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The Wit and Wisdom of David Attenborough: A Celebration of our Favorite Naturalist
A fascinating and entertaining collection of facts, quotes and stories, celebrating Sir David Attenborough's wicked sense of humor and astute wisdom.
David Attenborough is a national treasure, known for his soothing voice, calming presence, passion for the natural world, and his humble, easy-going nature. Despite his incredible talent and influence, he tends to play it all down, one time stating that, 'I can't believe I'm still employed'. So if he won't celebrate himself, we'll have to do it for him. Filled with facts, tributes and anecdotes, as well as beautiful illustrations, this enormously positive book celebrates Sir David, providing a fascinating insight into his life as well as showcasing his brilliant sense of humor. Running chronologically, this book begins with his early days, to his first job at the BBC , to eventually becoming the most esteemed naturalist on the planet, as he is today. Such revelations Blending his quips galore with his powerful messages on the environment and future of the planet, this timely book showcases everything we love about Sir David, making it the perfect gift for any fan. * He has over thirty!
David Attenborough is a national treasure, known for his soothing voice, calming presence, passion for the natural world, and his humble, easy-going nature. Despite his incredible talent and influence, he tends to play it all down, one time stating that, 'I can't believe I'm still employed'. So if he won't celebrate himself, we'll have to do it for him. Filled with facts, tributes and anecdotes, as well as beautiful illustrations, this enormously positive book celebrates Sir David, providing a fascinating insight into his life as well as showcasing his brilliant sense of humor. Running chronologically, this book begins with his early days, to his first job at the BBC , to eventually becoming the most esteemed naturalist on the planet, as he is today. Such revelations Blending his quips galore with his powerful messages on the environment and future of the planet, this timely book showcases everything we love about Sir David, making it the perfect gift for any fan. * He has over thirty!
- GenresBiographyNonfiction
208 pages, Hardcover
Published February 20, 2024
11 people are currently reading
107 people want to read
About the author
Chas Newkey-Burden
45 books23 followersChas Newkey-Burden is a British journalist and author. His books include The Reduced History of Britain, Great Email Disasters and Not In My Name: A Compendium Of Modern Hypocrisy (co-written with Julie Burchill). He has also written unauthorised biographies of Simon Cowell, Paris Hilton, Amy Winehouse, Alexandra Burke and six official publications for Arsenal football club.
He has written for publications including The Guardian, Four Four Two, Total Football, Time Out, Attitude and The Big Issue; and internet sites including Ynetnews, The First Post and Guardian Blogs. A former Contributing Editor to Loaded magazine and former editor of the football website icons.com, where he was also Dennis Bergkamp's official biographer. Interviewees include David Beckham, Ricky Gervais, Frank Lampard, Rachel Stevens and James Bourne.
Newkey-Burden has discussed his books, football news and the Middle East on TV and radio shows including Sky News, CNN, BBC Breakfast News, The Today Programme on Radio 4, Five Live Breakfast, TalkSport, Capital Gold and BBC Radio London. He was featured on the BBC 2 documentary Cold War Kids, the Sky One show Celebrities On Heat and The Biography Channel and Fuse Television's documentaries on Amy Winehouse.
Newkey-Burden has a blog, entitled OyVaGoy, in which he describes himself as 'philosemitic' and posts opinions firmly in support of the state of Israel, and critical of those he perceives as being against Israel.
In July 2008, the British satirical magazine Private Eye reported that Newkey-Burden had posted positive reviews of his own books on the Amazon.co.uk online bookstore.
He has written for publications including The Guardian, Four Four Two, Total Football, Time Out, Attitude and The Big Issue; and internet sites including Ynetnews, The First Post and Guardian Blogs. A former Contributing Editor to Loaded magazine and former editor of the football website icons.com, where he was also Dennis Bergkamp's official biographer. Interviewees include David Beckham, Ricky Gervais, Frank Lampard, Rachel Stevens and James Bourne.
Newkey-Burden has discussed his books, football news and the Middle East on TV and radio shows including Sky News, CNN, BBC Breakfast News, The Today Programme on Radio 4, Five Live Breakfast, TalkSport, Capital Gold and BBC Radio London. He was featured on the BBC 2 documentary Cold War Kids, the Sky One show Celebrities On Heat and The Biography Channel and Fuse Television's documentaries on Amy Winehouse.
