The Trilobite Collector's Guide

Andy Secher—one of the most prolific trilobite collectors in the world—takes readers on an entertaining and enlightening journey to the distant epoch when these ancient arthropods swarmed through the seas.

Andy Secher has been a field associate in paleontology at the American Museum of Natural History for more than two decades. He curates one of the world’s largest private trilobite collections. Secher is the author of Travels with Trilobites: Adventures in the Paleozoic (Columbia, 2022) and was the long-time editor of the rock music magazine Hit Parader.

Richard Fortey is the former head of fossil arthropod research at the Natural History Museum, London.

Melanie J. Hopkins is chair of the Division of Paleontology and curator in charge of fossil invertebrates at the American Museum of Natural History.

Secher, a famous collector of trilobites, provides 350 color photographs of fully preserved specimens. Written in a very accessible style that engages and informs. With the author’s light-hearted style and trilobite fossils, facts, and features, this work will appeal to readers with a solid interest in ancient Arthropods.

Sam Stubbs, noted trilobite collector, Houston, TX:
The Trilobite Collector’s Guide, along with last year’s encyclopedic Travels with Trilobites, establishes Andy Secher as a true rock star of the trilobite universe. A gifted writer, collector, world traveler, and music business pro, Secher entertainingly walks you through dozens of ‘Top Ten’ lists, each illuminating trilobites from a radically different perspective, all using photos drawn from his world-class collection. If you are not already a card-carrying citizen of the trilobite community, you soon will be.

David Rudkin, assistant curator emeritus of paleobiology, Royal Ontario Museum:
The Trilobite Collector's Guide provides a popular ‘hit parade’ of trilobite facts, figures, and phenomena for the nonacademic reader and nascent—or even accomplished—collector. Secher explores and beautifully illustrates an eclectic array of relevant topics in an entertaining, concise, and easily digestible form.

Neil H. Landman, curator emeritus, American Museum of Natural History:
Andy Secher’s passion for trilobites comes through on every page of this beautifully illustrated book. He combines up-to-date scientific knowledge with practical information on how to collect trilobites, how to prepare them, where to find them, and much more. His passion is contagious, and after reading a few pages of this book, you will find yourself organizing your next vacation around trilobites.

Niles Eldredge, curator emeritus, Division of Paleontology, American Museum of Natural History:
Wow! I’ve never before seen so many amazing trilobites between the covers of a single book as I have in Andy Secher’s new extravaganza The Trilobite Collector’s Guide. Secher is one of the premier trilobite collectors of the world, and he can tell you everything about what it takes to find, collect, ‘prepare,’ and study trilobites. His photos are amazing. Trilobites are amazing. Be prepared to be dazzled and amazed!