Book Review: Life on Air – David Attenborough
[image error] For fifty years David Attenborough has entertained, educated, and generally enchanted millions worldwide with his pursuit of the secrets of life in its many guises. For such groundbreaking television series as Life on Earth, The Private Life of Plants, and The Life of Birds, he has traveled to the ends of the earth to give viewers their first (and often only) close look at some of nature’s wonders–from the great wildebeest migration to the blooming of desert cacti. Now Attenborough invites readers to travel with him once more, as he reflects on a life at least as interesting as any he’s managed to capture on camera.
Life on Air begins when, at twenty-four, Attenborough throws over what looks to be a staid future as a “gentleman publisher” for an uncertain position in the BBC’s fledgling television service. An adventure in itself (with primitive equipment and unpredictable personalities), broadcasting work involves the Cambridge-educated naturalist in hilarious attempts to improve the upstart Talks Department. Then the discovery of a coelacanth fish off the Comoro Islands offers him his first chance as a producer, and his career introducing wildlife to the public takes off in earnest.
From his first expedition–a junket to Sierra Leone to find the elusive Bald-headed Rock Crow–to his most recent, Attenborough conducts readers on a life journey as instructive as it is enthralling. Rich with insights into nature and behind-the-scenes glimpses into broadcasting history, it is also filled with adventure and humor. Attenborough’s storytelling powers are legendary, and they don’t fail him as he recounts how he came to stand in rat-infested caves in Venezuela, confront wrestling crocodiles, abseil down a rainforest tree in his late sixties, and wake with the lioness Elsa sitting on his chest. His story ranges from British Guinea to the Zambesi, from Borneo to Madagascar, from the darkest depths of caves to the canopies of the loftiest trees. With quiet erudition, searching curiosity, and generous wit, the world’s best-known and most beloved naturalist documents a life that reflects his changing time and our natural world as well as his own irrepressible character.
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Review: Life on Air
Sir David Attenborough is one of the true British greats. His voice is known worldwide and his vast array of work, including many memorable wildlife documentaries, have long since cemented his place as one of the finest presenters. An amusing but modest man, Attenborough kindly shared an autobiography of his life ten years ago. Although I knew a lot about him I was soon to find this book had a lot more to say about David’s story.
Attenborough’s autobiography covers more than 50 years of his time spent with the BBC. Having been rejected for a place on BBC radio, David’s CV was picked up and he was offered a chance to move into fledgling television, which was in a very primitive state in those days, especially with the cameras and the ability to film scenes. Most homes didn’t even have a television! Attenborough began his career in 1950 and by 1952 had a full-time position with the BBC, though he was not considered camera friendly due to his teeth! David began very much behind the scenes but as the autobiography progresses he begins a path towards documentaries that would see both his face and voice become known across the globe and propel him to his position today as one of Britain’s national treasures.
The first point about the autobiography is Attenborough’s excellent memory and sense of humour. He can recount so many moments, conversations in his long career, it is startling. It’s hard to believe Attenborough was pushed more towards production than presenting. He focussed on non-fiction programmes and worked on the likes of Animal, Vegetable, Mineral? His affiliation with natural history began with zoo animals that were brought into a studio. This led to Zoo Quest (1954-63), a programme heading out into the wild to collect specimens to be broadcast live in the studio. Ironically, Attenborough had to present the first programme when his colleague Jack Lester fell ill. By the sixties, Attenborough was a controller on BBC2 but negotiated a contract that allowed him to still make programmes throughout the world. It was clear the wild was in Attenborough’s blood and you will shudder when he describes the threat of an admin position at the BBC. After all, the BBC didn’t imagine he’d want to be travelling the world in his fifties or sixties! As we all know, Attenborough is still doing this work in his eighties!
The highlight of the book is undoubtedly Attenborough’s work on the epic Life series. This nine-part series is Attenborough’s masterpiece, beginning with Life on Earth (1979) and ending with Life in Cold Blood (2008). Not only did he present these programmes, Attenborough wrote and pitched the ideas to the BBC and sometimes had to tussle over the titles, especially Life in the Undergrowth (2005), which was initially rejected due to connotations of darkness! Attenborough won this exchange when no one could think of a better title! The autobiography never dwells for long on moments, giving us as much of Attenborough’s life as possible. His modesty is amazing. He is surprisingly humble about the iconic footage of the mountain gorillas that climbed all over him and casually describes the many parts of the world and conditions he has encountered such as volcanic mountains, dense jungle and torrential downpours. I couldn’t help but laugh at suggestions from some of the audience that the BBC were being evil for still sending a man around the world at his age!
If there are any issues with Life on Air, it’s that it’s too short. As I read of Attenborough’s early career I was glancing at the page numbers and thinking there isn’t much room to talk about the Life series and Wildlife on One here! That said, I think the brevity of the events works better and what Attenborough has managed to cram into this book is a fascinating career. The book is accompanied by a series of amazing images and the author’s passion for both his work and for the developing technology is wonderful to read.
Life on Air is a great read about a remarkable man whose work will remain timeless. Now in his eighties, it’s hard to imagine natural history documentaries without David Attenborough’s presence. Given the globetrotting he still does to this day, I’m convinced David Attenborough will live forever. This is a delightful read.
Verdict: 5/5
(Book source: reviewer’s own copy)
Book Review: Life on Air – David Attenborough | Thank you for reading Tweedle Dee and Tweedle Dave
