Ornithography – Book Review

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Ornithography: An Illustrated Guide to Bird Lore & Symbolism (Hidden Languages)

by Jessica Roux

Birds and What They Mean to Us

I am a huge fan of dinosaurs and (I think) have a pretty good knowledge of these fascinating creatures. I decided to pick up this eye-catching book because I realized that, even though I was quite familiar with Tyrannosaurus, Triceratops, and other such ancient dinosaurs, I had to expand my knowledge of the only surviving ones: birds. And I'm glad I did.

Ornithography by Jessica Roux is a lovely book celebrating birds and their connections with us humans. The author presents readers with 100 of her favorite birds (including the albatross, cassowary, heron, lapwing, raven, toucan, wren, and even the unfortunately already extinct dodo), each entry showing the meaning of the bird, the lore surrounding it, and a beautiful illustration drawn by the Nashville-based artist. I find Roux's writing style absolutely charming and delightful, and her unique, gorgeous drawings are something you should not miss out on! Thanks to Ornithography. not only have I acquired massive amounts of knowledge about our feathery friends, but I have also learned so much about human history and culture – in reading this amazing avian book, I could clearly see the great propensity our species has for symbolism and superstition. If you'd like to know about birds and how we perceive them as humans, I highly recommend reading this gem of avian literature by Jessica Roux!

Have you read Ornithography? What do you think about this book? Share your opinion in the comment section below!

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A (Very) Short History of Life on Earth – Book Review

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A (Very) Short History of Life on Earth: 4.6 Billion Years in 12 Chapters

by Henry Gee

Perhaps, for most people, the word "history" invokes monumental events that have peppered humanity's communal trajectory – the Industrial Revolution, the Second World War, the invention of the internet, etc. That's the upshot of us being so accustomed to peering into life through an infinitesimal lens, which, in a sense, doesn't do justice to the grand scheme of things. A (Very) Short History of Life on Earth by Henry Gee provides an easy, almost cheating-like way to grok life in a vastly larger picture.

As the title says, this book summarizes what has transpired to date in relation to life on our planet. Compressing 4.6 billion years into 12 chapters in 230 pages or so is no mean feat, and the author deserves lavish praise for doing that. A (Very) Short History of Life on Earth is brilliantly "written with style" (as Sunday Times testifies) and emanates a modicum of humor. The fact that this book also projects life in the future is to be celebrated, and, as a dinophile, I love the fact that the author has devoted an appreciable portion of it to discussing the icons of the ancient past.

All that being said, despite the inclusion of timeline diagrams, I wish this book was accompanied with more pictures, as it would help readers with imagination in regard to the points of discussion. What I read is the Kindle version, though, so the paperback and/or hardcover version might feature the visual aids.

All in all, if you are interested in or curious about the history of life on Gaia, including that beyond our own species', it is well worth dedicating a tiny part of your own history/life to reading A (Very) Short History of Life on Earth by Henry Gee.

Have you read A (Very) Short History of Life on Earth? What do you think of this book? Share your opinion in the comment section below!

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Q&A (Q-Man and Answers) #2: What's your least favorite dino and why?

  

#2

Question from Christela Cindy: What's your least favorite dino and why?

Q-Man's answer:

Let me tell you the truth. Cindy, who is another English enthusiast and a fellow poet, actually (and kindly) sent me two questions, the first one being "Why are you so fond of dinosaurs?". This question can simply be answered by an article I wrote many years ago entitled Why Dinosaurs? and this is the reason why I decided to feature the second inquiry for Q&A #2 instead.

So, what dinosaur is actually my least favorite and why? Posing this question is akin to asking what my most favorite dinosaur is and what the reason is. As I've stated on Facebook, to say what my favorite dinosaur is is indeed exceptionally difficult, but I would not feel very "sinful" if I utter the name of the most popular dinosaur on the planet: Tyrannosaurus rex. This massive predator would have tipped the scales at between 5 and 7 metric tons and was capable of crunching the bone of its unfortunate victims with its bone-chilling teeth (see what I did there?). T. rex was definitely a dinosaurian badass. What about my least favorite dino then? Well, I would not take a much, if any, different approach: Asked this remarkably tough question, I would probably point to a dino that is sort of plain in appearance, like Dryosaurus or any of its close relatives. Despite these, in my book all dinosaurs are special and unique in their own ways.

Q&A (Q-Man and Answers) is a section where I answer questions from my readers. Feel free to send me any question through one of my social media channels. Note that you may choose to remain anonymous.

