"This book explores the world of fossils, how we interpret them, and what they reveal about the history of life on Earth, from the development of new life forms to mass extinctions. Paleontologist Paul Taylor provides a comprehensive guide to all aspects of fossils, beginning with how they form, how they mark geological time, and what they tell us about the origins of life and major evolutionary events like the Cambrian Explosion. There are chapters devoted to each of the major groups found in the fossil record as well as practical advice on how to begin collecting fossils yourself. Illustrated with over two hundred color photographs, Fossils: An Essential Guide is an ideal introduction for those with an interest in the history of life"--