Sir Cumference and the Dragon of Pi: A Math Adventure

Product Description

When Sir Cumference turns into a dragon, Lady Di of Ameter helps him hide, while Radius searches for the cure - the magic number that is the same for all circles. 32 pages. 8 1/2" x 9 1/2". Ages 5-10.

Customer Reviews:

A wonderful way to remember pi.......2007-01-25

I feel the age range given on the website should not be ages 4-8. This is appropriate for 8 and up. That said, my 5 year old enjoys it as just a fairy tale and I would not attempt any "teaching" to him. He listens as I read it to my older daughters and maybe it will seep in so when he's old enough to begin measuring, he will easily grasp the concepts.

This is a wonderful book - good illustrations and a clever story. The author works the math part in without it being cumbersome. A few times through this book and your child will have a good grasp of pi. At the least, it will be a good memory trigger if he/she needs help in class.

Great Book .......2007-01-09

This is a great book to teach kids about the number pi. This is a book that makes math fun and gets kids interested in learning math.

This book is a BLAST!.......2005-07-23

My kids love this book! They range in age from an 11 yr old girl to a 3 yr old boy and they all enjoy it! My son loves the story and the knights and adventure. And, he is learning something in the process. My older kids enjoy the story also but on a different level and it also reinforces what they have already learned! What a great concept! I can't wait for more to come out! We already own all 4!

Great for Middle School kids.......2005-04-11

I have use this book in my middle school classroom. The kids enjoy it. Yes, it is silly but heck so are middle school kids! Since reading the book and discussing it, the kids have a much better understanding of what pi really is, instead of just saying about 3.14.

Discovering PI in a mid evil kind of way........2004-11-16

Radius has to discover PI in order to save his father, Sir cumference from the evil curse of the fire breathing Dragon. I read this book to a fourth grade class and they really got a kick out of it. They wanted to learn pie along with Radius through his adventures to conquer the curse. This is a creative way to introduce a math lesson to children. There is even places to stop and let the kids try a couple problems. The activities include measuring and dividing. Teachers this is a must have.

Circles of Seven: Volume 3 of Dragons in our Midst (Dragons in Our Midst)

Average customer rating:

ANOTHER GREAT THRILLING READ
Excellent Service
Easily the best book I have ever read.
The best book so far in an awesome series!
Great!

Circles of Seven: Volume 3 of Dragons in our Midst (Dragons in Our Midst)
Bryan Davis
Manufacturer: CLW Communications/AMG
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Ages 4-8 | Children's Books | Subjects | Books

Contemporary | General | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books

ASIN: 0899571727

Book Description

Filled with action,danger, and suspense this book is sure to keep readers in their seats, following Billy and Bonnie to the exciting conclusion. This is the third saga in a four book series.

Customer Reviews:

ANOTHER GREAT THRILLING READ.......2007-07-14

This series just keeps on raising the bar. The book starts in high gear and never lets up. The final third of the book is just plain UNPUTDOWNABLE!!! Davis just piles on the tension and always is giving us more details about Dragons, Merlin, King Arthur and Excalibur. He very realistically adds to their Myths and makes it seem like this has been part of the Myths for all times. He is very creditable as he leads us along this fantastic journey! Adults who love the lure of Myths should give this series a try. They won't be disappointed.

Excellent Service.......2007-01-17

It took about three days for me to receive the book that I ordered from Amazon. And not only did it come in a timely fashion but it was in excellent condition. No surprises here and that's what I like to see. I would definately come back in the future, especially for the prices.

Easily the best book I have ever read........2006-06-06

Now, don't think. Do not pass go. Put this book directly into your shopping cart. The series of Dragons in our Midst is by far the best series that I have read, including the Harry Potter books(can't stand them now that I've seen six truly great books, the four in this series and the two Inheiretance books) And this is the best book in the series, by a single scale. This is definitely worth reading again and again and again. THIS BOOK AND SERIES TOTALLY OWNS!!! BUY IT!!!

The best book so far in an awesome series!.......2006-05-08

The Dragons In Our Midst series is one of the best series of bookks that ther are, and Circles of Seven is the best book so far. Dragons In Our Midst makes Harry Potter seem extremly flimsy and shallow. (Which is actually fairly true in any instance. JKR was overpaid.) Anyway, THIS IS AN AWESOME BOOK!
BUY IT!

Great!.......2006-05-05

Carrying on the series smoothly, CIRCLES OF SEVEN answers questions from the previous books and still leaves enough suspence to have readers on the edge of their seat, waiting until they get the next book in the series. Never start reading these books if you have a busy day ahead, and most certainly do NOT start them in the late evening! You'll want to finish it all, even on pain of not enough sleep.

Very enjoyable, the series continues to be a very clean, Christian oriented fantasy series that even non-religious readers may be able to enjoy wholeheartedly.

Dragon's Lair (Ballantine Reader's Circle)

Average customer rating:

Ransom demand
Wonderful book!
A Huge Disapointment
third in a terrific series
Justin de Quincy Rides Again!

