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All Creatures Great and Small #1-3
All Creatures Great and Small / All Things Bright and Beautiful / All Things Wise and Wonderful: Three James Herriot Classics
Timeless stories from a country veterinarian about the animals and people that shape life in a sleepy English town.
Perhaps better than any other writer, James Herriot reveals the ties that bind us to the natural world. Collected here are three of his masterpieces—All Creatures Great and Small, All Things Bright and Beautiful, and All Things Wise and Wonderful—which have been winning over animal lovers everywhere for almost fifty years. From his night visits to drafty barns during freezing northern England winters, to the beautiful vitality of rural life in the summertime, to the colorful menagerie of animals—and their owners—that pass through his office, Herriot vividly evokes the daily challenges and joys that come with being a veterinarian.
Witty and heartwarming, these classic books also feature an original introduction from the author’s son, Jim Wight, and bonus archival photos courtesy of the Herriot estate.
Perhaps better than any other writer, James Herriot reveals the ties that bind us to the natural world. Collected here are three of his masterpieces—All Creatures Great and Small, All Things Bright and Beautiful, and All Things Wise and Wonderful—which have been winning over animal lovers everywhere for almost fifty years. From his night visits to drafty barns during freezing northern England winters, to the beautiful vitality of rural life in the summertime, to the colorful menagerie of animals—and their owners—that pass through his office, Herriot vividly evokes the daily challenges and joys that come with being a veterinarian.
Witty and heartwarming, these classic books also feature an original introduction from the author’s son, Jim Wight, and bonus archival photos courtesy of the Herriot estate.
499 pages, ebook
First published January 1, 1980
2397 people are currently reading
1774 people want to read
About the author
James Herriot
269 books3,406 followersJames 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.
http://us.macmillan.com/author/jamesh...
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.
http://us.macmillan.com/author/jamesh...
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 155 reviews
September 22, 2019
I really really enjoyed the first book but I got bored with the second and third ones. I'm not sure if it's because I read them all at once because that's the way this version is but it gets old hearing about his hand up cows vaginas. The writing is very good though and it was really interesting, I never realized how much work being a vet could be. I think also since the third one was about the war I was like uninterested. I'm tired of reading about peoples war experiences it depresses me. I highly reccomend the first book though if I rated them separately I would have given that one 5 stars.
December 14, 2025
4 stars
Three James Herriot Classics: Volume 1 are wonderful books in the All Creatures Great and Small series by the talented James Herriot.
This takes me back, remembering times when we read these books and watched the TV series with family.
This is James Herriot's biographical work of his life as a vet in the 1940s in Yorkshire. It is fun to see what he went through with not only the animals but also with his clients. I loved the laugh-out-loud moments that are infused in the narrative.
Three James Herriot Classics: Volume 1 are wonderful books in the All Creatures Great and Small series by the talented James Herriot.
This takes me back, remembering times when we read these books and watched the TV series with family.
This is James Herriot's biographical work of his life as a vet in the 1940s in Yorkshire. It is fun to see what he went through with not only the animals but also with his clients. I loved the laugh-out-loud moments that are infused in the narrative.
July 16, 2017
Re-read this again after many years. Hilarious and touching at different points in these vignettes about people and animals.
December 22, 2012
If you love animals and don't mind taking a trip to Yorkshire, England, James Herriot's three books are a wonderful change from so much of what goes by contemporary work. The stories all come from the author's experiences as a vet. They are funny and witty, but the overriding flavor is of how wonderful life is, and how fabulous the author paints it. Perhaps it is that is was from a different time, the 1930s, but we can never have enough of these kinds of wonderful feel good books.
March 7, 2020
The rating and review only applies to All Creatures Great and Small.
Even though the book is semi autobiographical, it is still a very moving and immersive read.
Even though the book is semi autobiographical, it is still a very moving and immersive read.
