Life Story: Many Lives, One Epic Journey

by Rupert Barrington, Mike Gunton, David Attenborough (Foreword)

Accompanying a landmark six-part BBC series, which also aired on the Discovery Channel, Life Story reveals the extraordinary lengths to which animals will go to ensure their survival

Through a series of fascinating and unforgettable stories, Life Story shows how different animals sometimes make surprising choices when they face the great challenges of survival. From growing up, as we see how albatrosses learn to fly and how octopuses perfect the art of using tools, to the elaborate courting rituals of puffer fish, peacock spiders, and more, each chapter provides an astonishing look at the most crucial moments in an animal's life. Each story is illustrated by striking pictures and extraordinary still sequences from the filming. The book also includes a chapter on the making of the show, explaining how the team captured the most intimate moments of these animals' lives, whether tracking them via helicopter or creating an under-sea studio. Packed with intimate animal photography and never-before-seen footage, this book is an astonishing portrait of the natural world's most extraordinary life-or-death moments.

Genres: Nature, Nonfiction, Animals

288 pages, Hardcover

First published October 9, 2014

Reviews

[Sophie Crane · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful, entertaining and informative book to accompany the new Life Story series on BBC 1 (starting Oct 2014) with a forward by David Attenborough. Life Story is the epic tale of animals journey through life. Each creature, from insects to whales face the same challenges. There are chapters on growing up, gaining independence, finding a home, gaining power, finding a mate and becoming parents as well as a 'behind the scenes' chapter. Each chapter is accompanied by stunning pictures that transport you around the world and features animals you love and those you may never had heard of (the crazy looking long eared jerboa!).

[Rebekah May · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was such a great book. First off, the photographs are incredible. All of the words even more so. I loved that this assumed a background knowledge of science. I respect that. With it being a companion to the TV show I didn't think it was use so much scientific terminology. It was refreshing. And really interesting to learn about some species I had never heard of. Peacock spiders are amazing! It always both fascinates and scares me that bonobos are so like us. Loved this!

[Paul · Rating 4 out of 5]

The accompanying book to the new BBC series, Life Story.

It follows the same format as others, in that there is some text about the animals they are filming, and the methods and technology that they use, but is filled with amazing, high quality images, that really make this something special to read.

[Alayne · Rating 5 out of 5]

WOW what beautiful photos in this book - pretty amazing ones too!
Such a lovely book to read

[Chris · Rating 4 out of 5]

As always for a book accompanying a major BBC nature series, it is filled with spectacular photos and interesting text. I haven't seen the series - yet - but I am looking forward to watching it with more understanding having now read the book.
The only reason I dropped a star was that I felt that some of the stories weren't totally unique to this series or this book and had already been covered in previous series and books, for example, 'Frozen Planet'. Of course, there are plenty of new stories and animals to more than make up for it.
If you are the slightest bit interested in the natural world, this is a wonderful book.

[Benjamin Rampling · Rating 2 out of 5]

It’s one for the kids let’s be honest.

[Hayley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Stunning photos!