Dragon's Lair (Ballantine Reader's Circle)
Sharon Kay Penman
Manufacturer: Ballantine Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Contemporary | General | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books

Historical | Genre Fiction | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books

Historical | Mystery | Mystery & Thrillers | Subjects | Books

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Mystery | Book Clubs | Specialty Stores | Books
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ASIN: 0345434234
Release Date: 2004-11-23

Book Description

July 1193. King Richard Lionheart lies in a German prison, held for ransom by the emperor. His mother, Dowager Queen Eleanor, ransacks England for gold to buy his freedom, while his younger brother, John, plots with King Philippe of France to ensure that he rots and dies in chains.

When a ransom payment vanishes, Eleanor hastily dispatches young Justin de Quincy to investigate. In wild, beautiful Wales, his devotion to the queen will be supremely tested–as an arrogant border earl, a cocky Welsh prince, an enchanting lady, and a traitor of the deepest dye welcome him with false smiles and deadly conspiracies. The queen’s treasure is nowhere to be found, but assassins are everywhere . . . and blood runs red in the dragon’s lair.

Customer Reviews:

Ransom demand.......2007-04-03

King Richard, caught while on his way back from the Holy Land, has been imprisoned by Henry VI, King of Germany and Holy Roman Emperor. Prince John, Richard's hated brother (and the same Prince John from the Robin Hood stories) is plotting with the French king to make sure that Richard doesn't leave prison alive.

Henry sets the ransom at an impossible 150,000 marks (perhaps five times the annual income for the English Crown under Richard), and the Dowager Queen Eleanor has set about raising the ransom. In Wales, a sizable portion of that ransom has gone missing, and she sends Justin de Quincy into Wales to find it.

Davydd ab Owain, Prince of Wales, suspects his nephew, Llewellyn ab Iorweth, who would later grow to be one of the greatest of all Welsh princes. He is married to Emma of Anjou, the highborn half-sister of Richard's and John's father - and Eleanor's deceased husband - King Henry. Davydd is incensed when Justin approaches the problem logically, wanting to inspect the site the ransom was to have been stolen from, conducting interviews, etc.

While not as intricately plotted as the next book in the series, Prince of Darkness, this nevertheless is a fantastic read, especially if you've read and enjoyed Penman's historical fiction, and amongst those, namely Here be Dragons.

Wonderful book!.......2006-08-28

If you haven't discovered the joys of Sharon Kay Penman, then I feel sorry for you. All of her books are fascinating character studies and are rich in action, romance, and period detail. This is one of her delightful short mysteries.

If you are interested in the Medieval time period, then do read Sharon Kay Penman. She has researched this subject so much, that she is able to bring historic characters to life in an exciting and fascinating way.

Check out her novel: "Time and Chance", or any other of her historic novels.

How did they solve murders in the Middle Ages? Penman's mysteries tell you how. Her series is on par with Cadfael, and The Name of the Rose. I love all four of her mysteries and think most readers will too. My only complaint is that they aren't longer!

Dragon's Lair is a fun read. I love the Medieval characters, and think other readers will be happy to discover the wonderful world of Sharon Kay Penman's Middle Ages. Check her out. Her books will hook you!

A Huge Disapointment.......2005-07-27

Personally, I don't see what the fuss is about over Penman. This book was underwhelming in a number of catergories.

For example, the main character Justin de Quincy is two-dimensional and unrealistic. After spending over 300 pages with this character, I feel I know very little about him, and what I do know is somewhat of a contradiction. Whilst de Quincy is loyal to his queen, he has no loyality to the woman that carries his child. Not only does de Quincy cheat on the pregnant woman, he doesn't even think twice about it. Meanwhile, his sense of duty to his queen and stedfast loyality to her are constantly apparent throughout the story. The point is, it is very hard to believe a character who is a loyal professional, but doesn't have the slightest bit of regret by living an amoral personal life.

The second issue I have with this novel is the mystery itself. 'Dragon's Lair' has so much potential in this arena, but falls flat time and time again. The basic premise of trying to find the queen's ransom is appealing, but the way in which the crime unfolds is anti-climatic. Moreover, the murder in this book does not occur until after page 200 of a 320 page book!

Dialogue is another major issue here. When murder finally occurs it announced by a character declairing 'there's been murder done!' - for me, that was a laugh out loud moment. Do people really talk that way? de Quincy's lover constantly says silly things like 'goodbye lover!' and 'thank you lover'. Again, people don't talk that way, and I found it very annoying having to read dialogue that was continuously unrealistic.

Lastly, although this book is historical in nature, there was hardly anything historical about this book. Although the politics of the age affect the events of this story, that alone did not bring the middle ages alive in this story. Penman resorted to cheap tricks such as having over half the book take place in taverns in an attempt to create time and place.

