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All Creatures Great and Small #1-8
THE COMPLETE JAMES HERRIOT Box Set 1-8
All Creatures Great and Small The Complete James Herriot 8 Book Box Set Brand New Titles in This Set Every Living Thing The Lord God Made Them All Vet In A Spin Vets Might Fly Vet In Harness Let Sleeping Vets Lie It Shouldn't Happen To A Vet If Only They Could Talk
Paperback
First published January 1, 2006
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588 people want to read
About the author
James Herriot
262 books3,301 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 39 reviews
July 9, 2011
I know these stories by heart. They are my ultimate comfort stories...I believe I have read them during every major life transition. They are warm and familiar, like going home.
If you have never heard the audio books read by Christopher Timothy, you've yet to truly experience James Herriott! He brings the Yorkshire accents to life.
If you have never heard the audio books read by Christopher Timothy, you've yet to truly experience James Herriott! He brings the Yorkshire accents to life.
August 6, 2010
James Herriot is my favorite author. My dad read me his collected children stories when I was little. When I was a little older, I read his Cat Stories so many times that the book fell apart. Then I progressed to audio books and the rest of his titles. He paints such a vivid picture of Yorkshire, England with a huge cast of hilarious and heartwarming characters, human and animal alike. I especially love all of Tristan's antics and Siegfried's round about way of managing things.
June 5, 2017
Sweet, hilarious and all round wholesomely excellent.
April 19, 2012
Obviously the James Herriot books are classics, so I'm not the only person to enjoy them. I find Herriot's writing so rich that I can escape into the stories. I have also watched the DVD series, and I feared it would not measure up, but it did. I have read the books more than once, viewed the DVD series more than once. I'm surprised by my attachment to the series because animal books have never been my thing. Something about Herriot's voice draws me in.
May 24, 2014
These books make me so happy. I LOVE them.
Addendum: The goodreads description (which makes them sound boring) said "for everyone who finds joy in animals and magic in the countryside." I think it should say they are for everyone because I am no animal lover and am not a great naturist either. So don't let that scare you off. They are slower paced so when I got used to that they quickly rose to my top 5 books of all time.
Addendum: The goodreads description (which makes them sound boring) said "for everyone who finds joy in animals and magic in the countryside." I think it should say they are for everyone because I am no animal lover and am not a great naturist either. So don't let that scare you off. They are slower paced so when I got used to that they quickly rose to my top 5 books of all time.
May 9, 2012
I never realized what a tough job being a country veterinarian was. Do you know why? Because not once did the author seem to complain about it during his many, many books. He wrote about it like he was the luckiest guy in the world. I say we are the lucky ones, because we get to enjoy these terrific stories.
February 18, 2016
How can one rate these books when re-reading them after thirty years or so? They are old friends, comfort reading on cold nights, snuggling up with a bar of chocolate and a glass of good wine. Yes, the writing now seems a little stilted and repetitive in places, but who cares.
Reading these again takes me back to my youth.
Reading these again takes me back to my youth.
November 19, 2014
Some of my absolute favorite books. They make me laugh out loud and remind me how good God is!
April 3, 2021
Read from start to finish slowly and calmly savouring every story. Very relaxing and touching tales about people and about Alf Wight's passion for animals.
Liked the TV series which told the stories, but not about Alf's inner feelings and his love of the Yorkshire countryside... Only his books, read slowly and calmly, can bring you that joy.
Very therapeutic in these troubled times.
Liked the TV series which told the stories, but not about Alf's inner feelings and his love of the Yorkshire countryside... Only his books, read slowly and calmly, can bring you that joy.
Very therapeutic in these troubled times.
February 7, 2023
It’s difficult to put in words how much I adore these series.
Having difficulty sleeping and working in front of a computer for most hours of the day, reading the charming, captivating, and low-stakes tales of this early-20th century vet brought a level of comfort I didn’t expect to find coming in.
Having difficulty sleeping and working in front of a computer for most hours of the day, reading the charming, captivating, and low-stakes tales of this early-20th century vet brought a level of comfort I didn’t expect to find coming in.
November 17, 2020
Having first discovered these books in my childhood, thanks to my Year 9 English teacher, I have read, re-read and re-read these books over the last 30 years. I am happy now that I can actually share these beloved tales with my own children.
One of the greatest book series ever.
One of the greatest book series ever.
August 12, 2018
Just simply fantastic stuff ... these wonderful stories have been friends all my life! But to try and actually read the books on this site is like wading through a nightmare!
September 24, 2018
I read these books when I was younger and now I'm listening to the audio books with my kids. So funny! Love his writing!
February 12, 2021
Fabulous series to read during the Covid crisis. I had read bits and pieces over the years. I decided to read them in order. A true escape and delightful.
May 5, 2021
Love these books. I have read them several times.
January 8, 2022
Always a first class read. Beautiful stories told by characters who you want to know.
August 1, 2022
Love them
December 29, 2023
Exceedingly delightful
Read
March 4, 2024Gift baby H
August 21, 2017
The ultimate comfort books. I read these several times growing up and they still make me laugh and cry as if I've never read them before.
I often ring my mum to talk through them again with something like "I'm just at the bit with Tristan and the pipe!" (I think between us we could recite the whole series!) and I had a text the other day from an initially very sceptical friend, who has bought the whole series and read them again since I recommended them a year ago, saying "Just crying with laughter on the tube at the Cat Wrapping bit!"
So well written, real, and emotive. I can't recommended Herriot highly enough!
I often ring my mum to talk through them again with something like "I'm just at the bit with Tristan and the pipe!" (I think between us we could recite the whole series!) and I had a text the other day from an initially very sceptical friend, who has bought the whole series and read them again since I recommended them a year ago, saying "Just crying with laughter on the tube at the Cat Wrapping bit!"
So well written, real, and emotive. I can't recommended Herriot highly enough!
September 9, 2011
I grew up reading these books, and now have read them to my daughter. James Herriot had a way of drawing anyone in. You could get lost in his book as it seemed as you were standing right there watching what was going on. His love for animals and the countryside was plainly seen. Great books for kids to read if they have a love for animals. My favorite part was the cat in the store window. The cat had such personality that it seemed real.
November 27, 2013
I enjoyed James Herriot`s book very much. I found it immensely entertaining. When he describe the countryside of Yorkshire dales I can see it clearly in my imagination. Most entertaining. His love for animals is exploding from every page and his apt portray of their owners is a pure gem. To read again and again....
June 22, 2012
I bought this complete series of james heriot from 'The works' discount book shop for a tenner. I highly recommend this author. You will fall in love with the English countryside and the characters in this book.
August 26, 2014
The first two were very interesting but by the third my mind was wandering. The writing felt monotonous and one dimensional with the events detailed seeming too similar to each other to be of any real aid to these stories.
February 21, 2015
I recently finished reading the entire set to my daughter. Herriot's stories are so warm, and full of life with animals. The admiration Herriot had for the Dales farmers, their hard lives and generous spirits, shines through every page.
September 28, 2011
Love, love, love James Herriot. Read his books as a teenager and still think of him as one of my favorite authors. If you love animals and reading, you will LOVE his books!
July 13, 2012
wonderful!
December 1, 2017
Enjoyable read of simpler times. James Herriot had a wonderful life in Yorkshire. Sad and funny all at the same time.
December 23, 2012
What more can I say? Superb storyline. Kept me laughing through the nights. I've re read the set few times and I still can't have enough! I feel so close to him and his family!
January 16, 2013
Charming, timeless and eminently re-readable. Need I say more.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 39 reviews