November 23, 2024
When James Herriot accepts a job as an associate veterinary surgeon in Darrowby, he doesn't realise his life will change forever as he becomes slowly adopted by the Yorkshire farmers and eventually meets and marries his Yorkshire wife.
Alf Wight's semi autobiographical account of his days as a vet in Thirsk are simple stories, with a profound joie de vivre and a gentle wit that conveys his deepest respect for his customers and friends.
Nostalgic and funny, this compilation should be on everyone's shelf.
Alf Wight's semi autobiographical account of his days as a vet in Thirsk are simple stories, with a profound joie de vivre and a gentle wit that conveys his deepest respect for his customers and friends.
Nostalgic and funny, this compilation should be on everyone's shelf.
October 24, 2017
All three books - like three diamonds
What can I say - if you’re reading my review because you haven’t decided to read any or all of the authors books - then just stop reading reviews and BEGIN NOW on these gems - you won’t be disappointed. We need more men such as this in the world today!
What can I say - if you’re reading my review because you haven’t decided to read any or all of the authors books - then just stop reading reviews and BEGIN NOW on these gems - you won’t be disappointed. We need more men such as this in the world today!
April 23, 2017
I first read these books as a teenager and fell in love with both the portrayal of the people of 'the dales' where James Herriot worked and the animals he treated. I've had a chance to reread it and enjoyed it just a much. Well worth the time.
September 3, 2017
Lovely and Heartfelt
I first read these books as a shy young animal loving girl. All these years later they still brought me joy.
I first read these books as a shy young animal loving girl. All these years later they still brought me joy.
February 17, 2022
My reviews are written individually under each book in this collection.
April 4, 2022
One can see why these books are considered classics. Good storytelling with a nice balance of humor and not-so-humorous experiences. Recommended!
December 30, 2023
This was my read before bed and it was perfect. Little stories here and there and so sweet.
January 13, 2018
I have a child who loves animals. All animals. Earlier this year a James Herriot omnibook came available for Kindle on a fairly cheap deal. I snagged it, thinking that Bennett might really enjoy the books at some point. Then, I read James Herriot’s Treasury for Children to the children as part of our school day this fall, and I found that I was as charmed as the children were.
So, when I started looking at the categories from this year’s #VTReadingChallenge, I saw that book number four was a “book by an author who is no longer alive.” I immediately thought of the James Herriot treasury, and I picked it up to read for myself. I will quickly review all three books here, so that you can see what is included in the kindle bundle.
All Creatures Great and Small
In All Creatures Great and Small, James Herriot is a young veterinarian. He’s just out of school, and he is taking his first job in a small town in Yorkshire as an assistant to veterinarian Siegfried Farnon. Herriot quickly learns that like as a veterinarian is not the way that he pictured it in college, and we begin to see him grow and mature as a veterinarian as well as seeing him fall in love with both the countryside and with his future wife.
I found myself completely enchanted by the book. I loved the depiction of the different farmers. Loved the repeat of certain special animals and their owners into Herriot’s life. However, best of all was the interaction between Farnon, Herriot, and Farnon’s carefree little brother Tristan. Just seeing the big brother and the rebellious little brother would make me smile as I would read about their interactions.
I also would smirk when Farnon would give Herriot advice. Why? Because every single time Herriot would follow Farnon’s advice, Farnon would criticize Herriot and give completely conflicting advice. Farnon is just such a wonderful character to read about, and I enjoyed him so much in this book.
All Things Bright and Beautiful
This book continues James Herriot’s adventures in his early year of veterinary work. He is a young newlywed, and his enjoying the married life. He continues to work and see a multitude of animals, and we get to hear new stories of animals and of their amazing owners throughout the book.
The timeline of this book slips around. Although he is married to Helen in the book, readers will occasionally find him going backwards to tell a story from their courtship or his younger, single days, and I found that a little frustrating in the first half of the book because I like my stories to travel in a straight line, but the stories themselves are so warm and wonderful that I finally learned to just step back and embrace them.
