All Creatures Great and Small

All Creatures Great and Small

  • Downloads：9309
  • Type：Epub+TxT+PDF+Mobi
  • Create Date：2021-01-01 13:37:14
  • Update Date：2025-09-06
  • Status：finish
  • Author：James Herriot
  • ISBN：9781250766342
  • Environment：PC/Android/iPhone/iPad/Kindle

Editor Reviews

One of the funniest and most likeable books around。” —Atlantic Monthly

“If there is any justice， All Creatures Great And Small will become a classic of its kind。。。With seemingly effortless art， this man tells his stories with perfect timing and optimum scale。 Many more famous authors could work for a lifetime and not achieve more flawless literary control。” —Chicago Tribune Book World

“Herriot charms because he delights in life， embraces it with sensitivity and gust and writes with grace。 All Creatures Great And Small may well be the happiest book of the year。” —The New York Times Book Review

From the Publisher

Reviews

Naty ，

A great storytelling about James Herriott’s experience as a country vet。 He guides us all through his work， the people he meets and their impact in his life。 A great book that I enjoyed very much when I read it some many years ago and a better audiobook with Christopher Timothy’s beautiful voice。

Megan ，

Very funny and heartwarming collection。 Great comfort reading！

Carla Johnson-Hicks ，

Oh to live in the world of James Herriot， the pen name of Alf Wight， the real-life mid-20th century country vet of the Yorkshire Dales in northern England。 Veterinary care was very different back then and the stories that Dr。 Herriot tells had me in stitches one minute， on the edge of my seat the next and close to tears an hour later。 The story begins with Herriot as a newly graduated vet arriving at the home and veterinarian practice of Siegfried Farnon and his brother Tristan， two eccentric fe Oh to live in the world of James Herriot， the pen name of Alf Wight， the real-life mid-20th century country vet of the Yorkshire Dales in northern England。 Veterinary care was very different back then and the stories that Dr。 Herriot tells had me in stitches one minute， on the edge of my seat the next and close to tears an hour later。 The story begins with Herriot as a newly graduated vet arriving at the home and veterinarian practice of Siegfried Farnon and his brother Tristan， two eccentric fellows who are often the reason I laughed so much。 They made James do the work， but were there to take the credit。 The farmers he worked with didn't know if they could or should trust him， and often they insisted it was what they did that cured their animals， not Herriot。 This is a light hearted book， with a collection of stories put together to form this book。 I love animals and found this a delightful read， with Herriot's description and anecdotes adding much to his cases。 One thing I liked was that each chapter contained a story， so I could put this down and come back to it whenever I wanted。 The audiobook was narrated by Nicholas Ralph， the star of the new BBC series。 He had an amazing voice。 He was Herriot to me and I felt like I was sitting there listening to him telling me the story of his day。 I definitely recommend this book to those who love animals or want to learn more about the evolution of veterinary medicine。 I was gifted a copy of this book upon request。 The rating and ideas shared are my own。 。。。more

Jennifer ，

James Herriot’s books are my ultimate comfort read。 At turns charming， heartwarming and laugh-out-loud funny， these are one of the elite few books I will continue to re-read throughout my life。 I first read this entire a series decades ago because my mom loved them and the PBS show from the 1970’s。 She was not wrong to push them into my hands。 I absolutely devoured the stories of an English country vet and over the course of four books， James， Siegfried and Tristan became beloved to me。 Re-readi James Herriot’s books are my ultimate comfort read。 At turns charming， heartwarming and laugh-out-loud funny， these are one of the elite few books I will continue to re-read throughout my life。 I first read this entire a series decades ago because my mom loved them and the PBS show from the 1970’s。 She was not wrong to push them into my hands。 I absolutely devoured the stories of an English country vet and over the course of four books， James， Siegfried and Tristan became beloved to me。 Re-reading these books at the end of a year that has been， let’s face it， utter crap， was exactly the note I wanted to end with。 From Siegfried’s sputterings to Tristan’s idleness and to all the situations James imbues with his trademark wit and humor， I was enchanted once again。 I am also looking forward to the new television version of All Creatures Great and Small being released this month and timed my re-read to have the stories fresh in my mind for that viewing。If you need pure enjoyment， I highly recommend a good dose of James Herriot。 。。。more

