On Assignment: Memoir of a National Geographic Filmmaker

by James R. Larison

An exciting adventure story with personal drama and high stakes, as well as a glimpse behind the scenes of the highly regarded National Geographic brand

Jim and Elaine Larison spent years studying, exploring, and living in wild places, making more than thirty environmental films, most for the National Geographic Society. These films won more than forty international awards from leading environmental and broadcast organizations. This memoir tells the story behind the adventure and describes the rather substantial personal costs of this career.

While shooting film in Alaska, Jim Larison narrowly survived a devastating airplane crash in the Bering Sea. Later, while filming on the Great Barrier Reef, the Larisons fought off an aggressive twelve-foot tiger shark. Midway through their careers, the Larisons were nearly swept to their deaths by an icefall while filming on Mount Robson. A thrilling adventure story, full of risk and personal conflict, On Assignment is also a touching look at the tender bonds that held the married couple together while they struggled to complete their many film assignments.

The Larisons were changed by what they saw and what they captured on the destruction of forests, the death of coral reefs, and global warming.

In the beginning, the Larisons wanted nothing more than to spend time in the wilderness. By the end, they were fighting for its very survival.

Genres: Nonfiction, Memoir, Biography, Travel, Autobiography, Adventure, Environment

304 pages, Hardcover

Published November 2, 2021

Reviews

[M · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very interesting with lots of adventure. Not quite as impressive as 9 days plus Mt Rintoul but it will do.

[Sinead Haywood · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book surprised me. I was fully hooked on all of the adventures and loved where the story took me in every turn. A nice full circle from start to finish.

[Stefanie Robinson · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the personal memoir of a filmmaker for National Geographic. I loved watching National Geographic shows and documentaries when I was younger, and also enjoyed the magazine. I loved the photography, and always thought that must be an exciting job to have. After reading this book, I can say with certainty...the job is exciting. Death defying, even. The author and his wife had tremendous adventures, dangerous situations, and narrow escapes. This was a really exciting and action packed book to listen to while at work. I enjoyed it greatly.

[Kait Vanderlaan · Rating 4 out of 5]

On Assignment is a memoir by James R. Larison, a National Geographic Filmmaker. This book was full of adventure and I loved hearing about all of author’s travels and lengths to catch the perfect shot. Some chapters had me on the edge of my seat, wanting to know how life threatening situations in the wilderness would end. What a beautiful combination of adventure mixed with the author’s family life and navigating his career. Definitely recommend!

[Dale Bentz · Rating 5 out of 5]

It is not only through film that Larison can weave a fascinating story. His prose draws the reader into his world, captivating his audience, as his stunning adventures come to life jumping from the pages of his book into the imagination of a grateful reader. Bravo to this brave adventurer and his lifelong quest to bring the world around us into clear focus and to stress the importance of living in harmony with (as opposed to opposition to) nature.

[Marissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

This guy is clearly not a writer. A lot of the writing is really simplistic or stilted -- but if you can move beyond that, the content is interesting! I'm glad he mostly focused on the work because the parts that focused on his relationship often became maudlin and eye-rolling. However, I was really glad to read about how Nat Geo worked, the extreme conditions, etc. Worth reading just for that!

[Honey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved the descriptions of the natural world and all the wild adventures. Held my breath during one whole chapter (Tiger Shark!) and held back tears during several others. Fantastic read.

[Raj Aich · Rating 1 out of 5]

Left after 2nd chapter. Pretty mundane.

[David · Rating 5 out of 5]

Some amazing adventures in the life of this nature filmmaker. I was in chapter 3 and was surprised that he was still alive.

[Naomi Raboin · Rating 2 out of 5]

I dnfed this cuz it got boring and was slow. And the Main Character and his wife kept deserting their kids so they could film these movies 😔
I gave it two stars cuz the first half of the book was pretty interesting

[Holly Kipling · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thought this book might be full of ego and exaggerated events but I couldn't have been more wrong. I loved the humility and humanness of James's story. He was honest and raw and inspiring and I very much enjoyed every minute of this book. I would recommend it to anyone with an interest in ecology, videography and advocacy for our planet.

[Eric Ringer · Rating 3 out of 5]

The life the author was able to create for himself is something I aspire to. He blended his passion for adventure and travel with documentation and storytelling in a very unique way at a time when many people weren’t traveling the world.