In short, lack of detail, flat characters, bad dialogue, and no real mystery to solve made this book a huge disapointment.

third in a terrific series.......2005-05-04

Sharon Penman's series about Justin de Quincy, the Queen's Man for Eleanor of Aquitaine, is both highly readable and historically accurate. The reader is treated to an interesting plot involving a king's ransom stolen in Wales, as well as the development of the de Quincy character.

I enjoyed reading about Wales and the politics of the region at the time. I also thought the secondary characters were interesting and believable. I have enjoyed other books by this author and will continue to follow this series.

Justin de Quincy Rides Again!.......2005-03-17

Sharon Kay Penman's "Queen's Man" series of historical mysteries is starting to rival her other, longer novels of a more pure "historical fiction" bent. It's no surprise -- her historical mysteries demonstrate better research and command of the period than many "pure" historical novels.

"Dragon's Lair" again features Penman's fictional hero, Justin de Quincy, bastard son of the bishop of Chester. Justin is educated, resourceful, clever, and, as he admits, lucky. As a result, he's the perfect choice to serve Queen Eleanor. Beset by a tide of troubles in her later life, Eleanor in 1193 is trying to ransom her beloved son, King Richard, currently held captive in Germany. While the call has gone out across the realm for the ransom to be compiled, many less-than-loyal subjects desire to keep the ransom for themselves. The leading candidate for betrayal comes from within the royal family, as Eleanor's son John has no desire to see Richard return from confinement.

And so it is no great surprise when a valuable shipment of coin and luxurious wool (worth its weight in gold) goes missing en route from Wales. Eleanor immediately dispatches Justin to this remote, wild kingdom, charged with recovering the lost ransom. Justin soon finds himself in Welsh intrigues as wild and tangled as the Welsh countryside, and there's more than a wee spot of murder afoot, too.

Along the way, Penman feasts the reader on a host of precise details that evoke the time period, but does so in a highly readable fashion. We also delight in learning more about Justin, including meeting some players from his misspent youth.

An entertaining mystery (very realistic in its details) populated by a vivid cast of characters, "Dragon's Lair" keeps you guessing from page to page. A very enjoyable read!

The Dragon Circle (Star Gods #2) (The Stargods)

Average customer rating:

With Book 2, this series finally finds its running shoes
excellent fantasy

The Dragon Circle (Star Gods #2) (The Stargods)
Irene Radford
Manufacturer: DAW
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Epic | Fantasy | Science Fiction & Fantasy | Subjects | Books

General | Fantasy | Science Fiction & Fantasy | Subjects | Books

All 4-for-3 Deals | 4-for-3 Books Store | Stores | Books
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ASIN: 0756401941
Release Date: 2004-08-03

Book Description

Book two of the star gods series

Continuing the tale that began in The Hidden Dragon, this is the story of three Terran brothers who discover a fascinating world where dragons are real-and worshiped as gods.

Customer Reviews:

With Book 2, this series finally finds its running shoes.......2005-07-16

In The Dragon Circle: The Stargods #2, Irene Radford delivers a more engaging story than that found in The Hidden Dragon: The Stargods #1, fleshing out the story significantly by bringing outsiders into the action and providing closer connections between the protagonists and the world they left behind. Five months have passed since the O'Hara brothers, wanted smugglers just trying to earn enough money to regain their citizenship and help their Mum find their missing sister, made a blind jump to an uncharted system in a desperate attempt to escape close pursuit by the Imperial Military Police (IMPs). They discovered a pristine world free of the pollution and biodomes of the Galactic Terran Empire, a local population of primitives descended from a long-ago colonization attempt, and actual, real-life dragons. With months of repairs staring them in the face, the brothers set to work trying to provide for the villagers while defending their charges from the ruthless evil of a high priest borne of dragons. As long as they kept this place a secret, they knew they could eventually make a fortune supplying bonafide natural foods to the mega-industrialized empire. Rather quickly, they began to regard the planet as home, and the local villagers as their family and friends. The villagers, for their part, looked upon the brothers as gods.

Suddenly, their paradise is threatened by disaster when Konnor O'Hara discovers a hidden beacon inside his ship, placed there by his cruel megalomaniac of an ex-wife who seeks to keep him from returning to claim his son. In short order, IMPs arrive in the system, and the peaceful brothers are forced to fight for the planet and people they have come to call their own. Outnumbered and certainly outgunned, they must rely on the psychic powers they have developed during their time on this planet, their knowledge of the land, and the aid of two dragons. These dragons, it must be said, are almost secondary to the story. They are important, and it seems clear that their knowledge will be of life-changing importance at some point, but the first two books in The Stargods series should not be looked upon as traditional dragon-oriented works of fantasy. The brothers must also deal with internal intrigue, as the high priest Hanassa, whom the brothers believed they killed in the first novel, proves to be as dangerous a threat as ever.

