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All Creatures Great and Small #5-7
All Things Wise and Wonderful / The Lord God Made Them All
Book by Herriot, James
805 pages, Hardcover
First published November 1, 1999
15 people are currently reading
293 people want to read
About the author
James Herriot
269 books3,454 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 - 24 of 24 reviews
December 14, 2025
4 stars
All Things Wise and Wonderful / The Lord God Made Them All 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.
All Things Wise and Wonderful / The Lord God Made Them All 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.
November 10, 2017
This book warms the cookies of my heart.
October 2, 2024
Another fine installment of the world's most beloved animal doctor. Nicholas Ralph does another fine job with narration, in case you want to do the Audible instead.
December 5, 2024
Herriot's books are perfect for reading by a crackling fire and with a mug of tea- incredibly wholesome and cozy. My only complaint is that there wasn't enough Tristan and his comic relief for my liking!
January 30, 2024
I was a teenager when the James Herriot books first started appearing in the U.S. Since my parents were reading these books, I was interested, so I picked them up and read them, too. Years later when I was a young adult, I read the entire series again. Then, when my children were old enough to enjoy the stories, I read them out-loud, one chapter per night, to them. I am so grateful for this wonderful man who wrote down these stories for all to enjoy.
April 4, 2022
As with the other 2 previous books by James Herriot I loved these tales of the people, animals and scenery of the Yorkshire area of England. This one includes his time training for the Royal air force during WWII and then not being able to become a pilot. This book included laugh out loud moments as the other 2 did. I am so glad I went back and reread these. They were first printed in the late 1960's and 70's so so long ago I've forgotten the stories.
October 17, 2021
Website - https://lindajoheffner.com/ Tainted Seas ~ My Sailor's Story
After long hours of writing, I am enjoying the audiobook, 'All Things Wise and Wonderful,' by James Herriot. The adventure of a veterinarian is a refreshing change of pace.
After long hours of writing, I am enjoying the audiobook, 'All Things Wise and Wonderful,' by James Herriot. The adventure of a veterinarian is a refreshing change of pace.
July 18, 2023
A wonderful, heartwarming read!
February 27, 2024
What a joy! I took my time in reading and saved it for an occasional treat. Full of humor and kindness.
June 7, 2025
Just couldn’t put it down! Loved hearing the life account of James Herriott.
I am also excited that PBS made his books into a series.
I am also excited that PBS made his books into a series.
November 14, 2024
Lovely writing that portrays a hard yet relatively simple world. It's a shame, though, that there are still errors in the text, given that there is nearly 40 years between the original issue and the print version that I read.
March 19, 2008
Buku ini sebenarnya rangkaian cerita pendek James Herriot dalam kehidupannya sebagai seorang dokter hewan dan juga seorang pilot. Kebanyakan ceritanya sih tentang pekerjaannya sebagai dokter hewan. Ada sukanya dan tentu saja ada dukannya.
Gue nggak terlalu suka buku ini sebenarnya, mungkin karena ada term-term yang gue nggak ngerti. Sepertinya sih, karena gue itu nggak terlalu familiar dengan istilah-istilah dokter hewan. Jadinya, gue agak lost in translation di tengah jalan.
Ada juga beberapa cerita yang menurut gue bagus. Tapi overall, gue mendapatkan buku ini cukup membosankan. Gue habis ngebaca buku ini dalam waktu 1 bulan lebih *gue selingin dengan buku lain memang, sangking bosannya*.
Eniwei, gue nggak bisa ngasih angka lebih untuk buku ini, kecuali 2 bintang aja.
Ime'...
Gue nggak terlalu suka buku ini sebenarnya, mungkin karena ada term-term yang gue nggak ngerti. Sepertinya sih, karena gue itu nggak terlalu familiar dengan istilah-istilah dokter hewan. Jadinya, gue agak lost in translation di tengah jalan.
Ada juga beberapa cerita yang menurut gue bagus. Tapi overall, gue mendapatkan buku ini cukup membosankan. Gue habis ngebaca buku ini dalam waktu 1 bulan lebih *gue selingin dengan buku lain memang, sangking bosannya*.
Eniwei, gue nggak bisa ngasih angka lebih untuk buku ini, kecuali 2 bintang aja.
Ime'...
December 7, 2011
The third book on the life of a British veterinarian.
The author juxtaposes his time in the RAF during WWII to remember back on the bucolic
and innocent days working as a vet (not veteran).
Light and enjoyable reads, I wonder if I'm too young to really appreciate these books.
The times seems more simple out in the British country in a time where the modernity of
science has yet to pervade the agricultural landscape. Was this so real?
The characters are, sometimes, overwhelmingly British, and the animals cute, terrible and
tolerable of procedures. Some insights come across on animals and humans.
There is a nice Christmas story about a feral cat.
A good quiet holiday read... although I'll be looking for an xmas murder mystery story as 2011 winds down.
The author juxtaposes his time in the RAF during WWII to remember back on the bucolic
and innocent days working as a vet (not veteran).
Light and enjoyable reads, I wonder if I'm too young to really appreciate these books.
The times seems more simple out in the British country in a time where the modernity of
science has yet to pervade the agricultural landscape. Was this so real?
The characters are, sometimes, overwhelmingly British, and the animals cute, terrible and
tolerable of procedures. Some insights come across on animals and humans.
There is a nice Christmas story about a feral cat.
A good quiet holiday read... although I'll be looking for an xmas murder mystery story as 2011 winds down.
April 12, 2015
I have read this book at least 3 times and will be reading it again soon. It is everything I would want in a book. Hard to put down. Funny, touching. Read it to my children, to my grandchildren, to my-self more than once and will be reading it to my 85 year old mother next.
In the information on this book it states 373 pages. That is the number of pages in the second half. Since this book is actually 2 books in one.
The actual # of pages is 805. But worth everyone of them.
In the information on this book it states 373 pages. That is the number of pages in the second half. Since this book is actually 2 books in one.
The actual # of pages is 805. But worth everyone of them.
February 25, 2012
I love all the Herriot Books and have read them all. Yorkshire vet chronicles the tales of his many decades of practice with two other vets. The stories are warm hearted, cozy and charming - not everyone's cup of tea, but definitely mine.
April 4, 2008
If you love animals you will love both of these books! I was so sad when I finished them. I can't wait to read is other books.
May 16, 2008
more!
May 22, 2008
more tales of the life of a rural english veterinarian. kind of like a british garrison keillor.
January 6, 2014
The whole series is wonderful. I actually read them when they first came out in hardback.
October 18, 2009
Again, more inspirational tales about a Yorkshire veterinarian. His stories are fascinating!
June 13, 2012
I can't get enough.
August 8, 2012
Even though these books have been out for some time, I've only recently read them and fell in love! The stories from this English vet involving the animal world is amusing AND educational!
December 18, 2011
A perfect book for any occasion, sure to renew your faith in mankind
March 26, 2013
While I always enjoy the stories, I did not find this collection quite as moving as the first.
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews