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All Things Wise and Wonderful

by James Herriot

4.29 · rating details · 6,562 ratings · 143 reviews

Readers adored his tales as a Yorkshire animal doctor in All Creatures Great and Small and All Things Bright and Beautiful-- now James Herriot treats us to another delightful volume of memoirs rich with his own brand of humor and wisdom.

In the midst of World War Two, James is training for the Royal Air Force, while going home to Yorkshire whenever possible to see his ...more

Mass Market Paperback, 440 pages

Published July 15th 1998 by St. Martin's Paperbacks (first published June 1st 1977)

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Sep 11, 2011

Valerie added it · review of another edition

My other books in this series are much-thumbed editions, obviously read and reread until the color is rubbed off the spine-edges.

This volume, though it's also used, is in better condition. It rather makes me wish Herriot had stuck to his determination not to discuss his war experiences. He clearly hated them so much that it discolored his memories, and it's not surprising that he keeps slipping away into reminiscence. If he had to discuss those years at all, I'd have preferred it ...moreMy other books in this series are much-thumbed editions, obviously read and reread until the color is rubbed off the spine-edges.

This volume, though it's also used, is in better condition. It rather makes me wish Herriot had stuck to his determination not to discuss his war experiences. He clearly hated them so much that it discolored his memories, and it's not surprising that he keeps slipping away into reminiscence. If he had to discuss those years at all, I'd have preferred it if he'd dug out his letters from Tristan, who did service AS a vet, and probably had some fascinating stories to tell. Only once in this whole volume does Herriot actually get to work as a vet in the present tense--after he's grounded he's sent out as a farm laborer, and happens to be by to help with a difficult calving.

At the end of the previous volume, Herriot is warned by a native Yorkshireman that if he goes to the big city he'll be forced back into taking "big steps and little 'uns". Herriot, originally a big city man, takes the warning seriously, but doesn't really realize how countrified he's become until he actually finds himself in London, taking those big steps and little 'uns in a cold, acidic fog.

Any man who dedicates a book (as this one is) to his dogs must have found it a great wrench to have to leave his dog behind when he departed to his training. The dog must have resented it even more than his very pregnant wife, because she would understand, though reluctantly. The dog would just have felt unaccounably abandoned.

There are a few redeeming qualities from the abusive treatment Herriot and his companions are meted out. Both places he stays as a recruit do at least have plentiful hot water. And when Herriot gets sent to Scarborborough, he finds himself put up in one of the old grand hotels (it's actually called the Grand in the book, but I don't know if that was its real name), in an area near his home and with a much more congenial climate than the London he describes. But the constant anonymous abuse he describes too often drives him to retreat into reminiscences. I don't suppose he was anymore convinced by sadistic people telling him he'd thank them for the ordeals they put him through than I've ever been. He makes an attempt to be gracious about it, but I'm not convinced. I have never in my life thanked anybody afterward for stoving in my body and mind, and I'd think the very concept risible if it weren't so destructive.

Still, there are redeeming qualities, even in the present tense. The description of pilot training is one of the better descriptions I've heard, and I've heard a few, including some from relatives. It rather makes me wonder if Herriot didn't take up flying as a hobby, though he never mentions it. The description of Herriot's experience of couvade (sympathy pregnancy, which he experienced with both his children), his description of his shock at seeing the newborn Jimmy (farm animal babies are normally more developed at birth)...all these make for good reading. And of course the nostalgic stories of events before the war (especially the flatulent dog) are as fun as his other books. I think some of the stories were issued as stand-alone books--I'll try looking for them and adding them. It's a pity the good stories are too often reduced to compensatory souvenirs for a perennially homesick man.

When I get to this volume in reading through the series, I'm tempted to hold my breath and rush through. But that would be a shame, and fortunately there's enough good stuff to slow down and savor.

Likely this volume will remain unthumbed, however. There's just too much gristle and not enough meat.

Minor trivia note for those who are coordinating the books with the tv show: the story of Roddy the the tramping laborer is near the end of this book. In the tv series, the character is played by Patrick Troughton, the 2nd Doctor from Doctor Who. If I hadn't seen it in the credits, I wouldn't have known it--he's unrecognizable. The mark of s VERY good actor, I'd say.(less)

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Oct 19, 2007

Cappy rated it

· review of another edition

Recommends it for: anyone who yearns for English countrysides

Harriot is the quinetessential author who captures the essence of Yorkshire countryside through his delightful depictions of the people, landscape, and of course the animals. This particular story centers around his leaving the veterinary practice during WWII to go off and learn to fly with the RAF...it seems each time he enters a new adventure in the RAF his mind wanders off to the hills and dales of his home county. A wonderful read for anyone who enjoys the voice of a story teller and doesn...more

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Aug 05, 2011

Jodi rated it

· review of another edition

Recommends it for: animal lovers

Shelves: books-about-england, classics, dogs, world-war-ii

I first read these books in high school and fell in love with them because I am such an animal lover. I found this copy on the free shelf at the library and read it again. The stories are humorous, gentle, and told by someone with a genuine understanding of animals.