Along with the IMPs who arrive in system with hostile intent are a couple of individuals of great importance to two of the three O'Hara brothers. Konnor in particular seems to take center stage as the story develops, for he must leave this planet and return home within a matter of days if he is going to contest his ex-wife for custody of the son who knows him only as a summer councilor and not yet as a father. Loki's character is also developed much more fully in this second novel of the series, however, as the most take-charge and seemingly calculated of the brothers finds love in the form of a native Tracker seemingly sent to the village to aid him in this time of crisis. Kim, the most sensitive of the brothers, fades into the background at times, particularly as he grows more and more dependent on the psi-raising yet addictive effects of the local Tambootie plant.

I felt as if something were missing in The Hidden Dragon, but whatever that something was, it is noticeably present in The Dragon Circle. By connecting two of the brothers much more closely with their pasts, much more of a human side of their characters is revealed, and it is this human depth that makes this novel a much more satisfying read than its predecessor. The action is also more consistent and intriguing here, as the struggles detailed in The Hidden Dragon were frustratingly repetitive. Radford also manages to set the stage for at least one future novel very effectively in these pages. Past, present, and future all seem to be in collision; much remains to be done, and many questions remain to be answered. I for one eagerly await the third novel in The Stargods series.

excellent fantasy.......2004-08-03

The Galactic Terran Empire considers the O'Hara brothers (Konner, Kim and Loki) as smugglers. The imperial military police (IMPS) were in hot pursuit of them when the siblings entered into an uncharted and unusual wormhole that took the trio to an unfamiliar part of space. There they found a colonized world that devolved into the Bronze Age. Because of their visitors' advanced technology, the natives thought the O'Hara brood had to be gods. However, the jump damaged the crystal that powered the ship so Konner had to grow new crystals.

While in his ship, Konnor notices a beacon, one that will lead the IMPS to the world that the O'Hara brothers have come to love. He knows his ex-wife Melinda is behind this because she wants to prevent him from reaching her planet and gaining custody of their son. When they go to destroy the beacon they find an old enemy is still alive, walking in the form of a trusted friend. Between fighting him and the IMPS, the O'Hara brothers chances of survival are slim to none.

Once again Irene Radford has written a riveting tale that will appeal to any reader who loves science fiction. The world the O'Hara brothers have come to call home is also populated with wise dragons with superior brain power, who only interfere in human affairs when they are in need of aid. Readers will love this world that enhances psi powers. The protagonists of THE DRAGON CIRCLE are true heroes, willing to face any danger to preserve a world that is in harmony with itself before the outsiders arrived.

Harriet Klausner

The Dragon Circle: Dragon Waking (The Dragon Circle , No 2)

Average customer rating:

One of the Best!
Tedious, 100 pages of story in 360 pages.
An enjoyable read

The Dragon Circle: Dragon Waking (The Dragon Circle , No 2)
Craig Shaw Gardner
Manufacturer: Ace
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Contemporary | General | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books

Epic | Fantasy | Science Fiction & Fantasy | Subjects | Books

General | Fantasy | Science Fiction & Fantasy | Subjects | Books
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ASIN: 0441003737

Customer Reviews:

One of the Best!.......2005-02-14

Okay, this book is one of my favorites. According to me the previous two reviews didn't explain much.
First off, Dragon Sleeping continues with Dragon Waking. The wizards are becoming desperate and are struggling and fighting even more with the dragon so close.
The neighbours are turning against each other and struggling merely for survival. More of them receive stones from the dragon and Nunn, a dark wizard, is as cunning as ever and continues to use and toy with everyone.
Nick's sword is changing the young boy and Nick is becoming unsure what to do.
In this book we learn more of Obar and his true intentions and how Mary Lou feels about Garo. We learn the deepest desires of the neighbours and we begin to question who the dragon is going to take next.
Will the neighbours all turn against each other or will they band together to be all they can be? What's to become of the wizards?
This book is not boring and I found it interesting and just as great as the last book. Usually in sequels we find that they destroy everything, but this book does not. It ties in perfectly with the rest of the trilogy.

Tedious, 100 pages of story in 360 pages........2001-05-27

This trilogy would probably make one good novel. Both the first and second books are very slow and don't get very far. They both seem like they are from a novel that was stretched into a trilogy.

An enjoyable read.......1999-03-16

Light, fun reading. Nothing epic here. Gardner has created a very unique world with some enjoyable characters.

SHATTERED CIRCLE, THE (Advanced Dungeons & Dragons)

Average customer rating:

Innovative and intense
Ad&d at it's Best
Nice New Adventure
TSR produces a low-level classic

SHATTERED CIRCLE, THE (Advanced Dungeons & Dragons)
Bruce R. Cordell
Manufacturer: Wizards of the Coast
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Puzzles & Games | Entertainment | Subjects | Books

Customer Reviews:

Innovative and intense.......2000-05-02

This is a brilliant adventure inspired by Celtic myths of shadowland - beneath the standing stones of Cahervaniel, an ominous chasm has sundered the hillside, and darkness now broods over the verdant lands beyond. Demons dance upon the hill, twisted minions skitter through the villages below, and innocents begin to disappear in the midst of night. It is up to the adventurers to descend into the ancient awakened netherworld, where no one else dares to venture.

