The Wonderful World of James Herriot

A Charming Collection of Classic Stories

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Pub Date 24 Oct 2023 | Archive Date 07 Nov 2023

Description

James Herriot's timeless, heartwarming, and perceptive stories about animals and people have charmed millions of readers around the world, and millions more have watched the popular PBS series All Creatures Great and Small, which is based on his four books. The Wonderful World of James Herriot excerpts the best of his stories to shape the larger tale of his life, his family, and his world, illustrated with evocative drawings and family photographs, including a special introduction written by his two children Rosie Page and Jim Wight.

With astute observations and boundless humor, Herriot captures the spirit of the Yorkshire Dales and of rural communities on the cusp of change, before tractors and machines had taken over and modern medicines and antibiotics transformed veterinary work. Herriot's unforgettable portraits of farm animals and the people he served as a country veterinarian are moving, dramatic, warm, touching, and profound. This beautiful book is the perfect gift for Herriot readers of all ages.

James Herriot's timeless, heartwarming, and perceptive stories about animals and people have charmed millions of readers around the world, and millions more have watched the popular PBS series All...


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EDITION Other Format
ISBN 9781250288912
PRICE $30.00 (USD)
PAGES 400

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Average rating from 52 members


Featured Reviews

Is there anything not to love about James Herriot? It’s always such a treat to see in his sweet world.

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As wonderfully entertaining and heartwarming as the original James Herriot’s books, The Wonderful World of James Herriot presents the real people behind the beloved characters and provides a background for the episodes related in the books. Funny, witty and engaging. Absolutely easy to read and enjoyable. Just make sure not to read it at night, you’ll be laughing out loud.
Give this a try, you won’t be disappointed.

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James Herriot has been a favorite of mine since I was a child. I love reading the different experiences and stories that he provides. This little collection definitely did not disappoint. It was enjoyable to read all the stories that gathered here. Definitely recommend to any Herriot-lover or animal lover alike.

5/5 stars

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5 stars, Animal Lover

THE WONDERFUL WORLD OF JAMES HERRIOT
by James Herriot

This is an exciting autobiography book composed of James Herriot's many adventures as a rural veterinarian and his children's memories of different escapades.

Since I own several of his books, I knew this book would also be enjoyable. Highly recommend it.

James Herriot is the pen name of James Alfred "Alf" Wight. He often went beyond the call of duty to take care of a sick or injured animal, such was his love for God's creatures.

#TheWonderfulWorldOfJamesHerriot #nonfiction #autobiography

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The Wonderful World of James Herriot: A Charming Collection of Classic Stories
James Herriot, Rosie Page
Thank you NetGalley for providing me with a review copy of The Wonderful World of James Herriot. My reviews are my unbiased opinions.
I have read James Herriot’s books over and over. All Creatures Great and Small, It Shouldn’t Happen To A Vet, All Things Wise and Wonderful, James Herriot’s Yorkshire, The Lord God Made Them All, James Herriot’s Dog Stories and many, many more. I remember one book where he talked about a strawberry cow. I searched for a picture of a Strawberry Cow. I never did find one. I loved the dog stories, while I don’t remember the dog’s name, I believe one of them had a digestion ailment and had flatulence. I feel honored to review one of James Herriot’s books.
His stories always warm the heart. Life of a veterinarian was not easy, matter of fact it was cold, dirty and always messy. Animals do not get sick at convenient times, but Dr. Herriot never hesitated to rush to the animal’s side. Along the way he collected many stories. The PBS series All Creatures Great and Small was based on four of his books. Most of his stories were humorous. He seemed to capture the essence of rural Yorkshire.
James Alfred Wight, aka, James Herroit was a country vet. At night he wrote sharing his and other veterinarian experiences. In his 50 years as a veterinarian, he had many experiences. He passed away in 1992.
Again, thank you NetGalley and Rosie Page for the honor of reviewing this tribute to James Herroit.

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James Herriot never goes out of style- absolutely timeless with broad appeal. This grouping of stories adds more detail (real names and backstories) in alternation with the veterinary tales. It’s sure to go over well with both longtime fans as well as new devotees. I loved being absorbed back into Herriot’s world!

Huge thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for granting my request for a digital ARC.

