"Two Acres of Time" by Richard S. Laub is a captivating exploration of the Byron Dig, shedding light on the remarkable discoveries made at the Hiscock Site over nearly three decades. As a reader, I found myself engrossed in the unfolding narrative of this archaeological and paleontological project. Laub's meticulous attention to detail and dedication to documenting the excavation process make this book an intriguing read.

The book skillfully weaves together the stories of the researchers, volunteers, and local residents involved in the project, showcasing the collaborative nature of scientific exploration. I particularly appreciated how Laub emphasized the contributions of individuals from various backgrounds, highlighting their collective efforts in unearthing and interpreting the site's rich contents.

Laub's expertise as a geology curator shines through in his ability to convey complex scientific concepts in an accessible manner. The book strikes a balance between presenting the technical aspects of the excavation and engaging the reader with the broader implications of the findings. The inclusion of numerous illustrations further enhances the reading experience, allowing readers to visualize the artifacts and fossils that played a pivotal role in shaping our understanding of the past.

While I thoroughly enjoyed "Two Acres of Time," I must admit that I didn't find myself completely enamored by it. While the subject matter was fascinating, there were moments when the pace felt slow, and I wished for a stronger narrative thread to carry me through the entirety of the book. However, this does not overshadow the wealth of knowledge and insights I gained from reading it.

Richard S. Laub's passion for his subject matter is evident throughout the book, and his expertise as a curator and director of the Hiscock Site project is commendable. Despite my slight reservations, I am eager to explore more of his work. His ability to bring together scientific research, personal stories, and the grandeur of the past is a testament to his skill as an author and researcher.

In conclusion, "Two Acres of Time" is an interesting and informative book that delves into the intriguing world of the Byron Dig. Richard S. Laub's dedication to preserving and sharing the discoveries made at the Hiscock Site is evident, and his storytelling offers a glimpse into the wonders of our ancient past. I would recommend this book to anyone with an interest in archaeology, paleontology, or the collaborative nature of scientific exploration. I eagerly look forward to reading more from this talented author in the future.

Very nice, comprehensive review of some landmark paleo history. Also shed some extra light on how scientific discovery moves, and is able to become documented. An informative and enjoyable read.

Even if I love reading books about paleontology I found this one a bit too technical and I was a bit lost at time.
The author loves the paleontology and there's a lot of passion in what he tells even if some less technical details would have helped.
The formatting was an issue as I had to guess what was written at times
I think it's a well researched book and can be loved by people who are interested in the Ice Age.
Recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this arc, all opinions are mine

My thanks to Netgalley and Columbia University Press for access to this arc.

I've read several books on paleontology but when I saw that this one would cover an Ice Age dig, I was intrigued and interested in reading it. Sadly it's going into the category of "I wish I liked it more than I did." Laub is clearly enthusiastic not only about the dig itself but also about describing (in excessive detail) the nuts and bolts of what goes into one of these excavations and the varied people who took part in the Byron Dig. Such detail is of far more interest to those who were there than the average "I just want to learn about mastodons" reader.

But the more I read, the more it appeared that, at times, setting up the dig was a "learn as you go" experience. I mean, I expect that something like this and the things found will add to our knowledge about this time period but the impression I got is that Laub and his volunteers just winged how the excavation was done.

Then there were subjects about which there was almost too much minutiae tossed in too early - elephant teeth vs mastodon teeth. While other things were mentioned casually with little explanation - what is the cobble layer, how did it form and why are there no fossils underneath it.

I applaud all who spent almost thirty years in discovering the past at the Byron Dig but there comes a point when a reader knows it's time to throw in the towel and I have reached that point with "Two Acres of Time."

I truly enjoy reading books about archeological digs but this book while good fell short. The author included way too much detail and I got the feeling that was often simply transcribing his and others' field notes. If you are like me and really enjoy reading about discoveries that improve our understanding of pre-history you can do better than "Two Acres of Time".

There is an issue with the kindle version that makes this title unreadable. The formatting is missing as well as parts of sentences and letters in words. Example: Foreaste A n eight-foot-suare area lay marked o in the middle of the twoacre meadow. Volunteers had used trowels to peel away the so, damp soil over several days, lowering the oor of the suare by