Faron is still in these stories, and he’s just as hilarious as in the first book. We also see the addition of Granville Bennett, a small pets veterinarian who always seems to get Herriot drunk and into more trouble than Harriot really means to get into. I look forward to his appearances with delight!!
In the shadow of the book, looming throughout the book is the probability that both Herriot and Farnon will go off to war. This becomes a reality at the end of the book as Herriot leaves for London. I look forward to the next book in hopes of seeing how this adventures in the RAF turn out.
All Things Wise and Wonderful
In this book, James is in the Royal Air Force during World War II. He shares stories of his time in the Air Force, of the birth of his son, of his discharge and being ready to come back home, along with reminiscences of his life before the war as a veterinary surgeon.
The stories don’t progress in a straight line because many of them are stories that the goings on the air force remind him of. However, this doesn’t bother me in the way it did in the second book because I enjoyed seeing him compare his military life to his life as a vet. I enjoyed seeing the similarities between the two lives. It was really a pleasant read, and perhaps my favorite of the three books in this omnibus.
I’m a little surprised by how much I enjoyed all these books because I’m not an animal lover. However, this is one of the most charming sets of books I’ve read in a long time.
So, when I started looking at the categories from this year’s #VTReadingChallenge, I saw that book number four was a “book by an author who is no longer alive.” I immediately thought of the James Herriot treasury, and I picked it up to read for myself. I will quickly review all three books here, so that you can see what is included in the kindle bundle.
All Creatures Great and Small
In All Creatures Great and Small, James Herriot is a young veterinarian. He’s just out of school, and he is taking his first job in a small town in Yorkshire as an assistant to veterinarian Siegfried Farnon. Herriot quickly learns that like as a veterinarian is not the way that he pictured it in college, and we begin to see him grow and mature as a veterinarian as well as seeing him fall in love with both the countryside and with his future wife.
I found myself completely enchanted by the book. I loved the depiction of the different farmers. Loved the repeat of certain special animals and their owners into Herriot’s life. However, best of all was the interaction between Farnon, Herriot, and Farnon’s carefree little brother Tristan. Just seeing the big brother and the rebellious little brother would make me smile as I would read about their interactions.
I also would smirk when Farnon would give Herriot advice. Why? Because every single time Herriot would follow Farnon’s advice, Farnon would criticize Herriot and give completely conflicting advice. Farnon is just such a wonderful character to read about, and I enjoyed him so much in this book.
All Things Bright and Beautiful
This book continues James Herriot’s adventures in his early year of veterinary work. He is a young newlywed, and his enjoying the married life. He continues to work and see a multitude of animals, and we get to hear new stories of animals and of their amazing owners throughout the book.
The timeline of this book slips around. Although he is married to Helen in the book, readers will occasionally find him going backwards to tell a story from their courtship or his younger, single days, and I found that a little frustrating in the first half of the book because I like my stories to travel in a straight line, but the stories themselves are so warm and wonderful that I finally learned to just step back and embrace them.
Faron is still in these stories, and he’s just as hilarious as in the first book. We also see the addition of Granville Bennett, a small pets veterinarian who always seems to get Herriot drunk and into more trouble than Harriot really means to get into. I look forward to his appearances with delight!!
In the shadow of the book, looming throughout the book is the probability that both Herriot and Farnon will go off to war. This becomes a reality at the end of the book as Herriot leaves for London. I look forward to the next book in hopes of seeing how this adventures in the RAF turn out.
All Things Wise and Wonderful
In this book, James is in the Royal Air Force during World War II. He shares stories of his time in the Air Force, of the birth of his son, of his discharge and being ready to come back home, along with reminiscences of his life before the war as a veterinary surgeon.
