This is a wondeful book on all things mammoth. With both a fact-filled and readable text and a wealth of excellent illustrations, it is a great resource for young and old. Though the main star of the book is the famous woolly mammoth, other mammoths are covered, such as the dwarf mammoths of Wrangel Island, the California Channel Islands, and of Malta and Sicily; the Columbian Mammoth; the Steppe Mammoth; and the ancestral mammoth, Mammuthus meridionalis.

All aspects of mammoths are covered, anything you could ever want to know about them (that is known to scientists I should say). Mammoth evolution is covered, with discussions and illustrations showing the relationship between the various types of mammoths as well as mastodons and elephants. The entire Proboscidean family tree is detailed, tracing back the evolution of the group to trunk-less Moerithierum over 40 million years ago. The history of mammoth discoveries in Siberia is discussed with many great illustrations, showing many of the famous finds such as the Beresovka Mammoth and baby mammoth Dima, both well preserved frozen mammoths. The mammoths (Columbian Mammoths) that were trapped in the infamous La Brea tar pits of modern Los Angeles are reviewed, with an illustration of a typical scene at the tar pits and discussion of paleontology there. All aspects of mammoth natural history are delved into; what they ate, what preyed upon them, how they aged, the nature of their hairy covering, what habitats they favored, along with detailed discussions of mammoth anatomy and physiology, even analysis of mammoth molars and how they chewed and electron microscope images of mammoth blood cells. Mammoths and human culture is well covered, with ample illustrations of cave paintings and carvings of mammoths, early man hunting and eating mammoths, mammoth bone tools, even mammoth bone huts! The final section of the book is devoted to mammoth extinction and the various causes, primarily climatic and human hunting. Also included are a useful glossary, an appendix discussing how what is known about mammoths came to light, several maps detailing mammoth finds around the world, and a bibliography.

Great popular science writing and lavishly illustrated, this all one could ever want on mammoths.

I have studied Mammoths for a long time now and this book was the best source of information I have seen in a long time. It is soo good I built a web site dedicated to the book and it's authors. Check it out at http://www.angelfire.com/tn/mamoths/index.html

This book captivated both me and my 12-year-old. It has a million years of mammoth history. The photos of fossil bones and frozen preserved mammoths are excellent. I had not realized mammoth fossils were so common, and that they existed throughout the U.S. If all you know about are the frozen wooly mammoths of Siberia, then you must read this book to get the whole story. The book clearly covers the different types of mammoths, including the dwarf mammoths that survived until only 4000 years ago! Now I want to know where I can find info on what's been learned since this book was published in 1994.

No soy chicana, pero espero que sea profesora de espanol, y para estudiar la lengua, tengo la intencion de leer estos libros otra vez pero esta vez en espanol, ademas de los clasicos hispanicos. Pienso que todo el mundo necesita leer este libro, asi, por favor aguante con mi espanol extrano.

Este es uno de los mejores libros que he leído, debido a que es una encarnación realista de lo que fue la prehistoria. El libro tiene gran dinamismo que obliga al lector a no despegarse de él, a mi mismo me fue insoportable la espera en el colegio para llegar a casa a leerlo. Ayla este personaje demuestra la fuerza interna, su fuerza interna, se hace acreedora de su totem, el León, que ya ha sido tomado por otros autores como C. S. Lewis.

I KNOW the Earth's Children Series and love it BUT, I've veen waiting going on 4 Years for the last two books of the series to come out. It's unfair, it's like the tv goes out on you on one of the best shows you've ever seen, and they never show it again two thirds the way through the show.

