What do you think?
Rate this book
David Attenborough's Life Stories #2
New Life Stories
Book by
1 pages, Audio CD
First published June 1, 2011
50 people are currently reading
598 people want to read
About the author
David Attenborough
173 books2,747 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
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 51 reviews
July 1, 2016
David Attenborough. SIR David Attenborough - and trust me, that knighthood was more than earned. This man has been in the radio and television industry all his life and has brought many hours of joy and education to little Me and many others with stunning video footage of mesmerizing places and intriguing creatures!
And yes, this little bookworm has had a crush on him for a long time!
He's one of those people who just naturally get respect. He's dedicated, has a huge heart, is full of energy and incredibly intelligent (but never snobbish, he rather enjoys fooling around apparently).
And he always likes to get close up and personal with the animals he reports about (also in order to take away prejudice and fear as he once put it).
This is one of the most recent pictures of him (yes, he's grown old, sadly, but he still travels the globe constantly in order to show on what a fantastic planet we live - in an effort to get more people invested in preservation).
http://www.calgaryherald.com/life/roy...
This is the second volume about his life stories that is divided into 20 chapters. The chapters range from certain animals (Kiwi, Chimps) to whole races (butterflies) to other nature-related themes (canopy). Each chapter is full of wonderful information and anecdotes that never get boring and great (albeit older) photographs.
(Pretty illustration at the beginning of the book.)
(The lioness was chosen because the last chapter in this book is about Elsa - a hand-raised female lion cub and the sensation that was her story, as published first in 1960.)
(These are not, like I thought at first, spider threads that caught some droplets, but larvae of a special type of fungus in New Zealand.)
A wonderful collection, as usual in high quality (I've yet to see a work of poor quality coming from the BBC), not only giving a glimpse at our environment but also at this wonderful explorer.
And yes, this little bookworm has had a crush on him for a long time!
He's one of those people who just naturally get respect. He's dedicated, has a huge heart, is full of energy and incredibly intelligent (but never snobbish, he rather enjoys fooling around apparently).
And he always likes to get close up and personal with the animals he reports about (also in order to take away prejudice and fear as he once put it).
This is one of the most recent pictures of him (yes, he's grown old, sadly, but he still travels the globe constantly in order to show on what a fantastic planet we live - in an effort to get more people invested in preservation).
http://www.calgaryherald.com/life/roy...
This is the second volume about his life stories that is divided into 20 chapters. The chapters range from certain animals (Kiwi, Chimps) to whole races (butterflies) to other nature-related themes (canopy). Each chapter is full of wonderful information and anecdotes that never get boring and great (albeit older) photographs.
(Pretty illustration at the beginning of the book.)
(The lioness was chosen because the last chapter in this book is about Elsa - a hand-raised female lion cub and the sensation that was her story, as published first in 1960.)
(These are not, like I thought at first, spider threads that caught some droplets, but larvae of a special type of fungus in New Zealand.)
A wonderful collection, as usual in high quality (I've yet to see a work of poor quality coming from the BBC), not only giving a glimpse at our environment but also at this wonderful explorer.
February 8, 2019
Wonderful on audio.
January 29, 2021
Another very relaxing and often entertaining listen. I still like it better with the videos he shares, but I love listening to him speak.
September 13, 2014
Another masterpiece of the world of nature from Mr Attenborough!
November 28, 2020
I love watching David Attenborough’s documentaries but have never gotten around to reading one of his books until now. Well I listened to the audiobook, and I wasn’t disappointed. This is actually the second book in the series which I didn’t realise until I finished the audiobook but in all honesty it made no difference in my enjoyment at all.
Like his documentaries each chapter is full of fascinating information about different species of animals to just nature related themes, and I just couldn’t get enough of it.
As I mentioned at the beginning I listened to the audiobook, which is narrated by David Attenborough himself and his done a fab job. His calm voice just draws you in. Although the audiobook was fantastic I do wish I was following along with a physical copy as I missed looking at all the wonderful photo’s that are included in the book. I will definitely be looking into borrowing a physical copy from my local library just as soon as they reopen.
There’s not much more I can say about this book as it’s one of those that you have to read yourselves. 100% recommend this book/audiobook.
Like his documentaries each chapter is full of fascinating information about different species of animals to just nature related themes, and I just couldn’t get enough of it.