Newkey-Burden has a blog, entitled OyVaGoy, in which he describes himself as 'philosemitic' and posts opinions firmly in support of the state of Israel, and critical of those he perceives as being against Israel.
In July 2008, the British satirical magazine Private Eye reported that Newkey-Burden had posted positive reviews of his own books on the Amazon.co.uk online bookstore.
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
December 5, 2023
In a Nutshell: An ode to the greatest planet hero: Sir David Attenborough. Almost like a bullet-list summation of his enthralling life, with plenty of trivia and interview quotes. Not officially endorsed by Sir D.A., but a great read for his fans, nevertheless.
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I am a huge fan of Sir David Attenborough. (How can one not be!?) I have seen almost all of his nature documentaries and have always relished his knowledgeable insights accompanying the visuals on screen. So when I saw the opportunity to read this book, I didn’t check the blurb or the author’s bio or any other detail. I just saw the title and grabbed it for the great man himself. A foolish risk to take, but luckily, it worked. 😄
I have already read Sir D.A.’s ‘Adventures of a Young Naturalist: The Zoo Quest Expeditions’ and have his autobiography, ‘Life on Air: Memoirs of a Broadcaster’ on my TBR. However, as my copy was published in 2010, it might be out of date now. This book served as a nice way of getting a quicker and more updated insight about my hero. (I’ll still read ‘Life on Air’ someday, no doubt about that.)
It is very clear that this book has been written by a person who is *almost* [wink, wink!] as big a fan of David Attenborough as I am. The attention to detail, the comprehensiveness of the facts, the fairness of the approach by sharing both positive and not-so-positive anecdotes about the veteran presenter, the extensive list of references at the end – all point to a meticulousness in data collection and presentation.
This book is not endorsed by or affiliated to the Sir D.A. in any way. What the author of this work has instead done is collate a sort of biography of the evergreen genius and presented it in mini capsules. The information has been pooled in from numerous interviews and articles written about and by Sir D.A., and from opinions shared by his colleagues over the years. There are also details about his family. All of this information has been organised in small chunks, making the book easy to read. You could either read it from start to end in the traditional flow, or simply flip over to a random page and check out a snippet without much confusion. I’d advocate the former method, of course.
The chosen approach is to collate the chapters by topics than to present his bio by calendar years. Some of the content gets a tad repetitive as quotes are sometimes taken from multiple sources for the same event. The information also goes back and forth in years (but with the time period always being specified) and isn’t chronological. However, most of the data is neatly categorised and extensive. The book doesn’t stop only at life milestones but also provides interesting trivia and tidbits about its star. I loved learning new facts about my idol. Here’s one: David Attenborough, animal champion extraordinaire, is afraid of rats. Who would have imagined!?
As a lot of the information comes through Sir D.A.’s own interviews, my head automatically read all those lines in his inimitable voice. It was fun doing so – I felt like he was narrating this book to me! 😄
There are many B&W illustrations throughout the book. While these do add to the charm, they were not really what I had wanted. I would have preferred actual photos of Sir D.A., preferably in action with the animals he loves so much. I understand how this might not be possible for an indie author or a small press due to BBC’s copyright constraints on the photographs, but the heart wants what it wants, right?
All in all, this book will be a great option for fans of Sir David Attenborough who want a quick and elaborate glimpse into his inspiring life. It would also make a great gifting option for any nature lover.
Sir David Attenborough turned 97 in May this year. Here’s wishing he hits a century, and many more years further!
4 stars.
My thanks to Random Things Tours, Octopus Books, and author Chas Newkey-Burden for a complimentary copy of 'The Wit and Wisdom of David Attenborough’. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Connect with me through:
My Blog | The StoryGraph | Instagram | Facebook | Twitter
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I am a huge fan of Sir David Attenborough. (How can one not be!?) I have seen almost all of his nature documentaries and have always relished his knowledgeable insights accompanying the visuals on screen. So when I saw the opportunity to read this book, I didn’t check the blurb or the author’s bio or any other detail. I just saw the title and grabbed it for the great man himself. A foolish risk to take, but luckily, it worked. 😄
I have already read Sir D.A.’s ‘Adventures of a Young Naturalist: The Zoo Quest Expeditions’ and have his autobiography, ‘Life on Air: Memoirs of a Broadcaster’ on my TBR. However, as my copy was published in 2010, it might be out of date now. This book served as a nice way of getting a quicker and more updated insight about my hero. (I’ll still read ‘Life on Air’ someday, no doubt about that.)