Olivia ，

This is England and it makes me love England even more and grateful to live here。 The little quirks and laid back lifestyle and dry sense of humour is completely endearing。 Reading this book made me realize why Americans look at England with so much affection and awe。 The countryside lifestyle truly is inspiring and lovable。James Herriot had such a great writing style， making me feel and see all the stories he shared。 I laughed out loud many times and shared some of his stories with my family。 T This is England and it makes me love England even more and grateful to live here。 The little quirks and laid back lifestyle and dry sense of humour is completely endearing。 Reading this book made me realize why Americans look at England with so much affection and awe。 The countryside lifestyle truly is inspiring and lovable。James Herriot had such a great writing style， making me feel and see all the stories he shared。 I laughed out loud many times and shared some of his stories with my family。 Tristan had me snorting with his despaired attitude toward his older brother， Siegfried。 This said older brother is so prideful sometimes it's hilarious。 But yet he's super sweet， like when he gave peppermints to the gypsy children。 There's A LOT of details of veterinary work which I found quite fascinating， although a few times raising my eyebrows with the detailed descriptions given :P There's a good bit of swearing， and also taking God's name in vain。 That was my main drawback from the book。 Overall， a relaxed， beautiful true story showing the readers a view of the Yorkshire Dales and the people in the villages and countryside around。 。。。more

Earl ，

All Creatures Great and SmallI first read this book many rears ago and I enjoyed it as much now as then。 It was a pleasure to go through an entire book with out experiencing any cussing， mayhem， or the kind。 It was a present ， easy read that allows the reader to relate to the author's characters。 All Creatures Great and SmallI first read this book many rears ago and I enjoyed it as much now as then。 It was a pleasure to go through an entire book with out experiencing any cussing， mayhem， or the kind。 It was a present ， easy read that allows the reader to relate to the author's characters。 。。。more

Daniel Bratell ，

This is such a feel-good book。 It is written by a British veterinary who worked in Yorkshire from the 1930s to the 1970s and in short stories we get to follow his alter ego， James Herriot， when visiting charismatic farmers in the area and as he interacts with his fellow veterinaries。 Not every story ends with happiness， but such is life and even when things are sad， it is such an honest feeling。It's now nearly 20 years on the day since I read the book that came after this， All Things Bright and This is such a feel-good book。 It is written by a British veterinary who worked in Yorkshire from the 1930s to the 1970s and in short stories we get to follow his alter ego， James Herriot， when visiting charismatic farmers in the area and as he interacts with his fellow veterinaries。 Not every story ends with happiness， but such is life and even when things are sad， it is such an honest feeling。It's now nearly 20 years on the day since I read the book that came after this， All Things Bright and Beautiful。 I think that book might be even better but it's hard to make the comparison over such a long time。 。。。more

Lisa Johnson ，

A re-read after over forty years， and I'm immediately catapulted back into Saturday night BBC television watched at my grandparents' house。 Still as innocent and magical now as it was then， this volume of JH's memoirs is comfort food reading in a year when comfort has been in short supply。 The writing is perfect （and as I read I realise how perfect the BBC casting was too， because I can see and hear Robert Hardy， Christopher Timothy and Peter Davison in every paragraph）"James Herriot" wasn't a v A re-read after over forty years， and I'm immediately catapulted back into Saturday night BBC television watched at my grandparents' house。 Still as innocent and magical now as it was then， this volume of JH's memoirs is comfort food reading in a year when comfort has been in short supply。 The writing is perfect （and as I read I realise how perfect the BBC casting was too， because I can see and hear Robert Hardy， Christopher Timothy and Peter Davison in every paragraph）"James Herriot" wasn't a vet。 He was a wonderful writer who happened to be a vet and many others who believe their observations of day to day life with all its quirks makes them writers too would be well advised to remember that difference and stick to the day job。 。。。more

