All Creatures Great and Small

As entertaining as the PBS series about Yorkshire veterinarian James Herriott (pseudonym for author James Alfred Wight) is, the book is even better.

A blend of memoir, travelogue, and journal, Herriott’s tales of life among the farmers of England’s Yorkshire Dales are heartwarming, hilarious, and riveting. From his familial relationships with the Farnon brothers, with whom he lives, to the sometimes endearing, sometimes mercurial encounters with his patients—both the 2-legged and 4-legged variety—reading the adventures of this country vet is both informative and engaging.

You’ll go places you never imagined, want to watch the series—original and remake—all over again, and… show more.

Bewitched by the fragrant fells, humble farms, and verdant scenery of Yorkshire, England, James Herriot, a 23-year-old veterinarian, found his love of place and stayed there till the end of his life. Set in the 1930s, All Creatures Great and Small documents not only the charming vistas of Herriot’s veterinary world, but also the beguiling animals and characters who gave voice to this enchanting landscape.

As a young teacher back in the 1970s, I came across his memoir and was immediately smitten even before it became a wildly popular series. Although I did not know it at the time, I… show more.

All Creatures Great and Small is a sweet book that at the same time can make you laugh out loud. His prose is understated and he’s able to make fun of himself. Herriot’s encounters with all sorts of animals are unique and heartwarming, and that spreads to include his dealings with humans as well.

I’ve always loved animals and, clearly, James Herriot does too. And I’ve always loved things British, and this book is so very so.

How can one be a veterinarian and not recommend at least one of James Herriot’s books? He inspired a generation of veterinarians and I venture to say that many a new graduate still dips into the magic residing in the pages that he wrote.

Whilst my life and livelihood are in Africa, my formative years were spent reading about his adventures in the Yorkshire dales, treating all creatures, great and small. This inspired me to become a vet. Initially, I wanted to emulate my boyhood hero and I went into private practice as he had done.

I was fortunate enough… show more.

Doing my research for The Gable House, I re-read this entire series. This one in particular, as James Herriot moves to the Yorkshire Dales and meets the brothers who run the practice, not only stands up to the test of time, it’s even more fun and soothing as the world gets more complicated. I went a step further, reading Herriot’s short stories about cats to my bed-ridden father. We both laughed, astounded at Herriot’s grasp of the animal and human world and his sense of humor. More research revealed that Herriot, which was a pen name, suffered from depression,… show more.

A few years ago, seeking inspiration for my next book, I revisited James Herriot’s work. As a kid, my already-keen love for animals was intensified through the colorful stories of this real-life English veterinarian. More so, I suspect my passion to become an author was awakened as I inhaled Herriot’s narratives which he articulates with great humility, humor, and wit. When I write, I strive to achieve those same, unassuming qualities. While this book isn’t specifically about dogs as our teachers, many of the true stories Harriot shares are about dogs (and their people) he meets during his exploits as… show more.