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How to Shoot an Amateur Naturalist
How to Shoot an Amateur Naturalist
205 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1984
7 people are currently reading
271 people want to read
About the author
Gerald Durrell
227 books1,711 followersGerald "Gerry" Malcolm Durrell was born in India in 1925. His elder siblings are Lawrence Durrell, Leslie Durrell, and Margaret Durrell. His family settled on Corfu when Gerald was a boy and he spent his time studying its wildlife. He relates these experiences in the trilogy beginning with My Family And Other Animals, and continuing with Birds, Beasts, And Relatives and The Garden Of The Gods. In his books he writes with wry humour and great perception about both the humans and the animals he meets.
On leaving Corfu he returned to England to work on the staff of Whipsnade Park as a student keeper. His adventures there are told with characteristic energy in Beasts In My Belfry. A few years later, Gerald began organising his own animal-collecting expeditions. The first, to the Cameroons, was followed by expeditions to Paraguay, Argentina and Sierra Leone. He recounts these experiences in a number of books, including The Drunken Forest. Gerald also visited many countries while shooting various television series, including An Amateur Naturalist. In 1958 Gerald Durrell realised a lifelong dream when he set up the Jersey Zoological Park, followed a few years later by the Jersey Wildlife Preservation Trust.
Gerald was married twice; Jacquie Durrell (1951-1979), Lee Durrell (1979-1995).
Gerald Durrell's style is exuberant, passionate and acutely observed. He died in 1995.
On leaving Corfu he returned to England to work on the staff of Whipsnade Park as a student keeper. His adventures there are told with characteristic energy in Beasts In My Belfry. A few years later, Gerald began organising his own animal-collecting expeditions. The first, to the Cameroons, was followed by expeditions to Paraguay, Argentina and Sierra Leone. He recounts these experiences in a number of books, including The Drunken Forest. Gerald also visited many countries while shooting various television series, including An Amateur Naturalist. In 1958 Gerald Durrell realised a lifelong dream when he set up the Jersey Zoological Park, followed a few years later by the Jersey Wildlife Preservation Trust.
Gerald was married twice; Jacquie Durrell (1951-1979), Lee Durrell (1979-1995).
Gerald Durrell's style is exuberant, passionate and acutely observed. He died in 1995.
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
February 27, 2023
As always, Gerald Durrell's humorous depictions of the animal kingdom kept me fascinated.
The theme of this book are a selection of events that occurred in the course of him and his wife shooting a TV series The Amateur Naturalist. In order to shoot the segments they had to go to a range of fascinating places that come alive through Gerald's beautiful prose. They are put into awkward situations - such as climbing down cliffs in the Shetlands and falling out of hot air balloons.
Through out is a love of animals and wonderful descriptions of them, it is that talent that ensnared me while I was still a child and is still as captivating now. Gerald Durrell's love of animals all of them, from tiny caddis-fly larvae to the white Rhinoceros allows him to describe them, their lives and habits and their behaviour magnificently. I have yet to encounter an author who can write about animals as enchantingly.
Also, as I have not read this book for a looong time I was interested to note, that this book, copywrite 1984 was already vehemently warning against the repercussions of extinctions, habitat destruction and the consequences of the ongoing dissolution of the natural world. SO pft for politicians who claim no one warned them. He is also pretty scathing about the stupidity of humanity's approach to the natural world. Since I grew up reading his book, I can see where some of my attitude comes from.
The theme of this book are a selection of events that occurred in the course of him and his wife shooting a TV series The Amateur Naturalist. In order to shoot the segments they had to go to a range of fascinating places that come alive through Gerald's beautiful prose. They are put into awkward situations - such as climbing down cliffs in the Shetlands and falling out of hot air balloons.
Through out is a love of animals and wonderful descriptions of them, it is that talent that ensnared me while I was still a child and is still as captivating now. Gerald Durrell's love of animals all of them, from tiny caddis-fly larvae to the white Rhinoceros allows him to describe them, their lives and habits and their behaviour magnificently. I have yet to encounter an author who can write about animals as enchantingly.
Also, as I have not read this book for a looong time I was interested to note, that this book, copywrite 1984 was already vehemently warning against the repercussions of extinctions, habitat destruction and the consequences of the ongoing dissolution of the natural world. SO pft for politicians who claim no one warned them. He is also pretty scathing about the stupidity of humanity's approach to the natural world. Since I grew up reading his book, I can see where some of my attitude comes from.