Ad&d at it's Best.......1999-03-17

This module reminded me of "the good 'ol days" of D&D. It's a great start up adventure for low level PC's that can easily lead to a full blown campaign of trying to destroy the Founding Stone. My players loved it and are now running across the realms trying to get the founding stone back. Most enjoyable!

Nice New Adventure.......1999-03-10

This is a nice, new idea to spice up your old campaign. It may be a little cliched with the old "find the hole in the ground and explore" idea, but the underground itself is well-thought out and interesting. It may be difficult for non-thinking players, as they may never find a way to the end... Overall, a great job!

TSR produces a low-level classic.......1999-02-17

It's been so long since I last saw a really good low-level adventure for AD&D that I couldn't believe this one at first. Well-written, well-plotted, and exciting. There have been VERY few great starter adventures for D&D, and this helps fill a gap that has existed far too long. TSR continues its Renaissance.

SHOOTOUT AT THE CIRCLE BAR (
<u>W</u>) CORRAL (Blanco's Dragon Tails)

Average customer rating:

SHOOTOUT AT THE CIRCLE BAR ( W) CORRAL (Blanco's Dragon Tails)

Manufacturer: BookSurge Publishing
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Business & Investing | Subjects | Books

Leadership | Management & Leadership | Business & Investing | Subjects | Books

Management | Management & Leadership | Business & Investing | Subjects | Books

Book Description

The SHOOTOUT AT THE CIRCLE BAR ( W) CORRAL involves two major US corporations, Combustion Engineering (CE) and Westinghouse Electric. The relationship between these firms was unique, necessitating the role of being fierce competitors, as well as genteel and cooperative business partners. Both firms were pursuing a booming electrical generating utility market, selling Nuclear Steam Supply Systems, commonly referred to as NSSSs. CE had the manufacturing capabilities to produce all of the components for the NSSSs. Westinghouse lacked the manufacturing capabilities for the reactor pressure vessel, therefore having to procure this item on the open market. When CE was unsuccessful in obtaining the NSSS from the utility, and Westinghouse was successful, then Westinghouse would most often procure the reactor pressure vessel from CE. The status of a utility’s procurement process for a new NSSS therefore established the general business feelings between the two firms. Hence, the question always existed: What are we today, competitors or partners? This book is a true story regarding this unique relationship between the two firms and has been humorously documented by one of CE’s prime gunslingers, Bob Armstrong. The story documents Armstrong’s progression through CE, relating to both the business events as well as to the key players involved. Actual names, places, and events have been recounted, as accurately as remembered. An improved vocabulary, than actually existed, is utilized, thus being suitable for publication.

The Dragon Circle: Dragon Burning (Dragon Circle)

Average customer rating:

Loved It!
Information overload!
will there be another book?
Thought it was great
obnoxiously bad

The Dragon Circle: Dragon Burning (Dragon Circle)
Craig Shaw Gardner
Manufacturer: Ace
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Epic | Fantasy | Science Fiction & Fantasy | Subjects | Books

General | Fantasy | Science Fiction & Fantasy | Subjects | Books

General | Science Fiction | Science Fiction & Fantasy | Subjects | Books
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ASIN: 0441004784

Customer Reviews:

Loved It!.......2005-02-19

I've read all of the Dragon Circle Trilogy and am entranced with the trilogy even now. I thought it was well-written and I found the characters easy to follow. Each character has unique personality traits and so in the end you could have never guessed what happened to the characters.
If you get confused with who's who there is a list of characters before you begin reading it. I never had to refer to that though, I'd look at it for entertainment.
If you like fantasy I suggest you read this, but read the first two before you read this one, otherwise you'd be confused.

Information overload!.......2003-05-31

When I first read the book, it took me alwhile to actually understand what was going on. There are way to may characters to keep up with, the action parts are very dull and short, but the story is deep and emotional. You have to reread most of the time, and back track after a few chapters. Overall, the book is entertaining but confusing.

will there be another book?.......2000-03-29

it took a little while to get hooked reading these three books, but when i did - i did. i would love to see how the previous characters in the book evolved. i hope there will be another book in the series ;)

Thought it was great.......1999-07-09

I loved this book, even though it took me a while to read it.. well cause I lost it =P, but I started off on this one strangely and I managed to pick up on stuff fast. I'd recomend this book to anyone who likes fantasy type stuff. Great book!

obnoxiously bad.......1998-09-04

This entire series is ridiculous and insults my intelligence. I can scarcely follow the characters development, for they seemingly alter fundamental personality traits at the drop of a hat. The entire juvenile plot is built like some fifth grade fairy tale, with random plot elements built in willy-nilly like the contraption of some insane inventor's apprentice. I can't believe I sat through the first two, and half of the third one. Stay away.

