Books
Anthony J. Martin
Life Traces of the Georgia Coast
Revealing the Unseen Lives of Plants and Animals
Have you ever wondered what left behind those prints and tracks on the seashore, or what made those marks or dug those holes in the dunes? Life Traces of the Georgia Coast, by Anthony J. Martin, is an up-close look at these traces of life – tracks, burrows, nests, and more – and the animals and plants that made them.
Life Traces of the Georgia Coast is an overview of the traces left by modern animals and plants in the biologically rich region of the Georgia coast, and applies that knowledge toward better understanding fossil traces left in the geologic record. Augmented by many of Martin’s illustrations and photos of traces made by both ancient and modern organisms, the book shows how trace fossils directly relate to traces of trees, insects, worms, crabs, shorebirds, alligators, sea turtles, and much more. The result is an aesthetically appealing and scientifically grounded book that is an essential source for scientists, naturalists, and anyone else interested in the natural history of the southeastern U.S. Atlantic coast.
“Digs into the subterranean strategies of prehistoric and contemporary animals, from insects to giant sloths and, to a lesser extent, humans. Offers subtle clues that help shift the dramatic narrative of prehistoric life forward. Underground warrens enable lungfish to survive drought, iguanas to weather hurricanes, and alligators sit out wildfires.”
- The Economist
“Martin, known for having discovered an ancient burrowing dinosaur, examines the world underground and the evolutionary advantages attendant in knowing how to get around down there. A spry exercise in popular science. Can you dig it?”
- Kirkus Reviews
“Martin is an amiably erudite guide to burrowing fauna. Down the rabbit hole with Martin, Earth becomes one vast, ‘constantly evolving burrow system.’”
- Nature
“An unbelievably engaging book.”
- Choice
“A great introduction and history that will fascinate eco-minded conservationists and fossil hunters.”
- Library Journal
“Martin writes with obvious glee and a humor that at times digs for the dad-jokes, but as a scholar he knows his stuff―many of the natural discoveries he describes are his own. Martin delivers something the casual reader will not expect: a real education in paleontology. The Evolution Underground is a fun book of surprising depth.”
Shelf Awareness
“Packed with solid information, incredible anecdotes and many subterranean puns and pop-culture references, The Evolution Underground is a joy to read, and, judging by the irreverent glee shining through in Martin's style, must have been a joy to write. This is a great work of popular science that seems to have largely flown under people's radar.”
NHBS (Natural History Book Service)
“The Evolution Underground should find its way onto the reading tables and bookshelves of every naturalist, regardless of their specific areas of interest, for within its pages is both an encyclopedia of discrete facts as well as a collection of some of the best explanations of a number of core ecological concepts that I’ve found anywhere.”
Johannes E. Riutta, The Well Read Naturalist
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