Non-dinosaur paleontology?

[El...]

DS12 says he wants archeology, but clarified that he wants to study fossils. He's NOT interested in dinosaurs at this point (which is too bad because I found a great coursera option about dinosaurs... sigh). 

I've found a few books aimed at adult hobbyists. He is a strong reader, but not ready for a college textbook. Is there anything awesome you've used? 

[wendyroo]

Great Courses / Wondrium have a number of courses he might enjoy.

Introduction to Paleontology is about the profession, the tools, and the fossil record...some dinosaurs, but a lot not.

Major Transitions in Evolution has a couple lectures about dinosaurs, but mostly non-dinosaurs.

A New History of Life is an interesting mix of biology, earth science and paleontology...most of it non-dinosaur.

 

[chiguirre]

Your Inner Fish by Neil Shubin might be a good choice. I read it when it came out and really enjoyed it. It's written for a general adult audience, so not as complex as a college textbook, but not meant for kids either.

Your Inner Fish: A Journey into the 3.5-Billion-Year History of the Human Body: Shubin, Neil: 9780375424472: Amazon.com: Books

 

PBS made a series that contains the same material as the book:

Your Inner Fish | PBS

 

If you're ever in Houston, the Museum of Natural Science's paleontology hall is organized in a similar way to Your Inner Fish and features many of the species it mentions.