John A. Long

I've worked all my life studying the fascinating ancient life of this planet as a palaeontologist. It's taken me to many places throughout Australia, Asia, North America, Europe, the Middle East, even four expeditions to Antarctica. These days I spend as most of my time doing research on fossils and working as an author.

I've written over 28 books, edited a few technical ones too, and regularly write popular science articles and book reviews for 'The Conversation' website (Australia).

My latest book "The Secret History of Sharks-The Rise of the Oceans Most Fearsome Predators" tells the story of the 465 million year evolution of sharks, from tiny scales and teeth of obscure species to the giant megalodon, Earth's largest predator ever. The book is a tour of armchair palaeontology full of adventures, as well as interesting human stories about the many scientists who find fossils. I even went cage diving with white sharks to write the book!