The Dragon Seekers: How an Extraordinary Circle of Fossilists Discovered the Dinosaurs and Paved the Way for Darwin

Average customer rating:

PATH TO DARWIN
On Dinosaurs and Darwinism
Dragon Seekers
A Solid Look at Pre-Darwinian Paleontology
Where dinosaurs began

The Dragon Seekers: How an Extraordinary Circle of Fossilists Discovered the Dinosaurs and Paved the Way for Darwin
Christopher McGowan
Manufacturer: Basic Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Science | Subjects | Books

History of Science | History & Philosophy | Science | Subjects | Books

ASIN: 0738206733

Amazon.com

Though inarguably revolutionary, Charles Darwin's theories of evolution and natural selection had many intellectual forebears, some of them little known. One was Mary Anning, a young Dorset woman who, in the early 19th century, turned to "fossiling" to earn a living, supplying private collectors and museums with the curiosities she found in the chalk cliffs--and who knew far more about comparative anatomy than many of the academics of her time. Anning's identification of unknown dinosaur species and explanations of curiosities such as the ichthyosaurus's kinked tail provided grist for contemporary scientists, who, arguing against theological orthodoxy, sought to extend the chronology of life far into the past--and who, in the bargain, published Anning's work as their own even as they professed scorn for amateurs.

In this lucid and lively book, Christopher McGowan, a Canadian zoologist, examines the contributions to 19th-century science of Anning and other self-taught fossil-hunters, from difficult eccentrics like Thomas Hawkins to superb scholars like Richard Owen, all of whom had to battle plenty of orthodoxies in their status-conscious time. They succeeded admirably, McGowan suggests, and they should provide inspiration for other amateurs in science. For, he writes, "the future for paleontological discoveries looks very bright ... [and] many of the most important finds will be made by those who are not employed as paleontologists." --Gregory McNamee

Book Description

The dramatic story of how a group of nineteenth-century fossilists forever changed our view of history--and laid the groundwork for the Darwinian revolution.

Against the backdrop of the Industrial Revolution, an extraordinary circle of fossilists struggled to make sense of a mysterious, prehistoric world--a world they had to piece together from the fossilized and often fragmentary remains of animals never before seen. In this transporting, seamlessly written book, Christopher McGowan takes us back to a time when geology and paleontology were as young and vibrant as genetic engineering is today. The nineteenth-century pioneers of these new disciplines were an eccentric lot, from different social classes and sexes, with a range of motivations in fossil hunting. These "Dragon Seekers" sought to persuade a populace raised on a literal interpretation of Genesis that the ground they walked was once a very frightening and unfamiliar place. A sweeping narrative history, The Dragon Seekers shows how these remarkable characters forever changed our interpretation of the world and its inhabitants.

Customer Reviews:

PATH TO DARWIN.......2005-07-22

The stories of the early "fossilists" and how they interacted with each other in 19th century Britian. Perhaps in a bit more detail sometimes than needed but overall a very good book. Mary Anning,her Icthyosaurs and the men who took advantage of her to make their own names are prominent.
Especially interesting is the story of Richard Owen, the brilliant anatomist, heir to Cuvier himself, the man who named "Dinosauria," a staunch conservative and ardent fundamentalist, who unwittingly was seminal to Darwin forming many of his most important conclusions on species origins and evolution! Darwin knew what was coming and kept his mouth shut until "On the Origins..." was done!!
McGowan writes well and keeps it moving. Not five stars because the story could have used a little humor.

On Dinosaurs and Darwinism.......2003-12-02

Christopher McGowan's 'The Dragon Seekers' is an extremely well written and easy to read book about the first discoveries of Dinosaurs. Although the stories of the 'fearful lizards' and of the men (and woman) who discovered them is interesting, the history of evolutionary ideas within is the best part.

The large cast of characters here includes an eccentric but brilliant academic (William Buckland), a scoundrel fossil collector (Thomas Hawkins), a distinguished anatomist (Richard Owen) and a working class woman, deprived of her rightful status because of Victorian social conservatism (Mary Anning).

With the increasing number of fossils discovered, and the increase in knowledge in other areas, Modern science was wrestling itself out of religious dogma, and the arguments about it are the core of this book.

Among the chief arguments at the time was whether the global, Noachian Flood existed, or not. Great disputes about these question took place, between supporters and the so called anti-Diluvians, who opposed it .

An even greater controversy was the one surrounding evolution ('transmutation' in the vernacular). Transmutationism was a bona fide heresy, and when the young Charles Darwin enters McGowan's narrative, he has to hide his views from Richard Owen, a great scientist who coined the very term 'Dinosaur', but whose opposition to transmutation was well known.

One of the major advantages of this book is the way in which it can forgive the scientists for their errors. Although McGowan clearly points out the mistakes, and how the likes of Owen, Buckland and Charles Lyell (who was a major influence, and a confident, of Darwin's) allowed their pre conceived notions to deter them from reaching the truth, he discusses how it is that science advances despite these failures. The errors and pre-conceived notions of individuals can hinder science, but the setbacks are merely temporary, and these scientists, for all their errors, held lay down the ground for Darwin's breathtaking insights.