Donna Shaw ，

A charming novel that begins when James Herriot completes veterinary school and takes the position as the assistant vet in a rural Yorkshire community。 He tells， in detail， of his experiences with the farmers and the problems with their animals。 The farmers are convinced that they now more than the young vet and aren't shy about telling him what he should do。 It's interesting that the poor farmers are more likely to pay for the services than the wealthy regardless of the middle of the night call A charming novel that begins when James Herriot completes veterinary school and takes the position as the assistant vet in a rural Yorkshire community。 He tells， in detail， of his experiences with the farmers and the problems with their animals。 The farmers are convinced that they now more than the young vet and aren't shy about telling him what he should do。 It's interesting that the poor farmers are more likely to pay for the services than the wealthy regardless of the middle of the night calls， type of service and weather conditions。 James loves the animals， people and the countryside。 。。。more

Bethany ，

This was so charming and funny！ I know my mom loved these books but I never read them until now。 PBS is releasing a dramatization of the series in 2021 and the audiobooks are being re-recorded by the main actor。 For those who are unaware， All Creatures Great and Small is the first in a series of memoirs from a veterinarian who worked in rural Yorkshire pre-WWII。 It is peppered with lots of quirky characters， entertaining mishaps， and a great deal of heart。 The story begins with James first post This was so charming and funny！ I know my mom loved these books but I never read them until now。 PBS is releasing a dramatization of the series in 2021 and the audiobooks are being re-recorded by the main actor。 For those who are unaware， All Creatures Great and Small is the first in a series of memoirs from a veterinarian who worked in rural Yorkshire pre-WWII。 It is peppered with lots of quirky characters， entertaining mishaps， and a great deal of heart。 The story begins with James first post after graduation， working for an eccentric animal doctor， caring for horses， pigs， cows， sheep， and a very spoiled small dog。 It's a really fantastic book that will make you laugh and touch your heart。 Definitely worth a read and the narration is lovely！I received an audio copy for review via NetGalley。 All opinions are my own。 。。。more

Ashok Sethi ，

A delightful caper of rural England， lovable animals， and charming humour。 I missed out on reading this in my younger years。

Valerie weber ，

Thank you NetGalley， Macmillan Audio and James Herriot for the advance audio copy of "All Creatures Great and Small" for my honest review。What a delightful story。 The narration by Nicholas Ralph really makes the book come to life too！ The story is the life of James Herriot as a newly qualified Veterinarian living in Yorkshire， Scotland。 I so enjoyed the characters names are changed， but based on real life individuals。 The story is filled with Mr。 Herriot's journeys filled with struggles and grea Thank you NetGalley， Macmillan Audio and James Herriot for the advance audio copy of "All Creatures Great and Small" for my honest review。What a delightful story。 The narration by Nicholas Ralph really makes the book come to life too！ The story is the life of James Herriot as a newly qualified Veterinarian living in Yorkshire， Scotland。 I so enjoyed the characters names are changed， but based on real life individuals。 The story is filled with Mr。 Herriot's journeys filled with struggles and great humor。 。。。more

Kimberly ，

This is a lovely book that I am re-reading after many years in anticipation of the new PBS series starting next month。 Delightful stories， well told， and just makes you want to pack your bags and head to the English countryside。 It is a great one to put at your bedside and just read a few chapters daily。 Sometimes sad but mostly heartwarming and uplifting tales of a countryside vet in Yorkshire in the 1930s。