As I mentioned at the beginning I listened to the audiobook, which is narrated by David Attenborough himself and his done a fab job. His calm voice just draws you in. Although the audiobook was fantastic I do wish I was following along with a physical copy as I missed looking at all the wonderful photo’s that are included in the book. I will definitely be looking into borrowing a physical copy from my local library just as soon as they reopen.
There’s not much more I can say about this book as it’s one of those that you have to read yourselves. 100% recommend this book/audiobook.
June 17, 2022
A great naturalist , that can be listened to any time regardless of your age,
The audio is read by David himself and it is brilliant . He really puts his heart into it. I felt as though he was in the room with me.
It was interesting to find out that David is terrified of rats and has a dislike of maggots . With his enthusiasm for the natural world honestly thought he liked all animals.
The audio is read by David himself and it is brilliant . He really puts his heart into it. I felt as though he was in the room with me.
It was interesting to find out that David is terrified of rats and has a dislike of maggots . With his enthusiasm for the natural world honestly thought he liked all animals.
September 13, 2020
This man never fails to entertain. He has the voice you listen to, whoever you are.
The tales within this volume are fascinating, just like the previous one. I never tire of this.
When it comes to it, the natural world beats everything in importance.
We can only hope for more.
The tales within this volume are fascinating, just like the previous one. I never tire of this.
When it comes to it, the natural world beats everything in importance.
We can only hope for more.
October 24, 2019
Honestly, one of the most delightful things I've ever listened to.
February 3, 2025
Who doesnt love a bit of Attenborough
July 29, 2021
I was pretty excited about this book. I hoped to hear interesting stories of a man who has traveled the world to far and distant places that few people ever get to see. I was let down big time. Attenborough tells some interesting stories. However, he frequently has long asides talking about different species. Not necessarily a bad thing, but usually, I would much rather watch the fantastic footage that he recorded instead of him describing it to me.
December 19, 2020
David really has a great way of storytelling. It was such a delight to listen to him narrating his vast experiences in the natural world. From butterflies to monsters, they were all fascinating, I could listen to this book again & again.
June 27, 2016
This was in a display at the library when I was pondering a safety net of nature books for 30DaysWild, should I not be able to get out and about some days. And Attenborough seemed an essential.
This was such an enjoyable book. It's a set of somewhat random chapters which between them bring together so many elements of writing and thinking about the natural world. There are the familiar fascinating facts but also elements of autobiography - good to be reminded that this giant of broadcasting and nature grew up not in a standard issue wild idyll, nor in the great metropolis, but in Leicester. Good to know too that even the great embracers of the natural world have their dislikes and fears. The choice of images is excellent.
One of my favourite chapters was about an early wildlife reserve creator and his very naughty way with taxidermy.
This was such an enjoyable book. It's a set of somewhat random chapters which between them bring together so many elements of writing and thinking about the natural world. There are the familiar fascinating facts but also elements of autobiography - good to be reminded that this giant of broadcasting and nature grew up not in a standard issue wild idyll, nor in the great metropolis, but in Leicester. Good to know too that even the great embracers of the natural world have their dislikes and fears. The choice of images is excellent.
One of my favourite chapters was about an early wildlife reserve creator and his very naughty way with taxidermy.
June 4, 2018
So how do you get up into the treetops of the Amazon rain forest, so you can see what's going on up there? Maybe get a video of it. Especially if you're not so good at climbing ropes. You know, you watch these documentaries, and they just sort of do it. It was interesting hearing about his struggles to get up there, and his many other nature stories. His personal experience with Ilsa the lion of Born Free, the mob of butterflies. And his aversion to rats. That has to be a hard one for a naturalist. I enjoyed the stories.
February 11, 2018
I am avid follower of David Attenborough's works. In my honest thought, this is such a pure bliss just to read about his experience on various topics like rats, cicadas, chimps and kiwis. The narration is pretty forward and simple but nothing's wrong with it. If you're into Planet earth series and other documentaries that he's done, then reading this book provides an insight from Attenborough himself of what it's like to observe the animals way of life.
April 1, 2014
Whoever decided letting David Attenborough ramble about whatever he felt like was a good idea was a genius. Love the mixture of interesting facts, biography and subtle humour (using a chameleon as car security, having a conversation with a unattentive party host about the 'lovely' pterosaurs one could find flying over the Dorset Coast).
August 31, 2014
An eclectic collection of this great man's life experiences underlining just how remarkable his life has been. Yep - his voice is clearly heard while reading this book, strong imagery too. My favourite story is about the rats, oh, and Elsa too! Well worth reading. I knocked it over in one week-end.