The stories don’t progress in a straight line because many of them are stories that the goings on the air force remind him of. However, this doesn’t bother me in the way it did in the second book because I enjoyed seeing him compare his military life to his life as a vet. I enjoyed seeing the similarities between the two lives. It was really a pleasant read, and perhaps my favorite of the three books in this omnibus.
I’m a little surprised by how much I enjoyed all these books because I’m not an animal lover. However, this is one of the most charming sets of books I’ve read in a long time.
January 10, 2022
For the love of animals
What wonderful stories. It takes a special person to be a veterinarian and Jim is that. Ill read and reread these stories for many years to come!
What wonderful stories. It takes a special person to be a veterinarian and Jim is that. Ill read and reread these stories for many years to come!
December 23, 2013
5 stars. All Creatures Great and Small is a fantastic read. It's educational -- who knew being a vet in the late-30s was so harsh -- it's hilarious -- seriously, laugh out loud funny -- and absolutely timeless. I can't wait to watch the TV show (it's currently available on Netflix!) to see just how beautiful it is. I feel my Googling just hasn't done the area justice.
4.5 stars. All Things Bright and Beautiful didn't move along as quickly as the first book. The timeline threw me off a bit, but despite that I still loved the people, the place, and the stories. You can just tell how much the author loved this place.
3.5 stars. All Things Wise and Wonderful is the choppiest of these three books. While the first two were clearly essays about being a country vet, in this one Herriot does that weird flashback/reminiscing thing. For example, in this book he is in the RAF training to be a pilot and somehow everything he experiences keeps reminding him of home and being a vet. I could have done without that and just had the wacky, hilarious, and sometimes sad stories of being a vet before antibiotics.
All of these are great, easy reading though. It's so easy to just fall back into these stories after time away. And it must be pretty clear that I love them because I just spent 2000+ pages in Yorkshire with Jim, Tristan, Tricky Woo, Cedric the Farting Boxer, Siegfried, and all of the farmers and animals in Yorkshire.
09/29/13 - Ebook omnibus editions are brutal. I've finished with the first book and LOVED it, but there's still a thousand pages to go. The other books on my shelves are quietly judging me. Do I read something else before I go on or do I dive right into the next book? I'm not sure that I'm ready to leave Yorkshire just yet. Of course, there's also the problem that the ebook is going to expire in 3 days and I can't possibly finish the final 60% in that amount of time. Hopefully there are no holds...
10/11/13 - Finished with book two! I am going to give it a little break before I move on to the third book in the omnibus, but only because I have a book club book waiting for me.
12/16/13 - And done with the omnibus! On to Book 4!
4.5 stars. All Things Bright and Beautiful didn't move along as quickly as the first book. The timeline threw me off a bit, but despite that I still loved the people, the place, and the stories. You can just tell how much the author loved this place.
3.5 stars. All Things Wise and Wonderful is the choppiest of these three books. While the first two were clearly essays about being a country vet, in this one Herriot does that weird flashback/reminiscing thing. For example, in this book he is in the RAF training to be a pilot and somehow everything he experiences keeps reminding him of home and being a vet. I could have done without that and just had the wacky, hilarious, and sometimes sad stories of being a vet before antibiotics.
All of these are great, easy reading though. It's so easy to just fall back into these stories after time away. And it must be pretty clear that I love them because I just spent 2000+ pages in Yorkshire with Jim, Tristan, Tricky Woo, Cedric the Farting Boxer, Siegfried, and all of the farmers and animals in Yorkshire.
09/29/13 - Ebook omnibus editions are brutal. I've finished with the first book and LOVED it, but there's still a thousand pages to go. The other books on my shelves are quietly judging me. Do I read something else before I go on or do I dive right into the next book? I'm not sure that I'm ready to leave Yorkshire just yet. Of course, there's also the problem that the ebook is going to expire in 3 days and I can't possibly finish the final 60% in that amount of time. Hopefully there are no holds...
10/11/13 - Finished with book two! I am going to give it a little break before I move on to the third book in the omnibus, but only because I have a book club book waiting for me.