It is very clear that this book has been written by a person who is *almost* [wink, wink!] as big a fan of David Attenborough as I am. The attention to detail, the comprehensiveness of the facts, the fairness of the approach by sharing both positive and not-so-positive anecdotes about the veteran presenter, the extensive list of references at the end – all point to a meticulousness in data collection and presentation.
This book is not endorsed by or affiliated to the Sir D.A. in any way. What the author of this work has instead done is collate a sort of biography of the evergreen genius and presented it in mini capsules. The information has been pooled in from numerous interviews and articles written about and by Sir D.A., and from opinions shared by his colleagues over the years. There are also details about his family. All of this information has been organised in small chunks, making the book easy to read. You could either read it from start to end in the traditional flow, or simply flip over to a random page and check out a snippet without much confusion. I’d advocate the former method, of course.
The chosen approach is to collate the chapters by topics than to present his bio by calendar years. Some of the content gets a tad repetitive as quotes are sometimes taken from multiple sources for the same event. The information also goes back and forth in years (but with the time period always being specified) and isn’t chronological. However, most of the data is neatly categorised and extensive. The book doesn’t stop only at life milestones but also provides interesting trivia and tidbits about its star. I loved learning new facts about my idol. Here’s one: David Attenborough, animal champion extraordinaire, is afraid of rats. Who would have imagined!?
As a lot of the information comes through Sir D.A.’s own interviews, my head automatically read all those lines in his inimitable voice. It was fun doing so – I felt like he was narrating this book to me! 😄
There are many B&W illustrations throughout the book. While these do add to the charm, they were not really what I had wanted. I would have preferred actual photos of Sir D.A., preferably in action with the animals he loves so much. I understand how this might not be possible for an indie author or a small press due to BBC’s copyright constraints on the photographs, but the heart wants what it wants, right?
All in all, this book will be a great option for fans of Sir David Attenborough who want a quick and elaborate glimpse into his inspiring life. It would also make a great gifting option for any nature lover.
Sir David Attenborough turned 97 in May this year. Here’s wishing he hits a century, and many more years further!
4 stars.
My thanks to Random Things Tours, Octopus Books, and author Chas Newkey-Burden for a complimentary copy of 'The Wit and Wisdom of David Attenborough’. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Connect with me through:
My Blog | The StoryGraph | Instagram | Facebook | Twitter
December 23, 2023
Unexpected
December 5, 2023
A celebration of David Attenborough!
What a wonderful book. In a world that does its best to discover the clay feet of out idols and where so often successful folk are trolled and denigrated, The Wit and Wisdom of David Attenborough is balm for the soul. It’s a glorious, appreciative celebration of a man who has been in the background (or indeed the forefront) of our lives for decades. In a sense, all I need to say to review is ‘read the book’s description’ as that sums it up perfectly.
However, given that I think The Wit and Wisdom of David Attenborough would make a superb gift for anyone remotely interested in its subject, I feel I must comment on the physical attributes of the hard back. The illustrations on the front and back have an ethereal quality that reflects the gentleness of the subject and his association with nature. It’s a robust pocket sized volume that makes it easy to hold and transport. I loved the little illustrations interspersed between the text where there are images of things from a goose to a grand piano!
I loved the way the book tracks David Attenborough’s life chronologically and I read it that way, but subsequently I’ve dipped back in at random and that’s a cracking way to stumble upon a gem. Accessibly written, The Wit and Wisdom of David Attenborough is filled with facts, quotations and information that enable the reader to gain an insight into the man as well as the voice behind the television programmes. I had no idea David Attenborough has never passed his driving test for example, or that he originally rejected Terry Wogan as a BBC presenter. What works so well here is that Chas Newkey-Burden provides balance in the entries and not simply unthinking adoration. This is a volume with factual detail and a catalogue of reference sources that give it gravitas and authenticity.