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The Magic of Reality – Book Review

The Magic of Reality

by Richard Dawkins

Let me begin this review by commenting on the first phrase you read even before you crack this book open. The Magic of Reality by Richard Dawkins probably has one of the most impressive titles of all the books ever published. The subtitle is also extremely arresting: How we know what's really true. I got this sleek copy of mine on my second visit to Big Bad Wolf Book Sale Jakarta 2020, and I brought it home for an orgasmic bargain price, partly thanks to a discount voucher I had won from my first visit to the grand book fair. So, what do I have to say about the contents of this little book? Let's get rolling!

The Magic of Reality aims to clearly explain to the readers what is real (and what is not), in life, in the universe. The first chapter sets out the nature of reality and how it compares with magic, and then it is followed by 11 chapters each dealing with a question on a particular subject, several examples of which are "What are things made of?", "When and how did everything begin?", and "Why do bad things happen?". Dawkins begins most of the chapters with myths and then provides explanations for what is really true, or what really happens, through none other than science.

The Magic of Reality is the second book by the world-renowned British scientist that I've read, the first one being the religion & atheism book The God Delusion. The language in The Magic of Reality is "lighter" than in TGD, but Dawkins still writes eloquently in his delightfully conversational style, which would transport readers through his strings of ideas smoothly. It is a book that I wish I could have (and had) read 10 or 15 years ago, at a much younger age – had that really happened, I would have formed a real understanding of reality earlier. Insightful, informative and addictive, The Magic of Reality also has made me wish Prof. Dawkins had been my science teacher in school (not only of biology, but also of physics and chemistry)! In my mind, The Magic of Reality is a terrific (and, indeed, magical) book on introduction to science, quite possibly the best one available.

The book that you see in the photo above – the one that I own – is actually the minimally illustrated (and paperback) edition. To see the richly illustrated (and hardcover) edition, click here. (Even practically without illustrations, The Magic of Reality was so easy to digest; I wonder how much of smooth sailing my reading experience would have been if I had read the lavishly illustrated version!)

I would like to finish this review by making a more general compliment to the author: I believe Richard Dawkins is one of the greatest science communicators out there.

Note: I would be more than happy to discuss my review of this book with you in more detail. Feel free to contact me through one of my social media channels.

Have you read The Magic of Reality? What is your opinion on this book? Share what you think in the comment section below!

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Dinosaurs Without Bones – Book Review

Dinosaurs Without Bones

by Anthony J. Martin

Fossils. What does this paleontological word conjure up when you read or hear it? You may instantaneously get a vision of the humongous skeleton of Brontosaurus, the spine-tingling skull of T. rex, or something non-dinosaurian but memorable, such as the beautiful, coiled shells of ammonites. These are genuine fossils and there is nothing wrong with that. However, it seems that there is this strong tendency in the public mind to associate this term only with such relics of ancient life. We do need to realize it is not only body fossils (teeth, vertebrae, spikes, etc.) but also trace fossils which constitute the fossil record, the latter unfortunately appearing to be overlooked by a significant portion of the hoi polloi. Dinosaurs Without Bones by Anthony J. Martin is a book with a hugely important role to endow dinosaurian trace fossils with their well-deserved glory.

Ichnology is a branch of science that deals with traces and trace fossils, and Dinosaurs Without Bones, written by an ichnologist, covers this academic discipline with a focus on the traces that dinosaurs left in their lifetimes; a few examples of these behavioral remnants are tracks, nests, burrows, and gastroliths. With his comprehensive coverage of the subject, the author has done a great job in making the case that this dinosaurian legacy is massively important to our understanding of this incredible group of animals and that we would be indigent without the knowledge acquired from studying these prehistoric clues. Although Dinosaurs Without Bones is intended as an ichnological discussion of non-avian dinosaurs, extant dinosaurs, namely birds, have their share as well, and this book ends with a commentary of the future of dinosaurian ichnology. Dr. Martin has also suffused this book with a good sprinkling of fresh humor, which has successfully made me burst out laughing now and then. In short, this volume on ichnology is a must-read if you want to see a more complete picture of the world of dinosaurs.

There are two other points I'd like to raise before I conclude this review. Firstly, I noticed that Dinosaurs Without Bones is special in respect of science education that it can impart to its readers. I have gained valuable insight into how science works, including the process scientific papers need to undergo in order to be published in a scientific journal. Secondly (and lastly), in my opinion, Dinosaurs Without Bones is the best book I have ever read in terms of sentence complexity. So *calling out to my EFL students*, if you badly need to prepare for the IELTS Writing test, you may want to consider perusing this superlative read.

Have you read Dinosaurs Without Bones? What are your thoughts on this book? Share your opinion in the comment section below!