12/16/13 - And done with the omnibus! On to Book 4!
January 8, 2012
Love, love, love. I cannot speak highly enough of James Herriot. His writing style is beautiful; ranging from earthy to funny to serious to playful to absolutely stunningly beautiful. His stories of the Yorkshire farmers and their animals are always entertaining, sometimes for their humour and sometimes for their heartfelt portrayal of our poor young vet's inexperience :) These are older books, about an older time, and I can tell you that they hold up completely well; an absolute joy to read in 2012.
The first one is by far the best, but the second two in this collection are nearly as good; the third book interweaves James' experience in the RAF with his memories of his time in Yorkshire, and while the blend is a bit jerky at times, it's done well. His focus is animals, the Yorkshire dales, and the people he knows, and the RAF just isn't part of that life; but it's a significant part of his life, so it has to be included. I read these three books so quickly, and I can't wait to forget them so I can read them again.
The first one is by far the best, but the second two in this collection are nearly as good; the third book interweaves James' experience in the RAF with his memories of his time in Yorkshire, and while the blend is a bit jerky at times, it's done well. His focus is animals, the Yorkshire dales, and the people he knows, and the RAF just isn't part of that life; but it's a significant part of his life, so it has to be included. I read these three books so quickly, and I can't wait to forget them so I can read them again.
April 9, 2014
I've recently re-read all these just in the past few weeks and my joy in reading them never seems to dim! Mr Crump's homemade wine, Tristan the ghost, the little car with the bald tires, Granville Bennett, Angus Grier, Herriot in Russia, Herriot meeting Helen and their first married years,and of course Seigfried Farnon... these stories always make me laugh and sometimes cry (especially the story of Mrs Donovan).
My copies are so old and battered now (1970-something printing), broken spines and dropping pages and cracking paper,that I'm going to ask for a brand new boxed set for a Christmas gift I think.
My copies are so old and battered now (1970-something printing), broken spines and dropping pages and cracking paper,that I'm going to ask for a brand new boxed set for a Christmas gift I think.
August 19, 2025
I love these books. The author did everything right. His writing is excellent. Great stories and very good characters. The beautiful Yorkshire countryside, the people and, of course, the animals are all described so well.
April 21, 2015
Not a good set of books. I do enjoy the morals that the books teach. In my opinion i think that this book should be read more often.
June 9, 2017
I read these books when they were first made available in the U.S. in 1972, 1973, and 1976 respectively. I enjoyed them then, I enjoyed them again and I am very glad to return them to my e-library. The series is a well-told, autobiographical look at the life of an English veterinarian in the late thirties through his "adventures" in World War II. Herriot paints a lovely picture of the Yorkshire countryside and doesn't hesitate to mention the downside: cold barns, aching arms, recalcitrant animals and life in the RAF. His practice worked with, as the title of the first book says, all creatures great and small. And he tells oftentimes hair-raising tales of trying to save animals during a time when medical knowledge was more countrified than scientific. Some things worked, some things didn't. You'll be right there for every failure and triumph. One reviewer said they got bored with the second and third books - I'm not sure how that could happen as Herriot's enthusiasm and excellent story telling skills are consistent. Of course, some people enjoy reading marathons, some don't. No problem: each volume is also available separately. Enjoy!
February 20, 2023
I re-read this childhood favorite because I've been watching the excellent Masterpiece remake of it, and was curious to see how faithful to the source material it was. It turns out that while the Masterpiece series is very faithful to the spirit of the book(s), it is very different in content-- rearranging stories and the timeline and the ages and the experiences of the characters at will. This doesn't bother me at all---Both the books and the series are charming---
The series tells episodic stories--for me, the books work best when read little by little--- not all at once like a novel- I kind of blasted through this collection because I wanted to finish it as I finished season 3. I wish I had savored it more.
