David Attenborough - Life on Air

Memoirs of a Broadcaster

By: David Attenborough

Narrated by: David Attenborough

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 Ltd

Critic reviews

'An enthralling autobiography from one of the linchpins of television' Good Book Guide

Made me think about childhood dreams

It's one of the most inspiring books I've read, extremely well narrated by the Sir. Attenborough. It's not one of the boring memoirs where you start with childhood and go on. You'll like it if you like Sir. Attenborough's work, nature, or want to find out how nature films are made. I loved the witty style of writing and the subtle jokes. It made me think of childhood dreams when I wanted to be an explorer and study animals and have my own natural reservation and it made me want to get up and run to the park to look at birds ans squirrels, which I did. Any book that can do this is a great book, in my opinion.

gotta love David Attenborough

I really enjoyed listening to David tell his own story of broadcasting for the BBC over the course of his lifetime. It's stunning to realize just how much he's achieved and how integral he has been to the world of nature TV.

So Much More Than a Memoir

If you enjoyed watching bbc or pbs nature shows growing up then you will love this book. if you enjoy books about positive self help ypu will enjoy this book (due to David's positivity, humility, and comedic outlook on life). David Attenbourough's voice calms and holds my attention like only one other Britian: Julie Andrews.

Perfect

One of the most enjoyable audiobooks I have listened too. Not only did I gain an appreciation for the natural world but also one of the first people to make the natural world accessible to the masses.

Loved it

Great insights and entertaining. It's good to learn a thing or two while being entertained. True to form.