Description: The story of the creatures Earth has lost—and the humanity responsible for it. "The word 'extinction' is, surprisingly, a sweet and grateful word. If the dinosaurs hadn't gone extinct, the age of humankind would never have come. But when it comes to the extinction of animals that once lived alongside us, we must feel worry and sorrow. An ecosystem with reduced species diversity becomes fragile, and we cannot escape that fragility either. The extinction of other animals may even threaten the survival of humanity itself. The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Extinct Animals tells the sorrowful fates of animals that once lived among us before disappearing forever. If we heed the warning their extinction gives us, and treat nature with responsibility and compassion, we may yet avoid becoming Earth's sixth mass extinction." — Lee Jeong-mo, Director of the National Gwacheon Science Museum (from the recommendation) In Earth's 4.6-billion-year history, there have been five mass extinctions. And now, we are living through the 'sixth mass extinction.' Unlike the previous five, which were caused by asteroid impacts, ice ages, and other natural events, this one is different in one crucial way: the perpetrator is us, humankind. Countless lives are vanishing due to human-caused problems such as global warming, habitat destruction, overhunting, and the spread of disease. Intoxicated by the advances of civilization, the conveniences of modern life, and material abundance, we have forgotten how precious the planet we live on truly is. Author Radek Malý uses the extinction stories of the 41 animal species featured in this book to explore Earth's environment and the process of evolution, urging us to reflect on what we have done wrong. If reading this book helps even a little to keep their stories alive in our memory, it will surely be time well spent. Where Biological Science Meets Art: A Detailed Illustrated Encyclopedia Full of Knowledge The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Extinct Animals introduces a total of 41 animal species in rich detail. The author, Radek Malý, is a Czech university professor and poet. In this book, he tells the stories of extinct animals, exploring and revealing the tragic causes behind their disappearance. In a calm, measured tone, he smoothly explains various hypotheses about the causes of extinction and draws connections to animals currently facing the threat of extinction today, making the content easy to understand. Adding depth to the text, talented artist Jiří Grbavčić—known for his hyperrealistic style—used delicate brushwork to perfectly recreate the former appearances of these extinct animals. Meanwhile, renowned Czech science illustrator Pavel Dvorský rendered the animals' habitats, external features, skeletal structures, and even their skulls with remarkable accuracy, giving the book real value as a biological science reference as well. As you read, you'll naturally come to understand the principles of ecosystems and the interactions between animal species, as well as the mysterious process of evolution so closely tied to extinction. No book until now has explored the subject of extinct animals in such depth. It's a wonderful educational read recommended not only for children but for adults as well. A Special Animal Encyclopedia That Invites Serious Reflection on the Meaning of Extinction As you go through the stories of these extinct animals one by one, you'll find yourself surprised by many things. Of course, each story is different, and each teaches us something unique. But there is one clear pattern that runs through them all: extinction is rarely caused by a single factor. In most cases, it results from a long series of events unfolding over an extended period—likely because animals encounter all kinds of challenges throughout their evolutionary journey. The animals still alive around us today have overcome countless hardships to survive. But when combined with negative human influences—reckless development, overhunting, environmental pollution—even the toughest animals can struggle to endure. The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Extinct Animals tells the stories of animals that have vanished from our world due to reckless development, industrialization, and environmental pollution caused by humans. The extinction of animals that once lived alongside us is never a simple matter. As species diversity declines, ecosystems become more fragile, and we cannot escape that fragility either. If even more animals go extinct, the survival of humanity itself could be put at risk. Now is the time to find a way to live alongside other animals and cherish the beautiful...