I read the e-book this time, but I own several volumes of these books--when reading the collection--- 6 books of the British series and 3 of the American, you are reading quite a bit.
I'm glad I returned to this series. It is lovely, and I enjoyed it again.
The series tells episodic stories--for me, the books work best when read little by little--- not all at once like a novel- I kind of blasted through this collection because I wanted to finish it as I finished season 3. I wish I had savored it more.
I read the e-book this time, but I own several volumes of these books--when reading the collection--- 6 books of the British series and 3 of the American, you are reading quite a bit.
I'm glad I returned to this series. It is lovely, and I enjoyed it again.
January 21, 2022
Warm, funny, emotional reading
There's very little to dislike about James Herriot's writings. I was first introduced to his books in the 80s and have been trying to find his works since.
A veterinarian surgeon in the 1930s, he shares his experiences about being a country vet. There are moments and stories of laughter, (like the story of Oscar), stories of sadness (like Nip), stories of amazement (like Kip and his master), embarrassment (Tricki Woo), and Herriot writes with so much feeling you feel like you're there experiencing what he is.
I would recommend this to anybody, whether you're an animal lover, someone interested in becoming a vet, or just someone who loves to read.
I am going to be purchasing "The Lord God Made Them All" and "Every Living Thing" right after I finish this review.
There's very little to dislike about James Herriot's writings. I was first introduced to his books in the 80s and have been trying to find his works since.
A veterinarian surgeon in the 1930s, he shares his experiences about being a country vet. There are moments and stories of laughter, (like the story of Oscar), stories of sadness (like Nip), stories of amazement (like Kip and his master), embarrassment (Tricki Woo), and Herriot writes with so much feeling you feel like you're there experiencing what he is.
I would recommend this to anybody, whether you're an animal lover, someone interested in becoming a vet, or just someone who loves to read.
I am going to be purchasing "The Lord God Made Them All" and "Every Living Thing" right after I finish this review.
February 17, 2017
I read these books years ago and loved them! James Herriot is a veterinarian in the countryside of England. All three books focus on his years as a veterinarian and the people and animals that he took care of. Beautifully written! Herriot takes you on a journey from his earliest days as a vet to when he is close to retirement. He introduces you to the Yorkshire countryside, its animals and their owners. He beautifully conveys the struggle some owners endure as they try to take care of their beloved companions to the rich who are over exuberant in their treatment of their companions. Along the way, we laugh and we cry as we, too, come to care about these people and their animals. I highly recommend these books to anyone who loves animals or just loves to read a great series!
February 13, 2024
Idyllic. Pastoral. Humorous. A BEAUTIUL narrative on the human condition through the experiences of a country vet. The tales of James Herriot and friends will always be one of my go to comfort reads/listens. The diverse slew of characters he comes across as he care for the animals of Darrowby and beyond, give the reader/listener a intimate look into the lives of men and women, young and old, impoverished and filthy rich, single and buried in family...and the list goes on and on. But all of these community members share a fond love for the animals in their lives, whether companions, valued working members of their farms, or beloved family members. Must listen to audio as Christopher Timothy does an exemplary job bringing the story to life.
June 23, 2018
❤️❤️❤️
I have loved the short poem these books are titled after for as long as I can remember and knew of the James Herriot classics. However I had, until now, never read them. I derived such pleasure and joy from his stories...countless times I found myself laughing out loud... so much so that tears would stream down my face! My husband stated he had never observed me laughing at a book to the extent I these three! This is a priceless collection of tales that will warm your heart. Herriot’s descriptive writing often makes you feel that you are right there experiencing it all with him.
I have loved the short poem these books are titled after for as long as I can remember and knew of the James Herriot classics. However I had, until now, never read them. I derived such pleasure and joy from his stories...countless times I found myself laughing out loud... so much so that tears would stream down my face! My husband stated he had never observed me laughing at a book to the extent I these three! This is a priceless collection of tales that will warm your heart. Herriot’s descriptive writing often makes you feel that you are right there experiencing it all with him.