I DON'T KNOW ENGLISH. I WRITE IN SPANISH. YO HE LEIDO LOS CUATRO LIBROS DE LA SEÑORA JEAN M. AUEL Y REALMENTE SON FACINANTES. HE ESPERADO DESDE LA ÚLTIMA PUBLICACIÓN DEL LIBRO "A TRAVÉS DE LA LLANURA" (TITULO EN ESPAÑOL), POR LA CONTINUACIÓN. REALMENTE ES PARA MI UN GRAN PLACER LEER ESTA CLASE DE LIBROS, QUE A LA VEZ QUE NOS TRANSPORTA A OTRA EPOCA NOS MANEJA DE UNA MANERA GENIAL LOS VALORES AL PRINCIPIO DE LA HUMANIDAD Y QUE AUNQUE EN ESTA ÉPOCA ES ALGO QUE CADA VEZ SE VE MENOS, EN ESTE TIPO DE LIBROS SE REFRESCA Y SE REFUERZA. ME ENCANTA EL VALOR Y LA FUERZA QUE LE DA A AYLA, YA QUE LA HACE SER UN PROTOTIPO DE MUJER EXCEPCIONAL, QUE UNA QUISIERA SER. ADEMÁS DE LA SENSIBILIDAD Y LA BONDAD QUE SE SIENTE EN TODO MOMENTO QUE LA ACOMPAÑAMOS EN SU AVENTURA. JONDALAR, EXCELENTE COMPAÑERO, CON EL AFLORAN TODOS NUESTROS COMPLEJOS, INSEGURIDADES Y TEMORES. TODAS LAS REACCIONES A LAS SITUACIONES Y A LOS CONVENCIONALISMOS QUE SE MANEJAN, SON ALGO QUE PODEMOS VER INCLUSIVE HOY EN DÍA. Y EN ESTOS LIBROS NOS MUESTRA COMO EN UN ESPEJO COMO SOMOS, YA QUE NO IMPORTA EL TIEMPO SIEMPRE SERA VISTO ESTE TIPO DE REACCIONES ANTE SITUACIONES QUE AMENACEN NUESTRO LUGAR Y ESTATUS. MUCHAS GRACIAS POR ESTE ESPACIO.CUANDO PODREMOS DISFRUTAR DE LA CONTINUACIÓN DE ESTA SERIE EN ESPAÑOL? MI ADMIRACIÓN Y RESPETO A LA SEÑORA JEAN M. AUEL. ATENTAMENTE DIANA GARMA A.

This is a gripping, yet heartwarming tale of survival in thestreets of Manila during World War II that unfolds during those tengrim hours between the attack on Pearl Harbor and the initial, devastating Japanese air strike at Clark Field in the Philippines. In a superb opening scene, author Wiley depicts vividly the strained and apprehensive emotions of a stunned and unprepared civilian population. Fires of Survival covers three years in the life of Elena Neville, a teenager during the war. Born of an American father, she and her brothers were allowed to live outside the civilian prison camps with their Swiss step-father, but under strict house arrest. Poignant scenes describe her contacts with fragments from American units just before their capture. These historically accurate touches provide sharp and valuable insight into the confusion that faced American and Filipino defenders on those last days before Manila fell. Other revealing segments describe the gradual emergence of the complex Filipino guerrilla movement and its bold risks. The story ends with graphic detail about the final days of Japanese occupation, much of it punctuated by fact-filled and rewarding quotations from Elena's war diary. Written from the author's first-hand experience and supported by careful research, this unusual book brings us an accurate view of both the Filipino and the European encounter with the Japanese. A passionate historical novel -- short, yet dynamic -- this tale is a must for those concerned with the plight of civilian populations faced with the cruelty and hardship of war.

This was the first of a series, though I didn't know it when I first read it. I was hooked from the start. From the first chapter to the last I found action and adventure, tragedy and triumph and a spiritual as well as a physical strength in Ayla,the heroine of the book. I became a part of Ayla and walked with her through every obstacle, and every heart warming event as she grew up with the clan. She was different, a Cro-Magnon living with Neanderthals, but she overcame those differences, as did all those who knew her and loved her, and she was accepted by most. Jealousy, hatred and pride were in the way of Ayla's spiritual journey in this first book, but she was strong, and in her character's strength I found my own inner strength! I found it hard to put this book down and I look forward to any and all books that Jean will write in the future. A lot of research and heart went into this book, and it was well worth the reading! Read it for yourself, and find your own strength and courage, just as Ayla did!

Have read all Jean Auel's books in the Earths Children series. I could not put them down. Please tell me when the 5th book will be out!

The author planned to write six books in the Earth's Children series, and I hope she sticks with the plan. However, I wanted to answer the question about which everyone seems to be confused--the fifth book. Its title is **SHELTERS OF STONE** ... . Anyway, the first four books are not only completely absorbing plotwise, but Ms. Auel's obvious research into the history of the periods about which she writes adds to the value of reading her books. Don't wait! Read the first four as soon as possible--at least in time to get a copy of her unpublished paperback.

The best series of books I've ever read. I can't wait until the 5th book comes out - hurry hurry please!!