I so enjoyed The Wit and Wisdom of David Attenborough because it taught me things I didn’t know about a man I’ve long admired, and rekindled my own memories involving both Attemborough himself and some of the projects with which he’s been involved and it left me rather wishing I’d been at that David Attenborough Monkey Rave! I think The Wit and Wisdom of David Attenborough would make the perfect gift and I loved it.
What a wonderful book. In a world that does its best to discover the clay feet of out idols and where so often successful folk are trolled and denigrated, The Wit and Wisdom of David Attenborough is balm for the soul. It’s a glorious, appreciative celebration of a man who has been in the background (or indeed the forefront) of our lives for decades. In a sense, all I need to say to review is ‘read the book’s description’ as that sums it up perfectly.
However, given that I think The Wit and Wisdom of David Attenborough would make a superb gift for anyone remotely interested in its subject, I feel I must comment on the physical attributes of the hard back. The illustrations on the front and back have an ethereal quality that reflects the gentleness of the subject and his association with nature. It’s a robust pocket sized volume that makes it easy to hold and transport. I loved the little illustrations interspersed between the text where there are images of things from a goose to a grand piano!
I loved the way the book tracks David Attenborough’s life chronologically and I read it that way, but subsequently I’ve dipped back in at random and that’s a cracking way to stumble upon a gem. Accessibly written, The Wit and Wisdom of David Attenborough is filled with facts, quotations and information that enable the reader to gain an insight into the man as well as the voice behind the television programmes. I had no idea David Attenborough has never passed his driving test for example, or that he originally rejected Terry Wogan as a BBC presenter. What works so well here is that Chas Newkey-Burden provides balance in the entries and not simply unthinking adoration. This is a volume with factual detail and a catalogue of reference sources that give it gravitas and authenticity.
I so enjoyed The Wit and Wisdom of David Attenborough because it taught me things I didn’t know about a man I’ve long admired, and rekindled my own memories involving both Attemborough himself and some of the projects with which he’s been involved and it left me rather wishing I’d been at that David Attenborough Monkey Rave! I think The Wit and Wisdom of David Attenborough would make the perfect gift and I loved it.
December 18, 2023
I don’t know about you but whenever I see David Attenborough’s name trending on X, I worry. Aged 97, Sir David is a national treasure and a wonderful ambassador for the animal world and the planet. This book is a celebration of the man and his career. The author makes it clear that it is not affiliated nor endorsed by DA and under various headings and different timelines the book shines a light on aspects of the man and his remarkable achievements and broadcasting career, which spans 8 decades. There are many anecdotes and tributes both touching and funny – an early official BBC memo opined whilst he was an intelligent young man and an excellent trainee producer, he should not be used as an interviewer again as his teeth were too big. Despite his many interactions with deadly creatures including scorpions and snakes, it is apparently a fear of rats that has him almost jumping up onto tables. It seems he will forever be known as the man who, whilst Controller of BBC Radio 2 in the 1960’s rejected a job application from Terry Wogan – a radio and TV presenter icon who went on to enjoy over 50 years as a broadcaster.
It is not a biography (although there is so much detail it could easily be) but a collection of facts and stories displayed in an easy to read format. This book may be small in size but it is full of information. Peppered with black and white illustrations this is a charming and insightful read and a superb tribute to a much loved man.
It is not a biography (although there is so much detail it could easily be) but a collection of facts and stories displayed in an easy to read format. This book may be small in size but it is full of information. Peppered with black and white illustrations this is a charming and insightful read and a superb tribute to a much loved man.
April 15, 2024
There were a lot of interesting facts in this book regarding David Attenborough's life. But I felt the writing seemed to jump from topic to topic. And the end of the book was very sudden.
May 30, 2025
Interesting facts and easy read. Jumps about way too often and quite repetitive with quotes and facts. Too much of a focus on the royal family for a book in tribute to a man who would rather focus on important issues.
December 13, 2023
The writing was engaging and nicely set out as little nuggets of information broken up with illustrations and short Did You Know facts.
