Animals of the Past by Frederic Lucas is a fascinating journey into the world of prehistoric creatures. Lucas provides a comprehensive overview of ancient animals, from dinosaurs to early mammals, detailing their characteristics, behaviors, and environments. The illustrations in the book are stunning, bringing these long-extinct creatures to life in vivid detail.

One of the strengths of Animals of the Past is Lucas's ability to make complex scientific concepts accessible to readers of all ages. He explains the differences between various dinosaur species, how fossils are formed, and the ways in which paleontologists reconstruct the appearance and habits of ancient animals. The book also includes a glossary and index, making it a useful reference for budding paleontologists.

While the book is primarily aimed at children and young adults, it offers something for readers of all ages. Whether you're a seasoned dinosaur enthusiast or just curious about the creatures that roamed the Earth millions of years ago, Animals of the Past is sure to captivate and educate. Overall, this book is a must-read for anyone with an interest in the natural history of our planet.

Book Description:
Prior to the emergence of paleontology and comparative anatomy as scientific disciplines at the end of the 18th century, it was generally known that there were species of animals that had disappeared completely. The term "extinction" originally applied to the extinguishing of fires or erasing of one's debt. It was not until 1784 that the term extinction was used to denote the complete eradication of a species of living being. In 1901, Frederic A. Lucas penned an overview of vertebrate animals whose only evidence of being remained in fossil records. The book focuses primarily on vertebrate animals, from fish to mammals. - Summary by Jeffery Smith