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David Attenborough's Life Stories #1
Life Stories
One of the nation's most popular presenters examines twenty marvels of the natural world from his extraordinary and pioneering experiences.What was Sir David's first pet? Which animal would he most like to be? What creature lays 'the biggest egg in the world'? How do you communicate with an ancient nomadic community in Fiji? And what did Sir David do when confronted by a ten-foot-long reptile? His enthusiasm is as infectious as ever, and conveys a unique fascination on topics as diverse as the Sloth, Monstrous Flowers, the Platypus, Giant Birds, Dragons, the Fire Salamander, Faking Fossils, the Coelacanth, the Dodo, Bird's-nest Soup and the Large Blue Butterfly. So listen to these stories to find out the real reason why animals sing, the story behind a 150-million-year-old feather and what it is about snakes that really unnerves Sir David. 3 CDs. 3 hrs 9 mins.
224 pages, Audio CD
First published January 1, 2009
27 people are currently reading
1403 people want to read
About the author
David Attenborough
173 books2,751 followersSir David Frederick Attenborough is a naturalist and broadcaster, who is most well-known for writing and presenting the nine "Life" series, produced in conjunction with BBC's Natural History Unit. The series includes Life on Earth (1979), The Living Planet (1984), The Trials of Life (1990), Life in the Freezer (about Antarctica; 1993), The Private Life of Plants (1995), The Life of Birds (1998), The Life of Mammals (2002), Life in the Undergrowth (2005) and Life in Cold Blood (2008).
He is the younger brother of director and actor Richard Attenborough.
Photo credit: Wildscreen's photograph of David Attenborough at ARKive's launch in Bristol, England © May 2003
He is the younger brother of director and actor Richard Attenborough.
Photo credit: Wildscreen's photograph of David Attenborough at ARKive's launch in Bristol, England © May 2003
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 96 reviews
June 5, 2016
David Attenborough is probably THE most well-known narrator/commentator/presenter when it comes to nature documentaries. One reason is that this man has been in the business all his life. And what a life! Even now, in old age, he still travels the globe and does everything he can to alert people to environmental problems, resolve conflicts and clarify misconceptions. What a dedication!
One could probably publish thousands of books about him and his work and never run out of interesting stories. Moreover, Sir Attenborough seems to be a very amiable person with his feet planted firmly on the ground (whenever he's not flying or diving in a submarine of course).
This book, has 20 chapters in which several animals (alive and extinct) but also plants are addressed that David Attenborough has a special connection with. The texts are interspersed with old photographs (there are other volumes with more recent stories I was told), sketches, woodcuts and illustrations - all of which are stunning and gorgeous.
The text itself, as is usual for the BBC / David Attenborough is very educational without being boring in the slightest.
Since my focus was on the man himself however, I will share a few pictures of him through the ages:
He was the presenter of a nature program mainly focused on a young audience. Who would have thought that the "pretty face" would soon become a well-known and beloved expert on all things fauna and flora (including evolution)?!
Programs started to change, with presenters actually travelling to foreign places instead of just showing exotic animals that were being held in captivity. This gave the audience the opportunity to see them in their natural habitat and to not only focus on the animals themselves, but also on the gorgeous places our planet has to offer.
Apparently, Sir Attenborough has always been a very friendly, open person, who was never afraid of getting his hands dirty (or, in this case, all of himself).
Few pictures can be found online of the years in between a very young and considerably older David Attenborough so now we make kind of a jump.
It is noteworthy how Attenborough apparently never had a real fear of the wild, but a pure fascination and love that made him WANT to be up close and personal with all kinds of animals!
Aside from TV programs (which he did not only present by the way, but also wrote himself), he wrote educational children's books (school books even), held lectures and visited schools, talked on radio shows (he was a senior producer for the BBC) and, basically, never stood still.
And even now, at the impressive age of 90 (his birthday was on May 8th) he is still out and about, filming and informing - and apparently having a wonderful time.
And for all fans like me, some wonderful news: On 22nd February, the BBC announced Planet Earth II, a sequel to the 2006 television series, with Attenborough to return as narrator and presenter! Yay!
One could probably publish thousands of books about him and his work and never run out of interesting stories. Moreover, Sir Attenborough seems to be a very amiable person with his feet planted firmly on the ground (whenever he's not flying or diving in a submarine of course).