The story of Cedric, the gaseous dog, left me in stitches and am so glad that his final owner had no sense of smell! What a match made in heaven for this man and his dog! I also felt so sorry for the author and his exp...more

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Aug 02, 2010

Shanna Gonzalez rated it

· review of another edition

Shelves: children-12

This edition of James Herriot's memoirs sees him being drafted into the United Kingdom's Royal Air Force to play his part during World War II, leaving behind his veterinary practice and his wife (now expecting young Jimmy). Although he never sees combat, his description of military training gives an inside view to the training process for pilots in the war, interspersed with plentiful reminiscences of his veterinary practice back in Darrowby. Throughout this story is a sweet marital love, whic...more

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Dec 03, 2009

Sara rated it

· review of another edition

Recommends it for: anyone!

I just adore these books. I can't help it. Herriot may not be the most polished author but his books have a sense of warmth around them and I feel like I know Helen, Tristan, Siegfried and James. I love that they are real people and wish I could go and visit them, they just seem so lovely. Tristan's antics in this book are hysterical and James' reaction to becoming a new father priceless. I love it. Love. I'm going to wait to read the fourth for a little because I'm sad it's the last one...

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May 04, 2011

Brittany rated it

· review of another edition

Shelves: history, sciencewriting

In the course of my successive re-reads of James Herriot's books as a child, I would routinely skip this one, which I thought of as "the sad one." It is sad. In it, Herriot covers the years during World War II, including his service in the Royal Air Force. It is no heroic, chest-thumping saga. He talks about homesickness, about missing his wife and worrying about the birth of their first child, and about being lonely and scared. It's not as happy or bubbly as some of his other books, b...more

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Jul 24, 2011

Ronald Wise rated it

This was a very pleasant return to James Herriot and his veterinary practice in Darrowby, Yorkshire. It's been about three decades since I read Herriot's All Things... series, and I remembered enough that the reading was easy while I fortunately forgot just enough to make the stories humorous and interesting all over again.

In this book Herriot is training to be a pilot in the RAF. Dealing with the bureaucratic and impersonal military system reminded him of some difficult clients and pa...more

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May 04, 2010

Autumn rated it

· review of another edition

Shelves: animals, laughter, sweet, true-story

As always, it's lovely to read Herriot. He loves his work and those he works for, and that tenderness shows in his storytelling with a good amount of humor perfectly balancing it all out. This time around, Herriot is training in the RAF, and incidents in his training lead to memories of his life as a vet, which he skillfully ties together. I like how Herriot talks to you as though he knows you are as interested in his work and love his patients as much as he does, because, as his reader, you do....moreAs always, it's lovely to read Herriot. He loves his work and those he works for, and that tenderness shows in his storytelling with a good amount of humor perfectly balancing it all out. This time around, Herriot is training in the RAF, and incidents in his training lead to memories of his life as a vet, which he skillfully ties together. I like how Herriot talks to you as though he knows you are as interested in his work and love his patients as much as he does, because, as his reader, you do. He talks to you as an equal and as an old, familiar friend, and once again you get to enjoy the entertaining company of Siegfried and Tristan, and be welcomed with a warm hug by and sat down to share cake and laughter with the lovely Helen.

One of my favorite stories is that of the gentle, retired farmer, Mr. Potts, who loved the chance to talk shop with Herriot while his older dog, Nip, played with Herriot's young basset hound. Herriot's first image of Mr. Potts and Nip:

He was perched on a stool, milking one of his few cows, his cloth-capped head thrusting into the hairy flank and as he pulled at the teats old Nip dropped a stone on the toe of his boot. The farmer reached down, lifted the stone between the two fingers, and flicked it . . . NIp scurried delightedly after it and was back within seconds, dropping the stone on the boot and panting hopefully. . . . His master repeated the throw . . . and as I watched it happening again and again I realized that this was a daily ritual between the two. I had a piercing impression of infinite patience and devotion. (p. 381)

Herriot realized it was hard for Mr. Potts to be retired, out of the business he had been part of his whole life yet still loved and understood and wanted to share. With Herriot, he had the chance to feel part of things again, sharing his knowledge and experience. Herriot liked knowing that, however small it seemed, he was helping Mr. Potts this way. Later, after Mr. Potts was gone, it was sweet to read of Herriot finding comfort in realizing that there was still something he could do for Mr. Potts in life.