The book opened up with an introduction that really showed the passion and respect that the author has for David Attenborough. This carried on throughout the book which made it a nice read.
Following on from the introduction was a timeline highlighting the key points in David Attenborough's life. It gave the reader a good overview and allowed the 'story' to begin. The initial timeline meant that the reader could focus on certain areas without feeling like anything was missing from the overall story as, after all, a lot has happened in his life and it could have easily been overbearing and dragged on. As it was, it was well balanced with the right amount of time spent on each time period of his life, meaning that my interest never wavered.
The book was split into 5 chapters with interesting titles. This gave the reader a focus and grounded the bits of information that were being delivered.
I loved the size of the book and it's ability to allow you to dip in and out (although I could quite easily sit and read it for long periods of time - which I did!)
By the end of the book I felt like I knew David Attenborough better and found a new respect for him. I have to admit that I didn't realise how popular he was with the general public and it was interesting to see how many opinion polls he topped.
Overall I loved reading about David Attenborough in this easy to read book. It was well laid out with an excellent pace and flow, which in my opinion together with it's overall presentation, would make an ideal gift for anyone (including yourself!).
The book opened up with an introduction that really showed the passion and respect that the author has for David Attenborough. This carried on throughout the book which made it a nice read.
Following on from the introduction was a timeline highlighting the key points in David Attenborough's life. It gave the reader a good overview and allowed the 'story' to begin. The initial timeline meant that the reader could focus on certain areas without feeling like anything was missing from the overall story as, after all, a lot has happened in his life and it could have easily been overbearing and dragged on. As it was, it was well balanced with the right amount of time spent on each time period of his life, meaning that my interest never wavered.
The book was split into 5 chapters with interesting titles. This gave the reader a focus and grounded the bits of information that were being delivered.
I loved the size of the book and it's ability to allow you to dip in and out (although I could quite easily sit and read it for long periods of time - which I did!)
By the end of the book I felt like I knew David Attenborough better and found a new respect for him. I have to admit that I didn't realise how popular he was with the general public and it was interesting to see how many opinion polls he topped.
Overall I loved reading about David Attenborough in this easy to read book. It was well laid out with an excellent pace and flow, which in my opinion together with it's overall presentation, would make an ideal gift for anyone (including yourself!).
December 7, 2023
Title: The Wit & Wisdom of David Attenborough
Author: Chas Newkey- Burden
Publisher: Gaia/ Octopus Books
Pages: 272
Genre: Non Fiction/ Humour
Rating: 5/5
Book Blurb:
A fascinating and entertaining collection of facts, quotes and stories, celebrating Sir David Attenborough's wicked sense of humour and astute wisdom.
David Attenborough is a national treasure, known for his soothing voice, calming presence, passion for the natural world, and his humble, easy-going nature. Despite his incredible talent and influence, he tends to play it all down, one time stating that, 'I can't believe I'm still employed'.
So if he won't celebrate himself, we'll have to do it for him.
Review:
Thank you to Anne at Random Things Tours for my spot on the tour!
I adore David Attenborough, so when given the opportunity to read and review, I snapped it up. I was excited to discover that this book contains pictures, quotes, anecdotes and facts to celebrate Attenborough’s clever mind and his humour, this read really is a celebration for this legend.
I liked how the information we is given is told chronologically, it gave you a real insight to Attenborough and it was lovely to hear about his earlier days. I loved the little pictures throughout and there were some really fun facts throughout that I would have never of expected! The whole layout of the book was fantastic, I really appreciated that the author gave the information in bitesize chunks, meaning it wasn’t information overload which can be overwhelming.
The author highlights David’s message of how close we are to damaging our planet beyond repair and it did leave me feeling a little scared. In fact, there were some really poignant moments in this read that struck a chord with me.
This book fascinated and captivated me, the author kept me engaged throughout and I really enjoyed getting to know Attenborough, the author really does know his stuff and he really will have done the man proud. I have no complaints about this read at all, the author really did an amazing job. Chas really did get me on the ending too, leaving me with the thought that David won’t be around forever, because I really can’t imagine a world without him!
