Audiobooks by Chris Packham

Earth: Over 4 Billion Years in the Making

‘Combines the natural history of programmes such as David Attenborough’s Planet Earth with the planetary focus of Brian Cox’s Universe’ Guardian A beautiful, full colour book to accompany the 5 part BBC TV series telling the most important story of all, the deep history of our own planet. With the trademark dramatic storytelling techniques of The Planets and The Universe, Andrew Cohen and Chris Packham narrate the biography of the Earth, revealing the most epic moments from its history, from the first seconds of its existence to the arrival of its most incredible inhabitants, us. But humans take a back seat for this story as the Earth takes centre stage. We’ll witness those moments where our planet’s future hung in the balance in the face of massive bombardments from space, extreme changes in climate, the collision of whole continents and more, and we’ll tell the story of how Earth’s most incredible creations – life and intelligence – are set to have the same lasting impact on Earth’s story as any meteorite or earthquake. This is the epic 4 billion year story of the place we call home.

Andrew Cohen, Chris Packham (Author), Rupert Evans (Narrator)

Audiobook

Chris Packham’s Living World from the Archives: A BBC Radio 4 nature series

Wildlife presenter Chris Packham leafs through the Living World archives, revisiting classic episodes and bringing them up to date For over half a century, landmark natural history series Living World has provided an inspiring introduction to the flora and fauna of Great Britain and beyond. Filmed on location at key ecological sites, it sees BBC wildlife presenters joined by guest experts for enthusiastic discussions and close encounters with our native wildlife. These classic archive programmes have all been specially selected by Chris Packham, who introduces each episode and gives us an overview of the places, people and species featured on the show. Twenty are hosted by veteran broadcaster Lionel Kelleway, with the remaining two presented by Brett Westwood. Accompanied by ornithologists, biologists and a host of other specialists, they take us on a tour around the British Isles in search of amazing plants and animals. Among their discoveries are swifts, stag beetles, sticklebacks and red squirrels - as well as the endangered white-clawed crayfish; the slumbering dormouse or 'seven-moth sleeper'; the diminutive wren (known as the King of the Birds) and the under-appreciated wasp (more benign and beneficial than people realise). In addition, they hunt for crabs in a Scottish rockpool; take a festive look at mistletoe; await the arrival of roosting rooks and listen to the call of the booming bittern. Full of fascinating facts and surprising stories, this carefully curated collection will transport you to Britain's mountains, moorlands, woodlands and coasts, immersing you in the wonder and importance of our natural world. Production credits Produced by Andrew Dawes Episode guide First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 on the following dates: Swifts 3 May 2015 Presented by Lionel Kelleway with Chris Perrins Mayfly and the Chalkstream 12 July 2015 Presented by Lionel Kelleway with Mike Ladle The Stag Beetle Hunt 26 July 2015 Presented by Lionel Kelleway with Jonathon Spencer and Roger Key The Seven-Month Sleeper 11 October 2015 Presented by Lionel Kelleway with Michael Woods Water Vole 18 October 2015 Presented by Lionel Kelleway with Rob Strachan Lichens of Scotland 25 October 2015 Presented by Lionel Kelleway with Brian and Sandy Coppins Herons 8 November 2015 Presented by Lionel Kelleway The Wader with the Crest 10 January 2016 Presented by Lionel Kelleway with Andy Wilson A Life of Slime 17 January 2016 Presented by Lionel Kelleway with Mary Seddon Rooks and a Winter Roost 24 January 2016 Presented by Lionel Kelleway with Joe Cullum and Ian Henderson Sticklebacks 12 June 2016 Presented by Lionel Kelleway with Iain Barber The Highland Midge 19 June 2016 Presented by Lionel Kelleway with Alison Blackwell The Ways of the Wasp 21 August 2016 Presented by Lionel Kelleway with Tom Ings Catching Crabs 11 September 2016 Presented by Lionel Kelleway with Stephen Wiseman Crayfish 4 December 2016 Presented by Lionel Kelleway with Martin Frayling Red Squirrels 11 December 2016 Presented by Brett Westwood with Jason Reynolds A Very Berry Christmas 18 December 2016 Presented by Lionel Kelleway with Jonathan Briggs Wren Hunt 25 December 2016 Presented by Lionel Kelleway with Matthew Evans Fieldfares in a Winter Orchard 1 January 2017 Presented by Lionel Kelleway with Steve Dodd and Dave Cocker Freshwater Pearl Mussels 5 March 2017 Presented by Lionel Kelleway with Mary Seddon Toads (The Toad) 12 March 2017 Presented by Lionel Kelleway with Julia Wycherley Booming Bitterns 19 March 2017 Presented by Brett Westwood with Ian Hawkins and Ken Smith © 2022 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd. (P) 2022 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd.

