
David Attenborough - Life on Air
Memoirs of a Broadcaster
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Narrated by:
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David Attenborough
About this listen
David Attenborough reads his own bestselling memoir
David Attenborough is the acknowledged voice of nature, loved and revered worldwide for his groundbreaking wildlife documentaries. Over the course of his long BBC career, David has risen from trainee producer to award-winning film-maker, and in Life on Air, he tells the extraordinary stories of the people and animals he has met along the way.
We hear of his earliest days in television; his stint as Controller of BBC2, during which he introduced colour TV to Britain; and his encounters with luminaries such as Montgomery, Anthony Eden, Benjamin Britten and the Queen. Here, too, are tales of his travels to some of the most far-flung corners of the globe, including New Guinea, Borneo, Paraguay and the Australian outback, and the rare creatures he captures on film: from the exotic birds of paradise and the elusive Indri lemurs to the endangered Komodo dragon.
Featuring behind-the-scenes accounts of the making of his landmark natural history series, beginning with the pioneering Zoo Quest and concluding with Life in Cold Blood, this wonderful memoir - read by David Attenborough himself - recounts the highlights of a remarkable life in broadcasting.
Production credits
Read by David Attenborough
©2010 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd (P)2010 BBC Studios Distribution LtdCritic reviews
'An enthralling autobiography from one of the linchpins of television' Good Book Guide
From the early days of the BBC struggling with poor equipment, the difficulties of travel without any 'how to guides', he describes his attempts to display the natural world to everyone via the media of television. His passion for his subject and his determination to make his films as realistic as possible, make this a fascinating listen.
Hearing of the trials and tribulations behind some very short and seemingly simple film shots, that I still remember brings a new appreciation for the work of a master. I found it intriguing, listening as he describes with mounting excitement, the successful filming of some of his more unexpected successes. It made me feel as though I was with him sharing each experience.
Whether you are a fan of the natural world or not, I can't see how anyone could fail to love this book.
Fascinating
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My only criticism is that the book is extremely long, and there were plenty of rambling bits about politics at the BBC which I could have done without. I'm sure others would find them more interesting, but I really wanted to hear all about his expeditions and the people and animals he met.
There are definitely some stand out moments in this book which I will remember for a long time, and the account of his wife's death is incredibly moving.
On the whole, I really enjoyed this insight into the mind and work of an extraordinary broadcaster and I thank him wholeheartedly for all the joy and wonder he has brought into my life, both as presenter and producer. A true national treasure.
Well read and fascinating, but a bit too rambling
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Funny and thoughtful this is a really interesting insight into the natural world and the extremely fascinating life of the best loved natural world presenters!
What better than listening to David Attenborough?
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David Attenborough has been in my life since I first started watching television as a child, back in the 50s; then, as now, anything that has his stamp on it is irresistible to me. I well remember the grainy black and white films he speaks of at the outset of his marvellous career and their impact on me then lives on in every programme he has produced since.
This book documents the evolution of natural history documentaries, as well as the evolution of a brilliant and inspiring broadcaster.
Such stuff is rare indeed
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Held my attention fully all through
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Excellent
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Wonderful Mr Attenborough
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Get it, you will not regret it, he has a wealth of dits to tell, he relives them doing the characters accents and idiosyncracies to a tea. He would be a very entertaining guest to have round a table with food and wine!
Wish he was grandad to my children!
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Exceptional telling of an exceptional man's life
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Fantastic journey of nature and globalization
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