On assignment Memoir of a National Geographic filmmaker

Ecologist and filmmaker Larison reflects on his years making 30-plus movies for the National Geographic Society in this reflective title that takes readers around the world. From a terrifying plane crash in Alaska in the 1970s to the stresses (and thrills) of moviemaking on mountains, glaciers, and underwater, Larison has plenty of stories to share that will thrill armchair travelers. He strays from the typical professional reminiscence, however, by reflecting on how his job impacted his marriage and family. Once he took the unexpected opportunity to work with NatGeo, Larison found that it was a struggle to balance the demands of a growing family and the sudden arrival of his dream job. He writes candidly of the strain his career placed on his marriage even as he and his wife Elaine were united in their determination to make movies together that they hoped would contribute to the world's understanding of our fragile environment while never losing sight of the importance of being together. This enlightening and heartfelt work shows that it's possible to embrace a demanding career and keep close to those you love.

Larison reflects on his decades-long career producing nature documentaries for National Geographic, the Discovery Channel, and PBS in his exhilarating debut. He describes his explorations, sometimes working solo, other times alongside his wife, Elaine, and their two young children: "We went to these places and we did these things because we wanted to share our love of wilderness with others." Larison recalls the extremes he went to in order to capture the right footage, withstanding intense cold and going on glider flights, as well as frightening and exciting encounters with snakes in Manitoba ("thousands of them... carpeted the cave floor"); heavy snow near Banff, Alberta, ("we were, by this time, in a near whiteout"); and run-ins with octopi and sharks in the Great Barrier Reef. Later sections focus on the Larisons' environmental advocacy and film projects dealing with "the biological health of planet Earth." Along the way, the author expresses his gratitude for the life he and his wife have led, from the early days of their marriage, when they were "just two eighteen-year-old kids with vivid dreams and insufficient experience." Fans of the great outdoors will appreciate this introspective and sentimental outing. (Nov.)