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The Amazing World of Dinosaurs – Book Review

The Amazing World of Dinosaurs

by James Kuether

Needless to say, the world of dinosaurs is amazing. These unique creatures have ceaselessly captivated and intrigued the human race and prevail in the mind of numerous children all around the world. However, what we really encounter at present are their lifeless remnants in the form of fossils. By means of science, paleontologists attempt to work out the veritable reality of their world, but we need a kind of tool for "reviving" these remarkable animals in our mind, enabling us to visualize what the dinosaurs would have been like when they were alive. Paleoartists are people who fulfill this noble & crucial role, and it is a blessing that James Kuether, a member of this profession, brought to us The Amazing World of Dinosaurs, a dinosaur book that he wrote himself and filled with his own beautiful illustrations.

The Amazing World of Dinosaurs is a great summary that gracefully guides readers through the Mesozoic history of the non-avian dinosaurs. The author uses elegant language which is couched in conversational style, guaranteed to entertain the readers and keep them hooked on the subject throughout. His lifelike illustrations are absolutely stunning and they are certainly delights for those who appreciate these incredible creatures. To my mind, these are two things that stand out in this book.

This 176-page volume starts with a concise discussion on the history of dinosaurology, paleoart, and the importance of imagination in science as well in reconstructing these breathtaking animals. Then, the readers will be guided through the dawn of the dinosaurs in the Triassic Period up to the demise of the non-bird kind at the end of the Cretaceous Period around 66 million years ago. I am heartily glad that this book includes information about new discoveries such as Medusaceratops and Dakotaraptor, which I was not very familiar with. What is more, The Amazing World of Dinosaurs contains a pronunciation guide (which would help with the often daunting act of saying the names of prehistoric animals and plants correctly) as well as a glossary (which would greatly assist readers in understanding unfamiliar paleontological terminology used in this book). Overall, The Amazing World of Dinosaurs is well worth reading & collecting and it will be a nice addition to your dinosaur book pile.

This book is complemented by a deck of cards which is offered separately. Click here to purchase the cards.

Have you read The Amazing World of Dinosaurs? What do you think about this book? Share your opinion in the comment section below!

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My First-Ever Podcast on Dinosaurs!

This past week has been a little surreal for me. Out of the blue, a former colleague of mine Aep Syaefullah, the host of Kantor Penasaran, contacted me and asked whether I would like to talk in his podcast about one of the most influential things in my life: dinosaurs. 🦖🦕 Is this for real? The invitation left me psychologically unstable for some time, and eventually I said yes! I felt it would be a great chance to channel my interest to the general public, specifically the Indonesians, the vast majority of whom, in my opinion, are indifferent to the majestic creatures. So, on June 1, 2020 we did the recording and talked about dinosaurs for about 45 minutes. Here is a poster for the event:

The podcast can be accessed on the following platforms: Spotify, Anchor, Google Podcasts, Breaker, and RadioPublic. The title is "Klinsman H: Talking about Dinosaurs in Indonesia" and, as you must have noticed, it was recorded in Indonesian, our native language. Although we did have a discussion about dinosaurs in Indonesia, the podcast actually covers more than that: what dinosaurs mean to me, my dinosaur-related collection, whether Komodo dragons are honest-to-goodness dinosaurs, and so on. Here is a snippet of the podcast:

Listen to the full podcast here:

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/4kLxn9T4W57KpVUKxNGSTI?si=WOMoIUEjTKWd2khL3TLwDw

Anchor: https://anchor.fm/kantor-penasaran/episodes/24--Klinsman--Bicara-tentang-Dinosaurus-di-Indonesia-eertb2

Google Podcasts: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9hbmNob3IuZm0vcy9kODc4ZjdjL3BvZGNhc3QvcnNz/episode/OTc2MmM2ODAtNDVhNC00NzJkLWE3MTYtMmUyNzVjNTVkYmZm?ved=0CAcQ38oDahcKEwjYhs2Bq-jpAhUAAAAAHQAAAAAQBg

Breaker: https://www.breaker.audio/kantor-penasaran-podcast/e/64911697

RadioPublic: https://radiopublic.com/kantor-penasaran-podcast-8XPazn/s1!8fff2

I'm really sorry for any imperfections in the podcast – to be honest, I was somewhat nervous! However, I hope that the audience can enjoy listening to our conversation and get something useful from it! 😊

Related articles:

• Why Dinosaurs?
• Why Dinosaurs Matter – Book Review

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Thoughts during the COVID-19 Pandemic

Something is severely afflicting humanity. The culprit is not a cascade of gigantic explosions of atomic bombs scattered around the planet or a global-scale war waged by a superpower country. Our current archenemy is a thing so small in size that our naked eyes cannot make out: a novel coronavirus with the official name SARS-CoV-2.

Most, if not all, of the countries in the world are presently being affected by this micro-entity, which, in huge numbers, causes a disease termed COVID-19. We are still battling this crown-shaped virus together and hoping to hurl the pandemic out of existence as soon as possible.

