Gaining Ground, Second Edition: The Origin and Evolution of Tetrapods (Life of the Past) Hardcover – Download: Adobe Reader, June 27, 2012

As a layperson with some interest in paleontology, I found this book a rewarding read. Clack starts with an overview of the book, followed by a (for laypeople) detailed chapter on tetrapod anatomy. After this, the book looks at the lobe-finned fishes and goes on to present the transition to land in chronological order, focusing on key fossil deposits (Greenland, Quebec, southern Scotland, and more). The book is relatively expensive for an e-book, but is long and packed with detail. The presentation of theory and evidence here is very clear and understandable. There is a reasonable amount of taxonomic and anatomical info, enough to provide some support for the book's claims, but not so much to slow it down. I found it well worth the money, but this is a popular science book with the emphasis on the science. The focus is strictly on the facts; if the topic doesn't interest you, the book won't win you over.

And a truly great book. For anyone who's interested in our early cousins' transition from aquatic life forms to terrestrial tetrapods, I cannot recommend any but Jennifer Clack's "Gaining Ground". This is a wonderful exposition on this most important of events in prehistoric times. I LOVED this book, and highly recommend it to anyone interested in evolution as I am. Thank you Jennifer, for a wonderful work!

A VERY detailed look at the evolution of tetrapods. It examines not only the bony evolution, but respiratory systems, skulls, teeth, jaws, and hearing. Not for the casual reader, but most informative.

This is an impressive book. Dr. Clack has put together a textbook-quality history of fossils and phylogenies to tell the tale of us tetrapods. Included are detailed comparative anatomy tables that brings amateurs up to speed on, well, everything. 18 color plates add nice context. If you can't get enough Tiktaalik or Ichthyostega, this book is for you. Highly recommended... - lc

I just got this book in the mail this AM! From everything I can tell, it is truly awesome and I can hardly wait to dive into it!

Too complex for layman to read. I finally gave up on reading it, It requires a graduate degree to understand it.

The book is a good read so far. Figures and diagrams are bit of a nightmare. The problems are 2-fold:1. Can't view diagram and read any accompanying text at the same time.2. Diagrams and figures are tiny and unreadable. even when you zoom in the image is simply a blown up thumbnail (text in image blurry and unreadable)Does anyone have a remedy for this?

A great read about an interesting period of time.a textbook.