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Badlands Books   

Reviews on Dinosaur Country:

Carl Anderson, Farm Crusader

From the back cover of Dinosaur Country:

  • Philip J. Currie, Curator of Dinosaurs, Royal Tyrrell Museum of Palaeontology, Drumheller -- "This edition of Dinosaur Country, updated and with lots of new information, will quickly become the authoritative reference to the palaeontological history of the Red Deer River and a must-have book for dinosaur enthusiasts."

  • Marylynne Stumpf, English Department, Lindsay Thurber Comprehensive High School, Red Deer -- "Written with infectious enthusiasm and a scholar's understanding of the complexities of nature, Dinosaur Country will be a welcome addition to any library."

  • Ian A. Campbell, Professor Emeritus, Department of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences, University of Alberta, Edmonton --"The magic of the badlands and the fascinating history of the dinosaurs and their 'hunters' are captured in an up-to-date treatment which is a joy to read."

VUE WEEKLY September 3, 1998

Theresa Shea wrote,"Dinosaur Country tackles all the big questions regarding the massive reptiles' evolution and their disappearance. Author Renie Gross not only outlines the many theories of dinosaurian behaviour but also provides a history lesson of their existence in the badlands of the Red Deer River valley in southern Alberta. Did you know, for example, that no other site in the world yields such a diversity of well-preserved dinosaur skeletons in so relatively small an area? ...the book contains highly educational and comprehensive maps, charts, and drawings. The 130 photographs also included add a definite visual richness to the text, and help to direct and focus the reader's imagination...This fine book is a terrific introduction and invitation to one of the world's most fascinating regions. If you haven't yet experienced the Alberta badlands, then you have an incredible treat in store for you. And be sure to take Dinosaur Country along. It will be a stimulating companion for the journey."

THE BROOKS BULLETIN June 1998 review by Anne Harvie

"There's an old cliche that says people tend to take their own surroundings for granted. ...If this is true of a majority, author Renie Gross is not one of them. Living as she does almost on top of the World Heritage Site of Dinosaur Park, far from ignoring the wonders on her own doostep, Gross has made the badlands a part of her life, exploring not only its present dimensions but adding also the extra dimension of time....The history of dinosaurs is interwoven with the history of their uncovering in the badlands starting with Joseph Tyrrell's first fossil find in Drumheller in 1885. Along with this is a geographical and geological journey along the Red Deer River, where the ancient exposed strata of the earth gradually age as the river winds towards Dinosaur Park...Carefully researched, Dinosaur Country contains the bulk of available information on local palaeontology arranged into an invaluable reference that also reads entertainingly."

THE LETHBRIDGE HERALD September 1998

  • Meghan White wrote:"The first three chapters serve as a foundation for the introduction to the dinosaurs ... The 10 chapters that follow represent the most engrossing and captivating portion, truly a rich and satisfying treasure."
  • Paula White said, "Dinosaur Country is informative and doubles as a piece of poetic beauty. Its power to evoke response is considerable, despite the fact its topics tend to be of a serious nature."
  • Jared Rosenfeldt's comments: "Gross distills her research into a diverse and detailed presentation covering every facet of the region's history, landforms, fauna and geography ... [she] blends thoughtful diction and insightful facts into interesting prose."