Early Vertebrates

Review from previous edition Philippe Janvier has excelled himself with this landmark publication, which surely ranks as a modern classic. No other textbook has dealt so clearly with the origins and early evolution of vertebrates. Each chapter is lucidly written and important anatomical features are clearly illustrated, providing just the right level of technical information without getting bogged down with details. This is an essential source book forteachers and students of vertebrate anatomy and evolution.'John G. Maisey, American Museum of Natural History, Nature, 10 April 1997Janvier’s well-written overview of the pattern of early vertebrate evolution is thus a welcome synthesis, presenting a complete survey of early vertebrate fossils, their anatomy, and their phylogenetic relationships as currently understood … one can read the book selectively, focusing on those sections that detail significant vertebrate innovations and the origins of major clades.‘George V. Lauder, University of California, Irvine, Science, Vol. 276, April 1997Clearly written…lucid and supported phylogenetic opinions. This is a great source for projects, essays, reference material and, most importantly, an aothoritative statement of our current knowledge.bPETER FOREY for the departement of Palaeontology of the Natural History Museum of Londonabsolutely packed with information: the range of taxa covered is enormous...the clarity is there is the running text and his lovely illustrations, and the copious figure legends; the interdisciplinary nature of the work is reflected in his approach to the whole subject matter...a beautiful piece of work, rich in information, well-crafted text, and clearly illustrated throughout - I take my hat off to the author.'David B. Norman, Geological Magazine, vol 135 - pt 3, 1998…a bench mark in the subject. It is full of information, well-written and presented, but above all wise. You come away with the feeling that this book has been written by someone who not only knows a great deal about his subject, but also cares about it with some passion. It is actually inspiring to my mind in a way that few books in the subject area of vertebrate paleontology have managed since those of Al Romer and E.C. Olson.‘David B. Norman, Geological Magazine, vol 135 -pt 3, 1998

Phillippe Janvier is at the National Museum of Natural History, Paris.