Including over 200 photographs that represent all of the major groups of macrofossils, Fossils: A Photographic Field Guide is an attractive little volume. Including sections on fossil plants, corals and sponges, echinoderms, brachiopods, arthopods and graptolites (included in the same section for some reason), molluscs, vertebrates, and trace fossils, the book looks at individual genera, depicting them in crisp, attractive photographs. Introductory sections discuss the general anatomy and mode of life of the groups, and simple diagrams depict the key anatomical components. Brief descriptions accompany the photos and provide information on size, occurrence and mode of life. Some of the pieces of text accompanying the vertebrates are rather long compared to those that exist on the other fossils.

Fossils: A Photographic Field Guide cannot really pretend to be as indispensable as a field guide as it is simply not comprehensive enough, but it would at least allow a novice to narrow down the identification of any given fossil to a major group. Designed for general readers, it will appeal to anyone interested in geological history or fossil collecting and could prove to be a useful introduction for undergraduate students or for anyone looking for a basic guide to the diversity and wonder of fossilized life.