Battle of the Dinosaur Bones: Othniel Charles Marsh vs. Edward Drinker Cope

 Smacked by the hate

Johnson, Rebecca L. Battle of the Dinosaur Bones: Othniel Charles Marsh vs. Edward Drinker Cope. Minneapolis : Twenty-First Century Books, 2013.

Plot: At the beginning of the 1900's, people discovered enormous bones buried in the earth. Instead of labeling them as mere curiosities, scientists realized the fossils belonged to ancient animals. Eventually, two scientists, Othniel Charles Marsh and Edward Drinker Cope, began seeking the bones in earnest. However, instead of attempting to enhance palentology as a whole, the two became bitter rivals, stealing specimens and naming rights. Eventually, they began public arguments, fossil vandalism, and national scandals in the quest to overwhelm each other. While the two managed to raise palentology to new levels, their fighting also tainted the science for years to come.

Genre: History, Science

Reading Level: Grades 4-9

Similar Titles: Fossil Feud: Marsh and Cope's Bone Wars, Fossil Feud: The Rivalry of the First American Dinosaur Hunters

Personal Thoughts: The text offers an impressive view of the complex Marsh and Cope rivalry. While the story does give an accessible retelling of the two's infamous fights, it also hints at a greater truth. Much of the knowledge taken for granted needed to be discovered and the discovery process did not always occur politely, or even neatly. The text offers the acknowledgement of the human aspect in science. While many books describe scientists as altruistic and incapable of flaws, the text reminds readers of the mistakes and failures present in science. However, it does so without negating the positive aspects of science, as well.


Before recommending the title, keep in mind the text focuses on the process of discovering dinosaurs, not dinosaurs themselves. Readers seeking the biological aspect of palentology will be disappointed, so be aware of readers' actual interests.