Read
April 8, 2013I honestly don't think that Attenborough can go wrong. Beautiful stories about different types of animals that reside on our planet.
November 10, 2013
Very enjoyable 3 disk collection of stories read by Attenborough
July 12, 2016
Not quite as good as the predecessor, but still quite good!! I especially liked the story of the chameleon car protection system
July 8, 2012
You can hear the great man's voice when you read the short topic chapters. Brilliant.
September 30, 2020
The interesting sex lives of earthworms, individualism in animals, epic butterfly migrations, the fear of rats, the relationship between the honey badger and the honeyguide, the tragic outcome of those who were involved with Elsa the Lioness (of Born Free fame). Are we 99% chimpanzee or are chimpanzees 99% human? Every story brings awe and wonder to the natural world. We think of ourselves as superior beings but Sir David Attenborough never fails to amuse us with vivid descriptions of natural history. I could almost hear him narrating the story as I read the immersive book. It's complemented by stunning photography that will bring you out of your solitary Covid confines and into safaris, caves, the deep jungle and even his own backyard garden! Truly enjoyed the book. It's an easy read just because every story is so interesting! BTW, I borrowed it from the local library - I couldn't find it on Books Depository or Amazon.
June 11, 2020
Absolutely delightful from beginning to end. I wish it could have gone on for a gazillion more chapters. I listened to this on audiobook, read by the great man himself, and I’ve always said I could listen to him for hours. He’s one of my all time heroes. He has that wonderful mixture of gravitas and wonder in his voice and words. This book is a lovely mix of facts from the natural world along with anecdotes of Sir David’s encounters whilst filming.
May 24, 2021
You can never go wrong with David Attenborough's stories, especially when they are on audio with David narrating it himself. This is a collection of 20 wonderful anecdotes which range across the author's life. There is a real focus on birds throughout the book, but each and every story is a delight. Listening to this is like curling up with a parent who reads you a captivating story. It is just pure, delicious, comfort.
January 24, 2025
A great audio nature documentary but as it is read by the master himself, Sir David Attenborough, I kept falling asleep! How I love his soothing and grandfatherly voice! Some interesting and unusual factoids about various creatures in nature but not a novel by any means; truly a documentary or nature lover’s FYI with each chapter honing in on a different species. That’s about it! A short quasi-interesting listen - great for a long car ride! Just don’t fall asleep!!
July 23, 2017
TITLE: David Attenborough New Life Stories
WHY I CHOSE THIS BOOK: Just trying to learn more about the natural world
REVIEW: This is no Seeds of Hope but I learned a lot of interesting facts about plants, and animals. This book is based on a TV show. Each chapter equals an episode. The author/reader discusses the history and mystery of things like potatoes and cicadas.
WHY I CHOSE THIS BOOK: Just trying to learn more about the natural world
REVIEW: This is no Seeds of Hope but I learned a lot of interesting facts about plants, and animals. This book is based on a TV show. Each chapter equals an episode. The author/reader discusses the history and mystery of things like potatoes and cicadas.
December 23, 2020
I love David Attenborough. This is a pleasant compact little episodic series that David narrates. He gives a little bit of background into his mental and emotional state during some of his memorable natural world encounters. You’ll find some lions, chameleons, chimps, rats, and cicadas in here. Fun easy quick listen.
December 20, 2023
Enthralling tales of a living legend: Attenborough really is a national treasure and his voice like a warm soup with crusty bread by a crackling fire.
It is fascinating to read what Attenborough himself sees as some of the most memorable moments of such a full and colourful life. I also learned a good many things along the way.
It is fascinating to read what Attenborough himself sees as some of the most memorable moments of such a full and colourful life. I also learned a good many things along the way.
November 23, 2020
What's not to love about David Attenborough narrating anecdotes from his life interspersed with fascinating facts? By turns interesting, enlightening, funny (his adventures with rats, which he hates are hysterical). Wonderful.
January 22, 2021
A delightful, interesting, informative, erudite, and charming servies of relatively short shories, delivered with the clarity, charm, and wit of a great naturalist and humanist. Guaranteed to put a smile on the faces of young and old. Universal appeal and universally appealing.
September 8, 2022
My first time listening to this format, I find it interesting and amusing, and I realized enjoyed the condensed 10 minutes chapters, it helped me listen in smaller gaps without feeling like I had to 'commit'. Would welcome many of these.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 51 reviews