The Life of Mammals
starring: David Attenborough
List Price: $79.98
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Description:
In ten parts, the award-winning David Attenborough (2002 Emmy winner for The Blue Planet: Seas of Life; The Life of Birds) introduces us to the most diverse group of animals ever to live on Earth, from the smallest - the two-inch pygmy shrew, to the largest - the blue whale; from the slowest - the sloth, to the swiftest - the cheetah; from the least attractive - the naked mole rat, to the most irresistible - a human baby. The Life of Mammals is the story of 4,000 species that have outlived the dinosaurs and conquered the farthest places on earth. With bodies kept warm by thick coats of fur and their developing young protected and nourished within their bodies, they have managed to colonize every part of the globe, dry or wet, hot or cold. Their adaptations for finding food have also had a profound effect on the way they move, socialize, mate and breed.
Amazon.com:
David Attenborough and the BBC have a well-earned reputation for producing some of the greatest nature programs, but The Life of Mammals could well be Attenborough's magnum opus. Much of the footage shot for this series had never been seen before, and is presented with the respect and reverence for the natural world that Attenborough has made his trademark. It never ceases to surprise: the sight of a lion taking down a wildebeest on the African savannah has almost become a cliché of nature programs, yet in The Life of Mammals the cameras keep rolling and the viewer witnesses the fallen animal's herd coming to its rescue and driving off the lion. It's a moving sight and just one of many remarkable scenes.
A thorough and entertaining overview of one of evolution's greatest success stories, the series is loosely structured to follow the development of mammals, beginning with the basics in "A Winning Design," which clarifies what makes a mammal different from reptiles and birds--no, it isn't egg-laying: both the platypus and the echidna are egg-laying mammals; it's their ability to adapt. And it's this adaptability that becomes the crux of the remainder of the series. "Insect Hunters" focuses on mammals who have specifically adapted to eating insects, from the giant anteater and the armored armadillo to bats, which have evolved into complex and effective hunters. "Plant Predators" demonstrates the particular (and often peculiar) adaptations of herbivores, while "Chisellers" is about those mammals who feed primarily on roots and seeds, ranging from tree-dwelling squirrels to opportunistic mice and rats. "Meat Eaters" talks about the evolutionary arms race that exists between predators and prey, and the unique adaptations of both individual and pack hunters. Omnivores are explored in "Opportunists"--mammals like bears and raccoons, whose varied diet allows them to occupy nearly any environment. "Return to the Water" discusses those mammals such as whales, seals, and dolphins that have left behind life on dry land and adapted completely to life in the sea, existing at the top of the food chain. The last three episodes--"Life in the Trees," "Social Climbers," and "Food for Thought"--take the viewer through the development of primates, eventually culminating in that most successful mammal: man. --Robert Burrow
In ten parts, the award-winning David Attenborough (2002 Emmy winner for The Blue Planet: Seas of Life; The Life of Birds) introduces us to the most diverse group of animals ever to live on Earth, from the smallest - the two-inch pygmy shrew, to the largest - the blue whale; from the slowest - the sloth, to the swiftest - the cheetah; from the least attractive - the naked mole rat, to the most irresistible - a human baby. The Life of Mammals is the story of 4,000 species that have outlived the dinosaurs and conquered the farthest places on earth. With bodies kept warm by thick coats of fur and their developing young protected and nourished within their bodies, they have managed to colonize every part of the globe, dry or wet, hot or cold. Their adaptations for finding food have also had a profound effect on the way they move, socialize, mate and breed.
Amazon.com:
David Attenborough and the BBC have a well-earned reputation for producing some of the greatest nature programs, but The Life of Mammals could well be Attenborough's magnum opus. Much of the footage shot for this series had never been seen before, and is presented with the respect and reverence for the natural world that Attenborough has made his trademark. It never ceases to surprise: the sight of a lion taking down a wildebeest on the African savannah has almost become a cliché of nature programs, yet in The Life of Mammals the cameras keep rolling and the viewer witnesses the fallen animal's herd coming to its rescue and driving off the lion. It's a moving sight and just one of many remarkable scenes.