This book, has 20 chapters in which several animals (alive and extinct) but also plants are addressed that David Attenborough has a special connection with. The texts are interspersed with old photographs (there are other volumes with more recent stories I was told), sketches, woodcuts and illustrations - all of which are stunning and gorgeous.
The text itself, as is usual for the BBC / David Attenborough is very educational without being boring in the slightest.
Since my focus was on the man himself however, I will share a few pictures of him through the ages:
He was the presenter of a nature program mainly focused on a young audience. Who would have thought that the "pretty face" would soon become a well-known and beloved expert on all things fauna and flora (including evolution)?!
Programs started to change, with presenters actually travelling to foreign places instead of just showing exotic animals that were being held in captivity. This gave the audience the opportunity to see them in their natural habitat and to not only focus on the animals themselves, but also on the gorgeous places our planet has to offer.
Apparently, Sir Attenborough has always been a very friendly, open person, who was never afraid of getting his hands dirty (or, in this case, all of himself).
Few pictures can be found online of the years in between a very young and considerably older David Attenborough so now we make kind of a jump.
It is noteworthy how Attenborough apparently never had a real fear of the wild, but a pure fascination and love that made him WANT to be up close and personal with all kinds of animals!
Aside from TV programs (which he did not only present by the way, but also wrote himself), he wrote educational children's books (school books even), held lectures and visited schools, talked on radio shows (he was a senior producer for the BBC) and, basically, never stood still.
And even now, at the impressive age of 90 (his birthday was on May 8th) he is still out and about, filming and informing - and apparently having a wonderful time.
And for all fans like me, some wonderful news: On 22nd February, the BBC announced Planet Earth II, a sequel to the 2006 television series, with Attenborough to return as narrator and presenter! Yay!
November 2, 2018
This man is unbelievable! And the book is amazing!
It tells the story of different animals, some I already knew and some I just discovered.
When reading, you'll be fascinated, amused and sometimes you'll be laughing outloud!
Highlyrecommended!
It tells the story of different animals, some I already knew and some I just discovered.
When reading, you'll be fascinated, amused and sometimes you'll be laughing outloud!
Highlyrecommended!
July 4, 2018
4.5 stars
An extract of Attenborough in a cave full of bats with his crew:
“Many people”, I said, “might be afraid that theses bats would get tangled in one’s hair. But the bats have an amazing navigational system based on echo-location and there is no chance whatever of them doing that. I managed to raise a wan smile. Hugh turned off the battery light. And a bat hit me four-square in the face.”
This was an amazing book. I thoroughly enjoyed it, mostly because I was reading the book with Attenborough’s voice narrating in my head. It was truly splendid.
I have learnt a vast deal of knowledge on many different subjects David covers. He talks about snakes, extinct animals such as the dodo, tracking and birds of paradise, etc.
A light and interesting read. I would read again.
An extract of Attenborough in a cave full of bats with his crew:
“Many people”, I said, “might be afraid that theses bats would get tangled in one’s hair. But the bats have an amazing navigational system based on echo-location and there is no chance whatever of them doing that. I managed to raise a wan smile. Hugh turned off the battery light. And a bat hit me four-square in the face.”
This was an amazing book. I thoroughly enjoyed it, mostly because I was reading the book with Attenborough’s voice narrating in my head. It was truly splendid.
I have learnt a vast deal of knowledge on many different subjects David covers. He talks about snakes, extinct animals such as the dodo, tracking and birds of paradise, etc.
A light and interesting read. I would read again.
January 22, 2021
Not quite as good as watching the videos, but there were many scenes that I could picture based on his description alone. I really enjoyed these stories and it's great because I don't have time to sit and watch much these days. There are many creatures I would not have known about if it hadn't been for Sir David Attenborough!
January 31, 2021
No naturalist can talk about their own experiences with wildlife with as much authority and knowledge as Sir David. He earned his place as the definitive nature tv personality. This book showcases twenty stories that he picked, each relating to a particular species that Sir David finds fascinating. These stories aren’t compelling merely because the species of wildlife are so interesting, but also because Sir David goes into his own special relationship with the species and sometimes shares anecdotes about the BBC film crews’ trials and antics in trying to capture their footage.
A very light and uplifting read. I picked it because I initially wanted to read his ’Witness Testimony’ but thought it might be too depressing.
A very light and uplifting read. I picked it because I initially wanted to read his ’Witness Testimony’ but thought it might be too depressing.