Always enjoyable to join Herriot, his animals, and farmers in the Yorkshire countryside.
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Apr 06, 2011

Carol rated it

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I have loved these books from the first one I picked up. If I wasn't laughing out loud in a room all by myself, I was mopping up the tears from a very touching experience I read about. This is an absolutely delightful James Herriot. He's a master storyteller. This book is just a collection of experiences from when he was a vet, and it was interesting as well as hilarious. My husband and I just started watching the BBC Series provided by Netflix. This has brought back a lot of the fun stories...more

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Aug 02, 2011

Dianne DiFrisco rated it

· review of another edition

I am not interested in farm animals. Which proves that James Herriot (Al White) is a great writer because I devoured all of his books.

He creates believable, lovably odd characters. He uses a lot of self-deprecating humor, especially in his descriptions of his bumbling wooing of Helen.

My favorite story is when a farmer phones James, the "Vetnery," because his sow has just had a dozen piglets and she's madly trying to kill them. By the time James drives up the dales ...more

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Apr 06, 2011

Blah rated it

· review of another edition

Shelves: and, audible-library, audiobook

Herriot weaves more of his charming "cat and dog stories" in the form of fond memories into the fabric of his experience training to be a pilot in the Royal Air Force during WW II. This 3rd omnibus edition is another winner which invites us, neigh begs us to fall in love with Yorkshire and her residents.

The arc of the book covers Herriot's entry into the RAF right through basic training, his flight training, through the surgery that ultimately grounded him and leaves us off back in ...more

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Apr 06, 2011

Brett rated it

· review of another edition

Shelves: my-audio-library, audible

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Mar 08, 2011

Emily rated it

· review of another edition

Herriot's third collection of loosely autobiographical tales of veterinary practice in the Yorkshire dales ostensibly takes place while he is serving in the Royal Air Force during World War II. However, most of the chapters only begin with a paragraph or two about his military life which inevitably reminds him of someone or some animal-related event from his past. This was mildly disconcerting as the connections between the RAF event and the story to follow are sometimes quite a stretch. The tal...more

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Jun 20, 2011

Purlewe rated it

· review of another edition

Shelves: essays, non-fiction, anglophile

Another fantastic novel by Mr. Herriot. I find it interesting how he says very clearly how he won't be dicussing the war.. and yet this whole book is framed as his memories of home DURING the war. He gives no info about what his time in the RAF except that he was there, was grounded (no clues as to why), and finally discharged. But each beginning of the story starts out with him doing something in the RAF (marching, flying, etc) and how it reminds him of a something that happened in Darrowby.
...more

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Jan 06, 2012

Emily Bailey rated it

· review of another edition

I've been reading James Herriot books for years; my mom would give me his books to read before I was even a teenager and now I enjoy them even more! I got this book in the used section of a book store back in the summer, and have had it on my shelf for months. I finally picked it up and it only took a few days for me to get through it. Definitely a great story! I love how his books could be picked up and started at any chapter, because each individual story is so good. James Herriot writes humor...more

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Aug 14, 2011

Dan rated it

· review of another edition

As with the others in the series, this book contains a wealth of fun stories and heart-warming experiences.

I was a bit surprised that the book didn't spend more time describing his time in the air force. He mentions it frequently, of course, but usually only as a lead-in to something from his veterinary life. Unfortunately, that isn't always a good thing, since some of the rough-and-tough nature of men in the military spills over into the book. There are a few more coarse and crude ...more

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Mar 31, 2011

Nate rated it

· review of another edition

I have learned more from James Herriot about what makes a good Doctor than from any medical textbook. The animals are cute and the stories are witty, but the relationships between James the veterinary surgeon and his clients - the sparse, windblown farmers of the Scottish highlands - as well as the ancient landscape they inhabit - are what make these books for me. Large animals still dominated the work, and a pre-dawn ring usually meant kissing the wife goodbye, leaving her tucked in the warm ...more

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Jul 21, 2010

Roberta rated it

· review of another edition

It took me a little while to get into how he was writing this book. After I figured it out, it was great! The one thing thought was a little strange, was that his "main" plot was how he was training for the Royal Air Force, so each chapter would begin with a tiny bit of that then compare a story from the past with something happening in his present. But the strange thing was his main plot could be gathered into one chapter of a book. I would have liked it better if he just had told...more

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Jan 19, 2009

Heather rated it

· review of another edition

Shelves: couldntfinish

This book is just as cute as the rest of his stories, but I was listening to it while I was swimming and it ultimately wasn't gripping enough to really keep me enraptured while I was doing laps. I need hard core story-candy for that. So, I am giving up. But take no offense James Herriot--I still heart you.

