Product Description

"Life" is an ambitious, exhilarating and beautifully illustrated study of animal behaviour, exploring the key groups of animals that inhabit this planet and their survival strategies. From cold-blooded reptilian killers to the armoured invaders of the insect world, the long-distance migratory birds to predatory mammals and the sociable and intelligent primates, "Life" reveals animal behaviour as never described before. By telling a series of unforgettable stories and focusing on intimate details, the book draws us into the biggest story of all - the many different ways animals and plants cope with the challenges of life and, ultimately, the survival of their species. We learn how fish can be the most caring of parents, how cuttlefish seduce with colour, how penguin chicks learn the hard way and how monkeys and apes teach their young to use tools. We discover some of the wonders of life, including dragons that wrestle, lizards that do cartwheels, toads that bounce, elephant shrews that run like greyhounds and birds that create art. Narrated by David Attenborough and with never-before-filmed animal behaviour, breathtaking cinematography and emotional story telling, "Life" is BBC1's landmark natural history programme for 2009, and this is the unmissable companion book.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #54 in Books
• Published on: 2009-10-01
• Original language: English
• Binding: Hardcover
• 312 pages

Review
The perfect present for nieces, nephews and godchildren, ...once bought will remain a bookcase favourite for years to come. --She Magazine, December, 2009

Life is a breathtaking view of the world, of the plants and animals, featuring incredible photos from around the world --Shortlist, October

About the Author
Martha Holmes was the series producer of Life. She is a marine biologist with a PhD from the University of York and has produced programmes for major series including Life in the Freezer and Blue Planet, as well as the BAFTA-winning Wildlife Special: Polar Bear. Michael Gunton was the executive editor of Life and is director of development for the BBC NHU. He has a PhD in zoology from the University of Cambridge. Mike was series editor for The Natural World for three years and executive producer on numerous films and series, including Ultimate Killers, Galapagos, David Attenborough's Life in the Undergrowth and Alan Titchmarsh's British Isles: a Natural History.

Customer Reviews

AMAZING!
With its bold and all-encompassing title, and following as the latest in a line of BBC's spectacular nature programmes, 'Life' had a lot to live up to. Luckily, it does not disappoint! This book provides the perfect accompaniment for the TV programme, providing a more in-depth account of the animals shown in the programme. It is filled with stunning photography and fascinating descriptions of the remarkable and peculiar ways in which various species have adapted to their unique circumstances. As you read through, you truly are left with a sense of awe at the complexities and delicate balances that exist in the world that we live in. A must for anyone with an interest in...Life!

Super book
I picked up a copy of this book after watching the BBC series, and it doesn't disappoint! Not only is the photography really breathtaking, but it reveals some of the most amazing, and often bizarre, creatures in the world today. From extraordinary Sea Creatures which look like they belong to another world, to giant almost prehistoric lizards, to fantastic big eyed marsupials that are so cute you want to take them home, this book has something to please everyone. Perfect present for anyone who likes Natural History and/or amazing photography!

A visual treat
'Life' is a stunning visual treat which both adults and children in our household have been unable to put down. The photography is vibrant and the accompanying text is balanced to inform without overloading readers both young and old. This is now on my Christmas list for several family members and friends as it is a delight for all.