Never before do I remember reading a book that has so moved me as did Jean M. Auel's CLAN OF THE CAVE BEAR. I had always seen it, heard of it, but somehow never got around to actually sitting down and reading its pages. The decision to read CLAN OF THE CAVE BEAR was one that I could never regret. While reading it I cheered silently for Ayla, cried visibly for her, and was angry when injustices fell on her. Reading this novel was like visiting another world, allowing me to escape everyday life to live in the past. I was terribly sad when I had finished the last page, but look forward to continuing the series.
In the beginning I was skeptic about the quality, but as I continued reading I found that the quality was the highest of any book I have ever read. The details were so descriptive that I could see the cave, the landscape, the people... so much that they became real to me. This novel is not only a great piece of fiction but a world all in its own. I could actually relate to the characters in the book, namely Ayla. I felt her will and determination, and most of all her willingness to sacrfice herself for anything that was important to her. Well done, Ms. Auel, you have created a superb piece of literature.

I've read Clan of the Cave Bear so many times, that I've had to buy another copy. Along with her other books in the series, this is a must for everyone's personal collection. Jean M Auel weaves so much historical data in between the story lines,in fact, it is an integral part of all that makes up Ayla's life. The strength of the heroine combined with her human limitations makes Ayla come alive for the reader. I am driven to find out as much about Ayla as I can in reading this book and in the three succeeding novels in the series that continue with Ayla's saga. The books are grand, epic tales of a young woman's growing up and maturing in prehistoric times. Losing her family in an earthquake, 5 year old Ayla sets out in search of other humans in a sparsely populated prehistoric Europe. A clan of Neanderthals stumble across an unconscious, lion mauled Ayla. The Medicine Woman of the group,Iza, cares for Ayla. The clan is initially wary of Ayla, the first of "the others" that they have encountered, but she is gradually accepted by them. She has much to overcome, and Clan of the Cave Bear concludes in line with Ayla's difficulites through out the entire book. The story is picked up in "Valley of the Horses". I recommend that you read the entire series, and then wait, like the rest of us Auel-o-philes for the next book in this series. It's been over ten years since the last book (Plains of Passage)and I think I can speak for everyone when I say: Please Publish SOON!

Very few books actually stand the test of time. Fewer still age as well as Jean Auel's "Earth's Children" series. Consider for a moment that this book was originally published in 1980. Twenty-three years in print has got to count for something!

Auel has traveled to many of the areas where the series takes place. She has studied flint knapping and wilderness survival. All of Auel's painstaking research and travel adds another layer of dimension to Ayla's complex world. The resulting series is an amazing insight into the evolution of humanity.

Sounding like a day in the Reference section of the library? It isn't. You will care about these characters. If a few million millenia seem to be a great distance between you and your Cro-Magnon forbears, fear not. Ever felt lonely? Think you'll never "fit in" with the crowd around you? Ayla's emotions are as real as any we express today. How she deals with these feelings is the basis for an epic story and an amazing ride through pre-history. Strap yourself into this time machine...but don't forget your walking boots and a good spear. You'll need them.

Jean Auel's Clan of the Cave Bear is really good reading, and her second installment in the series is good too, but beyond that the books became a bit tedious and repetitive because of the main characters' (especially the main character's) constant regression into fits of childish neurosis and sexual dysfunction/hyperfunction. I think the author fell into the common trap of gradually turning an excellent series of stories into a celebration of neurotic sexuality. Eventually her books start to read more like passionate soap operas rather than the great historical novels they were/could have been. This is fairly common among series novelists, as if a continuing saga brings out their sexuality and thus becomes nothing more than a vehicle for their sexual fantasies. I also noticed that the main characters were singly or collectively responsible for every major technological or social innovation ever conceived for ancient cultures, be it fire, bows and arrows, whole wheat bread, or you name it. It presents the characters as extraordinary people, which is fine, but at the same time the scale of the accomplishments is a bit extreme and really pushes the boundary of credible storytelling. You're a great writer, Jean, but you need to return to your roots and write some good, no-nonsense stories that create characters and lives that are extraordinary without being unbelievable.