Author: Chas Newkey- Burden
Publisher: Gaia/ Octopus Books
Pages: 272
Genre: Non Fiction/ Humour
Rating: 5/5
Book Blurb:
A fascinating and entertaining collection of facts, quotes and stories, celebrating Sir David Attenborough's wicked sense of humour and astute wisdom.
David Attenborough is a national treasure, known for his soothing voice, calming presence, passion for the natural world, and his humble, easy-going nature. Despite his incredible talent and influence, he tends to play it all down, one time stating that, 'I can't believe I'm still employed'.
So if he won't celebrate himself, we'll have to do it for him.
Review:
Thank you to Anne at Random Things Tours for my spot on the tour!
I adore David Attenborough, so when given the opportunity to read and review, I snapped it up. I was excited to discover that this book contains pictures, quotes, anecdotes and facts to celebrate Attenborough’s clever mind and his humour, this read really is a celebration for this legend.
I liked how the information we is given is told chronologically, it gave you a real insight to Attenborough and it was lovely to hear about his earlier days. I loved the little pictures throughout and there were some really fun facts throughout that I would have never of expected! The whole layout of the book was fantastic, I really appreciated that the author gave the information in bitesize chunks, meaning it wasn’t information overload which can be overwhelming.
The author highlights David’s message of how close we are to damaging our planet beyond repair and it did leave me feeling a little scared. In fact, there were some really poignant moments in this read that struck a chord with me.
This book fascinated and captivated me, the author kept me engaged throughout and I really enjoyed getting to know Attenborough, the author really does know his stuff and he really will have done the man proud. I have no complaints about this read at all, the author really did an amazing job. Chas really did get me on the ending too, leaving me with the thought that David won’t be around forever, because I really can’t imagine a world without him!
December 4, 2023
Everything about this non-fiction biography is appealing: the size (it’s so handy to pop in a bag and dip into when you have ten minutes) as it’s smaller than your average hardback, the artwork on the cover, beautifully illustrated and the layout inside: an easy reference book to jump into without losing the thread.
Although not endorsed by the man himself, this book really does pay tribute to Attenborough’s impact on the way we see the planet. He has been a constant in my life, much like the late Queen Elizabeth was until last year.
His unfaltering determination to communicate the beauty, as well as the fragility of our eco system resonates throughout this hommage to the man.
It would make a perfect gift to all whose who admire him, his work, his presence on the world stage and his calm authoritative voice in the noise and of a world so desperately in need of the utmost care.
And yet his humble nature would not court such praise, hence the book has not been authorised by him. However, this does not detract in anyway from what Chas Newkey-Burden has achieved here.
A thoroughly enjoyable read, full of facts, anecdotes and some harsh realities we need to hear.
A treasure of a book about a treasure of a man, even if he shuns the phrase.
Above all it’s his legacy that shines through at the end of this book. It feels as if he truly is the ‘Protector of this planet’ (4). His own commentary from interviews, documentaries and speeches are included at intervals, one of which resonated with me more than most:
‘Nature once determined how we survive. Now we determine how nature survives.’
page 174, The Wit and Wisdom of David Attenborough
Although not endorsed by the man himself, this book really does pay tribute to Attenborough’s impact on the way we see the planet. He has been a constant in my life, much like the late Queen Elizabeth was until last year.
His unfaltering determination to communicate the beauty, as well as the fragility of our eco system resonates throughout this hommage to the man.
It would make a perfect gift to all whose who admire him, his work, his presence on the world stage and his calm authoritative voice in the noise and of a world so desperately in need of the utmost care.
And yet his humble nature would not court such praise, hence the book has not been authorised by him. However, this does not detract in anyway from what Chas Newkey-Burden has achieved here.
A thoroughly enjoyable read, full of facts, anecdotes and some harsh realities we need to hear.
A treasure of a book about a treasure of a man, even if he shuns the phrase.
