Yomynameishannah Posted May 13, 2014 Share Posted May 13, 2014 Hello! I apologize if this is the wrong place to put this question. I want to learn more about geology and paleontology and fossils, so I was wondering if anybody knew of some good learning books, or textbooks or anything for amateurs? I will be purchasing Charles Finley's book " A Field Guide to Fossils Of Texas" so I just wanted to see if there was anything else out there. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pumpkinhead Posted May 13, 2014 Share Posted May 13, 2014 (edited) http://www.thefossilforum.com/index.php?/topic/46298-ordoviciansilurian-id-books/?view=findpost&p=500868This is a link to a very similar question that I posted about a week ago, I hope it helps. I've got a few other books kicking around too that are kind of fun, once I find the titles I'll post them too. And don't worry about posting questions in the wrong spot, you're among friends here. That book you said you were getting in Texas fossils looks like a good start too. Edited May 14, 2014 by Pumpkinhead Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
erose Posted May 13, 2014 Share Posted May 13, 2014 A great way to get a good handle on both geology and paleontology is with a used college level earth history text. if you are near a university town find the used book stores. try and get something no more than 5 years out of date and you will have a great resource. l liked those books because they included glossaries and were always structured well. And best of all there will be no finals. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Missourian Posted May 14, 2014 Share Posted May 14, 2014 (edited) 'Fossils for Amateurs' is excellent. On Amazon.... Latest edition (I think): http://www.amazon.com/Fossils-Amateurs-Collecting-Preparing-Invertebrate/dp/0442263481/ref=sr_1_3?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1400025955&sr=1-3&keywords=%22fossils+for+amateurs%22+wollin+macfall All editions: http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Dstripbooks&field-keywords=%22fossils+for+amateurs%22#/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Dstripbooks&field-keywords=%22fossils+for+amateurs%22+wollin+macfall&rh=n%3A283155%2Ck%3A%22fossils+for+amateurs%22+wollin+macfall Edited May 14, 2014 by Missourian Context is critical. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pumpkinhead Posted May 14, 2014 Share Posted May 14, 2014 "Fossil hunting" by Steve Parker is a fun book for beginners. It gives general advice about pretty much all of the aspects of fossil hunting such as major fossil sites and safety precautions. There's even a small identification part at the end. I still read this book for fun, just because it's so well put together. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
siteseer Posted May 14, 2014 Share Posted May 14, 2014 If you go through the pages of the "Fossil Literature" section of this site, you will find a few threads about people asking for good beginner books. One book I think you should check out is "Cruisin' the Fossil Freeway." It's the story of a paleontologist taking an artist fossil collecting across the Rocky Mountain region. Hello! I apologize if this is the wrong place to put this question. I want to learn more about geology and paleontology and fossils, so I was wondering if anybody knew of some good learning books, or textbooks or anything for amateurs? I will be purchasing Charles Finley's book " A Field Guide to Fossils Of Texas" so I just wanted to see if there was anything else out there. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yomynameishannah Posted May 14, 2014 Author Share Posted May 14, 2014 If you go through the pages of the "Fossil Literature" section of this site, you will find a few threads about people asking for good beginner books. One book I think you should check out is "Cruisin' the Fossil Freeway." It's the story of a paleontologist taking an artist fossil collecting across the Rocky Mountain region. thank you! I didnt know that section existed. I will definitely check it out Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yomynameishannah Posted May 14, 2014 Author Share Posted May 14, 2014 A great way to get a good handle on both geology and paleontology is with a used college level earth history text. if you are near a university town find the used book stores. try and get something no more than 5 years out of date and you will have a great resource. l liked those books because they included glossaries and were always structured well. And best of all there will be no finals. oh gosh, finals.. I'm happy I won't have any! Haha. But I will definitely see if I can find one. Will I be able to understand or will there be big words/scientific terms? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yomynameishannah Posted May 14, 2014 Author Share Posted May 14, 2014 http://www.thefossilforum.com/index.php?/topic/46298-ordoviciansilurian-id-books/?view=findpost&p=500868This is a link to a very similar question that I posted about a week ago, I hope it helps. I've got a few other books kicking around too that are kind of fun, once I find the titles I'll post them too. And don't worry about posting questions in the wrong spot, you're among friends here. That book you said you were getting in Texas fossils looks like a good start too. sorry for worrying, I just don't want to get yelled at or banned for accidentally posting in the wrong spot.thank you for being nice I'll check that out right now. Wow! It seems there are a lot of good books out there...I can't wait to get my hands on them. 'Fossils for Amateurs' is excellent. On Amazon.... Latest edition (I think): http://www.amazon.com/Fossils-Amateurs-Collecting-Preparing-Invertebrate/dp/0442263481/ref=sr_1_3?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1400025955&sr=1-3&keywords="fossils+for+amateurs"+wollin+macfall All editions: http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Dstripbooks&field-keywords="fossils+for+amateurs"#/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Dstripbooks&field-keywords="fossils+for+amateurs"+wollin+macfall&rh=n%3A283155%2Ck%3A"fossils+for+amateurs"+wollin+macfall Thank you! I appreciate it. I'll check it out right now Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
erose Posted May 14, 2014 Share Posted May 14, 2014 (edited) oh gosh, finals.. I'm happy I won't have any! Haha. But I will definitely see if I can find one. Will I be able to understand or will there be big words/scientific terms? You will be fine. What makes these great is that they almost always have glossaries explaining all the technical terms. And these are usually "Intro" books even if they are college level. Compared to many other books they ARE meant to TEACH you the subject matter. Edited May 14, 2014 by erose Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Missourian Posted May 14, 2014 Share Posted May 14, 2014 Of course, as with fossils, the deeper you're willing to dig, the more you'll find. Context is critical. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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