Well presented, short essays, about different species and the ways David Attenborough has interacted with various animals over the years.

The man is a legend and this collection of anecdotes (its adapted from a radio series) gives you a glimpse into his rich store of curiosities.

Not really autobiographical more a few entertaining tidbits. His story telling ability shines through and you will find yourselves by turn amazed, amused and horrified.

Well worth it, wether or not you heard the radio series (I didn't). ( )

This is quite simply a wonderful book. The text started life in the summer of 2009 when David Attenborough was asked to present a series of short talks (about 9 -10 minutes in length)about 'any subjects he cared to choose'for Radio Four. These radio talks with the winning combination of Attenborough's distinctive voice, his knowledge and somewhat wicked sense of humour (e.g.Talk No: 9 Salamander)were a hit but 'radio is impermanent..and above all is not visual' in the strictest sense. This book is therefore both the complete texts of the talks and pictures personally chosen by Attenborough. Each chapter is a tiny gem of natural history delight from 'Sloths', to 'Birds of Paradise', 'Amber' and 'Adam's Face. I personally loved the chapters on the 'Salamander' - the ending twist to this particular talk is hilarious! 'Bowerbirds' - to which I think I must be closely related and 'Collecting'. This last talk includes Attenborough stating that 'Most of us, I dare say, are guilty of buying more books than we actually read', a comment that many of us on LibraryThing will understand only too well.

Should you buy this book? The answer is definitely YES but I would also suggest that you go one step further and purchase the audio version as well. Radio may not be 'visual' but a good storyteller enables you to create your own images and when listening to these talks you are instantly transported to a different place. Desmond Morris describes this book thus 'Here is the joy of David Attenborough's company at his very best'. Go on and enjoy his company, I'm sure that you will love it. ( )