Above all it’s his legacy that shines through at the end of this book. It feels as if he truly is the ‘Protector of this planet’ (4). His own commentary from interviews, documentaries and speeches are included at intervals, one of which resonated with me more than most:
‘Nature once determined how we survive. Now we determine how nature survives.’
page 174, The Wit and Wisdom of David Attenborough
December 12, 2023
When they say Attenborough in a national treasure, they are barely scratching the surface of just how much he matters and how much he has done for the world, and for our planet. From when o was young, I have always loved his presenting and the way his voice of honey flowed so nicely, in the way he told to stories of the world round us. In the interviews I have watched, he has always been very quick-witted and with a bit of lovely humour and cheek. This was brought to life with this fascinating and absolutely brilliant level of detail in this book.
I was completely hooked by this book. There is something beautiful in the way it bring the real Attenborough and his cheeky, clever self to the surface, for us to read and have a chance to get to know him and her personality. I thought it was a beautiful and very insightful read and is one I will definitely read again.
I was completely hooked by this book. There is something beautiful in the way it bring the real Attenborough and his cheeky, clever self to the surface, for us to read and have a chance to get to know him and her personality. I thought it was a beautiful and very insightful read and is one I will definitely read again.
December 12, 2023
As soon as I seen this book, I knew I was going to enjoy it and it didn't disappoint me. Sir David Attenborough is a national treasure and still works hard on what he loves. This book covers the life and love of nature of Sir David Attenborough. We have some fun stories from his childhood to his life now. It also including his career with the BBC and adventures around the world. Sir David is a climate change campaigner, advocates for population control. This book is full from cover to cover with facts, anecdotes, tributers and beautiful illustrations. You'll see Sir David's sense of humour which I love. This would make a great gift for everyone, especially this time of the year.
November 12, 2023
- Did you know that Sir David Attenborough is afraid of Rats? There's so much I didn't know about him and this taught me so much!
- It was split up into small paragraphs with chunks of information which was helpful with reading it as I tend to struggle with non-fiction.
- It was split up into small paragraphs with chunks of information which was helpful with reading it as I tend to struggle with non-fiction.
January 18, 2024
Bit of a dry read. I thought it'd have lots of quotes but it didn't. I was impressed to find out David has 32 honorary degrees. He's also one of the most well travelled people alive yet has never passed his driving test! Ended up sending this back.
October 27, 2025
This book explores the entire career of the great Sir David Attenborough. As for the actual depth of the read itself, it is quite light. Easy read for those looking to learn more behind the scenes of his life
March 10, 2024
Easy to read; honours one of England's national treasures.
March 27, 2024
Such a good book I didn't want not to end.
I've loved Sir David Attenborough since I was a child and I nearly cried when I got this for Christmas.
I've loved Sir David Attenborough since I was a child and I nearly cried when I got this for Christmas.
August 16, 2024
Not quite an ultra-light biography of the great man - really just quoted snippets from his life, together with review fragments of his programmes, speeches and interviews.
October 7, 2024
A quick, entertaining educational read about the most beloved public figures of our times.
December 21, 2024
The book lacks flow. It's neither a biography not an interesting collection of anecdotes.
June 22, 2025
2.5
Cute little appreciation for the national treasure but nothing I would recommend really
Cute little appreciation for the national treasure but nothing I would recommend really
October 4, 2025
What a wonderful read. Funny and serious all in one tale. I never realised that there were 3 Attenborough boys. All the people that David has meet are so fascinating.
December 11, 2023
David Attenborough is a national treasure and quite literally I've grown up watching everything he's done on television. His enthusiasm and passion for our earth and its animals is phenomenal and he needs to be celebrated!
Whilst the book is tiny, it contains absolutely everything Attenborough; the things we know, the things we didnt know we needed to know and so much more.
The book takes us on a journey through Attenborough's life with quips, quotes and facts taken from his early years, his time with BBC and his enviable career.
I absolutely loved it, it's definitely one that I will dip in and out of, time and time again.
Whilst the book is tiny, it contains absolutely everything Attenborough; the things we know, the things we didnt know we needed to know and so much more.
The book takes us on a journey through Attenborough's life with quips, quotes and facts taken from his early years, his time with BBC and his enviable career.
I absolutely loved it, it's definitely one that I will dip in and out of, time and time again.
May 26, 2025
Given to me as a present. Love David Attenborough, liked the book. It’s like a Wikipedia entry but having taken out all the boring bits. Given it four stars as there’s no reason not to really if you catch my drift?
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