I was (and still am) The Dinosaur Kid, shaking with excitement at watching Jurassic Park at 5 years old, vowing to become a Paleontologist one day in the distant future -- while I'm considering going back to school for a masters in something paleontological, I read this book out of the pure delight and interest in these fascinating creatures, and Brusatte delivers. It's accessible and riveting, and at times personal, while also still being engaging for someone who may be trained in a related science field. Give it a shot, it's like having your most charming, passionate, and smart friend tell you at length about their favorite special interest.
This deceptive, beautiful tome is a captivating Geology 101 course disguised as a coffee table decoration. Stalwart PNW highlights include: the Olympic Peninsula, the Columbia River Gorge, Mt. Saint Helens, Crater Lake, and Hells Canyon (where my grandmother famously developed pancreatitis in the middle of a rafting trip).
When I was 13 a cool older girl at school gave me a silk screened patch that said "RIOT NOT DIET". I promptly sewed it onto my backpack and never looked back. Reading this book is the literary equivalent of a cool older girl giving you that patch.
Everyone needs to read this, particularly all the people who believe they don't need to. Trust me, you do.