I have read all 4 books of " THE EARTH CHILDREN SERIES " am now awaiting the next addition as are many of my family and friends, is the next addition due SOON,I am getting desperate to know if the 5th & 6th edition will ever become available. Have now been waiting since 1990 for the the next book after " PLAINS OF PASSAGE" hope someone can help with this

I find that this series, Earth`s Children, of books is one of the best I have ever read. From the first two pages I was captivated. Much research must have went into this book, to find all the plants` healing properties and the descriptions of the animals. Sometimes I just wish that reading a book can transport to you to what you are reading, and I find that Jean Auel almost does that. Of the four books, I think that The Valley Of Horses is my favorite, second place belonging to The Mammoth Hunters. The Plains Of Passage I did not like as much. (Don`t get me wrong, I could read another 20 times at least). Though Jean Auel did wonderful descriptions of the scenery, in the last book I think there was a bit to much descriptions. Also, thruoghout the book, and had wanted to know what would happen to Ayla when she actually met the Zelandonii and what they would think of her, and also what would happen to her and her child, and, of course, Jondalar. I am hoping that there will be a sequel, to find out what Zolena will say, and Marthona. I truly enjoyed The Clan Of The Cave Bear, and adore young Ayla. It`s an amazing story about a young girl whose people are killed in an earthquake and is found by the `Clan`, a tribe of neanderthals, who take her in. There she learns there ways and becomes a true woman of the clan in apperance, but she is different. She can learn new things and teaches herself to use a sling and aquires great skill. Clan woman aren`t allowed to even touch a weapon, so Ayla learns secretly, until she is forced to reveal this when the son of a fellow clanswoman is taken by a hyena. She faces the clan leader who punishes her with a death curse, cast by the great Mog-Ur, sorcerer you could say, of the tribe. Whan she survives this curse, she is welcomed back in the clan, but almost revered by the clan, for no one has returned from a death curse, ever. In The Valley of Horses Ayla leaves the Clan to find her own people and makes new discoveries with her friends Whinney and Baby. She finds Jondalar, a young man ona Journey whose brother and he were mauled by a cave lion, Baby. Ayla rescues Jondalar, and they fall in love. She shows Jondalar the many secrets she has discovered, finally, they leave Ayla`s valley, her home. The Mammoth Hunters I enjoyed because it is the first time you really see, understand the society of the `Others`. You learn their customs and how their lives were different in so many ways. It also demonstrates how powerful love is, and what some people would do for it. The Plains Of Passage is the journey that Ayla and Jondalar take home. On their way they will meet friend and foe alike, and you learn many things about righs that some people don`t know today. It shows courage in places, in people. It also a demonstration, when Ayla confronts the evil Wolf Woman, Attaroa, of the saying: `Good will always triumph over evil`

Looking at the other reviews, I'm surprised this book has such good reviews. I enjoyed the previous 3 books but Plains of Passage is definitely sub-standard. My experience is very few authors are good at "travel dialogue"; describing events that take place while the characters are slowly moving through the countryside on foot. Jean Auel is no exception. I can't keep reading about plants, what they look like at different times of the year, and what they are good for. I don't know how many times she resorts to talking about plants. When they come across people it's the same old thing; fear, shock, and then amazement at the horses and spear chucker. I did enjoy the part were Jondalar got captured and Ayla came to the rescue. That's a good ways into the book though. For those who haven't read the book yet:

"Ayla and Jondalar travel uneventfully from where they were at the end of book 3 to Jondalar's home town. Ayla learned how to make soap (if I remember correctly) and made a few new friends along the way."

I have high hopes for the next book, but the reviews don't look promising.

At this point, *anyone* could write these books. The Mammoth Hunters was about 30% review material from prior books, and Plains of Passage was easily 40%. It's tiresome to re-read over and over about Jondalar's worries that he won't father a child. Should Ayla tell him about her special morning tea, or not? It's frustrating to keep rehashing old plots as the basis for new ones. If you are interested in how Ayla and Jondalar got where they are today, read the other books! For those of us who already know, we really want some more plot, please.

Regardless of these sentiments, I confess to being a complete junkie on these books. I find them extremely interesting in the light of their historical accuracy to archaeolgical artifacts. Yep, there's some sex, too, although it's pretty standard stuff, and for some reason, the idea of non-simultaneous orgasms must not have been around 15,000-25,000 years ago.

My predictions for the rest of this series: Ayla meets Jondalar's people and ends up being a head-woman of the Zelandoni, combining her spiritual and leadership abilities; along the way, she invents agriculture out of the necessity to have some crops nearby; Ayla invents archaic pictographic writing as a way of communicating across broad distances; Ayla bears a son to Jondalar, and that baby grows up and gets into conflict with Durc or his child, and the new ways overcome the old ways, fulfilling Creb's prediction, but Ayla can mediate because of her fluency in the languages of Clan and the Others; Ayla discovers that yeast makes bread rise; Ayla perfects the wine growing processes of the Zelandoni (who over time become the Franks); Jondalar invents the bow and arrow and perfects the spear-thrower; Jondalar has major anxiety over his early passion for his Zelandoni shaman but he doesn't tell Ayla because he's such a brooding type; love conquers all.

