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  • On Assignment

  • Memoir of a National Geographic Filmmaker
  • By: James R. Larison
  • Narrated by: Traber Burns
  • Length: 9 hrs and 39 mins
  • 4.7 out of 5 stars (28 ratings)

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On Assignment cover art

On Assignment

By: James R. Larison
Narrated by: Traber Burns
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Publisher's Summary

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 30 environmental films, most for the National Geographic Society. These films won more than 40 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 12-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 film: 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.
©2022 by James R. Larison (P)2021 by Blackstone Publishing
Art Adventurers, Explorers & Survival Artists, Architects & Photographers Environmentalists & Naturalists Environment Nature & Ecology
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Profile Image for Anonymous User

great story

From Alaska to Palau, James Larisons description of his life and filming for National Geographic is not only memorable but sobering. A good listen. I thoroughly enjoyed it.

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Such an excellent story.

Loved it!! Couldn't stop listening. Traber Burns has such a great voice & his narration of James & Elaine's life story was exceptional.

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Environmentalist

What an amazing career and life adventure!
A nice caring man with a wonderful understanding wife. These two were quite a pair!

Since his retirement, the world has continued to be pillaged by nations without regard.
The regulators of the countries are not held to account for their decisions that will cause disaster in the future.
They are short- term thinkers, knowing they will not be in power when the disaster strikes.

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Excellent listen

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.

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