Life On Air: Memoirs of a Broadcaster: Amazon.co.uk: David Attenborough: Books

Amazon.co.uk Review

David Attenborough hardly needs any introduction; his voice has accompanied so many of the best natural history programs that have graced our televisions over several decades. Life On Air, his autobiography, tells the story of how he has managed to professionalise his schoolboy interests in such a remarkably successful way.

Attenborough's Life On Air began in 1950, having taken a degree in Natural Sciences in the University of Cambridge, done National Service in the Navy, got married, done a year as an editor with an educational publisher, had a son and then answered a BBC recruiting ad in the Times. Turned down for BBC Radio, he was offered a traineeship in BBC TV which was pioneering the medium in Britain and he has never looked back. The rest is TV history and you can read Sir David's personal view of it all in his engaging and highly entertaining book.

This is no boring story of the rise and rise of a media mogul in the smoke-filled rooms of Ally Pally and Lime Grove. Having served his apprenticeship producing programmes like Animal, Vegetable, Mineral? and Song Hunter with the famous American folk singer and song collector Alan Lomax, he managed to escape from the confines of overlit studios into the natural world. Zoo Quest began in 1954 with an animal collecting trip to Sierra Leone and David Attenborough had found his metier. Since then he has managed to bring the wonders of the natural world into millions of living rooms around the world and to reach general audiences without patronising them, without any spurious antics, silly voices or dumbing down. His animal and plant subjects are the stars, Attenborough is the master of ceremonies who introduces the acts for our wonder and amazement. But his scope extends way beyond the birds and the bees.

In the 1960s, it was suggested that he took up an administrative post--"after all, you won't want to be gallivanting around the world when you are 50". Fortunately, he did not abandon gallivanting for admin but went freelance, studied anthropology and helped extend our view of native peoples and sympathies for their life styles. He went on to become responsible for coming up with famous BBC TV series such as Kenneth Clark's incredibly successful Civilisation series, followed by Bronowski's The Ascent of Man. Inevitably, he did become one of the BBC suits but one that wore a camouflage jacket.

What is remarkable is that Attenborough has managed to do it for so long without really changing his own style too much. He has not had to because the technology has changed and so he has constantly been able to give new views and insights into the details of life on Earth. Writing pretty much as he speaks, it is easy to hear his voice, dry sense of humour and generosity coming through all the time. Do not expect to read personal details, navel-gazing or malicious gossip--that is not his style. The only personal note comes at the end with the death of his wife in 1997. Over 100 photos associated with the huge range of programmes he has been intimately involved with decorate Life On Air, a fascinating personal story of our times. He says that he knows of "no pleasure deeper than that which comes from contemplating the natural world and trying to understand it"; he certainly manages to convey that in Life On Air. --Douglas Palmer

Review

In this volume of memoirs Britain's best-known natural history film-maker tells the stories of the people and the animals he has met and the places that he has visited.

See all Product Description

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful

Refreshing, An interesting life 19 Feb 2003

By PFReviewer

Format:Hardcover

It's remarkable to think that Sir David has spent 50 years in Television. It was also refreshing to read an autobiography with no swear words or obscenities. I think many so-called celebrities would learn that you don't need to criticise or publicly offend others to sell a book.

Sir David's an ambassador not only to the Wildlife he so excellently narrates but also to his pioneering behind the scenes work at the BBC.

Overall I found this book a must read for all those David Attenborough fans and for those interested in how programmes are made and how the technology has changed over the years.

The question we all want answering is.... What will Sir David do next?

Comment |

Was this review helpful to you?

Yes

33 of 34 people found the following review helpful

Life on Air - an insight into the Beeb 25 Oct 2002

By C. Murray

As well as giving us an idea of what happens inside the Beeb, David Attenborough also takes us on a time travel in the development of technology used to film wildlife. His story telling skills are able to keep us interested in all his anecdotes - some are really brilliant !! Like the April fool's one or the change over from black and white to colour television, and so on... You can even hear him telling the stories since he wrote the book in his own words.

33 of 36 people found the following review helpful

Fascinating.... 18 Oct 2002

By "callumh"

Sir David Attenborough and his captivating programmes about the natural world, for many people - myself included, have always been there. My first recollections of his work are Sunday evenings in front of the television watching The Living Planet - the accompanying book still sits on my book-shelves. Life On Air provides an insight on the 30 years experience that were used to make that programme, and all the others that I have watched since, so great. What is lovely about the narration is that you get the impression that Sir David not only wants to make the programmes, he almost "has too". His desire to capture on film as many aspects of the planet earth is all consuming, and this is probably why his programmes remain so popular today.

Broadcasted life

I first encountered David Attenborough many years ago when, as a young teenager, I read "A Zoo Quest for a Dragon"; it had me gripped and I Have been gripped ever since. Read more

Published 8 months ago by RR Waller

Truly extraordinary

This book is truly extraordinary. The rare broadcaster that is Sir. David Attenborough has portrayed his life in a way that captivates the reader. It is truly amazing. Read more

Published on 13 Mar 2004 by Justin

An Absorbing Read

David Attenborough is probably the person who I would most like to meet. He is a master of his craft within the oft-over rated world of the TV presenter, and has honed his gift... Read more

Published on 19 Sep 2003 by Norfolkian

I shouldn't have been surprised

I was actually surprised at how absorbing 'Life on Air' was. I suppose I shouldn't have been but, through 50 years of television appearances, David Attenborough has always seemed... Read more

Published on 13 Aug 2003 by Movie Fan

I guessed that I would enjoy 'Life on Air'

As a life-long admirer of David Attenborough and his work, I guessed that I would enjoy 'Life on Air', though I didn't
guess how much. Read more

Published on 20 July 2003

Someone with a real story to tell

All too often these days so-called celebrities publish autobiographies when they have been in the limelight for all of the infamous 15 minutes. Read more

Published on 7 May 2003 by "ethel_the_aardvark"

We're not worthy

Those of you who agree weith me that David Attenborough is God will enjoy this book immensely. Attenborough not only has had a long and fascinating life, but is also a very good... Read more

Published on 5 May 2003 by Ann O'Nymous

Totally Absorbing

David Attenborough's book takes us back to the very beginning of picture broadcasting at the BBC, and what he describes is, at the same time, both ground-breaking and charming. Read more

Published on 7 Feb 2003 by Paul Ashby

Life On Air: Memoirs of a Broadcaster [Hardcover]

Formats

Customers Who Bought This Item Also Bought

Product details

Product Description

Amazon.co.uk Review

Review

Suggested Tags from Similar Products

Sell a Digital Version of This Book in the Kindle Store

What Other Items Do Customers Buy After Viewing This Item?

Customer Reviews

Customer Discussions

Start a new discussion

Listmania!

Look for similar items by category

Look for similar items by subject

Feedback