RE: "T-rex&theCommetofDoom"

["Augustus T. White" <augwhite@neosoft.com>]

On Monday, September 21, 1998 3:19 PM, GOBI 2010 
[SMTP:gobi2010@hotmail.com] wrote:
> While looking in the geology/biology section of a local book store I
> came apon the book 'T-rex & The Commet of Doom'. The cover shows a
> tyrannosaurus, apparently in a near vertical position, and a commet
> streaking across a sky. I turned the book over and read something to the
> effect of:
> "Learn what really killed the dinosaurs!"
> and almost puked.
> BAD SCIENCE!
> We don't know what 'really' killed the dinos and most likely never will!
> I wonder if anyone's read the book?Is it as bad as I think it is, worse
> or...maybe better than it sounds? Is it worth buying?
> I wouldn't....just looking at the cover & back repulsed me, although
> looks could be decieving.

Its really quite a good book.  Since its written by Alvarez, the 
presentation is perhaps a bit one-sided, but he makes an honest effort to 
review other viewpoints, especially the from the Dartmouth people.  Authors 
who are busy doing real science tend to spend too much time on the 
historical development of the idea, rather than the science itself, because 
its easier to write.  This book is no exception.  Still, this is a book 
intended for the educated puiblic, not specialists.

This book was, by the way, offered by the Library of Science book club at a 
reasonable discount.   I strongly recommend the LOS as an alternative to 
the meager pickings at book stores, although you have to be willing to make 
a mistake or two.  It has a pretty good selection of stuff from the popular 
to undergraduate level in most areas if you're patient.  They advertise 
regularly in Acientific American, and you can get the details there.

  --Toby White