October 10, 2012
Oh dear. This is the book Gerald Durrell should never have written. I presume his contract with the publishers required it. Or perhaps he simply needed the money. For the overwhelming sense of this reader is of a writer whose heart isn't really in it.
Content wise, it's a series of chapters describing the different places he visited with his second wife, Lee, to film the highly successful TV series 'The Amateur Naturalist'; from Provence to Corfu via Scotland, the Panama Canal, Canada, Colorado, the African Savannah, and various other gloriously life-filled locations.
And it certainly has the classic Durrell composition; quaint - even hilarious - anecdotes, an abundance of adjectives and similes, and a rich tapestry of characters - human and animal. Yet for all this, it lacks the sense of joyful enthusiasm that pervades so much of the writing of this great naturalist who clearly loves his work and wants to share it with the world.
That is, until you get to the last chapter. And this alone for me justifies reading the book. For it's when he returns to Corfu that the childlike joy returns, and you sense that he is now writing because he wants to. Because Corfu is beautiful. And because he wants the whole world to know.
Content wise, it's a series of chapters describing the different places he visited with his second wife, Lee, to film the highly successful TV series 'The Amateur Naturalist'; from Provence to Corfu via Scotland, the Panama Canal, Canada, Colorado, the African Savannah, and various other gloriously life-filled locations.
And it certainly has the classic Durrell composition; quaint - even hilarious - anecdotes, an abundance of adjectives and similes, and a rich tapestry of characters - human and animal. Yet for all this, it lacks the sense of joyful enthusiasm that pervades so much of the writing of this great naturalist who clearly loves his work and wants to share it with the world.
That is, until you get to the last chapter. And this alone for me justifies reading the book. For it's when he returns to Corfu that the childlike joy returns, and you sense that he is now writing because he wants to. Because Corfu is beautiful. And because he wants the whole world to know.
February 27, 2017
Ya no sé qué más cosas buenas decir de Gerald Durrell, no quiero repetirme en cada reseña. Creo que tengo una conexión personal con este autor, su sentido del humor encaja con el mío y los toques de aventura, nostalgia y momentos memorables están perfectamente balanceados en sus libros para mi gusto aunque no creo que sea así para todo el mundo.
En este libro, Durrell nos cuentas las aventuras que vivió junto a su segunda mujer Lee mientras rodaban una serie de episodios para un programa de documentales (si alguien sabe dónde puedo encontrar los documentales para verlos, que por favor me lo diga).
Lo que de verdad ha hecho que este libro sea un 5 estrellas para mí es el último capítulo. Después de una década, Durrell vuelve a Corfú y recuerda algunos momentos de su niñez de los que están descritos en Mi familia y otros animales. Vuelve a visitar una de las villas en las que vivió su familia que ahora pertenece al dueño de un club nocturno y le enseña algunos de sus lugares preferidos a Lee. Si tienes Mi familia y otros animales fresco en la memoria, seguro que vas a disfrutar mucho de la mezcla de humor y nostalgia de ese último capítulo.
En este libro, Durrell nos cuentas las aventuras que vivió junto a su segunda mujer Lee mientras rodaban una serie de episodios para un programa de documentales (si alguien sabe dónde puedo encontrar los documentales para verlos, que por favor me lo diga).
Lo que de verdad ha hecho que este libro sea un 5 estrellas para mí es el último capítulo. Después de una década, Durrell vuelve a Corfú y recuerda algunos momentos de su niñez de los que están descritos en Mi familia y otros animales. Vuelve a visitar una de las villas en las que vivió su familia que ahora pertenece al dueño de un club nocturno y le enseña algunos de sus lugares preferidos a Lee. Si tienes Mi familia y otros animales fresco en la memoria, seguro que vas a disfrutar mucho de la mezcla de humor y nostalgia de ese último capítulo.
February 21, 2017
I dragged myself through this, unlike his other work this felt strained and pulled along by its teeth. I would much rather have spent the time watching the film than reading this. Please read any other Durrell work rather than waste time with this one.
April 25, 2025
От личен опит го знам, но книгата "Диви кинозвезди" на Джералд Даръл допълнително ме убеди, че "Една от радостите в живота е да пътешестваш из света на чужди разноски".
Любимият ми зоолог за пореден път е на приключение из света с нови интересни случки и "находки", но този път е с по-различна мисия – да снима научнопопулярен филм.
Книгата е добра, но честно казано не може да се сравни с други негови.
