This is a fascinating story, but it reads like a dissertation. This was laborious and I just couldn't make it through. Then I picked up "Dinosaurs at the Dinner Party" by Dolnick and found the book I had been hoping for when I started this one. I really wanted to like this one, but it just wasn't it for me.

Thank you to Net Galley, the Publisher and Author for an advanced copy of this audiobook. This was a fantastic audiobook to listen to on my long drives to work and doing stuff around the house. I thought it was well thought out and I really learned lot from it. We have patrons who love these types of non-fiction books, so I will definitely be recommending this book to our patrons at the library.

This book is one I feel would be better in ebook or physical form than in audiobook. Firstly, its rating suffers because of the narrator, in my opinion. I can't remember now, but I FEEL like the writer also narrated the book....? I may be wrong about that.

If that's the case, I believe he would have done better to pay a bit extra and have someone professional narrate it. The reading was slow, uninspired, and very academic. It made the experience quite dry and -- at times -- like a painful slog through a muddy bog. It also made it hard for me to keep my mind on it and pay attention, even though the subject matter -- DINOSAURS! -- should have been quite interesting enough to hold my attention all on their own.

At some point, the narrator also mentioned that the book had multiple illustrations. That's another reason I feel this book would be better NOT in audio format. I very much would have liked to have seen those.


Still.

If you're interested in the somewhat tumultuous relationship between hard science (specifically concerning dinosaurs and evolution) and religion, it's an interesting book to read.

In Impossible Monsters, historian Michael Taylor takes us on a fascinating journey through 1800 thinking, how the interest in geology leading to the discovery of fossils including dinosaur bones, and the theory of evolution led to a war between science and religion and eventually, despite efforts to reconcile the two, to the secular age. This is a well-written, well-researched, insightful, and, best of all, accessible history of a very tumultuous and important time. I listened to the audiobook narrated by Michael Langdon who does an excellent job and, as I listened, I couldn’t help but compare much of the thinking as reflected in government, media, and court actions of the time to the new battles we face today with the rise in power of Christian Nationalism.

Thanks to Netgalley and HighBridge Audio for access to this audiobook in exchange for an honest review

Thank you to NetGalley, the author, and the publisher for a copy of this audiobook in exchange for an honest review!

3.75/5⭐️. My biggest complaint with this book is that it’s hard to follow on audiobook. They cast of characters is incredibly large and changes each part so it’s hard to follow and remember who did or said what. By part 3 or 4 it pulls together and you can follow each person’s storyline. Also, the first 45-50% of this book is a little boring but really pulls together in the last half. It picks up and is so entertaining and informative that I cleaned my apartment for an extra two hours because I didn’t want to stop listening. The research was thorough and phenomenal, kudos to the author.

Impossible Monsters is a fascinating look at the relationship between religion and dinosaur discoveries. It does a a great job discussing the intersection between science and religion and how that has evolved over time. I felt like some of the text felt a little bit dry, but I don't read a lot of academic non-fiction so that is probably a matter of personal taste.

Overall, I learned a LOT about dinosaurs, history, and religion! Thanks to NetGalley, Michael Taylor, and HighBridge Audio for the chance to read and review. My opinions are my own.

First, let me say that I was impressed with the narrator, James MacCallum. I could tell, just by the tone and volume of his voice, when he was reading a quote and when he was reading a parenthetical (or possibly footnote?) insertion. Quite a talent. For a nonfiction audio book this is important to me.
I also enjoyed the book itself. I knew some of this, but I learned very interesting things about exactly when scientists suspected dinosaurs evolved into birds, what Darwin really thought and said about religion, how the discovery of dinosaurs reinforced the theory of evolution, and more. Solid history read.

Took way too long to get to the interesting parts and I finally lost patience. Introductions/prologues sometimes just go on for too long and you want the author to get to the meat of the book already.

I wasn't able to finish this book. I really enjoyed the content and premise. There are 2 reasons I couldn't finish. 1- Main reason was that I personally need the physical copy of this book. I was trying to tell friends about some of the points, but I couldnt remember enough of the details to fully get my point across. I would like the ebook/physical book so I can highlight and reference. 2- When the narrator would read a quote, the audio would pause and then his voice would take a separate cadence. It was very distracting and obnoxious. I don't know if I could have finished the book even if I didn't feel like I needed to highlight due to that. I do want to read the book, probably will wait until the paperback comes out.

(5.0 Stars)

This was very informative. In fact, I'd say it is more informative than narrative. But that's not to say there isn't plenty of story included. The book takes you down a journey where scientists and discoverers needed to weigh presenting the facts, over possibly ruining their lives, because of the influence of "The Church".

I'd love to say that it was a look back, when we were more superstitious and primitive... But I still see some of the same arguments being made today, about racial "superiority", biblical "accuracy", the age of the Earth, heck... even the shape of the Earth.

Biblical Literalists have always stood in the way of progress, and this book, in addition to the fascinating historic look back at the golden age of discovery, could also be used as a cautionary tale for the current (and future) generations.

This book was truly fascinating, I think everyone should read this if you want to know more about the correlation between Religion and the discovery of Dinosaurs and how that lead to a crisis of faith in the 1800s.

The biggest thing I will take away from this book are the Women, yes the men were credited for most of the discoveries, but learning about how big of a part women had in the history of Fossils is inspiring. It was also cool to learn more about Darwin, I feel like I have only ever read about specific things he deduced but hearing more about his life and ailments was a nice change.

Everything was well researched and the narrator did a great job distinguishing the different people throughout the book. 4 ⭐️’s

Thank you to the Author Michael Taylor and the Narrator
Michael Landan for sharing your work with me.

Huge thank you to HighBridge Audio and NetGalley for my free audiobook copy of “Impossible Monsters”

I received this advance review copy for free and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Impossible Monsters

The narrator, Michael Langan, did a stupendous job, but I think my experience would have been better with my eyes. It mentions that there are 40 illustrations in the physical book. I can only imagine how much that would add to the experience.

The academic vibe creates a very dry reading experience that was hard for me not to tune out with other things going on around me.

All that said, this is a very illuminating narrative of the tumultuous relationship between religion and scientific development.

Thank you RB Media, Michael Taylor, and NetGalley for my advanced audio copy! My opinions are my own.

Writing and Editing- 3
Narration- 5
Personal Bias- 2
Final Score- 3.3

In the early 1800s, the discovery of dinosaur fossils challenged the established religious order. This book explores the impact of these discoveries on the rise of the secular age, tracing the lives of the scientists and scholars who grappled with these “impossible monsters” and redefined our understanding of history and humanity’s place in the world.

I enjoyed this audiobook. The soothing narration added to the interest of the story. It’s a fascinating examination of a crucial period in the history of science, and the personalities who played a role.

Thanks, NetGalley, for the ARC I received. This is my honest and voluntary review.

Michael Taylor's book "Impossible Monsters" delves into the intersection of science and religion through an analysis of dinosaur discoveries and Darwin's theories. This engaging read explores how these intersections have influenced contemporary perspectives on science and faith. Ideal for those fascinated by the history of science and its societal implications, the narrative is both captivating and insightful. The author introduces a cast of intriguing characters, such as Archbishop Ussher, Charles Lyell, James Hutton, Alfred Wallace, Charles Darwin, and Thomas Huxley.

A big thank you to Michael Taylor, HighBridge Audio, and NetGalley for providing an advanced audio copy of "Impossible Monsters," which is available for purchase on July 30th