Review

Gorgon: Paleontology, Obsession, and the Greatest Catastrophe in Earth's History

	About the Reviewer: Bryan T.  Read, Write & Win 3rd place, 12th grade, 2007

Nominated by: Library Journal Best Sci-Tech Books of 2004

"Paleontology, obsession, and the greatest catastrophe in earth's history," that is the subtitle on the cover of Gorgon by Peter D. Ward which tells a lot about the book. Peter D. Ward, a professor of geology and paleontologist, is after the truth about earth's history. He took part in the discovery of the truth about the second mass extinction, the Cretaceous-Tertiary mass extinction. The extinction was fast and violent, not a long drawn out event, which caused him to wonder if the first mass extinction was the same. The book details his search of the truth, to find the next great discovery in the earth's history. Gorgon is a book of science but also journey of finding the truth, and a man's love for what he does.

Gorgon, while having its share of science terminology that is foreign to most, has more: a story. The story allows for the readers to stay interested even when bombarded with science terminology. While a love of paleontology and the earth's history no doubt helps keep the reader turning the page,it' not required. Ward does an excellent job of explaining the discovery but also his own story though the process. The shear human curiosity we all have well keep the pages turning weather in search of the truth of the extinction or just what's next for Peter. It is a story anyone could read and be interested with as well as for a know everything paleontologist.

Gorgon is a book of paleontology as stated on the cover but there's more on the cover just as there is in the book. Gorgon is a fantastic story of the history of the worse disaster in earth's history but also how one man sought after the answer. Whether reading Gorgon for paleontology or one man's obsession with the truth or to find out what was the greatest catastrophe in earth's history, one will be satisfied. Easily a five out of five stars. A book fit to be a Cornerstone but a wonderful read even if it never receives such an honor.

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