Life Before Man (1972) is a richly illustrated Czech book on paleontology and the history of life on Earth.
It might seem weird to dedicate an entry to what might appear like a standard, dime a dozen dinosaur book, not to mention one as old and outdated as this, but it is a true Cult Classic among paleo-fanatics. Since it has been translated into many languages, it was to lots of people the best and most easily accessible guide to prehistory, and they do to this day remember it fondly. Something of an Unintentional Period Piece, of course only with regards to paleontology and paleoart, this volume represented the thinkings and collected many of the tropes of mid-20th century paleontology. It can also in a way be regarded as one of the closing works of that era, before the scientific revolution known as the Dinosaur Renaissance took over.
While the text supplied by Czech paleontologist Zdeněk Špinar is insightful and informative enough (if at times short), the real selling point of the book is the gorgeous art. These immensely influential illustrations were all painted by famous artist Zdenek Burian
, who along with Charles R. Knight and Rudolph F. Zallinger) practically defined the "canonical" image of prehistoric fauna and flora for the early-to-mid-20th century. He was easily one of the most prolific and most frequently copied paleoartist, and a number of his works (or their imitations) still appear in modern books from time to time.
While seriously outdated and near-useless as a science book, especially the section on the Mesozoic, the importance of the volume and the quality of the paintings therein cannot be questioned. For paleo-geeks of old, it is nostalgia incarnate.
It saw an extended paperback release in 1996. This version included a number of more obscure Burian pieces, which have taken some cues from the advanced concepts of the Dinosaur Renaissance.
Not to be confused with a Margaret Atwood novel of the same name.
The work contains examples of:
- Aquatic Sauropods: Brachiosaurs are depicted as living in deep water to support their huge weight. Brontosaurus and Diplodocus are also depicted in a wet, swampy environment.
- Bears Are Bad News: Especially to the cavemen fighting it in one painting.
- "Blind Idiot" Translation: Some translations of the book repeatedly give the crocodilian Steneosaurus' name as Stegosaurus. As anyone with even a faint understanding of prehistoric life can tell you, the famous plated dinosaur Stegosaurus wasn't a needle-nosed crocodile, and as anyone with a decent understanding of zoological nomenclature can tell you, one generic name can only be used for one animal genus.
- Fantastic Fauna Counterpart: Pterodactlyus is portrayed pretty much like a prehistoric bat, hanging from branches upside down despite its foot anatomy not making it able to do so.
- Giant Flyer: Pteranodon, which at the writing of the book was the largest known flying animal.
- Predators Are Mean: And herbivores are friendly. The description of Styracosaurus for instance claims that the animal was obviously harmless, because... well, plant-eaters by default are, right?
- Prehistoric Monster: Every animal has an eerie, antediluvian feel to it; a signature of Burian's art. Though they aren't treated as monsters in the text.
- Raptor Attack: Averted, as raptors weren't even known all that well back then. Archaeopteryx is the only one represented, and it's one of the most accurate reconstructions ever, down to the color of the wing feathers (at least on one of the pics).
- Real Is Brown: Averted in some cases, as for instance the dinosaurs Compsognathus, Archaeopteryx and "Trachodon" are very colorful. Most other dinos are rather drab in contrast, though.
- Scenery Porn: God! One of the most defining aspects of Burian's artwork is his attention to the environments, which he put at least as much effort into as his animals. Several of the paintings are just landscapes, devoid of animals, but they are gorgeous and on top of it quite accurate.