A thorough and entertaining overview of one of evolution's greatest success stories, the series is loosely structured to follow the development of mammals, beginning with the basics in "A Winning Design," which clarifies what makes a mammal different from reptiles and birds--no, it isn't egg-laying: both the platypus and the echidna are egg-laying mammals; it's their ability to adapt. And it's this adaptability that becomes the crux of the remainder of the series. "Insect Hunters" focuses on mammals who have specifically adapted to eating insects, from the giant anteater and the armored armadillo to bats, which have evolved into complex and effective hunters. "Plant Predators" demonstrates the particular (and often peculiar) adaptations of herbivores, while "Chisellers" is about those mammals who feed primarily on roots and seeds, ranging from tree-dwelling squirrels to opportunistic mice and rats. "Meat Eaters" talks about the evolutionary arms race that exists between predators and prey, and the unique adaptations of both individual and pack hunters. Omnivores are explored in "Opportunists"--mammals like bears and raccoons, whose varied diet allows them to occupy nearly any environment. "Return to the Water" discusses those mammals such as whales, seals, and dolphins that have left behind life on dry land and adapted completely to life in the sea, existing at the top of the food chain. The last three episodes--"Life in the Trees," "Social Climbers," and "Food for Thought"--take the viewer through the development of primates, eventually culminating in that most successful mammal: man. --Robert Burrow
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Customer Reviews
Average Rating:
Rating: - Stunning Photography
This is absolutely the best wildlife photography I've ever seen. It outclasses the iconic National Geographic productions and takes wildlife documentaries to a new level. With hi-tech cameras and an intimate knowledge of the ways of animals, Attenborough captures mammals in situations never before seen. His narration is captivating and his ability to mingle with the animals themselves is uncanny. With this series he proves himself to be the undisputed master of wildlife documentaries.
Rating: - the life of mammals dvd
bought this last year for my daughter.She loves it and watches it over and over.
Rating: - Masterpiece
I have watched most of Attenborough's work, and I own several of his series.I love almost everything I have seen.However, even among Attenborough's work, The Life of Mammals stands out.
I have watched every episode in this series about fifteen times each (ok, yes, perhaps I've gone overboard).Even so, I still learn something every time I watch.
This series stands out among the others because it achieves the highest quality in every aspect.Photography is beautiful ... Read More
Rating: - Beautifully filmed and narrated
This DVD series has been required supplemental viewing for a college course, and I must say that I was a little skeptical at first about spending this much money on supplemental material that was in addition to the required text.However, I was pleasantly surprised to find the money was very well spent.Indeed, this is a DVD set that I will watch over and over again.
The Life of Mammals captures some fantastic video footage, with simply amazing cinematography.Some of the shots are ... Read More
Rating: 
- uh...
It took over a month to receive this item. I never got a notification that it was either on back-order or just plain wasn't sent out, but it was a gift for someone ordered weeks in advance specifically for time delay, but it still was not shipped to me on time, even though i PAID for speedy shipping.
Never again.
- Stunning PhotographyThis is absolutely the best wildlife photography I've ever seen. It outclasses the iconic National Geographic productions and takes wildlife documentaries to a new level. With hi-tech cameras and an intimate knowledge of the ways of animals, Attenborough captures mammals in situations never before seen. His narration is captivating and his ability to mingle with the animals themselves is uncanny. With this series he proves himself to be the undisputed master of wildlife documentaries.
- the life of mammals dvdbought this last year for my daughter.She loves it and watches it over and over.
- MasterpieceI have watched most of Attenborough's work, and I own several of his series.I love almost everything I have seen.However, even among Attenborough's work, The Life of Mammals stands out.
I have watched every episode in this series about fifteen times each (ok, yes, perhaps I've gone overboard).Even so, I still learn something every time I watch.
This series stands out among the others because it achieves the highest quality in every aspect.Photography is beautiful ... Read More
- Beautifully filmed and narratedThis DVD series has been required supplemental viewing for a college course, and I must say that I was a little skeptical at first about spending this much money on supplemental material that was in addition to the required text.However, I was pleasantly surprised to find the money was very well spent.Indeed, this is a DVD set that I will watch over and over again.
The Life of Mammals captures some fantastic video footage, with simply amazing cinematography.Some of the shots are ... Read More
- uh...It took over a month to receive this item. I never got a notification that it was either on back-order or just plain wasn't sent out, but it was a gift for someone ordered weeks in advance specifically for time delay, but it still was not shipped to me on time, even though i PAID for speedy shipping.
Never again.
