Rating: 2.5 stars

In this book Helen Pilcher takes an introductory look at the science of de-extinction, covering such topics as the de-extinction of dinosaurs, neanderthals, mammoths, a variety of extinct birds, the thylacine, Elvis Presley, as well as some other random questions, ethics and concerns.

The book reads more like a collection of excessively padded magazine articles stuffed into one package. There is also an excessive amount of "cutsie" humour (also bad jokes) in this book which simply falls flat; as well as too many personal intrusions from the author. The discussions of the actual de-extinction science are uneven - some animals are lucky enough to get their situation and the science explained in a fair amount of detail, others will get an over-simplified explanation. The ethics, challenges and if the whole things is a good idea is glossed over in one chapter.

For example:
The majority of the chapter on Neanderthals involves too much author speculation and personal emotion in her speculative story of a neanderthal baby. The chapter on Elvis is just silly and self-indulgent. Pilcher could have found a better way to discuss general genetics and epigenetics, and she oversimplifies what she does write about the topic. The chapter about the white rhino gastric brooding frog are informative, and better written than the others.

This book is easy to read, funny (to other people) and would probably make a good introduction to the subject for people who aren't too particular about the amount of hard science in their popular science books. Teenagers might like it too.

Otherwise, there are a selection of other books on the same topic that are better written:

-Resurrection Science: Conservation, De-extinction and the Precarious Future of Wild Things by M.R. O'Connor [Deals more with the conservation angle]

-How to Clone a Mammoth: The Science of De-Extinction by Beth Shapiro [Includes more physical science involved in de-extinction and all the ethics and possibilities]

-Rise of the Necrofauna: A Provocative Look at the Science, Ethics, and Risks of De-Extinction
by Britt Wray [Focus on the ethics, risks and possibilities of de-extinction science]

- How to Build a Dinosaur: The New Science of Reverse Evolution by Jack Horner & James Gorman

For those interested in epigenetics:

-The Epigenetics Revolution by Nessa Carey ( )

Fantastic book. I’m a science nerd and have always wanted my stegosaurus as a pet. Helen Pilcher tells the path of which scientists dared to bring back an extinct animal. Easy to follow along she adds in humor and irony to keep the pace moving. I remember hearing about these pioneers in their field and glad to see their accomplishments are contained in this book. ( )

Bring Back the King: The New Science of De-extinction by Helen Pilcher is a terrific science book that is full of humor and science that kept me interested on every page. The science, which I admit I love anyway, was written so everyday Joe's and Jane's can understand and the humor was witty, clever, and refreshing. I learned a lot in this book and I read a lot on this subject so I already knew some of it but what she brought up was new and exciting. Lots of extinct animals, extinctions, cloning, new science and possibilities on the way. Very exciting stuff! I enjoyed the layout and the writing style. A totally refreshing style for a science book. Thanks NetGalley for suggesting this book to read. Loved it. ( )