The Lost Dinosaurs of Egypt. (Nonfiction Audio).

THE LOST DINOSAURS OF EGYPT. William Nothdurft. Read by Michael C. Hall. Abridged. 5 cds. 6 hrs. Random House Audio. 0-553-71509-7. $29.95. Plastic; content, author notes. SA

This study of paleontology and geology as vibrant, living fields of science examines the work of two men. Ernst Stromer and Josh Smith. Both searched the Bihariya Depression in the western desert in Egypt for the remains of dinosaurs. Stromer worked virtually alone in the early 20th century (1911) and Smith arrived with a large crew in the year 2000. Ernst Freiherr Stromer von Reichenbach's career was plagued by tragedy. He ran afoul of the Nazis and lost three sons in WW II. He lost everything except his monographs in Allied bombings. Without proof, he never received recognition for his efforts. Smith and his crew followed Stromer's path in 2000 and made incredible discoveries.

Hall's reading starts slowly but picks up when Josh Smith. a 29-year-old graduate student at the University of Pennsylvania. is introduced. The human drama dwarfs any difficulties with the technical vocabulary and the time frame of millions of years. The audio is probably a better choice than the print version because the reading makes this a thriller that the listener will not be able to turn off. Prof. John E. Boyd, Jenkintown,. PA