• David Attenborough: The Early Years Collection

  • The BBC Collection
  • By: David Attenborough
  • Narrated by: David Attenborough
  • Length: 10 hrs and 9 mins
  • 4.9 out of 5 stars (35 ratings)

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David Attenborough: The Early Years Collection  By  cover art

David Attenborough: The Early Years Collection

By: David Attenborough
Narrated by: David Attenborough
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Publisher's summary

David Attenborough, Britain's voice of natural history, narrates his early adventures in Indonesia, New Guinea and Northern Australia.

David Attenborough first appeared in front of a television camera in the 1950s when, together with London Zoo's Curator of Reptiles, Jack Lester, he persuaded the BBC to mount and film an animal-collecting expedition. The result was Zoo Quest. Specially recorded for audio, David Attenborough's early adventures are sometimes life-threatening, often hilarious and always totally absorbing. The warmth and enthusiasm that have made him a broadcasting legend are instantly apparent here as he recounts this magical journey.

This collection includes three volumes from Attenborough's chronicles of his early expeditions:

In Zoo Quest for a Dragon, Attenborough tells of the crew's hazardous boat trip with a gun-smuggling captain and the terror of erupting volcanoes. He also depicts for the listener some of the incredible sights he and his team witnessed - breathtaking butterflies, taking tea with Charlie the orangutan and the voyage to the little-known island of Komodo to capture the elusive Komodo dragon.

Quest in Paradise describes his next animal collecting and filming trip to New Guinea, home of the exotic birds of paradise. David tells of his adventures during the trip: being an onlooker at a formal lovemaking ceremony, seeing the skills of ritual ax making, trying to master pidgin English and witnessing a 'sing sing' at which hundreds of tribesmen came together from all parts of the country.

In Quest Under Capricorn, David Attenborough ventures to the Northern Territory of Australia. In his first expedition to the other side of the world, he meets Aborigines, goes walkabout in the bush, and learns the craft of the artists of Arnhem Land.

Also included is David Attenborough in His Own Words, a collection of interviews taken from the BBC radio and TV archives.

©2014 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd (P)2014 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd

What listeners say about David Attenborough: The Early Years Collection

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I love Mother Nature

David Attenborough is a true gift for all ages, he lives in our minds through all his adventures making films of nature, we all never knew existed. This books tells of how he first got started making films and the goings on that he lived while making his films, something we never think about, I bet. You will be delighted with this book and the best part is David himself tells the story. His voice is probably the most recognizable to countless millions all over this globe.

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Great adventures told with humor and love

Best part is his ability to laugh at himself and colleagues, the mistakes he/they made, and the hilarious (and, yes, serious) situations they got into..He sometimes also gives perspective on how things have changed since he originally wrote some of the stories.

Great audio clips at the end of the audiobook of various interviews he's given over the years. Don't skip them!

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