Life Of Mammals |
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David Attenborough
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Pages: 320 (Hardcover)
ISBN: 0563534230
Pub: BBC Books
Pub date: 2002-10-17
Amazon.co.uk Sales Rank: 80625
Editorial Review:
There are over four and a half thousand different kinds of mammals alive today. How many can you name? Many will not be entirely clear about what it is that makes a mammal rather than a reptile or bird, apart from egg laying. But then what about egg-laying mammals such as the platypus and echidna? The Life of Mammals describes and illustrates the remarkable diversity of mammals from the giant blue whale to the miniscule pigmy shrew. The cachet of David Attenborough's name and distinctive voice comes through clearly from the text and there's a stunning selection of photographs, by the best wildlife photographers in the world. The Life of Mammals is worth getting even if you just like wildlife pictures, for there are many here that you will not have seen before--the Brazilian tapir, the hairy rhino of Sumatra, the Pyrenean desman and more.
Attenborough certainly has the knack of making good stories for the general reader out of what, in other hands, can be rather dry science. He manages to weave in a great deal about the evolutionary story behind the success of the mammals over the last 65 million years since the dinosaurs bit the dust. Also, because of all the careful research behind the TV programmes, he is pretty well up to speed on many of the scientific developments in our understanding of our biologically nearest if not necessarily dearest relatives. This is especially true when the story gets around to our closest primate cousins--the apes. All the recent discoveries about tool use and culture are included.
The Life of Mammals will make a perfect gift for anyone from the age of about 10 upwards and hopefully a whole new generation will know what a kinkajou, cacomistle or a uakiri are. The only quibble is there's no further-reading list to fuel new enthusiasms lit up by this excellent book. --Douglas Palmer.
Reader Reviews:
Very interesting, a great read (0/0 people found this helpful)
I bought this book just before I went on holiday and could hardly put it down! It's well written and doesn't use phrases and terms that an average person wouldn't understand. It is well illustrated which comes in very handy as if you're anything like me you won't have a clue what many of these animals look like. There is a lot of information squeezed in and some animals are only briefly touched on while others have a lot more pages dedicated to them, but with the age of the internet a quick Wiki search will satisfy any desire you may have to know more but I personally didn't feel the need. A definite recommendation for anyone with an interest in animals.
A Good Overview of Mammalian Life (6/7 people found this helpful)
Anyone who reads this book cannot fail to come away with a better understanding of mammalian anatomy and behaviour, and the vast array of creatures that inhabit the class. Clearly written for the layman, the text is easy to read and fairly informative, taking care never to go into too much heavy scientific detail. Due to the large number of species discussed in each chapter, coverage is necessarily brief and jumps around a bit. Some readers will no doubt be left wanting something a bit more substantial and detailed, but overall it's a good introduction to what is a fascinating topic. The photos are great and really help to bring the world of mammals to life.
Super (8/13 people found this helpful)
This is interesting, beautifully presented and you can almost hear David Attenborough's voice as you are reading it! Accompanied by superb photography this is a pleasure to read and makes a fantastic gift to the animal mad. Well worth the money and time taken to read it.
Life of Mammals (7/10 people found this helpful)
Bought as a present for my nephew, a young and very keen animal lover, he is very rarely seen without it. A most beautiful book with all the care and attention to detail that you'd expect from David Attenborough. The thought gone in to the television series and the book is outstanding and is good reading for both children and adult, with a curiosity for learning more about animals.
It's a nostalgia thing (9/12 people found this helpful)
This book is the literature equivalent of tea and crumpets on a cold blustery dark winters night, snuggled in the front room fresh from the bath, awaiting wildlife programmes on the telly and dreading school the next morning. It's a pure nostalgia thing; the soothing tones of Attenborough lose nothing in print; some stunning photos and comfortable insights into the animal world. Buy this book.
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Categories
Amazon.co.uk places this book into the following categories:
Books -> Subjects -> Science & Nature -> Biological Sciences -> Animal Sciences -> General AAS
Books -> Subjects -> Science & Nature -> Biological Sciences -> General AAS
Books -> Subjects -> Science & Nature -> General AAS
Books -> Subjects -> Science & Nature -> Nature -> General AAS
Books -> Subjects -> Science & Nature -> Nature -> Wild Animals -> General AAS
Books -> Subjects -> Scientific, Technical & Medical -> Biology -> Animal Sciences -> Animal Behaviour
Books -> Subjects -> Scientific, Technical & Medical -> Biology -> Animal Sciences -> General AAS
Books -> Subjects -> Scientific, Technical & Medical -> Biology -> General AAS
Books -> Refinements -> Language (feature_browse-bin) -> English
Books -> Refinements -> Age (feature_two_browse-bin)
Books -> Refinements -> Format (binding_browse-bin) -> Hardcover
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