Sincerely, I hope Jean Auel will come out with the next book soon, because I'm dying to read it and I know that, flaws and all, these books ar! e still among my favorites.

I first read The Clan of the Cave Bear in the third grade. I had initially picked up The Valley of Horses from my mother's nightstand and when I didn't understand the opening passage of "she was dead", my mother handed me the first in the series never thinking I would finish it. to her amazement, I did and when I asked for the next book, she wouldn't give it to me. She thought it was a bit too risque for someone of my age and she made me wait until I was in the seventh grade before she let me read it. That Christmas I received the first edition of the Plains of Passage. THIS WAS ALMOST 10 YEARS AGO. I have read and re-read and read again this entire series and I CANNOT wait much longer for #5. I heard Jean was really sick and I just have to say DON'T DIE JEAN - not until I find out if it's a boy or a girl, not until Ayla meets Jondalar's mother, GIVE US NUMBER FIVE!!!

More than half of this book is like reading two different books, one chapter at a time. In one of them, Ayla is Isaac Newton of her era. No wonder Jondalar confused her as a Donii. In the other part you learn about the sexual adventures of two young men. The end of the book is all about sex. Don't get me wrong, I like sex stories, but not when they do not add anything to the story. This book could be much more about the clashing of the Clan and the Others cultural references. It actually gave me some hope when Jondalar and Ayla met. But some chapters later she learns Jondalar's language in a nightmare and from then on it's all about solving relationship problems.

I read the reviews of the next 3 books and I'm really disappointed. What happened to Broud? What happened to Durc? Why is Durc the next step of the Clan? And finally, who wrote the first book?

I read The Clan of the Cave Bear a few months ago, and loved it. I was anxious to read the sequel, but I found that it really didnt compare to the first book. I found The Clan of the Cave Bear gripping, and I couldn't put it down, whereas this one was sort of slow-moving. I got to page 300 and thought, OK, is anything going to happen now? The beginning, I found, was just a whole series of events that were unrelated to the book's plot. When Ayla met Jondalar, the book got better, since I'd been waiting for that part since the beinning of the book. I don't think there are too many descriptions, because Clan of the Cave Bear was just as descriptive and I liked it.

The sex was a bit... graphic, to say the least. I'm the kind of person who prefers those scenes to be just the characters kissing and then it's the end of the scene, instead of all the descriptions. I didn't really mind it, since I've read books like that, and other than the sex it was pretty good. Though, I'm not too happy about the fact that my eleven-year-old sister is just dying to read it after finishing The Clan of the Cave Bear.

Don't think I hated this book or anything. I liked it a lot, but for some reason I've put all the bad parts here. I liked how Ayla started defying Clan ways when she was on her own, and how she srvived. I liked Jondalar and Thonolan too, and basically it was a pretty good book, though I couldn't compare it with the first in the series.

After finishing Clan Of the Cave Bear, I didn't know there was a sequel until a few years later. I was in sixth grade I think. As soon as I found out though, I instantly had to rush out to buy it. I was thrilled to find it had the same wonderful descriptive details I loved in the first one. I learned more from the books than I did in school in a week.

Jean M. Auel has outdone herself with this sequel to Clan Of The Cave Bear. I couldn't put it done, and my mother had to force me to do my chores. This was a wonderful and compelling novel to read. It was an extremely well written account of life for Ayla in the prehistoric times.

I enjoyed the plot given, the tale of her meeting Jondalar and her animals Whinny and Baby. I sometimes wished I was in her place. I sincerely recommend this book. Ayla was a wonderful heroine to read about.

Please, look beyond the graphic sex. Sex is a part of life. You can't shelter yourself from it. Those scenes were there to help tell the story of Ayla and her sexual awakening. Without it, the book would not have been complete. This book deserves more than five stars. I give it two thumbs way up.

P.S. Yes, I was a sixth grader when I read it. I've also read the other four books and await the fifth in earnest. Those of you who think that the sex in all of the books makes them trashy, get a damn life!