Andy Secher

Trilobites are among the most remarkable lifeforms ever to exist. First emerging 521 million years ago, these organisms—animals with highly developed eyes, sturdy walking legs, and protective outer shells—evolved into more than 25,000 scientifically recognized species. During their 270 million years of inhabiting the ancient seas, trilobites proliferated into an ever-more-fanciful cast of characters, from graceful Cambrian olenellids to robust Ordovician asaphids to spine-covered Devonian phacopids. Their fossil remains, which today can be found on every continent, testify to the astonishing breadth and scope of trilobite heterogeneity. Trilobites A to Z is the ultimate reference guide to these incredible invertebrates. It features reader-friendly, concise yet information-packed introductions to nearly 1,500 trilobite species, each accompanied by a full-color photograph. Grouped according to periods within the Paleozoic era, the book illuminates the similarities and differences among trilobite specimens from around the globe, bringing to life the complexity and beauty of these long-extinct creatures in all their variety. Andy Secher—one of the world’s leading trilobite collectors—also offers practical guidance for readers seeking to identify specimens of their own. Comprehensive and entertainingly written, this essential encyclopedia will inform and delight trilobite enthusiasts and collectors as well as students and scholars of invertebrate paleontology.

Ammonites swam in Earth’s ancient seas for nearly 400 million years, diversifying into more than 10,000 species before meeting their demise during the end-Cretaceous mass extinction. These spiral-shelled invertebrates are among the most abundant fossils in the geologic record, found from snowcapped Himalayan peaks to parched South American arroyos. People around the world have long been drawn to the mystery and beauty of ammonite fossils. These preternaturally preserved creatures have inspired age-old myths and legends, and studying their secrets has spurred crucial scientific discoveries.Jodi Summers—an accomplished journalist and passionate fossil collector—guides readers through the entire arc of ammonite history. She explores the evolution, proliferation, extinction, and fossilization of these captivating cephalopods, situating the story in the progression of deep time. Summers also prospects prime fossil-hunting locations, sharing tips and inside scoops for enthusiasts and collectors in search of notable specimens. She takes us along on her globe-spanning journeys: from the desert to the seashore, up mountains and down canyons, to the backrooms of natural history institutions and the floors of fossil shows.We Dig Ammonites features hundreds of lavish color photographs of rare specimens that showcase the splendor of these magnificent mollusks. This book is an ode to one of the world’s most compelling fossils and an invitation to catch a glimpse of vanished epochs.

For more than 250 million years, the primeval oceans of the Paleozoic teemed with trilobites. These hardy invertebrates evolved into an astonishing array of separate species—more than 25,000 at last count—and much remains unknown about these once-ubiquitous creatures. Fossil enthusiasts are captivated by trilobites’ diversity and adaptability, enthralled by the possibility of catching a glimpse of a transcendently strange past.Andy Secher—one of the most prolific trilobite collectors in the world—takes readers on an entertaining and enlightening journey to the distant epoch when these ancient arthropods swarmed through the seas. The Trilobite Collector’s Guide presents a series of “Top Ten” lists covering everything from celebrated Cambrian localities and world-class fossil shows to invaluable collecting tips and ways to spot a fake trilobite. These brisk and often witty chapters enumerate trilobites in all their beauty and strangeness, from the most common to the ridiculously rare, the outrageously old to the last in line. The Trilobite Collector’s Guide showcases more than 350 full-color photographs, mostly of stunning specimens from Secher’s personal collection, that put trilobites’ staggering variety and complexity on full display. Engaging and informative, this book lets readers see the world of trilobites as it’s never been seen before.

Trilobites were some of the most successful and versatile organisms ever to exist. Among the earliest forms of complex animal life, these hard-shelled marine invertebrates inhabited the primal seas of the Paleozoic Era. Their march through evolutionary time began in the Lower Cambrian, some 521 million years ago, and lasted until their demise at the end of the Permian, more than 250 million years later. During this vast stretch of planetary history, these adaptable animals filled virtually every available undersea niche, evolving into more than 25,000 scientifically recognized species.In Travels with Trilobites, Andy Secher invites readers to come along in search of the fossilized remains of these ancient arthropods. He explores breathtaking paleontological hot spots around the world—including Alnif, Morocco, on the edge of the Sahara Desert; the Sakha Republic, deep in the Siberian wilderness; and Kangaroo Island, off the coast of South Australia—and offers a behind-the-scenes look at museums, fossil shows, and life on the collectors’ circuit. The book features hundreds of photographs of unique specimens drawn from Secher’s private collection, showcasing stunning fossil finds that highlight the diversity, complexity, and beauty of trilobites. Entertaining and informative, Travels with Trilobites combines key scientific information about these captivating creatures with wry, colorful observations and inside stories from one of the world’s most prolific collectors.