My one greatest regret for this book is that it does not include the reaction of the surviving 'dragon seekers' to Darwin's 'The Origin of Species'. Richard Owen's responses, especially, would have been very interesting, and would have made an interesting summation for the book.

Instead, McGowan chooses to dedicate his conclusion to today's collectors, the followers of Mary Anning's. It is both interesting and moving, as McGowan has studies fossils discovered in the very beaches were the Anning and co. have worked. So modern paleontologists, too, depend upon the newest generation of dragon seekers

Dragon Seekers.......2003-11-19

Dragon Seekers is a well-written and informative account of the times and main figures around the founding of palaeontology as a science in Britain, from the early 19th century, until the publishing of The Origin of Species. It covers the discoveries of the first dinosaur fossils, such as Megalosaurs, Ichthyosaurus, and Plesiosaurus and the politics of displacing the contemporary creation theory that was accepted as the truth at the time.

McGowan covers the story of the dragon seekers impartially, even in the case of some of the more dubious individuals. He has researched the book well. The bibliography is most helpful. The book includes a small number of illustrations. I feel that a few more could have been included.

I enjoyed reading this book, finding it engaging and easy to read. I strongly recommend Dragon Seekers to people who have an interest in science history or palaeontology.

A Solid Look at Pre-Darwinian Paleontology.......2003-09-16

As other reviewers have said, "The Dragon Seekers" is a very good read. For one thing, it helps us see the men and women who laid down the foundation for our current understanding of the Mesozoic world in the light of their own time and place. Mary Anning is seen as both the curious self-taught person she was and the commercial collector that she had to be to make a living. Richard Owen, who later tarnished his reputation as the heavy in the struggle against Darwin's theories, is seen here as a brilliant young anatomist who was right more often than wrong. The other actors in the drama, Mantell (who was a social reformer as well as scientist,) the quirky Buckland and aggressive Hawkins, as well as lesser players like De la Beche and Conybeare are shown with all the strengths and weaknesses of their very human nature.

Indeed, one impression that one immediately gets from McGowan's book is that it is not wise to dismiss the contributions of scientists who may turn out to be spectacularly wrong about something else. Darwin himself misinterpreted the Glen Roy terraces and Agassiz (who was wrong about evolution) was in this case right in his glacial interpretation. Lamark is known for the failure of his inheritance of acquired characteristics theory but is seldom given credit for his brilliant remake of invertebrate classification. In truth, science probably progresses as much or more by the work of its "lesser" practitioners, as by a fictitious few geniuses who are always right. The sciences are plagued by all the human failings that other professions are and even the "best" scientist may be gloriously mistaken, while the "worst" may come up with an important breakthrough. McGowan has presented us here with a more balanced view of these seekers after knowledge and I think we may be the better for it.

Read "The Dragon Seekers" if you wish to understand how science often really works and the history of true dawn of vertebrate paleontology.

Where dinosaurs began.......2001-10-18

Although not a polished historian or biographer, McGowan (a Canadian paleobiologist) has produced an enjoyable and breezy read on the foundations of modern paleontology and evolution. Imagine the excitement surrounding the first dinosaur finds! It's here. McGowan's emphasis is on the diverse personalities of the "fossilists" (a term I'd never encountered before). The timeline in the text is a little disorganized at times, but then McGowan is juggling quite a number of people across half the 19th century, and what an entertaining bunch they are: Catastrophe Cuvier, Diluvium Buckland, Uniformity Lyell, Iguana Mantell, Faker Hawkins, Deferential Darwin, and first of all Mary Anning. Perhaps their fascinating diversity is due in part to the diversity of education (or lack) described here, in a day before universal education on the Prussian industrial model. McGowan also supplies sufficient description of the fossils themselves to recognize the basic issues in the flaming debates that arose.

Contemporary illustrations are many, varied and useful, many showing the actual original finds, as well as the fossilists. But how can a book on a geological science fail to have a single map? While I'm sure villages like Walton or Street are perfectly familiar to English folk, a map of towns and fossil locales would really help the rest of us. And there's no chronogical chart of the main geological strata mentioned (or see Winchester's The Map That Changed the World). And maybe a gallery of modern versions of the dinosaurs discussed here (no T-Rex, incidentally) would be in order. A selection of the "satirical cartoons" of De la Beche, only mentioned by McGowan, would be intriguing. But I'm just picking nits with a charming book. McGowan adds a personal final chapter, recounting the thrills of responsible modern fossiling in the mecca of Lyme Regis. Source notes, credits, and an index are included.

