How Fast Did T. Rex Run?

Unsolved Questions from the Frontiers of Dinosaur Science

By: David Hone

Narrated by: Tom Lawrence

Length: 9 hrs and 19 mins

Publisher's summary

This audiobook narrated by Tom Lawrence describes the revolution in science that is transforming our understanding of dinosaurs

In just the past twenty years, we have learned more about dinosaurs than we did in the previous two centuries. This book describes the extraordinary advances in palaeontology that are beginning to solve many of the mysteries surrounding these marvelous prehistoric creatures, from their ways of communicating to their mating habits, the colour of their skin, their migration patterns and extinction. How did dinosaurs rear their young? What did they eat? What did T. rex actually do with those tiny arms? David Hone draws on his own discoveries at the forefront of dinosaur science to illuminate these and other questions.

Each chapter in this lively and informative book covers a key topic in dinosaur science, such as origins, diversity, evolution, habitats, anatomy, behaviour, ecology and dinosaur descendants—the birds. For each topic, Hone discusses the history of what palaeontologists thought in the past, the new insights we are gleaning from recent fossil finds and the latest technologies and the gaps in our knowledge that still remain. He shares his own predictions about the research areas that may produce the next big ideas in dinosaur science and addresses the unknowns we may never solve.

How Fast Did T. rex Run? reveals everything we now know about dinosaurs—and everything we don’t—and charts thrilling new directions for tomorrow’s generation of dinosaur scientists.

©2022 David Hone (P)2022 Princeton University Press

Fascinating, but droning narrator

This one might be better to read the paper book. It’s absolutely fascinating but my attention wanders off because the narrator has a rather monotone and stiff delivery. Too prim and proper British - it turns into background noise like driving directions or something. The content is amazing though - if you’re a dinosaur fan of any level this is a delightful book.

Excellent book

As usual Dr. Hone has written an absolute gem of a dinosaur book. Accessible to everyone, yet it still manages to provide massive amounts of new information to even the most seasoned dinosaur aficionado.
Unfortunately the audio version of this book is let down considerably by the poor pronunciation of numerous dinosaurs and scientific terms. His diction and general cadence are excellent. I just wish the publisher had given him the tools to make his pronunciation accurate.

Brilliant book spoiled by the narrator

Everytime the narrator said speshies instead of species, I cringed so hard. I don’t know why they couldn’t hire a better narrator. The book is great though, very interesting and informative.

Developments in paleontology and general misunderstandings of current knowledge.

This book provides an updated as of 2022 status of paleontology. Significantly it points out what is unknown and that many popular depictions of dinosaurs are not accurate or should not be considered as representative of more than a small sample of the dinosaurs. The book points to what is unknown.

Interesting informative up-to-date on controversy

Covers topics such as dinosaur precursors, feathers, scales, colors, locomotion, evolution, parenting, body habitus, with the scientific data available and argues most sides, comes down on the most reasonable side if there is one and doesn’t if there isn’t one. More than once he reminds the listener that most dinosaur species are made up of a single partial specimen so much cannot be assumed. This is a very interesting book. Also well read since I love David Attenborough and am used to his style of presentation. The reader talks in a conversational manner which is pleasing and engaging, good for the revelatory style of the writing.

The Best Type of Science Book!

Learning about the "knowns" in science is a great deal of fun, but delving into the unknowns, the "what-ifs" and the "nobody knows" of science is even more enjoyable. 10/10, despite needing one or two updates.