Xeniagaze ，

Charming story， lyrical writing。 Dragged a little toward the middle。

Julia Marie ，

"All Creatures Great and Small" will leave you laughing， smiling， and breathing in the fresh farm air of the Yorkshire Dales。 The day to day life of large animal veterinarian， James Herriot， is a vividly adventurous collection; horses， cows， pigs， dogs， you name it！ No matter the weather or the hour， Herriot is ready to take on any medical mystery that comes his way。 The townsfolk he encounters on the job embody the spirit and personalities that truly make this book the masterpiece it is。 These "All Creatures Great and Small" will leave you laughing， smiling， and breathing in the fresh farm air of the Yorkshire Dales。 The day to day life of large animal veterinarian， James Herriot， is a vividly adventurous collection; horses， cows， pigs， dogs， you name it！ No matter the weather or the hour， Herriot is ready to take on any medical mystery that comes his way。 The townsfolk he encounters on the job embody the spirit and personalities that truly make this book the masterpiece it is。 These characters warm your heart with friendly small-town charm。 To animal lovers everywhere and anyone in search of a light hearted read， I forever recommend "All Creatures Great and Small。" 。。。more

Jane ，

My second read of this book。 This is the book that made me want to be a veterinarian。 Too bad my grades did not cooperate。

Oscar van der Beek ，

（Disclaimer: I listened to the audiobook） I listened to this while working and it was the perfect way to bring some levity to my usually dry and dull workday。 Herriot's novel is one of the most comfy that I have ever read， it perfectly balances the warmth and earthy comfort of the West Ridings of Yorkshire with the dirty， unglamorous but rewarding work of a rural vet。 Full of hilarious escapades， wonderful characters， and soul。 Makes a man want to up sticks and be a rural vet。 4/5 stars。 （Disclaimer: I listened to the audiobook） I listened to this while working and it was the perfect way to bring some levity to my usually dry and dull workday。 Herriot's novel is one of the most comfy that I have ever read， it perfectly balances the warmth and earthy comfort of the West Ridings of Yorkshire with the dirty， unglamorous but rewarding work of a rural vet。 Full of hilarious escapades， wonderful characters， and soul。 Makes a man want to up sticks and be a rural vet。 4/5 stars。 。。。more

Hsin-ya Liao ，

I grew up reading the Little House series by Laura Ingalls Wilder， and to me this book is like the grown-up version of that world， with a young vet as the protagonist。 The characters come to life through James Herriot's vivid， warm and humorous writing， and I can't help but wish that the world under his pen is the one that I live in。 It may be too wholesome and good for some， but this is a book that I would love to revisit and I can't wait to read the rest of the series。 I grew up reading the Little House series by Laura Ingalls Wilder， and to me this book is like the grown-up version of that world， with a young vet as the protagonist。 The characters come to life through James Herriot's vivid， warm and humorous writing， and I can't help but wish that the world under his pen is the one that I live in。 It may be too wholesome and good for some， but this is a book that I would love to revisit and I can't wait to read the rest of the series。 。。。more

Caragh Whitehead ，

I wanted to read this book again before I watched the TV series。 It has some great stories in and is a wonderful book of its time。 It was easy to pick up and put down due to how it is structured。 However， for more of a flow， I have preferred the TV series。

Lisa Harris ，

Revisiting an old favoriteI hit a reading slump and decided to revisit an old favorite。 I am glad I did， it was just what I needed！

