Flying To The Stars

I have recently finished reading one of David Attenborough's memoirs: Adventures Of A Young Naturalist

In 1954, a young television presenter named David Attenborough was offered the opportunity of a lifetime - to travel the world finding rare and elusive animals for London Zoo's collection, and to film the expeditions for the BBC.

Now 'the greatest living advocate of the global ecosystem' this is the story of the voyages that started it all. Staying with local tribes while trekking in search of giant anteaters in Guyana, Komodo dragons in Indonesia and armadillos in Paraguay, he and the rest of the team battled with cannibal fish, aggressive tree porcupines and escape-artist wild pigs, as well as treacherous terrain and unpredictable weather, to record the incredible beauty and biodiversity of these regions. The methods may be outdated now, but the fascination and respect for the wildlife, the people and the environment - and the importance of protecting these wild places - is not.

Written with his trademark wit and charm, Adventures of a Young Naturalist is not just the story of a remarkable adventure, but of the man who made us fall in love with the natural world, and who is still doing so today.

I give it a strong 5/5

For Sir David Attenborough fans this is a must read, telling the adventures of his quest for animals for London Zoo. Yes, it was done in the days before 'breeding programmes' became a major requirement of zoo's, but you get a real sense of adventure of those early years of the 1950's as he and his team filmed and collected animals never seen before.

It's narrative is so well written, that I felt drawn into the adventures, I could feel the heat, sense the rain and hear the mosquitoes buzzing, and you will too!
You will not be disappointed in the slightest in purchasing this book, I already have the second book of Sir David's Zoo Quest adventures ready to read.

This country is proud to have such an amazing naturalist, his inspiration and enthusiasm has no age barrier.