Все пак ето някои цитати, които ми направиха впечатление:
"А дивата природа приема като по-малко зло конника, отколкото пешеходеца." – това би ми било интересно дали се отнася и за територии, където коне не се срещат естествено като Австралия (преди колонизацията), Океания, Амазония и др. Може би да! Животните се фокусират повече върху форма и движение, а не върху конкретни биологични видове. Човекът има особен образ. Ходи на два крака, изправен е, движи се странно, приближава те. Има нещо необичайно и заплашително в него. Може да е хищник. Конят от друга страна е четириног, значително по-едър и тромав, с по-предвидими движения, а образът му има по-спокоен и незаплашителен вид. Нормално е природата да приеме по-лесно него, а защо пък не и онова странното на гърба му?
И за финал ето как реагират хората, когато разберат, че природонаучните филми трябва да бъдат нагласяни от време на време:
"Ама, разбира се, че ние ги довлякохме! — се обади Аластър, раздразнен, че са му прекъснали мислите. — Ако не бяхме ги довлекли, нямаше какво да снимаме!
— Това е измама, нагласена работа! — продължаваше дамата.
Обадих се в ролята на миротворец:
— Не знаете ли, мадам, че деветдесет на сто от филмите за света на природата — например тези на Уолт Дисни, са предварително нагласени? Целият процес на филмиране е нещо като измама, нещо подобно на работата на художник портретист или пейзажист, който според своя замисъл гледа на природата от друг, по-добър ъгъл.
— Уолт Дисни не лъже! — се озъби дамата като разярена тигрица, попаднала в интелектуална клопка. — Уолт Дисни е американец. Вашите работи са шашми и вие ги скалъпвате на нашето място!
— Имаме разрешение от кметството — обясни Пола.
— А имате ли разрешение за вашите шашарми от асоциацията на Осемдесет и седма улица? — попита дамата и се наду като пуйка пред пуяк.
— Но нали кметството е по-важен орган? — учуди се Пола.
— Нищо не важи пред нашата асоциация! — заяви дамата".
Любимият ми зоолог за пореден път е на приключение из света с нови интересни случки и "находки", но този път е с по-различна мисия – да снима научнопопулярен филм.
Книгата е добра, но честно казано не може да се сравни с други негови.
Все пак ето някои цитати, които ми направиха впечатление:
"А дивата природа приема като по-малко зло конника, отколкото пешеходеца." – това би ми било интересно дали се отнася и за територии, където коне не се срещат естествено като Австралия (преди колонизацията), Океания, Амазония и др. Може би да! Животните се фокусират повече върху форма и движение, а не върху конкретни биологични видове. Човекът има особен образ. Ходи на два крака, изправен е, движи се странно, приближава те. Има нещо необичайно и заплашително в него. Може да е хищник. Конят от друга страна е четириног, значително по-едър и тромав, с по-предвидими движения, а образът му има по-спокоен и незаплашителен вид. Нормално е природата да приеме по-лесно него, а защо пък не и онова странното на гърба му?
И за финал ето как реагират хората, когато разберат, че природонаучните филми трябва да бъдат нагласяни от време на време:
"Ама, разбира се, че ние ги довлякохме! — се обади Аластър, раздразнен, че са му прекъснали мислите. — Ако не бяхме ги довлекли, нямаше какво да снимаме!
— Това е измама, нагласена работа! — продължаваше дамата.
Обадих се в ролята на миротворец:
— Не знаете ли, мадам, че деветдесет на сто от филмите за света на природата — например тези на Уолт Дисни, са предварително нагласени? Целият процес на филмиране е нещо като измама, нещо подобно на работата на художник портретист или пейзажист, който според своя замисъл гледа на природата от друг, по-добър ъгъл.
— Уолт Дисни не лъже! — се озъби дамата като разярена тигрица, попаднала в интелектуална клопка. — Уолт Дисни е американец. Вашите работи са шашми и вие ги скалъпвате на нашето място!
— Имаме разрешение от кметството — обясни Пола.
— А имате ли разрешение за вашите шашарми от асоциацията на Осемдесет и седма улица? — попита дамата и се наду като пуйка пред пуяк.
— Но нали кметството е по-важен орган? — учуди се Пола.
— Нищо не важи пред нашата асоциация! — заяви дамата".
July 10, 2017
G. Durrell is on my "just buy it" list when I see his books, as they add so much dimension to my library and I invariably love them. The combination of animals and humor is tough to beat.
This book provides background on the filming of his British TV Series, 'The Amateur Naturalist.' Produced after the publication of the book by the same name (and that is truly a stunning, and complete, book), the production of the series encompassed views of the variety of the world's animals, with associated hazards and amusements. The series was hosted by Durrell and his second wife Lee; she plays a key role in a number of activities described in the book. During the series, they made a documented stop at Durrell's childhood home of Corfu.
