This week’s guest, Steve Brusatte, is a paleontologist and professor at the University of Edinburgh in Scotland. He grew up in Illinois and has traveled the world studying dinosaurs, naming several new species. He is a keen communicator of science and has written several pop science books. His next book will be on the origin and evolutionary history of birds. He is also the paleontology consultant for the Jurassic World film franchise.

Things Referenced in This Episode:

• Steve Brusatte first came to Haroon’s when he saw, subsequently bought and quickly understood why his The Rise and Fall of the Dinosaurs: A New History of Their World became a New York Times bestseller. He even passed it on to some of the kids who swore they read it; based on their subsequent feedback on the Jurassic World movies, though, Haroon can’t say for sure
• Haroon didn’t just stop there. He reached out to Steve via internet; very generously, Steve responded, a conversation commenced, and Haroon and his wife soon stopped to see Steve speak at his alma mater, the University of Chicago’s Sem Co-op, one of the world’s best bookstores. There, a book reading became an active conversation among brilliant scientists
• Steve’s also written The Rise and Reign of Mammals: A New History from the Shadow of the Dinosaurs to Us (hopefully, the title tweak doesn’t jinx humanity) — he’s got an upcoming book about birds, which we’re very excited about.
• If you’ve read Haroon’s Two Billion Caliphs: A Vision of a Muslim Future, you’ll know he cites Dr. Brusatte’s work and considers whether dinosaurs could’ve been the first Caliphs (this all has to do with the clear Quranic intimation that, prior to humanity, there may have been other candidates for Caliph, including earlier iterations of humankind. Surprised?)
• Oh, and follow Dr. Brusatte on Twitter!
• Steve’s books contain juicy anecdotes, fascinating expositions, and plenty of graphics and sketches. But for the true dinosaur nerd in your family, or just because not everyone has to have the same coffee table books, may we suggest — and we promise Folio Society is not yet a sponsor — this behemoth?

This episode is sponsored by Queen City Diwan, which leads travel adventures, immersive experiences, leadership retreats and religious pilgrimages.Queen City Diwan is excited to share its fall schedule, including an October ‘umrah in Saudi Arabia, a January trip to Andalucía just for college students—and, over Thanksgiving break, we’re planning an incredible tour across three countries. Learn more on our website. Avenue M is produced by Bespoken Live with music by Zach Swelber, who plays in Circle It and Mosant.