Beth ，

This book was everything I wanted it to be。 I grew up watching the old British TV series - it was probably originally on in the late 70s or early 80s。 Though my memories of the series are hazy at this point， the book was like a warm blanket on a winter night。 Often my reading sessions with it involved just that。 It is cozy and sweet and charming and often really funny。 There were times I audibly laughed while reading， which is not something I do often。 His genuine love and appreciation for this This book was everything I wanted it to be。 I grew up watching the old British TV series - it was probably originally on in the late 70s or early 80s。 Though my memories of the series are hazy at this point， the book was like a warm blanket on a winter night。 Often my reading sessions with it involved just that。 It is cozy and sweet and charming and often really funny。 There were times I audibly laughed while reading， which is not something I do often。 His genuine love and appreciation for this gorgeous piece of country he found himself working in coupled with his genuine curiosity and care for his profession makes him such a lovely narrator。 Though most of his stories are wondrous or funny， there was also one that really broke my heart。 It's just a very human story。 I'm sure it would be impossible to be so deeply involved in this community of farmers without becoming personally involved， and it shows in his writing。 He really cared about these people as well as their animals。 I appreciated and enjoyed that about him and his stories。 。。。more

Holly Minion ，

Completely delightful！

MªJesús Tovar ，

4，5 ⭐️

Heather Moore ，

I’ve been wanting to read this for a while and PBS’s upcoming television premiere of it prompted me to make it happen。 And I’m so glad I did。 With the exception of his boss， Siegfried， who could be a real tool， this was lovely and peaceful and enjoyable。 I’ll definitely continue on with the series。

Alhena ，

No tiene una trama principal， es una narración de anécdotas de un veterinario rural， algunas son graciosas， otras tiernas， otras tristes。。。 lo que resulta en una mezcla interesante y entretenida。 A ratos se me ha hecho algo repetitivo， quizá sea mejor intercalar su lectura con otro libro。Aún así， lo recomiendo。

Lindsey ，

This was unexpectedly laugh-out-loud funny and it was so fun to read the characterizations of all the people throughout the district where Herriot worked。 I will definitely pick up subsequent books in the series。

James Bechtel ，

The late 1930s。 The Yorkshire Dales。 Cozy， compassionate tales of veterinary medicine。

Nati ，

A great storytelling about James Herriott’s experience as a country vet。 He guides us all through his work， the people he meets and their impact in his life。 A great book that I enjoyed very much when I read it some many years ago and a better audiobook with Christopher Timothy’s beautiful voice。

Caty Thomas ，

A delightful read！ I wouldn't consider myself a huge animal lover， but I have enough interest in science， medicine and homesteading that I really enjoyed the content。 The story telling and charming characters were wonderful！ It mostly reads like a collection of short stories， but you still get the character development of the main characters and the plot of James Herriot's life and practice。 I enjoyed that hybrid。 A delightful read！ I wouldn't consider myself a huge animal lover， but I have enough interest in science， medicine and homesteading that I really enjoyed the content。 The story telling and charming characters were wonderful！ It mostly reads like a collection of short stories， but you still get the character development of the main characters and the plot of James Herriot's life and practice。 I enjoyed that hybrid。 。。。more

Sarah ，

All Creatures Great and Small is the first of the books that comprise James Herriot's memoirs of his time as a country vet in Yorkshire， circa 1930。 Creatures begins with Herriot newly qualified from veterinary school and seeking a position - no small feat in Depression-era England。 He finds one， as an assistant to the somewhat temperamental and slightly scatterbrained Siegfried Farnon， in the far north of England。 His adventures in these early years and memorable; many of them are also side-spl All Creatures Great and Small is the first of the books that comprise James Herriot's memoirs of his time as a country vet in Yorkshire， circa 1930。 Creatures begins with Herriot newly qualified from veterinary school and seeking a position - no small feat in Depression-era England。 He finds one， as an assistant to the somewhat temperamental and slightly scatterbrained Siegfried Farnon， in the far north of England。 His adventures in these early years and memorable; many of them are also side-splitting in their retelling。 I noted of Bright and Beautiful: Herriot creates a sense of time and place， so that the reader is quite certain that Herriot's adventures could only have happened when and where they did。 Many are sweet， some are laugh-out-loud funny， and all are tinged with a heavy dose of nostalgia。 。。。more

Sarah ，

I picked up All Creatures after finishing the new tv series （which I absolutely loved） and really enjoyed the book too。 The Yorkshire Dales are described beautifully。