Assembling the Dinosaur

This compelling history examines how dinosaur science became intertwined with American capitalism during the Gilded Age, tracing the shift from European paleontology dominance to North America's emergence as a fossil frontier. Rieppel masterfully connects the booming industrial economy with dramatic dinosaur discoveries, showing how iconic creatures like Tyrannosaurus and Brontosaurus became symbols of American ambition. The book reveals how wealthy industrialists funded expeditions and museum displays, transforming paleontology from scientific pursuit into cultural spectacle that reflected the nation's growing power.

What makes this account particularly engaging is its focus on the social and economic forces that shaped our understanding of prehistoric life, going beyond typical dinosaur narratives to explore how these creatures were literally assembled—both physically in museums and conceptually in the public imagination. Readers interested in the intersection of science, business, and cultural history will find fascinating parallels between Gilded Age fossil hunting and modern scientific enterprises. Rieppel's research illuminates how these ancient animals became powerful metaphors for American capitalism, leaving readers with a transformed perspective on both natural history and economic development.