The Great Fossil Enigma: The Search for the Conodont Animal

For those with an interest in conodont paleontology.

― The Guardian

If you want a[n]…entertaining and interesting account of the discovery of knowledge through the analytical, political, and idiosyncratic activities of researchers, The Great Fossil Enigma will serve you well.

― Science Magazine

…[A] valuable contribution to the history of science.

― thisviewoflife.com

Simon Knell has written, and written particularly well, the history of our conception and misunderstanding of the conodonts. It is the best semi-popular account of the history of paleontology that I have read since Gould’s Wonderful Life. The Great Fossil Engima deserves to be widely read and enjoyed, not just by those who work on conodonts, but by a broad cross-section of paleontologists, geologists and anyone with an interest in our understanding of the natural world.

― Priscum

Knell focuses on discussions, antagonisms, diverse conclusions, and a slowly emerging consensus about where these tooth-like structures were located in the animal and to what group of known animals these fossils pertained. Readers will learn how scientists develop ideas and interact with colleagues, and how animosities and cooperative relationships develop and change. . . . Recommended.

― Choice

Simon Knell’s contribution is a coherent and fascinating account of the history of an extinct fossil group. It has good reference notes and a valuable index. It will stand the test of time, but it deserves to be read now.

― Earth Science History

Simon Knell tells the fascinating story from the early days of discovery up to the present, when conodont affinities continue to stimulate debate amongst the scientific community. . . [he] has . . . beautifully painted [the picture] of the enigma that is the conodont animal.

― Geological Magazine

This is one of the best books, which the reviewer has had a chance to read in the past years. It is strongly recommended to a broad circle of geologists and palaeontologists, as well as to those interested in the history/philosophy/sociology of the modern science.

― Zentralblatt Geologie und Palaontologie

Excellent and refreshing. . . . This will be the seminal source [on] the interpretation of conodonts and the origin of vertebrates. . . . Among the plethora of history of science books, and especially histories of . . . paleontology and the earth sciences, nothing comes close.

— Michael J. Benton