Indonesia is probably not one of the most heavily affected countries but it is still in the process of combating the pesky pestilence and Jakarta, the capital city as well as the country's economic hub, has been hit by the deadliest blow, with 2,335 confirmed cases and 241 deaths by Tuesday, April 14, 2020. As a denizen in this Homo floresiensis-yielding land who happens to reside in the metropolis, I have to practice social distancing and do my job by WFH. With all the haunting boredom and solitude, these days certainly are not the happiest in my life, but all of us need to unite and be responsible for not only ourselves, but also other people by following what authorities such as WHO advise and recommend, among which are washing hands properly and wearing masks.

During this quarantine period, a philosophical idea pierced through my brain with regard to the harrowing reality. We humans are fragile creatures, teetering on a precarious stage of life. A gust of wind such as this crazy little thing called the COVID-19 virus can make us tremble and topple over into the abyss of non-existence. We are certainly not a species endowed with an endless list of superior qualities; this global disaster really underscores how feeble we can be in the face of another resident of our planet.

Having said that, this should not discourage or even stop us from taking the necessary course of action to stamp out the predicament. If we are to survive as a species, our communal efforts to resolve this issue must be our top priority. We also have to give an enormous thank you and show great respect to all healthcare professionals, on whom we hugely rely to put an end to this worrisome situation. I believe many medical researchers are racing to develop a vaccine that can be used to halt this crisis too (let's keep our fingers crossed for its success). It is strongly urged that we give the required support to these people and the like who are scientifically involved in extirpating this dire state by whatever means we can employ.

The viral paroxysm is like a double-edged sword. It truly is devastating the human race by inflicting the disease on its members; however, it has also had a positive impact on Earth. For example, NASA stated that there has been a 30% reduction in the amount of air pollution in the Northeastern US due to some sort of lockdown imposed on the people living in the region. On a personal level, I feel that it is probably a moment to explore the many things that we could have done but haven't. Take reading for example. This is perhaps the dinosaurology, perhaps?). Look around your home; if it is a bit of a mess, you may want to clean it up and rejuvenate your domicile to a much fresher look. On a higher level, perhaps now is also a good opportunity to take a deep breath and reflect on your life more deeply: your achievements, regrets, ambitions, hopes, etc.

It seems to me that by the time this pandemic is over, a massive change will have occurred in the conduct of our society. Let's be hopeful that it will turn out to be positive, but the focus should be us ourselves because we, as always, are the assembling units: nothing more and nothing less.

Extra paragraph: Reading during this adverse situation reinforced my thought of how amazing the role that our imagination plays in our life. Our mighty brain processes the modest signals that we receive, whether they are ink impressions on paper sheets or sounds emitted by the vocal cords of our fellow humans, to create another realm of "reality" which we base our acts upon. This is, at least to me, absolutely mind-blowing and it is likely something many of us do not realize. Continue reading

Evolution in Minutes – Book Review

Evolution in Minutes

by Dr. Darren Naish

Evolution in Minutes by Dr. Darren Naish is the very first volume fully dedicated to discussing evolution in my book collection that I've read. There is the Indonesian saying "kecil-kecil cabe rawit," which would translate to something like this in English: "Although small, they're/it's a bird's eye chili". I think this reference to a person's/thing's superb quality despite their/its small size aptly describes what this little book is like – keep in mind that it is composed of over 400 pages, however.

Of course, evolutionary change cannot be detected in minutes since the process is gradual and generational; instead, the title refers to the organization of the book whereby readers can learn about a topic in evolution in a matter of minutes. Evolution in Minutes is divided into 13 chapters, each of them nesting a number of sub-chapters. Personally I love how this book is laid out: the sub-chapters typically consist of a left-hand page for discussion text (3 paragraphs maximum) and a right-hand page for an illustration related to the topic (mostly with a caption as well).

The breadth of the information contained by this book is breathtakingly vast (it even touches the subjects of racism, consciousness, language, and future evolution) and I have acquired a prodigious amount of knowledge about this biological phenomenon through this fascinatingly readable book. Dr. Naish, without a single shadow of a doubt, is one of my most favorite authors. He masterfully crafts this book with easily digestible language yet in an outstandingly elegant fashion – I highly admire his explanatory skills and educational endeavors in science communication. I would hugely recommend Evolution in Minutes to anyone interested in biology, paleontology, nature, (pre)history, and/or evolution. Read this wondrously illuminating book and you'll end up with a much greater understanding and appreciation of the natural history of our planet and its underlying force.

If you are a dinosaur enthusiast, you should also check out Dr. Naish's other book Dinosaurs: How they lived and evolved, which he co-authored with his colleague Paul M. Barrett (read my review of the first edition here).

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