After publication, Durrell founded Wildlife Preservation Trust Canada (now Wildlife Preservation Canada), and his health began to suffer as a result of his aggressive outdoor life.
The book doesn't lack the descriptions that are Durrell's specialty - e.g. a moose "with a bulbous wine-bibbers' nose" and the pika "with a large green walrus mustache." I'm not sure his whole heart was in this one - it's not up to the par of his 'Bafut Beagles" or his "My Family and Other Animals" - but at 205 pages, it's still Gerald Durrell and that's hands down pretty darn good.
This book provides background on the filming of his British TV Series, 'The Amateur Naturalist.' Produced after the publication of the book by the same name (and that is truly a stunning, and complete, book), the production of the series encompassed views of the variety of the world's animals, with associated hazards and amusements. The series was hosted by Durrell and his second wife Lee; she plays a key role in a number of activities described in the book. During the series, they made a documented stop at Durrell's childhood home of Corfu.
After publication, Durrell founded Wildlife Preservation Trust Canada (now Wildlife Preservation Canada), and his health began to suffer as a result of his aggressive outdoor life.
The book doesn't lack the descriptions that are Durrell's specialty - e.g. a moose "with a bulbous wine-bibbers' nose" and the pika "with a large green walrus mustache." I'm not sure his whole heart was in this one - it's not up to the par of his 'Bafut Beagles" or his "My Family and Other Animals" - but at 205 pages, it's still Gerald Durrell and that's hands down pretty darn good.
March 21, 2018
Работа над фильмами о природе послужила поводом к написанию книги “Натуралист на мушке”. Ради коротких лент Дарреллу предстояло побывать во многих местах, становясь очевидцем происходящих на планете удивительных событий. Но самое главное из них – нежелание природы сотрудничать. Куда бы не шёл Джеральд, обязательно обстоятельства складывались против него. Читатель может отметить, как подобная манера описания будней изрядно надоела. Сколь скептически не относись к случающимся несуразностям, акцентировать на них столько внимания не требовалось. Если место съёмок Британия – жди серого неба и дождя, если требуется выманить барсука из норы – не пытайся даже надеяться на подобное.
(c) Trounin
(c) Trounin
May 20, 2020
This is, in a certain sense, a depressing book. Though it is written well and contains much of the humour one associates with Gerald Durrell, it is also full of dire warnings for the future - about man's impact on the natural world, on the myriad ways in which the other species with whom we share this planet are struggling, and on the degradation of the environment that we profess to love so much, both at home and abroad.
Yet this book came out in 1985, and what has changed?
'How to Shoot an Amateur Naturalist' is not the greatest of Durrell's books, but it is still worth reading, so full of insight is it. As a warning of things to come, the lessons it provides can still be learnt from: it is not too late, but we are very, very close.
Yet this book came out in 1985, and what has changed?
'How to Shoot an Amateur Naturalist' is not the greatest of Durrell's books, but it is still worth reading, so full of insight is it. As a warning of things to come, the lessons it provides can still be learnt from: it is not too late, but we are very, very close.
April 16, 2024
I love Gerald Durrell and his writings. I did not love this book.
It seems that Durrell has lost his sense of humour, or it may be that I have lost mine. I skimmed the last couple of chapters, in a race to be finished this book. That's never happened before.
It was nice to have some of the book set in Canada. Also pleasant was getting to know Durrell's young wife, Lee. I also learned this week that I've been pronouncing Durrell's name for years. On an appearance on Dame Edna Everage's show (RIP Barry Humphries), we discover that instead of Durr-ELL, as I've been saying it, it's DURR-ell.
Not a hit. Will probably keep the book to add to my collection of Durrell's books.
It seems that Durrell has lost his sense of humour, or it may be that I have lost mine. I skimmed the last couple of chapters, in a race to be finished this book. That's never happened before.
It was nice to have some of the book set in Canada. Also pleasant was getting to know Durrell's young wife, Lee. I also learned this week that I've been pronouncing Durrell's name for years. On an appearance on Dame Edna Everage's show (RIP Barry Humphries), we discover that instead of Durr-ELL, as I've been saying it, it's DURR-ell.
Not a hit. Will probably keep the book to add to my collection of Durrell's books.
August 3, 2023
A late and very minor Durrell, I'm afraid- with the arguable exception of the final chapter, where Corfu works its old anarchic magic even after fifty years, this book is pretty much going through the motions. This is Gerald Durrell done by numbers.
