The novel takes place mostly in the Western United States and is full of wagon chases, shoot outs, underhanded trickery and much more. It follows a single character, William Johnson, who starts in Marsh's camp, flops to Cope's camp, and ends up on his own, trying to find his way back home. The trials and tribulations he must face seem to get the better of him, but he always finds a way to wiggle out of harm's way.
The book is very history oriented, telling much about the time period and events that took place. The Bone Wars took place in the midst of the very real Indian Wars and shows just how dangerous the West really was, and how just looking at someone the wrong way was a one way trip to the stairway (to heaven?) All in all, if you are a history buff and enjoyed some of Crichton's earlier works, this one is for you. If you wanted Jurassic Park, you will be disappointed as Dragon Teeth doesn't have quite the bite or Jeff Goldblum, or a Dilophosaurus spitting poisonous saliva at Newman (which may or may not be factually correct).
