Travels with Trilobites: Adventures in the Paleozoic

by Andy Secher

Overview

Trilobites were some of the most successful and versatile organisms ever to exist. Among the earliest forms of complex animal life, these hard-shelled marine invertebrates inhabited the primal seas of the Paleozoic Era. Their march through evolutionary time began in the Lower Cambrian, some 521 million years ago, and lasted until their demise at the end of the Permian, more than 250 million years later. Durgaing this vast stretch of planetary history, these adaptable animals filled virtually every available undersea niche, evolving into more than 25,000 scientifically recognized species.

In Travels with Trilobites, Andy Secher invites readers to come along in search of the fossilized remains of these ancient arthropods. He explores breathtaking paleontological hot spots around the world—including Alnif, Morocco, on the edge of the Sahara Desert; the Sakha Republic, deep in the Siberian wilderness; and Kangaroo Island, off the coast of South Australia—and offers a behind-the-scenes look at museums, fossil shows, and life on the collectors’ circuit. The book features hundreds of photographs of unique specimens drawn from Secher’s private collection, showcasing stunning fossil finds that highlight the diversity, complexity, and beauty of trilobites. Entertaining and informative, Travels with Trilobites combines key scientific information about these captivating creatures with wry, colorful observations and inside stories from one of the world’s most prolific collectors.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780231200967
Publisher:	Columbia University Press
Publication date:	06/21/2022
Pages:	416
Sales rank:	968,420
Product dimensions:	8.80(w) x 11.00(h) x 1.20(d)

About the Author

Andy Secher is a field associate in paleontology at the American Museum of Natural History and coeditor of the museum’s trilobite website. His private collection comprises more than 4,000 trilobite fossils. He was for many years the editor of the rock-and-roll magazine Hit Parader.

Table of Contents

On the Space-Time Road with Trilobites, by Niles Eldredge
Our Planet’s Memory, by Kirk Johnson
The Collector’s Gene, by Mark Norell
Preface
Introduction
1. Cambrian Period: 541–485 Million Years Ago
2. Ordovician Period: 485–444 Million Years Ago
3. Silurian Period: 444–419 Million Years Ago
4. Devonian Period: 419–359 Million Years Ago
5. Carboniferous/Permian Periods: 359–252 Million Years Ago
6. Trilobite Thoughts and Observations
Final Thought
Acknowledgments
Glossary
Index

Editorial Reviews

★ 03/07/2022

Secher, a paleontology field associate at the American Museum of Natural History, shares his passion for trilobites in his eye-opening debut. These marine arthropods existed for more than 250 million years; by the dawn of the Cambrian Period 521 million years ago, they “were already advanced organisms possessing hard protective exoskeletons, complex digestive systems, and highly developed eyes.” Before they went extinct at the end of the Permian Period, they had evolved into over 25,000 species: some resembled a “hydrodynamic rocket ship,” others a “primordial meatloaf.” Secher uses fossils to make guesses about the trilobites’ behaviors, including feeding patterns (possibly cannibalistic) and lifestyle habits (“highly communal”). He succeeds in making the fossilized creatures relevant to the modern world—some scientists believe that trilobites’ massive excrement production “generated enough fertilizer to provide primitive plant life with the needed impetus to develop and expand its realm.” Indeed, he writes, “if it wasn’t for primitive trilobite... Earth’s early faunal and floral experiments may have ended in a far more abrupt and dire fashion.” The 300 photos, largely derived from Secher’s private collection, are a plus. Natural history nuts will gain a new appreciation for these prehistoric creatures thanks to this awe-inspiring survey. Photos. (May)

Publishers Weekly

Secher provides an impressive tour of locations around the world where one can find the fossilized remains of these creatures, delves into what scientists know about trilobite biology—including molting, reproduction, locomotion, and vision—illustrating his musings with outstanding photographs from his personal collection of over 4,000 fossils.

R. Gary Raham Trilobite Tales

This is a very well written, illustrated, and researched book. It is easy enough for all to understand but also detailed enough for those who already have an interest in trilobites.

Evilcyclist's Bookshelf

A must have for anyone with an interest in trilobites!

Birdbooker Report blog

What a fantastic book! [A] superbly illustrated guide to all things Trilobita!

Everything Dinosaur

Thorough and detailed, this is a well-organized book that takes you on a deep dive into the world of trilobites.

Seattle Book Review [rated five out of five stars]

This looks first and foremost like a coffee table book…what a book! This is a great book for those who love palaeontology.

Geology Book Review

This volume is a gorgeous, glossy-paged, coffee-table treatment of trilobite fossil diversity.

The Quarterly Review of Biology

This looks first and foremost like a coffee table book…what a book! This is a great book for those who love palaeontology.

Deposits Magazine

Andy Secher’s Travels with Trilobites chronicles one of Earth’s earliest and most important groups of animals, the trilobites, and the people obsessed with their fossilized remains. The thousands of known trilobite species tell a harrowing tale of a group trying to outrun extinction across vast chunks of deep time. Secher combines stunning photography and his distinctive style into a fascinating look behind the curtain of a little known cultural phenomenon.

Markus J. Martin

Fascinating, informative, enhanced throughout with magnificent photographic imagery.

Midwest Book Review

The backbone of this book is the essays that introduce you to key fossil locations. This is where Secher shines and gives insider stories and insights by himself and other seasoned collectors.

NHBS

Andy Secher’s passionate paean to his beloved trilobites is a visually stunning voyage of discovery—a fossil feast for the eyes and fodder for the inquiring mind! Like the best of journeys, this one wanders in leisurely fashion, taking in the spectacular sights and leading us down fascinating narrative side roads to reveal the secrets of these long-vanished denizens of ancient seas. Take the trip . . . and be prepared to join the ranks of those of us already under the spell of trilobite-o-philia!

Dave Rudkin

One of the world's foremost trilobite collectors shares not only the tales of these gorgeous and stunningly diverse animals but also the eye-opening inside stories of how and where their fossils have been found, prepared, collected (both publicly and privately), bought, sold, and even faked. Plentiful photographs capture the dazzling array of trilobite forms, while Secher's warm writing reveals the reasons, from scholarly to aesthetic, why so many of us have fallen in love with these lost creatures. Prepare to be swept up in his obsession.

D. Allan Drummond

Secher's enthusiasm and humor often shone through.

Sharon the Librarian

This book [is] a valuable resource for both scientists and collectors.

Western Interior Paleontological Society Trilobite Tales

Andy Secher’s book is a love letter to trilobites. Secher showcases the treasures of his own collection, and the photographs are truly impressive. Secher clearly loves trilobites in all their sizes and forms. His admiration for these unique, long-gone creatures, as well as his collecting zeal, are really contagious. So, if Secher’s true purpose was to unleash a growing horde of trilobite lovers upon the world, he actually has a pretty good chance of succeeding. Count me in!

Re-Enchantment of the World