Oceans of Kansas: A Natural History of the Western Interior Sea

4.7 4.7 out of 5 stars | 206 ratings

Price: 25.79

Last update: 01-29-2025


About this item

Revised, updated, and expanded with the latest interpretations and fossil discoveries, the second edition of Oceans of Kansas adds new twists to the fascinating story of the vast inland sea that engulfed central North America during the Age of Dinosaurs. Giant sharks, marine reptiles called mosasaurs, pteranodons, and birds with teeth all flourished in and around these shallow waters. Their abundant and well-preserved remains were sources of great excitement in the scientific community when first discovered in the 1860s and continue to yield exciting discoveries 150 years later. Michael J. Everhart vividly captures the history of these startling finds over the decades and re-creates in unforgettable detail these animals from our distant past and the world in which they lived-above, within, and on the shores of America's ancient inland sea.


Top reviews from the United States

  • ophelia99
    5.0 out of 5 stars A beautiful book, more or less readable even for the non-scientist
    Reviewed in the United States on May 19, 2022
    This excellent book on the life forms of Western Interior Sea that once split North America does double duty. It provides enough close detail for serious students of paleontology while at the same time being accessible for those of us who had a few science classes in college and who regularly read science articles in such publications as the New York Times. (I was able to skim the very detailed, professional-level text portions without losing the thread of the chapters. ) The penultimate chapter provides a nice overview of the book as a whole. The pictures are clear, some of them quite beautiful. My only suggestion is that a glossary of the more common specialist terms in paleontology and geology would be convenient for the science-literate lay man or woman, but they can easily be looked up on Google.
  • Bucky
    5.0 out of 5 stars Mind-boggling!
    Reviewed in the United States on October 17, 2022
    I'm fascinated by the animals that lived hundreds of millions of years ago. Even so, when I saw this book's title and its cover, I did a double take. Then I clicked on that Kindle buy button. How could I resist? And this book did not disappoint. The oceans that once covered the land we now call Kansas teemed with creatures great and small, terrifying and amazing. That we know about them at all is a wonder and a tribute to the devoted paleontologists who pull them from the earth, reassemble them for us to gaze upon, and study them so we can learn about their lives and evolution. This book is about one small slice of the fossil record, yet it spans more time than humans have been on this Earth. More than 50 years ago, my sixth grade self dressed as a paleontologist for Halloween. That young girl still lives in me, she carries an "emotional support trilobite" in her pocket. And she thanks Michael J. Everhart for this incredible book.
  • Lindi Willis
    5.0 out of 5 stars Very informative book on Kansas History & Geography
    Reviewed in the United States on July 28, 2024
    I loved reading this book!!
  • James Jackson
    5.0 out of 5 stars It is an enjoyable read and will make you want to visit Kansas.
    Reviewed in the United States on December 11, 2024
    Be sure to view the associated PDF file of illustrations as you listen and also go to the Sternberg museum in Hays, Ks.
  • George Hanson
    4.0 out of 5 stars Oceans of Kansas Review
    Reviewed in the United States on August 28, 2005
    Oceans of Kansas is an extremely well researched book. The author has been working in this field for a long time and his experience shows. I am pleased to review his book. I live in Kansas and I have been interested in this topic on an amateur basis. I have lived in other areas so I have been acquainted with other geological periods and other collections of fauna. I have seen many of the specimens that Michael Everhart discusses in his book. I have been to the Yale Peabody Museum in New Haven several times and have seen Kansas fossils there. His insight into those specimens is enlightening.

    The treatment of the topic within a chapter is progressive. The author starts with a short dramatization. He sets the stage and presents a description of the setting and environment that pertains to the creatures discussed within that chapter. The chapter on sea turtles follows this pattern, for example. Once the dramatic setting is presented, the author commences to add details about the creatures that are the subject of a given chapter. Details about the fossil specimens are then added. This information is extensive and thorough. The author presents these specimens within their historical and paleontological perspectives. Several important names recur throughout the book. These are historical names well known to readers in this subject area. The author, himself, is responsible for surprisingly many of the discoveries cited.

    I was impressed by the scope of this book. Its breadth is great. The level of detail presented here is daunting. It takes careful reading to follow that level of detail though. This is a substantial book and should be a good addition to the library of anyone interested in this subject. Kansas readers should take pride in how important the findings that have taken place in Kansas have been to the understanding of this earlier time.
  • Chiang
    5.0 out of 5 stars The natural history of ancient oceans in the Midwest of North America
    Reviewed in the United States on June 12, 2022
    Nice review book!!
    Author: Michael J. Everhart

    Kansas is in central North America.
    It was an ocean in Cretaceous period.
    Many different kinds of biological fossils have also been unearthed here.
    Including dinosaurs, pterosaurs, and the famous Mosasauridae.

    Everhart presents the history of the fossils found here.
    There are many color pictures for reference and comparison,
    taking us back to the age of dinosaurs again.

    A glimpse of the rich ecology of the place at that time.
    Customer image
    Chiang
    5.0 out of 5 stars The natural history of ancient oceans in the Midwest of North America
    Reviewed in the United States on June 12, 2022
    Nice review book!!
    Author: Michael J. Everhart

    Kansas is in central North America.
    It was an ocean in Cretaceous period.
    Many different kinds of biological fossils have also been unearthed here.
    Including dinosaurs, pterosaurs, and the famous Mosasauridae.

    Everhart presents the history of the fossils found here.
    There are many color pictures for reference and comparison,
    taking us back to the age of dinosaurs again.

    A glimpse of the rich ecology of the place at that time.
    Images in this review
    Customer image
  • Michael N.
    5.0 out of 5 stars Important Study
    Reviewed in the United States on December 5, 2021
    As far as I know this is the only study of the Western Interior Sea. I read this book a while ago and thought it was one of the best prehistoric books that I've read to date. In 2017, a second revised edition was released that took an amazing book and made it better. This is as good as it gets. Take note, this is not a Dinosaur book per se but rather a book on prehistoric sea creatures, flying reptiles and birds. I highly recommend this title to anyone interested in Paleontology.
  • Charles Turner
    5.0 out of 5 stars GREAT PRODUCT
    Reviewed in the United States on November 19, 2023
    Item came before the scheduled time and was in excellent condition

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