(I think the vast array of different locations doesn't help; his best books are very evocative of place. This is just a behind-the-scenes from a forgotten TV series...)
(I think the vast array of different locations doesn't help; his best books are very evocative of place. This is just a behind-the-scenes from a forgotten TV series...)
December 28, 2018
Bellissimo libretto, scritto dal dr. Durrell, sulle sue avventure quando, insieme alla moglie, girò la serie di documentari che l'hanno reso celebre.
Molti temi, oggi attualissimi, sono narrati con umorismo e in diversi casi critica, quali la scomparsa della biodiversità, l'inquinamento, l'arroganza umana nei confronti di tutto ciò che non può difendersi.
Molti temi, oggi attualissimi, sono narrati con umorismo e in diversi casi critica, quali la scomparsa della biodiversità, l'inquinamento, l'arroganza umana nei confronti di tutto ciò che non può difendersi.
April 20, 2018
Humorous travel log, but there really isn't much to this book other then cataloging his directors' foibles. I chuckled quite a bit because Durrell has a silly sense of humor, but probably not his best if you are looking for something actually about animals.
January 11, 2020
No esperaba que me gustara tanto leer sobre un hombre inglès que se dedica a hacer documentales de animales. No puedo esperar a perderme de nuevo en sus descripciones de los habitos de vida de los luciones.
July 15, 2023
Always a joy reading Durrell, with his loving descriptions of the natural world. This is a good book in its own right, but it is not possible to not compare it to the Corfu series - against which it pales. Nevertheless, I'm glad I read it.
May 11, 2020
Behind the scenes of documentary making, slow in places, he's not as witty as he thinks.
November 14, 2024
I enjoyed this book, and the focus on the filming as much as the animals gave it a slightly different feel.to his hooks about collecting!
November 5, 2016
Faccio parte di quella categoria di persone che hanno amato e apprezzato molto "La mia famiglia e altri animali", il piccolo capolavoro di comicità di Gerald Durrell ambientato sull'isola greca di Corfù e ovviamente, lasciandomi trascinare da quello spirito gioioso e ironico, mi sono spinta anche nella lettura di questo libro che per ovvie e ben chiare ragioni, è totalmente diverso dal precedente.
In questo libro, Gerald Durrell riporta infatti la cronaca - puntata per puntata - dell'esperienza irresistibile effettuata per registrare una serie televisiva commissionata dalla tv britannica, dedicata alla natura e agli animali e registrata con una troupe d'eccezione - della quale fa parte anche sua moglie Lee - in diverse parti del mondo, attraversando buona parte dei cinque continenti, imbattendosi in diversi ecosistemi e descrivendo quanti più dettagli possibile, sia del mondo naturale che di quello animale.
E cosi, Gerald Durrell nel suo solito stile ironico e scanzonanto tipicamente britannico, tira fuori dal cilindro nozioni scientifiche e le coniuga con la satira e con il desiderio di divulgare la scienza, sempre e comunque, divertendo e divertendosi.
In questo libro, Gerald Durrell riporta infatti la cronaca - puntata per puntata - dell'esperienza irresistibile effettuata per registrare una serie televisiva commissionata dalla tv britannica, dedicata alla natura e agli animali e registrata con una troupe d'eccezione - della quale fa parte anche sua moglie Lee - in diverse parti del mondo, attraversando buona parte dei cinque continenti, imbattendosi in diversi ecosistemi e descrivendo quanti più dettagli possibile, sia del mondo naturale che di quello animale.
E cosi, Gerald Durrell nel suo solito stile ironico e scanzonanto tipicamente britannico, tira fuori dal cilindro nozioni scientifiche e le coniuga con la satira e con il desiderio di divulgare la scienza, sempre e comunque, divertendo e divertendosi.
March 28, 2011
Another great book for adventures with animals, full of humour as a black hole with matter! A book that reveals a lot about animals as any other book of the famous naturalist.
February 21, 2014
Funny, informative, easy and fun to read, lots of amusing anecdotes, information about various critters around the world, and insight to how hard it is to film wild animals. Loved it.
May 6, 2015
Lovely to listen to. The description of the shooting of the episodes of a TV series about various animals in various locations. Not as good as the other Durrell works, but still good nevertheless.
February 17, 2016
3.5/10
August 25, 2016
A behind the Scenes look at Durrell's TV show, The amateur Naturalist. It's ok in places. The bugs escapade is great though.
July 31, 2023
Funny accounts about trying to film a tv show, the amateur naturalist. I throughly enjoyed reading about filming in places I have been, like Arizona and Corfu.
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews