the thing to do is to go to the Amazon page of the book in question, find the Publisher’s Weekly review and read it:

[Donald R.] Prothero, a geologist at Occidental College (After the Dinosaurs), explains how rich the fossil record has become. His goal is two-fold. First, he wants to demonstrate the wide variety of transitional forms that have been found, many within the past 20 years. Second, he aims to discredit the creationist movement. I have tried to document how they routinely distort or deny the evidence, quote out of context, and do many other dishonest and unethical things—all in the name of pushing their crusade. He accomplishes both of his goals (though he can be repetitious regarding the creationists), and his descriptions of recent research, much of it his own, are compelling. Prothero explains that the Cambrian explosion of life forms was anything but an explosion, and presents the impressive transitional fossils between reptiles and birds, along with striking evidence for mammalian evolution, including the relationship among hominid groups. With good science and some specific rebuttals to creationist arguments, this book demonstrates the importance of paleontology to the study of evolution. 208 illus. (Nov.)

Emphasis added. 208 illustrations. Carl Buell. 29.95. That’s 14 cents per Buell. We’d be stupid not to buy it. [Carl corrects the struck-out material in comments. It actually works out to a dollar per Buell. And though I of course did not mean to slight Dr. Prothero by emphasizing Carl’s work, Carl — in typically generous fashion — corrects my slight anyway.]

1. 
   virgotex 2007 10 19 at 10:13:35 am

   obviously, Prothero and Buell just don’t realize that Jeeezus PUT all those fossils there to test our faith…..

   (apologies to bill hicks)

2. 
   kathy a 2007 10 19 at 11:21:54 am

   i’m pretty excited—not only is this an ideal present for one or two people on my list, but carl!  the illustrations must be excellent.  and, although i don’t know prothero, oxy is my alma mater.

3. 
   Carl Buell 2007 10 19 at 12:26:01 pm

   Thanks so much for the post Chris, but I just want to be totally honest here.  I’m listed as the illustrator, but I did only the 30 or so new images that were needed for the book (and only two color plates).  Don is great guy and a true polymath and spent two years writing and putting the book (his 23rd) together and it’s well worth the price if my contribution were not there.  This is Don’s book; I’ll have something out there in the next year or two.

4. 
   Chris Clarke 2007 10 19 at 12:34:50 pm

   “Only” 30.

5. 
   octopod 2007 10 19 at 4:57:50 pm

   This is just a Hey, Guys! post to note that Don’s my advisor and co-author on the paper I’m writing…I’ll tell him I ran across a plug for his book on here, he’ll be happy. :)

6. 
   Chris Clarke 2007 10 19 at 5:14:41 pm

   Hey, octopod! I’m sure I’ll have more to say about the writing when my copy arrives.