December 23, 2021
Surprisingly, I found this to be a quick and easy read considering the amount of fascinating information and history shared. I really enjoyed David Attenborough’s personal stories, which I believe added to the captivating history of early discovery, the way animals have changed over time and how humans have come to better understand them and discover more about them.
February 13, 2024
I could listen to this man all day, every day, over and over. Sir David Attenborough you have my heart!! Such a fascinating read, and I learnt way more than I expected to. I also loved how a huge chunk of the book was set in Australia, that was very wholesome to listen to while living abroad.
July 16, 2024
Listened to David reading small 9 minute stories, some sad, some funny, some uplifting but all of them interesting and full of his natural history passion. A great way to pass a journey or while away the cleaning. Looking forward to listening to more.
July 30, 2010
If you're a David Attenborough fan or natural history enthusiast then you'll love this book just as much as I did. It consists of lots of 10 minute reads on several different topics - Sloths, Dodo, Platypus', etc. It explores their history, his own personal experiences, their intricate ways of life, and just is absolutely fansinating. I've watched all of the Planet Earth and Life series he has done, and still I learnt a lot I did not know. It made me laugh serveral times, and had me hooked from the moment he sat on a branch next to a sloth. It's also written in a typical Attenborough style, as you read you can almost hear his voice in your head! It's illustrated with a great collection of images, from photos to the first ever illustration - the one of the sloth stood on all fours made me laugh the most. A fantastic read!
November 17, 2009
Really interesting book to accompany the Radio 4 short series.
Read the chapter on the large blue butterfly - it is amazing.
As an avid reader of all David Attenborough's work, this book is not a disappointment. The fact it can be read in short snippets is great as you don't have to set aside a huge amount of time to read about a wide variety of creatures.
I meet him at a book signing last week and he is every bit as fantastic as you would imagine him to be. If you get the chance to meet him go for it!
Read the chapter on the large blue butterfly - it is amazing.
As an avid reader of all David Attenborough's work, this book is not a disappointment. The fact it can be read in short snippets is great as you don't have to set aside a huge amount of time to read about a wide variety of creatures.
I meet him at a book signing last week and he is every bit as fantastic as you would imagine him to be. If you get the chance to meet him go for it!
Want to read
December 3, 2021Engaging, well written, covers a variety of subjects from the natural world and with a personal twist from David Attenborough who I'm sure we all know and love.
Chapters are short, to the point and feel easily accessible. Each chapter is accompanied by a healthy dose of relevant photos to help visualise the points made/discussed.
Chapters are short, to the point and feel easily accessible. Each chapter is accompanied by a healthy dose of relevant photos to help visualise the points made/discussed.
March 6, 2014
Lovely.
November 25, 2012
Wonderful having Sir David reading while you drive
July 21, 2013
I could seriously listen to him all day long and never get tired of it!
March 16, 2016
Absolutely excellent. For people who love science and stories, there is no better combination than this!!
July 27, 2023
Cubby pictures. If Attenborough could be an animal he says he would be a sloth as it spends most of its time dozing.
May 26, 2022
David Attenborough could write a book about tort reform, and I would probably be riveted; however, if he read it as an audiobook, I would be mesmerized. His skills at writing and speaking are just that good. And while it is always better to be watching video as he shares his wonderful accounts of the natural world, an audiobook is the next best thing and much safer for driving.
Some of the best essays in this collection are the ones where he recalls adventures from his early career as a journalist for the BBC - climbing into tree canopies with chimps or waking up to a close encounter with the famous lioness, Elsa. Of course, Attenborough is famous for revealing little known and fascinating facts about the animal kingdom, and there are plenty of examples in this book, such as the odd characteristics of the platypus that make it an anomaly of animal classification. His explanation of how the Dodo bird went extinct turns out to be a strong argument for evolution and the impact of humans on the survival of species.
Other wonderful tidbits include the life cycle of the various species of cicadas and how the males make that incredibly loud noise. Attenborough gives readers a whole new appreciation for the marvelous flying and feeding skills of hummingbirds. His aversion to rats doesn't stop him from discussing how adaptable and plentiful they are, almost with a tone of true appreciation. I was astounded at his essay on nectar and how flowering plants have evolved to attract specific pollinators for the benefit of reproduction. This audiobook is just delightful, and so is its author.
Some of the best essays in this collection are the ones where he recalls adventures from his early career as a journalist for the BBC - climbing into tree canopies with chimps or waking up to a close encounter with the famous lioness, Elsa. Of course, Attenborough is famous for revealing little known and fascinating facts about the animal kingdom, and there are plenty of examples in this book, such as the odd characteristics of the platypus that make it an anomaly of animal classification. His explanation of how the Dodo bird went extinct turns out to be a strong argument for evolution and the impact of humans on the survival of species.
