A Life on Our Planet

My Witness Statement and Vision for the Future

By: David Attenborough

Narrated by: David Attenborough

Length: 6 hrs and 20 mins

Publisher's Summary

Brought to you by Penguin.

See the world. Then make it better.

I am 94. I've had an extraordinary life. It's only now that I appreciate how extraordinary. 

As a young man, I felt I was out there in the wild, experiencing the untouched natural world - but it was an illusion. The tragedy of our time has been happening all around us, barely noticeable from day to day - the loss of our planet's wild places, its biodiversity. 

I have been witness to this decline. A Life on Our Planet contains my witness statement and my vision for the future - the story of how we came to make this, our greatest mistake, and how, if we act now, we can yet put it right.

We have the opportunity to create the perfect home for ourselves and restore the wonderful world we inherited.

All we need is the will to do so.

©2020 David Attenborough (P)2020 Penguin Audio

Critic Reviews

"Read this book to learn, but also to honour the man. We shall never see his like again." (Sunday Times)

Essential reading

This is a well expressed review of the circumstance that we find ourselves on Earth. It offers viable solutions and is ably expressed in the words and voice of the inimitable David Attenborough

Outstanding

This will be a book I recommend everyone to read, and i will read repeatedly.

Masterpiece

Sir David presents an eloquent and well-researched narrative of the status quo of our beloved planet. He gives a balanced view of the risks we face and the solutions that are available and that are still needed for humanity and nature to live in harmony. The book is much more detailed than the movie. It is a must read. I also loved that he narrated the book himself, with his familiar and soothing British accent.

The most important book of our time.

I would say, without any doubt, the most important read /watch / listen of our time. David Attenborough's 'witness statement' is stark, however, his vision and solution is quite simple. Imagine a world that has enough food for everyone, no fumes and emissions, clean air and water, less noise, vast woodlands and forests and oceans teaming with life, a global community that actually communicates and works together to exchange ideas and advance our technologies and economies, that helps developing countries reach their economic goals through sustainable food, energy and technology production. A world without poverty and prejudice! We can see for ourselves that what we have done so far, does not work and is not the way to progress!

I personally think this book should be given to every student in every school across the globe🌱

This is our choice.

Doesn't get much better than this.

I hope every person on Earth will listen to this book (and then go plant some trees)

Incredible book by an incredible man

Such a powerful book with an amazing eye opening message. Brilliantly read by Sir David, highly recommend.

An absolute must-read/listen!

A book with the most important message that I hope everyone chooses to read and take in. Even better as an audiobook with David Attenborough’s voice. Harrowing and inspiring at the same time. Brilliant.

Poorly researched, sadly

Attenborough is a legend in his speciality, and this is a heartfelt, inspiring, tear-jerking work based on a lifetime of making nature documentaries, about his concerns for the future of wildlife (and consequently, for humanity), and his opinions/arguments on what we should do about it.

It's a noble cause, and his portrayal of the current situation as well as some of the inspiring visions of solutions honestly had me on the verge of tears multiple times.

A great effort to protect what he loves, and deserves a lot of respect and due consideration, overall.

Sadly, he does dangerously over-reach in some areas outside his expertise, making some claims that don't hold water. For example, he claims that there is "universal agreement" that the healthiest diet is plant-based, and that meat causes cancer. In fact, there are a number of movements AWAY from plant foods, and studies seems to show that carbohydrates (which mainly come from.plants), especially sugars, cause cancer. A number of people find that many health conditions clear up when they eat ketogenic (low carb) or all meat (no carb) diets. Wildly advocating against meat in our food chain may be advocating for a disease-ridden society.

Also, his idea that the human population should be assisted to stagnate or even decrease for the sake of natural balance with the earth's limits, in a universe filled with billions of habitable planets and virtually endless resources, is beyond weird. I much prefer Elon Musk's approach: establish a city on Mars, ASAP.

Still: read it with those caveats in mind, knowing that no one is perfect, and you can enjoy it as a great book, from a great man.

A great life

If this is his swan song, then what a great way to do it. His life is amazing, his contribution has been amazing and I’m there, fully behind the thoughts on how we can all do our part to save the planet and ourselves.

Everyone Must Read This

This book will both terrify you, and show you a glimmer of hope for the future of our children, who will inherit the results of our wastefulness and greed. I kept battling a lump in my throat throughout. What we are doing to our planet is heartbreaking. This book should be taught in schools, colleges and implemented into the laws of every country. I hope we will wake up before it’s too late.

Message from our National treasure

There is no doubt information ad argument by this national treasure of a great man, delivered as usual with grace and passion.
I have y doubt whether humans are either too late, or incapable to save our planet, I still do, yet one cannot help but feel inspired by this man that may be if we do what we can as an individual, and encourage others to do the same, who knows with the new normal that comes with the Covid pandemic, May be, just May be, can be done. He is certainly correct that we are the last generation of human that knows about our climatic problems and also the last that can do something about it before it will be too late. It is not being doomed and gloomed; it is the fact!

read review

I wanted to love this but really struggled to finish. I kept going because the planet needs me to listen and I highly respect David Attenborough and know what he says is right. There were times however when I really wondered if I would get to the end. performance was as expected but 2 stars in others areas were the most I could afford. Perhaps my previous knowledge of some of the discussions prevented me from learning something new and therefore I found it tough. On the order hand most reviews prior to mine were very good so maybe go with those.

A must read

Incredible. Clearly states what the research as been showing for decades but in a way anyone can understand. I wish for everyone to listen to this book and make relevant changes/demands for the future of our planet.