Impossible Monsters

“Michael Taylor offers an elegantly written, compellingly readable account of the ‘culture war between the guardians of orthodoxy and the agents of change.’ … The result, Mr. Taylor writes in his fine book, was a decadeslong ‘culture war … over humanity itself.’” – Gerard Helferich - Wall Street Journal“Taylor’s discussions of Huxley and Darwin are among the best sections in his ambitious, readable, and informative book.” – Brenda Wineapple - The Atlantic“Impossible Monsters is a work of remarkable range. Taylor … belongs to that rare class of writers who can effortlessly encompass both scientific arcana and intellectual currents.” – Pratinav Anil - Guardian (UK)“This splendid history of discovery tells a much-told tale better than it has been told before.” – Economist”[Impossible Monsters is] a remarkable look at how sweeping social changes can come from strange and small beginnings. Anyone who thinks that the culture wars of contemporary times are being fought with unprecedented ferocity should take a look at this book… . Taylor ably conveys the ferment of the time, and he does so with respect to all concerned. This is an intriguing and accessible book, featuring many useful insights into how one age ended and another began… . With careful research, Taylor unravels how the discovery of the past pointed the way toward a new future.” – Kirkus Reviews“In this stunning work of popular history, historian Michael Taylor shows how the discovery of dinosaurs triggered a domino effect that shook the foundations of Western culture. A most engrossing book of surprises and revelations.” – Steve Brusatte, New York Times best-selling author of The Rise and Fall of the Dinosaurs“An astonishing book about an extraordinary subject. Michael Taylor tells the story of the collision of science and religion in an age of change with authority, wit and verve. A delight.” – Peter Frankopan, best-selling author of The Earth Transformed“An account of the discovery of deep time that is as thrilling as it is sweeping, populated by a brilliantly drawn cast of characters, and vivid with a Mesozoic bestiary.” – Tom Holland, best-selling author of Paxand Dominion“Amazing… . Taylor paints the complex picture of the fundamental tension between religion and geology through the nineteenth century with verve and humor… . An important story that still affects us today.” – Michael Benton“This book confirms what I’ve suspected for a while, that Michael Taylor is the most talented young historian around. This book dazzles in its originality and there is something you want to commit to memory on every page. A triumph.” – Sathnam Sanghera, author of Empireland“A truly marvelous book: superb research and a sparkling narrative dramatize an epic battle of ideas and an intellectual thriller. Michael Taylor succeeds in reanimating those famous dinosaur wars of the nineteenth century with real brilliance, and makes them as fresh and furious as ever. Exuberant, stylish and brilliantly sustained throughout.” – Richard Holmes, best-selling author of The Age of Wonder“A sweeping account of the discovery of dinosaurs and the horrifying depths of time, and their impact on god-fearing Victorians. Taylor marches us with panache from Bishop Ussher’s impossibly young world to today’s incomprehensibly old planet. We feel the awe and fright across society as the vast reptilian empires are brought to light.” – Adrian Desmond, author of Darwin’s Sacred Cause

Michael Taylor is a historian of eighteenth- and nineteenth-century Britain. His first book, The Interest, was shortlisted for the Orwell Prize for Political Writing.