Other wonderful tidbits include the life cycle of the various species of cicadas and how the males make that incredibly loud noise. Attenborough gives readers a whole new appreciation for the marvelous flying and feeding skills of hummingbirds. His aversion to rats doesn't stop him from discussing how adaptable and plentiful they are, almost with a tone of true appreciation. I was astounded at his essay on nectar and how flowering plants have evolved to attract specific pollinators for the benefit of reproduction. This audiobook is just delightful, and so is its author.
November 1, 2023
EXACT RATING: 3.50 stars
I consider David Attenborough to be one of the most influential voices in my life. I’ve always been enamored by the natural world, but it wasn’t really until I watched the BBC production “Blue Planet” in 2002 that I really took on an active role and made that love and fascination of nature part of my identity.
Life Stories is a collection of seemingly random stories that Attenborough himself wrote and compiled and then had published in 2009. I had never heard of it until I was looking for any interesting (and immediately available) audiobook on Libby, so that I could have something fun to listen to on my commute last week.
The major weakness of any short story collection is that you have significantly less time to become invested in the characters or the narrative. In this case, each tale only lasts between 8-10 minutes, which is particularly abrupt even for short stories.
Some of them I especially enjoyed, like Attenborough’s recollections of searching for ammonite fossils during various stages of his life, and his journey to New Guinea to discover whether the amiable eyebrow waggle is universal among humanity. But others were less compelling.
However, for any other Attenborough-heads out there, I’d still give this short collection my recommendation..
I consider David Attenborough to be one of the most influential voices in my life. I’ve always been enamored by the natural world, but it wasn’t really until I watched the BBC production “Blue Planet” in 2002 that I really took on an active role and made that love and fascination of nature part of my identity.
Life Stories is a collection of seemingly random stories that Attenborough himself wrote and compiled and then had published in 2009. I had never heard of it until I was looking for any interesting (and immediately available) audiobook on Libby, so that I could have something fun to listen to on my commute last week.
The major weakness of any short story collection is that you have significantly less time to become invested in the characters or the narrative. In this case, each tale only lasts between 8-10 minutes, which is particularly abrupt even for short stories.
Some of them I especially enjoyed, like Attenborough’s recollections of searching for ammonite fossils during various stages of his life, and his journey to New Guinea to discover whether the amiable eyebrow waggle is universal among humanity. But others were less compelling.
However, for any other Attenborough-heads out there, I’d still give this short collection my recommendation..
July 7, 2025
Who doesn’t love David Attenborough? This book is a glorious reminder of why the world has such a soft spot for this living legend. It’s not just about nature, animals, and jaw-dropping adventures—though there’s plenty of that—it’s also about the grit, passion, and sheer determination of a man who has dedicated his life to bringing the wonders of the natural world into our living rooms.
David doesn’t just talk about nature. He lives it. He’s trekked, explored, narrated, and inspired generations—and this book gives you front-row access to that incredible journey. You’ll come away with a deeper respect for the planet… and probably want to adopt a penguin.
An absolute must-read for anyone with a curious mind, a love for the Earth, or a soft spot for soothing narrators with an encyclopedic knowledge of the animal kingdom.
David doesn’t just talk about nature. He lives it. He’s trekked, explored, narrated, and inspired generations—and this book gives you front-row access to that incredible journey. You’ll come away with a deeper respect for the planet… and probably want to adopt a penguin.
An absolute must-read for anyone with a curious mind, a love for the Earth, or a soft spot for soothing narrators with an encyclopedic knowledge of the animal kingdom.
August 2, 2019
If you've ever watched an Attenborough nature doc (and if you haven't, I'm not really sure what you're doing here), you'll enjoy this. It felt just as enjoyable and informative as any of his other work, even without video to go along with it, and I especially liked the way he interwove personal anecdotes with bio/ecological fact.
I did dock a star for a few things that bothered me--in one of the stories he spouts off a good deal of gender essentialism, and the way he talked about indigenous peoples made me uncomfortable and put me on edge. I don't think it ever went too far, and all these instances were at least short-lived; but even a few minutes of that in such a short, 3-hour audiobook felt like a lot.
Even so, I'm on hold for the second one and really looking forward to it.
