My Penguin Year by Lindsay McCrae

Author: Lindsay McCrae

Title: My Penguin Year

Publisher: Hodder

Published: 2020

Pages: 304

Genre: Autobiography 

     When the BBC asked BAFTA-winning cameraman Lindsay McCrae to go to Antarctica to film emperor penguins he was thrilled. After discussing it with his wife Becky they agreed that, although it would mean him being away for 11 months, he should do it. But then she became pregnant and it seemed like the worst idea in the world - not just to miss the birth of his first child, but the first 7 months of his life. Weeks of anguished discussions followed before they decided he should go because it was his dream project and the chance might never come again.

     I grew up watching David Attenborough programs, as did a great many others. I think they have become a must-watch event up and down the breadth of the United Kingdom. We all sit in wonder as the natural world is shown to us in ways that in all likelihood we would not be able to experience for ourselves. It was through watching these programs as a child that it kindled a love of the natural world that has stayed with me well into adulthood. But it is not often I suppose we give a great deal of thought into what those men and women who actually shoot the footage go through in order to light up our TV screens. So when someone I know said she had just read this book and thought I might like it. I immediately jumped online and tracked down a copy.

     In the course of the book, McCrae breaks each chapter down into a section of time. We start by following him as a small child, seeing how he came to have a love of the natural world which pushed him on to his chosen profession. I think for some they know from a very young age where they want to be when they grow up. It is a passion that burns somewhere deep inside and guides their every action. So when to choose such a field ending up working for the BBC wildlife unit out of Bristol must be like winning gold at the Olympics. Their work is shown the world over as the absolute pinnacle of their choose field. To me, it also helps to better understand the man and the choices he makes throughout the course of the year he spent in the Antarctic. 

     It is interesting that when you hear the words nature documentary more often than not what springs to mind is places like Africa and India. To me at least Penguins are something we see in enclosures at the zoo. waddling around starting blanky back at a sea of people all with phones held high. The only snow they see is that painted on the walls that keep them pend in. But when it comes to Emperor Penguins the true nature of the lives they live are more brutal than we would like to imagine. it is through McCrae's lens that we get to see temperatures drop to -50 and the winds blow against us like a wall of ice. It becomes clear very early on that it takes a special kind of determination to face these things and not pick up and turn tail. But maybe this is true to be the top in any given field we must strive to do what others won't, to achieve the absolute best. 

     Much like the tv show, the footage went on to become, we are treated to something very magical in being able to spend a season with these amazing creatures. And whilst the episode is edited to give the penguins a much more clear story, throughout the course of the book we get a much better perspective as to just what that took. We do not think of the hours you must spend knelt on the ice, camera in hand trying to get just the shots you need. or how you are held at the mercy of the weather on any given day. the author never shies away from showing us the harsh realities of living in such an unforgiving environment. The told that it not only takes on the body but on your mind is one that is not to be taken lightly but for those who choose it, it seems to give the ultimate rewards. 

     For me, this was a fascinating read, it opened my eyes not only to the lives of camera people but the sheer force of will penguins go through just to produce the next generation. it is a book that just as much as it is enlightening it is one that at times will break your heart as to what they go through. To me, this works just as well for adults as it would for the budding young wildlife enthusiasts in your life.  And whilst you may think well I've seen the episode so why bother with the book. To me, it works as a parallel enhancing both and giving you an enjoyable experience.