Sir David Attenborough is Britain's best-known natural history film-maker. His career as a naturalist and broadcaster has spanned nearly six decades, and in this volume of memoirs Sir David tells stories of the people and animals he has met and the places he has visited.

His first job - after Cambridge University and two years in the Royal Navy - was at a London publishing house. Then in 1952 he joined the BBC as a trainee producer, and it was while working on the Zoo Quest series (1954-64) that he had his first opportunity to undertake expeditions to remote parts of the globe, to capture intimate footage of rare wildlife in its natural habitat. He was Controller of BBC2 (1965-68), during which time he introduced colour television to Britain, then Director of Programmes for the BBC (1969-1972). However, in 1973 he abandoned administration altogether to return to documentary-making and writing, and has established himself as the world's leading Natural History programme maker with several landmark BBC series, including Life on Earth (1979), The Living Planet (1984), The Trials of Life (1990), The Private Life of Plants (1995), Life of Birds (1998), The Blue Planet (2001), Life of Mammals (2002), Planet Earth (2006) and Life in Cold Blood (2008).

Sir David is an Honorary Fellow of Clare College, Cambridge, a Fellow of the Royal Society and was knighted in 1985. He is also Britain's most respected, trusted and lauded natural history broadcaster and writer, championing conservation and standing at the forefront of issues concerning the planet's declining species. A lot has changed since his first television documentary, and in this updated edition of Life on Air Sir David tells us of his experiences of filming in the 21st century.

A fully revised and updated edition, including three brand new chapters outlining his working life since 2002. _ Will appeal to fans of Sir David Attenborough, and anyone interested in broadcasting, nature and conservation. _ The original editions of Life on Air were well received, selling over 140,000 copies TCM in hardback, and over 110,000 TCM in paperback. _ Attenborough's books are perennially popular: Life of Birds sold over 150,000 TCM; Life of Mammals over 125,000 TCM; Life in the Undergrowth over 70,000 TCM; Life in Cold Blood over 25,000 TCM.

About the Author

Sir David Attenborough is Britain's best-known natural history film-maker. His career as a naturalist and broadcaster has spanned nearly seven decades.

His first job - after Cambridge University and two years in the Royal Navy - was at a London publishing house. Then in 1952 he joined the BBC as a trainee producer, and it was while working on the Zoo Quest series (1954-64) that he had his first opportunity to undertake expeditions to remote parts of the globe, to capture intimate footage of rare wildlife in its natural habitat.

He was Controller of BBC 2 (1965-68), during which time he introduced colour television to Britain, then Director of Programmes for BBC Television (1969-1972). In 1973 he abandoned administration altogether to return to documentary-making and writing, and has established himself as the world's leading Natural History programme maker with several
landmark BBC series, includingLife on Earth (1979), The Living Planet (1984), The Trials
of Life (1990), The Private Life of Plants (1995), Life of Birds (1998),The Blue Planet (2001),Life of Mammals (2002),Planet Earth (2006) and Life in Cold Blood (2008).

Sir David was knighted in 1985 and received the Order of Merit in 2005. He is a fellow of the Royal Society, and stands at the forefront of issues concerning the planet's declining species and conservation.

Reviews
It's almost impossible to believe that all these things happened to one man... but David Attenborough wears his achievements lightly and there are as many laughs here as there are animals. -- Michael Palin
What shines through most of all is his enthusiasm - as undimmed now as when he started out. * Sunday Telegraph *
An enthralling autobiography from one of the linchpins of television. His life has been fascinating. Attenborough is a master story-teller, and his book is crammed with anecdotes. * Good Book Guide *
Life on Air, David Attenborough's professional autobiography, tells the entertaining story of how he turned us all into armchair experts in natural history. -- Douglas Palmer * New Scientist *
[An] engaging and often amusing text. * Choice *



Book Information
ISBN 9781849900010
Author David Attenborough
Format Paperback
Page Count 448
Imprint BBC Books
Publisher Ebury Publishing
Weight(grams) 353g
Dimensions(mm) 197mm * 129mm * 26mm