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David Attenborough - Life on Air cover art

David Attenborough - Life on Air

By: David Attenborough
Narrated by: David Attenborough
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Publisher's Summary

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

What listeners say about David Attenborough - Life on Air

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Living treasure

Just like listening to granddad telling you his adventures. Brilliant stories, brilliantly read by the great man himself.

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4 people found this helpful

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Stunning

This was even more mesmerising than I could’ve imagined and I love every second of it.

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3 people found this helpful

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If you like David then you’ll love this book

Loved it all but was so disappointed when it came to an end that, the end was like saying goodbye to a good friend
A great book and a picture of history and they way things used to be, when we do actually loose him it will be the end of a absolutely beautiful life and we will all have lost one of the best people on television on that day I will be most upset and have to watch and listen to him so that his legacy will still live!!!

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1 person found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars

Amazing!

incredible and eye opening. this book give you an in-depth review of how television has changed over the last few decades, and chronicles the life of one of the most loved television presenters.

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Sustains interest throughout

This has become one of my all-time favourite books. Delivery is no different to other works of his- wonderful, and the stories are so interesting and insightful!

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He has the most incredible stories

A life well lived with a passion for our planet. David will take you to places you couldn’t imagine and tell you stories of his adventures that will stay with you forever.

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what's not to love about Attenborough

One of the best biographies I have read in a very long time. Imagine all the things this man has seen in his life time

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I can’t say anything that hasn’t already been said.

It’s a shame that the world that David Attenborough has sought his whole life to describe and document is rapidly reaching the point of destruction. We are fortunate that he chose to do so though and perhaps that’s the point.
Good stuff.

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Charming stories of a wonderful career

I loved listening to all the tales about David Attenborough’s adventures. Very eloquently spoken and enjoyable listen.

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The Best

David tells the stories of his wonderful journey recording the natural world with talented crews of dedicated men and women.
He and they are the best.

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In the spirit of reconciliation, Audible acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of country throughout Australia and their connections to land, sea and community. We pay our respect to their elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples today.