Scan barcode
sams84's review against another edition
5.0
This is a superb look into the history of life on Earth from the first most simple life forms to the complex and diverse life we have today. Attenborough takes the reader on a journey that is as amazing as it is complex and tells it in such a way that no reader would be left behind, confused or patronised and without over-exaggerating or under-playing the processes of evolution. And despite being over thirty years old this book is still as relevant today as it was when it was first written. The photography that supports the text is breath-taking and shows life on Earth, both past and present, to its fullest and hasn't dated at all. To be blunt I can't say a bad word about this book or Attenborough himself.
lilyeligator's review
medium-paced
3.75
David Attenborough has a lovely voice and his narration is fantastic!
Definitely meant for people without nature backgrounds, as a lot of it was familiar to me. But nice on car rides and walks!
Also didn’t love the chapter about people and the way he discussed indigenaity
Definitely meant for people without nature backgrounds, as a lot of it was familiar to me. But nice on car rides and walks!
Also didn’t love the chapter about people and the way he discussed indigenaity
hadeanstars's review against another edition
5.0
Just so much more fascinating than I expected. I know that, of course, David Attenborough, is a proper, qualified science dude, but somehow, you can’t help suspect that he’s really a spiffed up TV presenter winging it and we’ve all fallen for the glamour. But no, he really is the real deal.
Having recently read Darwin’s diaries, I was surprised to appreciate how very simpatico this book is with his illustrious forbear. It has the same curiosity and delight. I loved every minute of this and recommend it so highly. Every page divulges a new pearl. By the end you have a wonderful mental picture of just how life came about, and you’ll never look at pond scum the same way again!
Having recently read Darwin’s diaries, I was surprised to appreciate how very simpatico this book is with his illustrious forbear. It has the same curiosity and delight. I loved every minute of this and recommend it so highly. Every page divulges a new pearl. By the end you have a wonderful mental picture of just how life came about, and you’ll never look at pond scum the same way again!
noirhollow's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
informative
reflective
medium-paced
5.0
ally1994's review
informative
inspiring
reflective
slow-paced
5.0
If you love Planet Earth and all those shows you're obviously going to enjoy David Attenborough reading you his own book.
ellie_cripps's review against another edition
4.0
Fascinating and wide reaching, knew it would be well worth the read and I'm glad I got to it. The audiobook is good but has a slightly off rhythm for a lot of it, despite David Attenborough's definite reading skills.