Also: to anyone who is curious about the '70s BBC television show based on his stories, I highly recommend watching one or two. They are horrible and not very interesting, however, ...more

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Oct 24, 2008

Ruth rated it

· review of another edition

Shelves: recently-read

Lots more delightful animal stories here. However, I do have a couple of peeves.

1. The organization was silly: Herriot has enlisted in the Royal Air Force to do his duty in World War II, & most chapters begin with a brief cameo about his experiences in training. However, then he invariably turns abruptly (with the excuse of some slight similarity or another feeble reminder) to a reminiscence of some experience(s) from his vet practice back home. The book would have been stronger as t...more

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Oct 01, 2008

Abigail rated it

· review of another edition

Recommends it for: Animal Lovers / James Herriot Readers

Shelves: animals, biography-memoir

The third in James Herriot's series of fictionalized autobiographies, All Things Wise and Wonderful continues the story of the Yorkshire veterinarian, his friends and family, his patients and their people. Like the two before it, Herriot's title is taken from the famous hymn by Cecil Alexander, and is infused with the author's self-deprecating humor and humane spirit.

As mentioned in my reviews of both All Creatures Great and Small and All Things Bright and Beautiful, Herriot's books ...more

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Oct 08, 2008

The other John rated it

· review of another edition

Recommended to The other John by: My wife

Shelves: amusing, lifeinforeignlands

This was a good book, but I can't wholeheartedly recommend it. My wife did. She's enjoyed the whole series and thought that I would like it too. She suggested many months ago that I grab one of the two James Herriot books off the shelf and have a read. So after a proper amount of delay--one mustn't respond too quickly to one's wife's suggestions, after all--I grabbed this one and stuffed it into my lunch bag so that I could leisurely peruse the volume over my lunch hours. This is where I erred. ...more

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Mar 01, 2010

Vicki rated it

· review of another edition

It was great to settle in with an old friend. I read this series over & over in my childhood years, up through high school. James Herriot is why I wanted to be a vet--until I came up against chemistry, that is! I LOVELOVELOVE this entire series. His warmth, intuitive descriptions of his animal patients and their humans, and genuine delight of life are a wonderful gift to the world. I'm reviewing all the books in this series the same way, so you only have to read this review once! ; )

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Aug 25, 2009

Nathan rated it

· review of another edition

Recommends it for: anyone, especially animal lovers

Shelves: with-jen

This is another lovely read from Herriot the vet from Darrowby. This is was not quite as enjoyable as the others because the author felt obliged (so it seemed to me) to take the reader through bits and snatches of his military services and tell us quaint and moving animal/people stories at the same time. Bad move. There are several chapters that begin with James doing something in the RAF, and then he makes an awkward transition to something that happened to him as a veterinarian. It would have ...more

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Jul 06, 2008

Inder rated it

· review of another edition

Recommends it for: Future Farmers and Animal Lovers

Shelves: dogs, memoir, audiobooks, read-2008

7/08 A year after beginning this project, we finally finish ATW&W. Aaaaaaah. Lovely. I'm starting to feel a little sad that we only have one more book left in the series. But I'm glad that Steve and I have developed a system whereby we have literally drawn them out over years.

12/07 We haven't finished this yet, but I'm still chuckling over the most recent "Granville Bennett" story (not sure if that's spelled right - that's one of the charms of audio books). I laughed so har...more

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Aug 14, 2009

Sadie rated it

· review of another edition

Shelves: audio-books, read-with-husband, books-to-buy, 4-stars

This series continues to be so sweet and enjoyable. Herriot's way of writing is great. I love his sense of humor. It's hard to believe there are real life people like Sigfried and Tristan. I plan on purchasing the whole series. **Just as a side note, if you are looking for an audiobook with a great reader, this series is it. Christopher Timothy is great! **

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Feb 02, 2011

Janette rated it

· review of another edition

Loved it, but can't figure out why he tells about all the times he gets drunk...he never seems to be able to tell people no. Other than that it was great reading about his experiences with the animals, interesting and comforting for some reason.

