bought this last year for my daughter. She loves it and watches it over and over.

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 throughout. The music, when used, is nice and never excessive or obtrusive. The narrative is excellent, providing interesting information without too many words, so the viewer can absorb it easily and keep his attention on the visuals, too. A little harder to explain, but equally important, is the way the series is organized, both at the level of each episode's subject, as well as within each episode. From the opening scene of episode one to the closing scene of the final episode, there's never a break or misstep, just a wonderfully entertaining, informative, and compelling flow from one subject to the next. The final episode brings tears to my eyes.

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 absolutely incredible, very accurately depicting the sheer beauty that is our natural world and the beings encapsulated within it.

David Attenborough's narration is at times informative and at other times whimsical and humorous. However, it is never overly serious or dry. Furthermore, there isn't so much information packed into the narration that it's overwhelming. The material supplemented our text quite well. That is not to say, however, that there is nothing to be gained from this DVD set if you are not a biology/mammology student.

The DVD set opens with A Winning Design, which describes monotremes and marsupials, the base of the evolutionary tree as far as mammals are concerned. Insect Hunters, obviously, depicts insectivores such as bats and anteaters. Plant Predators goes on to discuss herbivores such as giraffes and elephants. Chisellers is all about the largest and most abundant mammal group, the rodents. Meat Eaters covers the canids and felids. The Opportunists is a fascinating look at omnivorous animals such as raccoons. Return to the Water covers whales, otters, dolphins, etc. Life in the Trees is a veritable hodge-podge of different mammals groups taking advantage of this unique ecosystem (squirrels, bats, primates). Social Climbers goes into detail on primates. Food for thought links us with our mammalian ancestors.

The Life of Mammals is definitely not your average nature documentary. Animal lovers the world over will fall in love with this DVD set, and perhaps learn something new from it in the process. I look forward to checking out what some of the other BBC/David Attenborough DVD series have to offer.

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.

for one who loves nature and big,detailed box set nature shows like me,there is a great deal available today to fill the home system.However, all nature programs are not created equal.In fact today It seems most are using mother nature to create a reality drama program.For those of you who are looking to get back to the shear joys of nature, Daved Attenborough is the top of the list, and of all his shows ,,,THIS IS THE VERY BEST.I have dozens of wonderful shows I watch much and often, but The life of mammals is still my jewal of them all even after several years.Trust me,Im as particular as they come,You will simply love this box set.........