Bøker av David Attenborough

It is 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 one final chance to create the perfect home for ourselves and restore the wonderful world we inherited.'All we need is the will to do so.'

A new, fully updated edition of David Attenborough's groundbreaking Life on Earth.

Sir David Attenborough is Britain's best-known natural history film-maker. He is also Britain's most respected and lauded natural history broadcaster and writer, championing conservation and standing at the forefront of issues concerning the planet's declining species. This title tells us of his experiences of filming in the 21st century.

From the moment Europeans were introduced to the birds of paradise in the early sixteenth century, their unique beauty was recognized and commemorated in the first name that they were given - birds so beautiful they must be from paradise. Originally they were thought not to have legs and therefore never to land. Still very rarely encountered, even in their natural habitat of New Guinea, they are still birds that elicit sheer awe in those who are lucky enough to see them. Drawn From Paradise will showcase the magnificence and beauty of the birds of paradise as they have never before been seen, with more than two-hundred hand-painted images and sketches by the men who originally studied them and luminary artists such as Jacques Barraband, William Hart, John Gould, Rubens and Breughel, to name a few. The art comes from the private collections of the two authors and has been rarely if ever published. Not only will the book feature the beautiful Greater Bird of Paradise-a bird that was originally believed to have been sent from Paradise, and was thought to never touch the earth-but it will also present more than forty other distinct species currently recognized-each representing amazing differences in size, shape, and color patterning.The introduction provides a brief history into the discovery of these illustrious birds, from how they were originally perceived and idolized by the natives of New Guinea, to the arrival of Europeans, who were immediately captivated by their bright, vibrant colors. The chapters are ordered according to the sequence in which the birds representing the various genera made their appearance in Europe (thereby highlighting the books educational aspect). Within its pages, readers will catch a glimpse of these birds through vivid, highly-detailed painting, as well as learn more about each individual bird and genus-comparisons and contrasts between the males and females, as well as between the different genus's.A tour through art and history, with a good deal of ornithology thrown in, Drawn From Paradise is not only a must-have for ornithologists and bird-watchers, but also a beautiful collectible for students, artists, and aesthetes. Its central idea is to showcase the breathtaking beauty of these birds and the enormous interest that still surrounds them even today.

The complete second BBC Radio 4 series written and presented by Sir David Attenborough, featuring all 20 episodes about some of the strangest insects and creatures from around the world. One of the nation's most popular presenters examines 20 marvels of the natural world from his extraordinary and pioneering experiences. How did Sir David track down a giant earthworm? Why does he respect rats? What was the first bribe in nature? Why do well known foods often have two names?

One of the nation's most popular presenters examines twenty marvels of the natural world from his extraordinary and pioneering experiences. What was Sir David's first pet? Which animal would he most like to be? What creature lays 'the biggest egg in the world'? How do you communicate with an ancient nomadic community in Fiji? And what did Sir David do when confronted by a ten-foot-long reptile? His enthusiasm is as infectious as ever, and conveys a unique fascination on topics as diverse as the Sloth, Monstrous Flowers, the Platypus, Giant Birds, Dragons, the Fire Salamander, Faking Fossils, the Coelacanth, the Dodo, Bird's-nest Soup and the Large Blue Butterfly. So listen to these stories to find out the real reason why animals sing, the story behind a 150-million-year-old feather and what it is about snakes that really unnerves Sir David.

Et liv på vår planet er en sterkt personlig fortelling om endringene som har skjedd i verden siste hundre år, omtrent like lenge som naturhistorikeren, forskeren og TV-personligheten Sir David Attenborough har levd på kloden. Dette er hans beretning om livet på jorden, og hans visjon for fremtiden her. I lydboka forteller han: «Jeg er 93. Jeg har hatt et ekstraordinært liv. Det er først nå jeg skjønner hvor ekstraordinært. Som ung mann følte jeg at jeg var der, ute, og opplevde den uberørte, ville natur - men det var en illusjon. Det har skjedd en tragedie i vår tid, knapt merkbar fra dag til dag, men tapet av planetens ville steder, det biologiske mangfold har blitt sterkt redusert. Det er dette som er det tragiske. Jeg har vært vitne til denne tilbakegangen. Et liv på vår planet er mitt vitnesbyrd og min visjon for fremtiden». Attenborough spør seg selv hvordan kom vi til å gjøre dette, vår største feil - og hvordan, hvis vi handler nå, likevel kan vi likevel rette opp mye av feilgrepene våre. Vi har en siste sjanse til å gjenskape verden for oss selv og kommende slekter og gjenopprette den fantastiske planeten vi arvet. Alt vi trenger er viljen til å faktisk gjøre det.

A gorgeously illustrated volume devoted to the natural history drawings and watercolors of Leonardo da Vinci and other outstanding artists of the Age of Discovery