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Jun 12, 2011

Tanya rated it

· review of another edition

Shelves: animals, non-fiction

Another joyous James Herriot read... now that I am starting his fifth book, I have almost had my fill for a while (after about 1800 pages!). I think this can still be classified as non-fiction even though names have been changes.

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Mar 10, 2011

Katniss rated it

· review of another edition

Shelves: series

Just as amazing and touching as the previous books, James Herriot tells us of all the strange, happy, sad, and in between things that happened during his time as a veterinarian, connecting his experiences there to his time in the military.

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Mar 26, 2010

Leanne added it · review of another edition

Heartwarming, hilarious and life affirming! I have been reading and re-reading these timeless stories for years and I still laugh and cry the same way every time. A wonderful series of stories.

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About James Herriot

James Herriot is the pen name of James Alfred Wight, OBE, FRCVS also known as Alf Wight, an English veterinary surgeon and writer. Wight is best known for his semi-autobiographical stories, often referred to collectively as All Creatures Great and Small, a title used in some editions and in film and television adaptations.

In 1939, at the age of 23, he qualified as a veterinary surgeon ...moreJames Herriot is the pen name of James Alfred Wight, OBE, FRCVS also known as Alf Wight, an English veterinary surgeon and writer. Wight is best known for his semi-autobiographical stories, often referred to collectively as All Creatures Great and Small, a title used in some editions and in film and television adaptations.

In 1939, at the age of 23, he qualified as a veterinary surgeon with Glasgow Veterinary College. In January 1940, he took a brief job at a veterinary practice in Sunderland, but moved in July to work in a rural practice based in the town of Thirsk, Yorkshire, close to the Yorkshire Dales and North York Moors, where he was to remain for the rest of his life. The original practice is now a museum, "The World of James Herriot".

Wight intended for years to write a book, but with most of his time consumed by veterinary practice and family, his writing ambition went nowhere. Challenged by his wife, in 1966 (at the age of 50), he began writing. In 1969 Wight wrote If Only They Could Talk, the first of the now-famous series based on his life working as a vet and his training in the Royal Air Force during the Second World War. Owing in part to professional etiquette which at that time frowned on veterinary surgeons and other professionals from advertising their services, he took a pen name, choosing "James Herriot". If Only They Could Talk was published in the United Kingdom in 1970 by Michael Joseph Ltd, but sales were slow until Thomas McCormack, of St. Martin's Press in New York City, received a copy and arranged to have the first two books published as a single volume in the United States. The resulting book, titled All Creatures Great and Small, was an overnight success, spawning numerous sequels, movies, and a successful television adaptation.

In his books, Wight calls the town where he lives and works Darrowby, which he based largely on the towns of Thirsk and Sowerby. He also renamed Donald Sinclair and his brother Brian Sinclair as Siegfried and Tristan Farnon, respectively. Wight's books are only partially autobiographical. Many of the stories are only loosely based on real events or people, and thus can be considered primarily fiction.

The Herriot books are often described as "animal stories" (Wight himself was known to refer to them as his "little cat-and-dog stories"), and given that they are about the life of a country veterinarian, animals certainly play a significant role in most of the stories. Yet animals play a lesser, sometimes even a negligible role in many of Wight's tales: the overall theme of his stories is Yorkshire country life, with its people and their animals primary elements that provide its distinct character. Further, it is Wight's shrewd observations of persons, animals, and their close inter-relationship, which give his writing much of its savour. Wight was just as interested in their owners as he was in his patients, and his writing is, at root, an amiable but keen comment on the human condition. The Yorkshire animals provide the element of pain and drama; the role of their owners is to feel and express joy, sadness, sometimes triumph. The animal characters also prevent Wight's stories from becoming twee or melodramatic — animals, unlike some humans, do not pretend to be ailing, nor have they imaginary complaints and needless fears. Their ill-health is real, not the result of flaws in their character which they avoid mending. In an age of social uncertainties, when there seem to be no remedies for anything, Wight's stories of resolute grappling with mysterious bacterial foes or severe injuries have an almost heroic quality, giving the reader a sense of assurance, even hope. Best of all, James Herriot has an abundant humour about himself and his difficulties. He never feels superior to any living thing, and is ever eager to learn — about animal doctoring, and about his fellow human creature.

In September 2010, the Gala Theatre in Durham presented the world premiere(less)

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