The Trilobite Collector's Guide is a no-nonsense guide curated and written by paleontology field associate and heavy metal maven (yep) Andy Secher. Due out 23rd Jan 2024 from the Columbia University Press, it's 472 pages and will be available in hardcover and ebook formats.

This is a true guide built with collectors and rockhounds in mind. It's full of clear photos and an impressive amount of valuation and origin/location information for specific specimens. There -is- a fair amount of paleohistory and background biology/nomenclature, but the true focus of the book is where to find, how to acquire, and how to build a well curated collection of trilobites. Admittedly niche, but really cool.

The books sections are arranged logically and accessibly: top collecting locations for different periods and species trilobites, world class fossil/rock shows (and how to get there and what to expect), history and development of the hobby, morphology, collecting tips, and a lot LOT more. No minutiae is too obscure, and it's a *big* book. Impressively, like most really enthusiastic aficionados, Mr. Secher is more than happy to share his tips, tricks, and fascination with these prehistoric creatures. He's very knowledgeable and his writing style is inclusive and friendly. Despite being a very esoteric hobby, his language is layman accessible and fun to read.

The photography throughout is very clear. The author/publisher have also included a glossary and index. Nomenclature throughout is correct at the time of publication and to international zoological standards.

Five stars. This is a guide which will go into multiple editions before ever being superseded. It would make a superlative choice for public or post-secondary library acquisition, home use, and professional reference.

Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.

I have received an ARC via NetGalley. This has not affected my review.

There is a lot of good information in this book--I had no idea there were so many types of trilobites (or more than one type, for that matter!). However, the information is so disorganized it was difficult for me, an amateur, to track. It was a jumbled collection bunch of the author's "top ten" lists, and the lists didn't appear to be organized into any units or sections based on similarities. Lists of trilobites, lists of fossil sites, lists of ways to prepare your fossils and things to consider when collecting and ways to authenticate fossils were all tossed in willy-nilly, making this considerably more difficult to use as a reference! I have to take a star off for that.

Incidentally, the author has a very low opinion of creationists. I can handle his most unscientific proclamation of a theory as fact. I can even handle his sneering at them there low-brow stubborn Americans. I however, have to draw the line at his writing "hare-brained" as "hair-brained". No amendment to the rating for that infraction...he's not an English professor after all.

I am so grateful to the publishers at NetGalley and Columbia University Press for sending me an e-ARC to read ahead of the release date. I will be buying the hard copy of this book as soon as it comes out, because it is going to be incredibly helpful to me as a paleontology nerd and fossil collector.

The structure of the book is very appealing, with sections such as "Dramatically Dolomitic Trilobites" and "Distinctly Disarticulated Trilobites" guiding the reading journey. You can flip to any part of the book that appeals to you and become acquainted with the history, location(s), and fossil features of trilobites described by the heading. I appreciate the introduction to trilobites at the beginning and the listings of popular fossil/gem shows and most famous quarries for fossil hunting as well.

The fact that the author put this work together as a passion project is amazing. As someone who has a science degree (Physics), but is also not a paleontologist, I find the fact that the author is still so well-versed and thoroughly self-taught to be inspiring. I have been adopted into the paleontology community with my science-heavy background, but there is still so much that armchair experts have to teach themselves, no matter what other rigorous degree(s) they may have. Secher's collection is mind-boggling, and I am so envious of his fantastic specimens!

The Trilobite Collector's Guide is full of stunning photographs, clear section headings for easy browsing, and a very helpful glossary at the end. Anyone who is a paleontology nerd, trilobite collector, or natural history devotee will want this tome on their shelf. The suggested reading list and trilobite websites will certainly be helpful to aspiring collectors and veterans alike. There is something in this book for everyone, no matter what level of expertise they have in the paleontology field. With over 25,000 species of trilobites, it is impossible to memorize every single fact about them unless you have a magical, eidetic memory. For this reason, I highly suggest that enthusiasts keep this book nearby right next to the National Audubon Society Field Guide to Fossils and all the other classic guides we all rely on.

I loved every moment of reading this book, and I hope that Andy Secher keeps writing about trilobites and sharing his experience-based wisdom with the rest of us.

This book is tremendous. For those who have a deep love of geology, the rock record, and fossils, this book is a must-read. The trilobite class of extinct arthropods consists of over 25,000 known species, and I found this extraordinary. The morphology of trilobites was interesting, as the various structures are named and the location of certain features is diagramed. I was stunned to learn that trilobites were actually communal in nature. As an avid fossil hunter as well, I was fascinated by the multitude of detailed photographs, especially Triarthrus, Qudrops flexuosa, Koneprusia sp., Boedaspis ensifer, Comura bultyncki, and Walliserpos trifurcatus. The depth the author went to gives incredible insight into historically popular species, and the mystery behind them. I would definitely recommend this book.