A fascinating and complete insight into the group of animals to which we ourselves belong. David Attenborough introduces us to the most diverse group of animals ever to live on the Earth, from the smallest - the two-inch pygmy shrew, to the largest - the blue whale. The Life of Mammals is the story of 4,000 species which have outlived the dinosaurs and conquered the farthest places on earth.
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There are over four and a half thousand different kinds of mammals alive today. How many can you name? Many will not be entirely clear about what it is that makes a mammal rather than a reptile or bird, apart from egg laying. But then what about egg-laying mammals such as the platypus and echidna? The Life of Mammals describes and illustrates the remarkable diversity of mammals from the giant blue whale to the miniscule pigmy shrew. The cachet of David Attenborough's name and distinctive voice comes through clearly from the text and there's a stunning selection of photographs, by the best wildlife photographers in the world. The Life of Mammals is worth getting even if you just like wildlife pictures, for there are many here that you will not have seen before--the Brazilian tapir, the hairy rhino of Sumatra, the Pyrenean desman and more.
Attenborough certainly has the knack of making good stories for the general reader out of what, in other hands, can be rather dry science. He manages to weave in a great deal about the evolutionary story behind the success of the mammals over the last 65 million years since the dinosaurs bit the dust. Also, because of all the careful research behind the TV programmes, he is pretty well up to speed on many of the scientific developments in our understanding of our biologically nearest if not necessarily dearest relatives. This is especially true when the story gets around to our closest primate cousins--the apes. All the recent discoveries about tool use and culture are included.
The Life of Mammals will make a perfect gift for anyone from the age of about 10 upwards and hopefully a whole new generation will know what a kinkajou, cacomistle or a uakiri are. The only quibble is there's no further-reading list to fuel new enthusiasms lit up by this excellent book. --Douglas Palmer.
Review
Heavily illustrated with beautiful photographs and enlivened by Attenborough's friendly, informative writing style, this is a terrific introduction to the wonders of our hairy, milk-producing relatives. (Booklist )
Attenborough brings a distinctive and zippy intelligence to everything he does. . . . [His] curiosity is boundless and infectious, and one is repeatedly reminded that once teeming and scheming humanity is left behind, the Earth can still be a magically amazing place. (Tom Shales The Washington Post )
Vintage Attenbrough text is illustrated with more than 200 color photos to provide us with a beautiful and interesting window into the lives of these diverse and fascinating animals. An excellent addition to any family or natural history library. (Wildlife Activist ) --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
Attenborough brings a distinctive and zippy intelligence to everything he does. . . . [His] curiosity is boundless and infectious, and one is repeatedly reminded that once teeming and scheming humanity is left behind, the Earth can still be a magically amazing place. (Tom Shales The Washington Post )
Vintage Attenbrough text is illustrated with more than 200 color photos to provide us with a beautiful and interesting window into the lives of these diverse and fascinating animals. An excellent addition to any family or natural history library. (Wildlife Activist ) --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
By G. I. Forbes
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase
This book is the best of the authors series.It deals with animal behaviour rather than animal species although animals are used as descriptions of particular types of animal behaviour.
The well written text is divided into 10 finely researched chapters each with their own particular stories and examples.
The 10 chapters cover a)animal design-as relating to environment b)insect hunters c)chiselers -animals with chisel shaped front teeth d) plant eaters e)meat eaters f)opportunists-animals that eat anything g)return to the water- animals living on land or in the sea h) tree dwellers i) social climbers -e.g. monkeys and j)food for thought-how animals may evolve.
The pictures are excellent and only a few cover 2 pages destroying their impact.Sources of photographs are now well laid out and easily identified.
A book to be recommended.
The well written text is divided into 10 finely researched chapters each with their own particular stories and examples.
The 10 chapters cover a)animal design-as relating to environment b)insect hunters c)chiselers -animals with chisel shaped front teeth d) plant eaters e)meat eaters f)opportunists-animals that eat anything g)return to the water- animals living on land or in the sea h) tree dwellers i) social climbers -e.g. monkeys and j)food for thought-how animals may evolve.
The pictures are excellent and only a few cover 2 pages destroying their impact.Sources of photographs are now well laid out and easily identified.
A book to be recommended.
11 of 13 people found the following review helpful
By Kris
VINE™ VOICE
Format:Hardcover
This is another excellent book based on one of David Attenborough's programmes. Even though it has a lot of pages ( around 300 ) every page is just as interesting as the previous. It's not just writing: there is a vast selection of colour photographs as well. Based on the tv series, although it does go into more depth and detail. It has around 10 chapters, one for each programme. If you have liked other books like this, then this one is a must.
10 of 13 people found the following review helpful
By "hevra"
Format:Hardcover
This book is the literature equivalent of tea and crumpets on a cold blustery dark winters night, snuggled in the front room fresh from the bath, awaiting wildlife programmes on the telly and dreading school the next morning. It's a pure nostalgia thing; the soothing tones of Attenborough lose nothing in print; some stunning photos and comfortable insights into the animal world. Buy this book.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
birthday gift
This order was to go in my daughters gift,she was very pleased and it was sent straight to her was a great thanks
Published 13 days ago by handtie57
5.0 out of 5 stars
good book
got htis book for my hubby he really like it the pictures a stunning good book if you like the tv programme
Published 1 month ago by lildevilrose
5.0 out of 5 stars
The Life of Mammals - David Attenborough
Product received was in excellent condition as described and was sent out quickly and efficiently - thanks very much.
Published on 14 Nov 2009 by E Diva
5.0 out of 5 stars
Very interesting, a great read
I bought this book just before I went on holiday and could hardly put it down! It's well written and doesn't use phrases and terms that an average person wouldn't understand. Read more
Published on 1 July 2008 by K. Mckay
5.0 out of 5 stars
Super
This is interesting, beautifully presented and you can almost hear David Attenborough's voice as you are reading it! Read more
Published on 3 Feb 2003
5.0 out of 5 stars
Life of Mammals
Bought as a present for my nephew, a young and very keen animal lover, he is very rarely seen without it. Read more
Published on 15 Jan 2003 by "havelock_uk"
5.0 out of 5 stars
Yet another wonderful book!
I have to say that this, like most of David's other series that have been written as books aswell, hits the top again! Read more
Published on 11 Jan 2003 by "milesthomasroberts"
Listmania!
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