★ A journey across millions of years, through the world of extinct and rediscovered species. A book that makes you think differently about what "extinction" really means—and takes a fresh look at the story of life on Earth.
★ Extinction is not the end. The Lazarus species show us that life can surprise us. This book tells ten incredible stories of creatures that came back from the dead. It's a mix of real science and exciting discovery. Along the way, you'll meet scientists whose passion—and obsession—is just as fascinating as the species they search for. Perfect for anyone curious about nature, evolution, and the unknown.

What would happen if a living dinosaur were found somewhere in the world? This book tells the extraordinary story of the Lazarus species—animals and plants once thought to be extinct but later rediscovered—and of the scientists who brought them back to light.

Biodiversity is under threat. The sixth mass extinction is underway, to the extent that one in four species risks disappearing by the end of the century. But when can we truly be sure that a species is extinct? Sometimes, plants and animals we believed lost forever are unexpectedly rediscovered: these are the so-called Lazarus species.

This book is a journey through ten incredible stories of extinctions and rediscoveries. Creatures dating back millions of years suddenly re-emerge from the abyss of time—from the famous coelacanth to the Wollemi pine, not forgetting those that, unfortunately, did not make it: the dinosaurs, the dodo, the thylacine... unless biotechnology manages to bring them back! Each chapter also provides an opportunity to discuss evolution and biodiversity, and to introduce us to the lives of unconventional scientists, such as Alfred Russel Wallace, the naturalist who threw Darwin into a panic, or Marianna Panciatichi Ximenes, the first Italian paleontologist.

Nicola Anaclerio
A naturalist and teacher, he is a councilor of ANISN (National Association of Natural Sciences Teachers) and a member of the editorial group of AIPC (Italian Carnivorous Plants Association). He collaborates with educational publishers in the revision and supplementation of science textbooks. He is involved in natural science popularization through articles in print and online magazines. This is his third book, following Plants and Insects (2020) and Entomania (2022).