I did dock a star for a few things that bothered me--in one of the stories he spouts off a good deal of gender essentialism, and the way he talked about indigenous peoples made me uncomfortable and put me on edge. I don't think it ever went too far, and all these instances were at least short-lived; but even a few minutes of that in such a short, 3-hour audiobook felt like a lot.
Even so, I'm on hold for the second one and really looking forward to it.
February 26, 2023
By Sir Dave's standards, this is rather a lightweight, easy read, on a variety of natural history topics. Each is told in bite-sized chapters pertaining to what were originally short radio talks, with several photographs, making for a fun and accessible read ideally suited to older children. That said, Life Stories is interesting throughout, albeit occasionally covering ground often mentioned in Sir Dave's previous books. If, like me, you've read Life On Earth or The First Eden, you may find this a little disappointingly less than eye-opening or academic. Even so, I still found it rather likeable and wanted to read the next chapter as soon as I finished the previous one. The last few chapters are especially thought-provoking. 4.5/5
February 13, 2024
I love this man's voice and the stories are pretty absorbing too. I like the way he said climbing to the top of the tree was a piece of cake, and the soundman said "Really?" and David realised he had recorded all the expletives and heartfelt cries he'd emitted while trying to attach himself to the rope!
I loved his stories about chameleons as they are my favourite animal. I would love to hold the tiny Madagascan one on the tip of my finger and watch it vibrate with anger. Have just finished listening to this today.
I loved his stories about chameleons as they are my favourite animal. I would love to hold the tiny Madagascan one on the tip of my finger and watch it vibrate with anger. Have just finished listening to this today.
September 10, 2018
Interesting stories - one of them being the history of the platypus and how people in Europe didn't believe they were real because at that time taxidermists were sewing together animal bits, claiming they were a new, exotic find, and selling them at exorbitant prices. Another is of the poor flightless dodo, who had every evolutionary advantage - no natural predators - until humans came along. Can't beat Attenborough talking about nature.
July 7, 2020
I listened to the book mostly because I love David Attenborough's narration of nature documentaries and I just wanted to listen to his voice. When my son was very little he was obsessed with a narration he did on frogs and we would listen to it when he woke up in the middle of the night being unable to fall back to sleep. Of course, the narration was great, but the substance, the stories were great as well.
October 3, 2021
Fascinating stories, sometimes hilarious and other times touching, from the natural world. Some of these animals and plants you will know of whereas many you won't, and you definitely won't have heard stories of them told like this. There's something here for everyone, from bizarre flowers and the amazing Platypus, to the Sloth and more, you will definitely learn something and come away feeling better about the world.
Also, listen to the audiobook to make the experience even better.
Also, listen to the audiobook to make the experience even better.
February 26, 2025
Personal experiences of a wide range of natural history. Highlights include the stench emitted by the giant flowers:Titan arum and rafflesia and fascinating to hear European scientists’ first impressions of the duck billed platypus and its evolutionary link between reptiles and mammals. Following animal tracks, collecting fossils, Baltic amber,
You can’t fail to learn lots about the natural world.
You can’t fail to learn lots about the natural world.
December 11, 2018
It was nice to listen this man I appreciate so much.
I learned some new astounding things about the wide life, but of course is much better and more understandable if you can see the things he tells.
The collection of stories are random, discontinuous stories and occasionally contains some life stories too.
I learned some new astounding things about the wide life, but of course is much better and more understandable if you can see the things he tells.
The collection of stories are random, discontinuous stories and occasionally contains some life stories too.
January 22, 2019
I read the audio book and found it a delight. Frankly, I would listen to Sir David read the telephone directory and no doubt enjoy it. This little anthology of stories and wisdom from his life with nature is fun, fascinating and full of facts. Relaxing and entertaining, I could have listened to hours more of his tales of life among the flora and fauna of the world.
April 15, 2021
I really enjoyed this book. It is full of short stories about the animals encountered by David Attenborough throughout his life of exploration. Some of the details were familiar to me as I only recently finished listening to his autobiography, A Life on Earth, but I was very happy to hear them again. Thoroughly recommended for anyone interested in natural history.
August 11, 2023
It's David Attenborough telling you about animals (and some funny stories about him in the field) in his signature voice and style. What more could you possibly want??
Seriously, how have I never thought to see if he narrated any audiobooks before? It's just a shame our library doesn't have more available.
Seriously, how have I never thought to see if he narrated any audiobooks before? It's just a shame our library doesn't have more available.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 96 reviews