Although the brother of an actor, David Attenborough, born 8 May 1926 never considered an acting career for himself.

Instead, he studied Natural Sciences at Cambridge University, graduating in 1947.  In 1954, this young graduate 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.

The programme, Zoo Quest, not only heralded the start of a remarkable career in broadcasting but changed the way we viewed the natural world forever. In 1969 David was appointed Director of Programmes with editorial responsibility for both the BBC’s television networks.

Eight years behind a desk was too much for him, and he resigned in 1973 to return to programme making. First came Eastwards with Attenborough, a natural history series set in South East Asia and the rest, as they say, is history.

David presented Life on Earth which went on to become a trilogy with the addition of The Living Planet and Trials on Earth.

Written with David’s his trademark wit and charm,  The Zoo Quest Expeditions 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.

The Zoo Quest Expedition, by David Attenborough, is available in hardback and digital editions from the publisher, Hachette Australia. Click here for details