- Hardcover: 320 pages
- Publisher: BBC Books; First Edition edition (17 Oct 2002)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 0563534230
- ISBN-13: 978-0563534235
- Product Dimensions: 25 x 17.4 x 3 cm
- Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
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Amazon Bestsellers Rank:
32,110 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #14 in Books > Science & Nature > Biological Sciences > Animal Sciences > Behaviour
- #58 in Books > Science & Nature > Earth Sciences & Geography > The Environment > Conservation
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Amazon.co.uk Review
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
10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Excellent,
By
This review is from: Life of Mammals (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.
9 of 11 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
It's a nostalgia thing,
This review is from: Life of Mammals (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.
5.0 out of 5 stars
Lovely gift!,
By
This review is from: Life of Mammals (Hardcover)
I agree with every other review - if you liked the show, you'll like the book. If you missed the show but like wildlife pictures and information, you'll still like the book :)
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