Try free for 30 days

1 credit a month to use on any title, yours to keep (you’ll use your first credit on this title).
Stream or download thousands of included titles.
Access to exclusive deals and discounts.
$16.45 a month after 30 day trial. Cancel anytime.
David Attenborough - Life on Air cover art

David Attenborough - Life on Air

By: David Attenborough
Narrated by: David Attenborough
Try for $0.00

$16.45 per month after 30 days. Cancel anytime.

Buy Now for $33.99

Buy Now for $33.99

Pay using voucher balance (if applicable) then card ending in
By confirming your purchase, you agree to Audible's Conditions Of Use and Privacy Notice and authorise Audible to charge your designated credit card or another available credit card on file.

Publisher's Summary

David Attenborough reads his own bestselling memoir

David Attenborough is the acknowledged voice of nature, loved and revered worldwide for his groundbreaking wildlife documentaries. Over the course of his long BBC career, David has risen from trainee producer to award-winning film-maker, and in Life on Air, he tells the extraordinary stories of the people and animals he has met along the way.

We hear of his earliest days in television; his stint as Controller of BBC2, during which he introduced colour TV to Britain; and his encounters with luminaries such as Montgomery, Anthony Eden, Benjamin Britten and the Queen. Here, too, are tales of his travels to some of the most far-flung corners of the globe, including New Guinea, Borneo, Paraguay and the Australian outback, and the rare creatures he captures on film: from the exotic birds of paradise and the elusive Indri lemurs to the endangered Komodo dragon.

Featuring behind-the-scenes accounts of the making of his landmark natural history series, beginning with the pioneering Zoo Quest and concluding with Life in Cold Blood, this wonderful memoir - read by David Attenborough himself - recounts the highlights of a remarkable life in broadcasting.

Production credits

Read by David Attenborough

©2010 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd (P)2010 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd

Critic Reviews

'An enthralling autobiography from one of the linchpins of television' Good Book Guide

What listeners say about David Attenborough - Life on Air

Average Customer Ratings
Overall
  • 5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    432
  • 4 Stars
    42
  • 3 Stars
    7
  • 2 Stars
    0
  • 1 Stars
    1
Performance
  • 5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    423
  • 4 Stars
    23
  • 3 Stars
    1
  • 2 Stars
    0
  • 1 Stars
    0
Story
  • 5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    389
  • 4 Stars
    49
  • 3 Stars
    7
  • 2 Stars
    0
  • 1 Stars
    0

Reviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.

Sort by:
Filter by:
  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

extraordinary career

from the birth of television and always remained at the very forefront of production. a legend.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Wonderful

Both interesting and funny. Wonderful stories detailing the challenges and triumphs of documenting natural history through the decades. Loved this.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

David, enough said.

What did you like most about David Attenborough - Life on Air: Memoirs of a Broadcaster?

This was a great book about David's life with the BBC. It was great to hear it from David himself, showing the passion that he has in his TV shows across this book.

What was one of the most memorable moments of David Attenborough - Life on Air: Memoirs of a Broadcaster?

I loved the early day travel stories and the little stories that came with those travels.

Have you listened to any of David Attenborough’s other performances? How does this one compare?

I have listened to many, this was just as good as all the others.

If you made a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

David Attenbourgh

Any additional comments?

Brilliant all round.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Perfect account from the bro himself.

Brilliantly narrated and written piece of work from TVs greatest presenter and natural historian. A must listen for documentary and natural history fans.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Life on air

5 stars it was amazing like really amazing I recommend this to people who like David and anyone really

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Loved the book!

David Attenborough is such an icon! He is an inspiration to all. Loved the book!

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

What an adventure!

So great that this book was read by the great man himself, an amazing life, with such passion and commitment to his chosen art. I hoped it would go on forever.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

How could this not be amazing?

What a truely amazing life Sir David Attenborough has had so far. I can’t remember a time when I haven’t recognised his voice. I hope my children will continue to enjoy the amazing knowledge he has dedicated his life to sharing with us as much as I do. Thank you David.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Fantastic

This brilliant book had me hooked until the end. What an amazing life and story. Humorous and engaging. I’m going to listen again and this time look up all of the plant and animal species as I go.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

The splendour of Earth

David Attenborough is a unique and gifted man who has given a remarkable gift to our age by bringing such understanding of the natural world to anyone who takes the time to view his extensive series of programs. This book is enchanting, entertaining and captivating and brings home the tireless energy put in by so many to make these films possible. Listening to David Attenborough’s voice is also marvellous!

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

In the spirit of reconciliation, Audible acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of country throughout Australia and their connections to land, sea and community. We pay our respect to their elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples today.