July 23, 2018
I have not watched the show based on this series of books, but I think I'm going to have to look it up.
James Herriot's observations of people and animals and the English countryside are wonderful and entertaining. I found myself laughing quite a lot at the maddening ways of his employer, Siegfried Farnon. Each chapter is a separate little episode, which is nice when you read for a few minutes at a time. The only thing to note is that this IS, after all, a book about veterinary practices, so you know... it gets a little gross at times. It is perhaps not always the most appealing thing to be reading during lunch.
James Herriot's observations of people and animals and the English countryside are wonderful and entertaining. I found myself laughing quite a lot at the maddening ways of his employer, Siegfried Farnon. Each chapter is a separate little episode, which is nice when you read for a few minutes at a time. The only thing to note is that this IS, after all, a book about veterinary practices, so you know... it gets a little gross at times. It is perhaps not always the most appealing thing to be reading during lunch.
August 2, 2018
These are some of the few books that I've reread through the decades. When I finally gave them away, they showed their age and usage.
Well written and intriguing stories about a British veterinarian, his life and his patients. It's difficult to put his stories down, even through the sad parts. I dislike it when an animal dies, but that's all our fates.
If you enjoy stories from Binchy, Pilcher, Buck and other authors that share their lives, some through characters and others as autobiographies or both, then you'll appreciate these timeless stories.
There's smiles, tears, happiness and sadness, but all make for wonderful reading.
Well written and intriguing stories about a British veterinarian, his life and his patients. It's difficult to put his stories down, even through the sad parts. I dislike it when an animal dies, but that's all our fates.
If you enjoy stories from Binchy, Pilcher, Buck and other authors that share their lives, some through characters and others as autobiographies or both, then you'll appreciate these timeless stories.
There's smiles, tears, happiness and sadness, but all make for wonderful reading.
December 8, 2018
I have wanted to read this series for a long time, so when Amazon had this 3 book kindle edition on sales I bought it. I'm glad I did. I'm sure I'll read it again in the future, since they are heartwarming, simple stories. I love the descriptions of the countryside and the many local characters. His descriptions of the tough life of the farmers as well as his trials as a vet before antibiotics became available were well written and brought them all to life. Many of the animals had personalities as well drawn as the humans in the book. I know there were movies and a series based upon this series and I'm going to search my library to find them next.
October 10, 2020
I can’t wait to read this again!
I have enjoyed every singe chapter in this wonderful series! I’m just sad that it’s over, and I look forward to reading them all again.
The characters are so honest and down-to-earth, I feel like I know them personally. The setting is breath-taking and described with great detail and passion. And the stories always pull at my heartstrings. This series makes me wish for a simpler time when people worked hard and cared for one another.
I would recommend this series to anyone who wants a taste of life outside of the hustle and bustle and constant news/media/social media cycle we live with today. It’s like a breath of fresh air.
I have enjoyed every singe chapter in this wonderful series! I’m just sad that it’s over, and I look forward to reading them all again.
The characters are so honest and down-to-earth, I feel like I know them personally. The setting is breath-taking and described with great detail and passion. And the stories always pull at my heartstrings. This series makes me wish for a simpler time when people worked hard and cared for one another.
I would recommend this series to anyone who wants a taste of life outside of the hustle and bustle and constant news/media/social media cycle we live with today. It’s like a breath of fresh air.
December 15, 2020
I first became aware of the James Herriot stories on television. I was instantly captured by the warm wonderful tales of a country vet in the UK. When I realized that they were also books, I could not wait to read them. Wonderful inviting tales that made you feel as if you were there and fall in love with the people, their animals and the life of a country vet. (as hard as that may be at some times) I would recommend these stories to anyone. Beautifully written wholesome stories of an earlier time and the people who lived then and their relationships with their animals and the men who doctored them.
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