Tyrannosaurus Sue: The Extraordinary Saga of Largest Most Fought Over T. Rex Ever Found

Over 65 million years ago in what is now South Dakota a battle-scarred Tyrannosaurus rex matriarch―perhaps mortally wounded in a ferocious fight―fell into the riverbed and died. In 1990 her skeleton was found virtually complete in what many have called the most spectacular dinosaur fossil discovery to date.. And then another battle began - a survival of the fittest free-for-all involving commercial dinosaur hunters gun-toting law officers an ambitious federal prosecutor a Native American tribe jealous academics an enterprising auction house major museums and corporate giants all making their claim for the dinosaur named Sue. Before it was over there would be claims and counterclaims; charges of checkbook-polluted science criminal larceny and vengeful prosecutions; and devastating prison terms. And the gavel would come down on the largest-ever ($8.36 million) auction price tag for a fossil paid by Chicagos Field Museum with help from Disney and McDonalds.. Capturing the whole range of characters and issues embroiled in the fight for Sue author Steve Fiffer communicates both the excitement over Sues discovery and the motivations maneuverings and absurdities of the various forces attempting to control her destiny.