Brett Westwood, Chris Packham, Lionel Kelleway (Author), Brett Westwood, Chris Packham, Lionel Kelleway (Narrator)

Audiobook

Tweet of the Day: A Year of Bird Lovers

Bird lovers including Will Young, Samuel West, Dermot O'Leary, Greta Scacchi and Sue Perkins introduce us to their favourite birds - plus, Alison Steadman presents The Twelve Tweets of Christmas Since 2013, Tweet of the Day has been a daily delight for early risers, with its 90 seconds of beautiful birdsong and fascinating ornithological stories. But what of the people who tune in to this avian chorus? In this collection, we bring to the airwaves the conversational voices of an array of wildlife enthusiasts, all eager to recount their encounters with birds - among them 'Birdgirl' Mya-Rose Craig, writers Joe Harkness, Amy Liptrot, Melissa Harrison and Mark Cocker, Springwatch host Lindsey Chapman and the staff at Slimbridge Wetland Centre, the RSPB, BirdLife International and the British Trust for Ornithology. Together, they guide us through the year, from May to March, and introduce us to the birds that have inspired them. We also hear from some unexpected celebrity sources, who share stories of the birds that catch their eyes - and their ears. Will Young tells us about seeing a Woodland Kingfisher as a child in South Africa; Sue Perkins recalls coming face to face with a Great Horned Owl and Greta Scacchi reveals her fondness for the magnificent Goldfinch. Other famous names include Samuel West, who counts the turkey-like Capercaillie and the dapper, white-bibbed Dipper among his ten picks; and Dermot O'Leary, whose five choices include 'the Alsatian of the skies', the Greater Black-Backed Gull. Jimi Goodwin, the lead singer in Doves, swerves his band's titular bird in favour of the Cuckoo and the Mallard; while musician Fyfe Dangerfield celebrates the two birds that gave his bands their names - Guillemots and Gannets - along with eight others, and uses his own birdsong recordings to experiment in music. Also featured is The Twelve Tweets of Christmas, in which Alison Steadman provides a selection of festive editions inspired by the well-known carol 'The Twelve Days of Christmas'. Production credits Produced by Maggie Ayre, Miles Warde, Tom Bonnett, Eliza Lomas, Mark Ward, Karen Gregor, Tim Dee, Sarah Blunt and Andrew Dawes © 2022 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd. (P) 2022 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd.

Chris Packham, Dermot O’leary, Michael Morpurgo, Monty Don, Sue Perkins, Will Young (Author), Alison Steadman, Chris Packham, Dermot O’leary, Greta Scacchi, Michael Morpurgo, Monty Don, Samuel West, Sue Perkins, Various, Will Young (Narrator)

Audiobook

Fingers in the Sparkle Jar: A Memoir

Every minute was magical, every single thing it did was fascinating and everything it didn't do was equally wondrous, and to be sat there, with a Kestrel, a real live Kestrel, my own real live Kestrel on my wrist! I felt like I'd climbed through a hole in heaven's fence. An introverted, unusual young boy, isolated by his obsessions and a loner at school, Chris Packham was only at home in the fields and woods around his suburban home. But when he stole a young kestrel from its nest, he was about to embark on a friendship that would teach him what it meant to love, and that would change him forever. In his rich, lyrical and emotionally exposing memoir, Chris brings to life his childhood in the 70s, from his bedroom bursting with fox skulls, birds' eggs and sweaty jam jars, to his feral adventures. But pervading his story is the search for freedom, meaning and acceptance in a world that didn't understand him.Beautifully wrought, this coming-of-age memoir will be unlike any you've ever read.

Chris Packham (Author), Chris Packham (Narrator)

Audiobook