First published in 1946, Charles R. Knight's Life Through the Ages wasfor many a beloved first look at the strange animals of the prehistoric past. Formuch of the 20th century, Knight's reconstructions were the key resource for popularimages of ancient life. His paintings and drawings were displayed as part of museumexhibits, notably at the American Museum of Natural History in New York and theField Museum in Chicago, were used as illustrations in numerous books and magazinearticles, and even influenced movie portrayals of dinosaurs and other prehistoricbeasts. Knight's work was highly regarded both for its artistic skill and for itsscientific accuracy, closely based as it was on the knowledge of its time. Althoughnew discoveries and ongoing research have changed the view of many of the animalsdepicted by Knight, his work remains valuable and is still treasured by the newgenerations of scientists and paleoartists.
For this Commemorative Edition, many of Knight's original drawings were re-photographed. A new Foreword by StephenJay Gould reflects on Knight's work, and a new Introduction by Philip J. Curriediscusses recent scientific findings and Knight's restorations.