Average customer rating:

An Old Friend

Unique and Well Written

A Seventh Graders Reveiw

A 7th Grader's Review of Dragon Sleeping

9th Review
The Dragon Circle: Dragon Sleeping
Craig Shaw Gardner
Manufacturer: Ace
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Gardner, Craig Shaw | ( G ) | Authors, A-Z | Science Fiction & Fantasy | Subjects | Books
General | Fantasy | Science Fiction & Fantasy | Subjects | Books
Similar Items:

The Dragon Circle: Dragon Waking (Dragon Circle)

The Dragon Circle: Dragon Burning (Dragon Circle/Craig Shaw Gardner)

ASIN: 0441002609

Customer Reviews:

An Old Friend.......2005-07-22

This book is, without a doubt, one of the greatest fantasies I have ever read. Imaginative, exciting, compelling, Gardner creates a world that is unlike anything I have met in mainstream fantasy. The characters are real, and their own stories all surface in the midst of this complex story; it is amazing that Gardner is able to maintain the underlying story throughout the series, while still keeping you interested in each character's ordeal.
Fantasy stand-bys, such as dragons and wizards, are used in the story, but only in an archetypal fashion. The wizards are closer to polititians than sorcerors, and the Dragon is more of a diety, a destructive god.
I have read and reread this series, and each time I come away with more than I had the previous time; it has become more like an old friend, than an old story. If you are a fantasy reader, this series is a MUST READ. Pity that it's no longer in print . . .

Unique and Well Written.......2005-01-09

I started reading the Dragon Circle books in grade seven. I've read all three of the trilogy about twelve times, literally.
I found that all characters are well developed and each serves a purpose, whether it be small or large. Craig Shaw Gardner gives background information on a few characters like Todd and Mary Lou.
The plot was excellent and the book was based around a dragon but did not resolve around a dragon, if you understand me.
Those of you against Mary Sues and Marty Stus will enjoy this book the most. No character in these books is perfect, each has flaws.
What I loved most about this book is the fact that Gardner was able to put himself in the place of his teenage characters and capture their spirit almost perfectly. He was also able to understand the problems that may occur within a household.
Personally, my favorite character was Nunn, the main antagonist. Nunn gave the certain spice that each book should have. I found Nunn to be fresh and lively and unpredictable.
In this book there is really no one main character. In short these are my favorite books and I, as an eighth grade student, found them better than Harry Potter.
Craig Shaw Gardner is a truley unique writer. I've never read any books like the Dragon Circle Trilogy and hope to read more of his books. They are well written and always provide entertainment. This is truley a book that you cannot put down, no matter how many times you've read it.

A Seventh Graders Reveiw.......2003-10-07

I chose to read this book because it was recommended to me by my best friend. I found it to be a very good book. It has bad and good parts, but the good part by far outweigh the bad ones.
The beginning drags a little and you feel like you're getting nowhere. Just keep reading and the book gets to be very interesting after a while. It's hard to write down a prologue for the book without telling the whole thing, which is probably why the book doesn't have one.
Something I really liked about the book is that the bad guy, Nunn isn't all powerful, the book reveals his weaknesses too.
In the book, all of the neighbors at Chestnut Circle get pulled into another world by "The Dragon" who is supposedly the most powerful thing there is that controls all. Then, Nunn's soldiers capture them, kill "old man Sayre" and attempt to bring them to him. They are met up on the way by Raven and the Oomgosh. Four of the villagers kids gather up enough courage to run away from the soldiers. Soon everyone is caught up in a hunt for the dragon eyes, gems that give a person some of "The Dragon's" power. It is believed, that if you have all seven of the eyes you can control "The Dragon" and rule the Seven Islands. Obar, the good wizard is determined to get the dragon eyes, use them to destroy Nunn and prevent the dragon's wrath. Nunn however wants to rule the seven islands. It's an incredible race to get the jewels and it's so big that it's a three book series. I am hoping to read the other two books fairly soon.
I would recommend this book to mature people 12 and up. Any younger and it's probably not that good to read. It has a whole lot of blood, gore and swears. Still, if you like books with action and magic, you'll like Craig Shaw's "Dragon Sleeping." I give this book five big stars.

A 7th Grader's Review of Dragon Sleeping.......2003-09-24

I read the book Dragon Sleeping. When I started this book, I had no clue that it was a series. Dragon Sleeping was written by Craig Shaw Gardener. The book was exciting, and I really loved it. When I came to the end, it left me hanging. Luckily, I found out that it was a series.
The book was about a street that was sent back in time. Everyone on the street had to fight their way throughout the book. My favorite character was Nick. Nick's sword was awesome. The way it needed to draw blood was so cool. I wonder what is going to become of Charlie.
I would recommend this book to anyone who likes dragons. This book is better than most books that I have read.

9th Review.......2002-05-24

The dragon sleeps
Under earth, beneath
The world of men,
Waking some, a time when
Storms rip the sky.
Still, it has yet to fly.
But when it does, the dragon
Will destroy all before it, once again.

A great storm transforms Nick's world. His street, Chestnut Circle, is closed off from the world. Overnight everything changes. Hundreds of trees are where they shouldn't be, ivy is already over-running the houses, and then the brown-clothed men come. Nick and his group of neighbors are herded into a strange world, where two wizards, brothers no less, dwell. One seems evil, the other good, yet both are strange. And the wizards are searching for someone special, someone who is in all probability NOT Nick. But first, they have to somehow manage to keep all of the neighbors in the same place at once, a task more difficult than first thought.

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