The vast, lawless western United States of 1876 serves as the setting for Michael Crichton’s book Dragon Teeth. Men of the fledgling field of Paleontology search for fossilized remains of enormous, ancient creatures. They are consumed by a quest to learn what these creatures were and how long ago they lived. A global debate rages pitting science against religion and the answers are hidden in the rocks. Injected into this conflict is a man who, in all honesty, doesn’t give a damn about any of it but will nonetheless have his life irrevocably changed by those strange rocks in the ground.

We are introduced to William Johnson, a Yale student, with no interest in fossils or paleontology. He comes from a wealthy family and is quite content with his life. Unfortunately he is a proud and self centered young man finds who himself taking a wager that will profoundly change his life.

William has a bitter rival in the form of a fellow Yale student.  The two compete relentlessly and one fateful day William finds himself betting he will survive a planned trip out to the American West. Problem is that he was not going to take a trip west. He had a “proper” vacation to Europe planned but William refuses to suffer the indignity of confessing the truth.

Going on nothing more than a notice requesting students to take part in a paleontological expedition William introduces himself to Professor Othniel Marsh. At first the brash professor dismisses him but quick thinking, and a convenient lie, help William secure a spot on the team.

It’s a decision that will change his life.

Michael Crichton became aware of the great “Bone Wars” back in 1974 which pit two well known paleontologists against each other. While William Johnson’s adventures are fictional they are woven into the real life competition between Professors Othniel Marsh and Edward Cope. These two scientists were once friends but later became bitter enemies. Their rivalry was not limited to scientific circles as encounters between to two had allegedly included shooting at each other’s teams in the field. This little known piece of history intrigued Crichton and this book was the result.

Unfortunately Crichton passed away before Dragon Teeth could be published. It was one of many projects he has worked on over the years but never brought to light. The manuscript was recently unearthed and put into print. While not a historical work the book weaves through real events and people including Custer’s demise at Little Bughorn, battles with Sioux Indians, and even an appearance by the legendary Wyatt Earp.

Personally I enjoy this style of storytelling. Abraham Lincoln Vampire Hunter, by Seth Grahame-Smith, was similar in that its fictional story was inserted into actual historical events. Dragon Teeth is firmly rooted in the real world though. There are no supernatural creatures but the mystery of the dinosaurs that are being excavated give it a profound sense of wonder. Those bones are the evidence that giant beasts once walked the Earth but where did they go? What could have killed them off? What does this mean for our “understanding” of the world as we know it?

Crichton tells an exciting Old West tale with a scientific twist. This naive college student goes West only to find himself abandoned in a frontier town. With no other option William ends up joining Cope’s expedition and is present when a major scientific discovery is made. Everything appears to be falling into place for William who anticipates returning to Yale in victory. Unfortunately for him the Wild West will not easily part with its secrets. One mistep on his part and a major scientific discovery could be lost for all time.

Dragon Teeth is an adventure set in a time when the age of the Earth and Darwin’s theory of evolution were hotly debated. As the reader you are immersed into a fantastical story that will appeal to your inner explorer and adventurer. I enjoyed reading the book and cared about William’s fate and the treasure he becomes the custodian of.

Michael Crichton was an author who passed away far too soon. While he wrote an extensive number of great books Dragon Teeth shows us that there more stories he wanted to tell. What untold tales were lost with him we may never know but I am glad that this one to found its way into our hands. 

I would appreciate hearing what you think of the book and invite you to comment.