David Attenborough - Life on Air: Memoirs of a Broadcaster

This was the second David Attenborough book I have listened to (the first being Life Stories) and I was yet again totally enthralled. Informative, witty, well-paced and read with the wonderful soothing voice of David himself, this audible book is a pleasure to listen to.
To be honest, I wasn't overly sure I would be as interested in his broadcasting memoirs, as I was in his adventures in the natural world, but I was certainly wrong - these are, after all, the memoirs of a marvelous man and not of the BBC. And anyway, there were plenty of natural world tales to keep me satisfied. There were a few small overlaps of recounts from the Life Stories book - but these were enjoyable as the re-telling differed, expanded and added to the previous listening. Also, it felt like I was re-visiting an old friend as I listened to a part-recognised tale.
David's memories of the early days of broadcasting and of the BBC are a wonderful window into long-gone days, of the people, the trial and error learning and of the adventures that were encountered. David manages to recount these with such warmth and feeling that you can almost imagine yourself there, alongside him. Through highs and lows, this book takes you along. I found the background to the making of the various television series very interesting, bringing a new perspective to when I now watch them. The hardest part to listen to was when David recounted the loss of his Wife - I freely admit to moist eyes and a tight throat at his words.
Broken down into 3 downloads, this book was thoroughly enjoyable from start to finish, I hastened from the end of one part to the start of the next. If you are wondering if it is worth downloading - it is. If you are asking yourself 'Will I find it interesting?'- you will. If you are thinking there are better books to listen to - there are few. Download this book and enjoy.

David Attenborough, in my eyes, is one of the last great adveturer's, try to remember when listening to this production that he, and his crew were there, in the face of danger, breaking new ground (in more ways than one!).
He pioneered many TV milestones, and has become the voice of nature.
I highly recommend this book.

I'm still only on the first section but this is brilliant. I'm very fussy about my audiobooks and if the voise of the narrator isn't pleasing to my ears then it's a major turn-off. Of course David Attenborough has a brilliant voice, so that coupled with his interesting lifestory makes this the perfact book for me. I'm listening to it while working in the office and it's a great background sound track. Well worth getting if you have enjoyed any of his TV or Radio shows

The most engaging and awe inspiring biography I have ever had the pleasure to listen to. Genuinely moving scenes interspersed with humorous tales of events of his travels around the globe. He reads, as anyone would expect, superbly and the hours pass by remarkably quickly. My only disappointment was there was not more to listen to as it was that perfect a listen. My thanks, David Attenborough for sharing this with us.

This has been a brilliant book to listen to - such value for money! David Atenborough writes eloquently and with a breadth of vocabulary, and reads with such clarity - the voice of an experienced broadcaster! The book goes through his life in chronological order giving a fascinating insight into both David's life and the development of the BBC, television programming, filming and scheduling over recent decades. I was amazed by how much David had done beyond the wildlife programs for which he is so well known. He comes across as a humble, highly intelligent and ever curious individual. A long and interesting life!

Hours upon hours on delightful listening. This gentle, humble, tenacious man takes us on the journey of his life and, if like me you grew up with him on the television, our lives too. Always compelling, sometimes a little sentimental but always delightful I sometimes sat on a bench once getting off the tube before going to where I had to just to here the end of a story. It's an utter delight and I will easily, nay definitely, listen to it more than once.

19 hours of a pleasure able journey with a very charming chap, than you for sharing this with us Sir David

I loved every minute of listening to the Author reading his memoirs, he has such an amazing voice and is a brilliant story teller. I raced through it but towards the end started rationing my listening because I simply didnt want it to end. Thank you David for a wonderful listen.

I did not know half of what David has done in his past and having grown up watching him on TV, I had no idea of the talent that this gentleman has.

This is by far the best audio book that I have listened to and would recommend to all.

David Attenborough is a giant of natural history and this book charting his many TV series brought home to me just what a contribution he's made to our understanding of the natural world. I hadn't really realized what hardships and privations he's had to go through to capture the footage of unusual life forms in inaccessible places. It's fascinating to hear how the advances in technology have aided his work and enabled him and his team of dedicated camera and sound men bring the natural world into our living rooms. This is a wonderful book and I enjoyed every minute of it. Attenborough is an excellent raconteur with a lively sense of humour. Unreservedly recommended as a great listen.