived it; as Shubin said, you need a certain amount of serendipity. It may take eight days just to plan one day of digging.
The discovery of Tiktaalik was revolutionary because the scientists had finally found a bridge connecting the diverse water animals and land animals. It contained characteristics of both water animals – scales and webbing – but also land animals – developing arm, skull, and shoulder bones.
Out of all the books I am reading this summer, this is the most interesting. I can't wait to read more!
~Megan Hsiao (:
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