My initial reaction to this book is the best proof of its importance. "What is this unknown woman writing about? EVERYBODY knows it was an asteroid that killed the dinosaurs!" Fortunately, I was curious enough to do some digging — after all, what publisher would approve a strange conspiracy theory? And that's how I learned about "the Nastiest Feud in Science." I was appalled that I had never heard about it before, even though I have read many natural history books.

A quick search revealed that Gerta Keller, the author, is a well-respected geologist and paleontologist with an intriguing biography. She refused to be silenced for decades while pointing out the lack of scientific proof of the impact theory. According to Keller, the theory's popularity was partly achieved thanks to its simplicity and appeal:

„From the moment it was first published in the June 6, 1980, issue of Science magazine, the impact hypothesis captured the public imagination. An asteroid hurtling through space . . . a catastrophic explosion . . . a gigantic dust cloud that plunged Earth into freezing darkness and destroyed the dinosaurs. Who could be immune to such a spectacular story? As Australian journalist Ian Warden later reflected, all it lacked was ‚some sex and the involvement of the Royal Family and the whole world would be paying attention.’”

However, there was another reason: the pressure exerted by the author of the theory, a Nobel Prize-winning physicist. The author is very harsh in her criticism:

„From Luis Alvarez, I observed my first lesson in media manipulation. He orchestrated a two-front war—one controlling media and public opinion and the other eliminating or destroying any scientists who questioned or opposed his hypothesis”.

I don’t have the expertise to judge whether Professor Keller is right. Her arguments sound convincing, but she may be biased because she is on a side of this conflict. Nevertheless, I believe the general public should be more aware of this discussion — after all, that's what science is all about.

I encourage anyone with the slightest interest in paleontology, geology, or natural history to read this book.

Thanks to the publisher, Diversion Books, and NetGalley for an advanced copy of this book.

I now realize I haven't given a ton of thought to the 5th extinction / the fall of the dinosaurs. I do remember that the general consensus we were taught growing up (zillenial) was that a big-ass asteroid (meteorite?) hit the earth and the dinos fell over dead, which sounds wild now that I think about it. Because like how could one impact kill that species around the entire globe??? Maybe it was implied that it set off a chain reaction of craziness. I don't remember. Point is, turns out that's actually not what happened or how it works.

Overall, the drama was high in this read. I think I would have appreciated more receipts, and less "he said/she said." I'm also incredibly saddened (though not entirely surprised) to learn how unscientific so many of these scientists were. I love science bc it's about constant learning and correcting. Science and fact do not care how ardently you believe in it. And yet... these guys, these impactor fanatics were unwilling to review actual evidence and willing to literally steal samples. WILD.

Also, I noticed that while Keller was fighting the patriarchy in a male dominated field, she had her own biases that appeared from time to time. For example, it stood out to me that she recalled traveling and being driven by a woman professor. Her gender wasn't actually relevant to the story, but it was pointed out nonetheless. This is small, but stood out as Keller was constantly commenting on the power trips the male scientists around her were on.

This was a fascinating topic, and Gerta Keller has an incredibly interesting story. However, this read a bit too much like a scientific paper. I can see it being difficult for general audiences to grasp a lot of what is being discussed. Even I had trouble following, and I’m a huge dinosaur nerd.

I wish that Gerta had worked with a coauthor, someone similar to Edward Dolnick or Timothy Eagan, who can take heavily researched topics and make them more accessible for wider audiences.

Very interesting account of a female scientist’s career and engagement with the scientific community when you have an alternative theory. How did the dinosaurs become extinct? Really enjoyed the science, and the scientific arguments. A lot of bullying behaviour in play. Thank you to the author. Thank you to # NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC.

The Last Extinction by Gerta Keller is a compelling and controversial scientific exploration that challenges conventional theories about mass extinctions. Bold, thought-provoking, and rigorously researched.

Mrs. Keller is an icon, a figure for little girls everywhere to look up to, and a complete badass - excuse my french. I already knew I was going to like this book, I love anything with dinosaurs and the study of the extinctions, but I also love a good memoir - so this was a perfect combination.

I was horrified by the rampant sexism the author faced in her pursuit of truth. The death threats, the assaults, the hatred. And way after all of it, they would often remove her name from their discoveries after she had done most of the work. The research and info within this book is amazingly well done, of course it is from her experiences with discovering it herself. I also learned a lot of things I didn’t know about before, as well as the state of paleontology around the 70s-80s. I highly recommend this.

Professor Gerta Keller’s groundbreaking research challenged the dominant impact theory for the dinosaurs’ extinction, revealing the role of Deccan volcanism. This memoir details her decades-long battle against entrenched scientific opposition and her eventual vindication.

I went into this book skeptical and ended up persuaded by the evidence. The memoir is fascinating and easy to read. I was expecting this book to focus less on politics and more on science—I’m interested in learning more about the Deccan Traps theory. I hope scientists will do a better job in the future in working together to determine how the impactor event and the Deccan Traps eruptions might each have contributed to the K-Pg extinction.

Thanks, NetGalley, for the ARC I received. This is my honest and voluntary review.