Rescuing the Spectacled Bear (BBC Audio) [Audiobook] [Audio CD]

Stephen Fry (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 6, 2005 | Series: BBC Audio

The inspirational book "Rescuing the Spectacled Bear" is read by Stephen Fry and also includes a specially recorded update by the author on the Bear Rescue project. Stephen Fry first travelled to Peru to investigate Paddington Bear's origins in the BBC documentary, "Paddington Bear: The Early Years". However, the surprise star of the show turned out to be a real live bear named Yogi. He was a Spectacled Bear so called due to the markings around the eyes but had been captured by the people of a small village high in the Andes and had lived in a tiny cage, barely large enough for him to turn around in, for two years. Thanks to some bartering, he was released and taken to a new enclosure at the bottom of Peru's greatest man-made treasure, Machu Picchu. This was the beginning of Stephen's obsession with Spectacled Bears and their destiny. A charitable foundation Bear Rescue was then established for the purpose of rescuing distressed bears, to purchase land for their exclusive use and to pursue research into their numbers, their habitat and their future. Then it was back to Peru for the second documentary. Stephen Fry and the Spectacled Bears was devoted entirely to the welfare of the Spectacled Bear and the attempts to keep the species from extinction. During this trip Stephen kept a diary. The diary became the book, "Rescuing the Spectacled Bear", which has now been exclusively read in its entirety by Stephen Fry for this recording.

Editorial Reviews

Review

“A delight…this engaging diary is both funny and committed.” -- Good Book Guide


From the Trade Paperback edition. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

From the Inside Flap

Both wildly funny and moving -- a journal of Stephen Fry?s bid to rescue Peru?s endangered spectacled bears.

Spectacled Bear: The spectacled bear is small and dark, ranging in colour from black to brown, and a few have a reddish tinge. It has distinctive circular or semicircular creamy white markings on the face around the eyes, reminiscent of spectacles.

Stephen Fry: Large, unwieldy and with a distinctive bent nose and characteristic rumbling tones. Wide-buttocked from hours of sitting at writing desks and on barstools.

It has been a personal mission of Stephen Fry?s to draw the world?s attention to this endangered species. A BBC television programme of Fry?s Peru trip was broadcast on New Year?s Day 2002, and a follow-up programme was made when he went back to Peru and helped to rescue a mate for the first young bear. This is his diary of the experience. It is packed with beautiful colour pictures of Stephen, bears and Peru and it is, of course, wildly funny. Stephen Fry is set to become the Diane Fossey of the bear world.

All author proceeds will go to ?Bear Rescue.? --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

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Product Details

• Audio CD
• Publisher: BBC Audiobooks (June 6, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0563510692
• ISBN-13: 978-0563510697
• Product Dimensions: 5.6 x 5 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.9 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #8,038,826 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars great book for the young reader, December 16, 2008

By 

K. Smith "fry-fanatic" (sunny sofla) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: RESCUING THE SPECTACLED BEAR (Hardcover)

plenty of great pics and a very touching but mildly gritty story of trying to beat the redtape back long enough to save some cute bears from a terrible life. a wonderful 'read to me' book a nice introduction to conservation for the young ones!