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I received a copy of "The Wonderful World of James Herriot from NetGalley. I was delighted to get a advanced copy of this book since I have been reading his wonderful books since I was a teenager. He is such talented writer who could get me laughing out loud and choking up reading his practice as a Veterinarian. In this book, his two grown children contribute their memories of their father. This is unique in some of the book shows his writing through all of his books and then it is followed up with the real names and discusses how closely the book is to the writer's real life. I found it interesting to see he tweaked things a bit like different names for the real life brothers or times when something happened. but it was still very close to his life as a Veterinarian. he was careful to change names in his book but this one shares the "characters" who recognize themselves in the many books Herriot wrote. I considered myself lucky to get the chance to read this book being such a fan of James Herriot.

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Perfect for gifting, this collection features the best stories that spawned the English vet's beloved books and PBS' heartwarming series, All Creatures Great and Small. With an intro by his grown children, Jim Wight and Rosie Page. Includes lovely illustrations and family photos.

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This was an enjoyable book, as it brought me back to when I was younger reading his books. It was interesting to find out James Herriot was not his real name. It was nice to know that the popularity of his books did not change him from the man he was. This book will make you laugh and cry - sometimes at the same time! This is one of the books you don’t want to lay down. Another well done book by our favorite veterinarian, James Herriot!

Disclaimer: I received a complimentary copy of this ebook from NetGalley for my honest review.

The Wonderful World of James Herriot becomes available for purchase October 24, 2023.

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This was absolutely delightful. The plot was well-paced and captivating from start to finish. I highly recommend this fun and quick read! Many thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for the advanced copy of the book.

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Thank you to NetGalley, as well as the publishers for sending me a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

If you love, the TV show, just go ahead and pick up this book you will not be disappointed! Everything about this book brought me such pure joy that I cannot put into words how much joy it brought me. Please pick this book up if enjoy anything that is whimsical.

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Mixing short selections from all of Herriot's books with information about the author's real-life, this book is a delight for Herriot fans. Alf Wight, Herriot's actual name, along with his colleagues, family, and clients figure in this volume which has ben masterfully edited.

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It all started with a dog.

As a child, James Herriot, real name James Alfred "Alf" Wight, fell in love with an Irish Setter puppy and without knowing it, his future was set. As he matured, he had dreams of becoming a small animal vet, working in a nice, neat office with small animal patients. It didn't quite turn out that way. This is his story, and a delight it is, with added "the rest of the story".

If you're a long-time Herriot fan you're going to love this book after one look at the cover. If you're new to Herriot, you're in for a treat after giving in to the enticement of that quaint, dreamy cover. Trust me, you'll enjoy riding along those bumpy, muddy, occasionally flooded back country roads with James Herriot, the pen name he chose to write under, as you get to not only meet the characters of the original books but learn about the real people behind them. Whoever told him he'd never get rich as a country vet but have a life full of endless variety and interest was right. Even better, he eventually chose to share that life with us.

Interspersed with Herriot's original words, we get the background to these stories. With an introduction by his daughter and son, we meet the real people behind the pages and it was a delight to do so, even the cranky ones. There's a decency to them that is hard to miss. While not in sequential order, it's easy to follow Herriot's path from puppy-loving boy to the man, vet, and father he eventually became. I loved the stories where his children joined him on his visits, feeling his panic when, say, an angry, hurting animal nearly injured one of them. His love and respect for the animals he tended seemed to have passed to them as his son joined him as a vet and his daughter became a human doctor. Quite a lovely legacy of caring.

Oh, so many stories I'd love to share but I don't want to ruin one moment of your own enjoyment as you read this book. It truly was a "charming" story and discovering more about James Herriot the man and those he lived among was intriguing. I mean, the man visited Russia as part of a British Ministry of Agriculture at a time the Cold War was getting colder and, oh, yeah, there was his stint in the RAF. Heck, he even met his wife through a vet call. Seriously, this book was like time traveling back to a time and place where local pubs and a roaring fire were considered good entertainment. A time when you had to get yourself unstuck from a muddy/flooded road because there were no cell phones. No AAA even if there had been. A time when his daughter took greater delight in being able to identify birds and wildflowers than staying at home. Herriot's affection for both man and beast shines through throughout and I thank #NetGalley and #StMartin'sPress for allowing me this sneak peek into his life. Something tells me there will be a few well-loved Herriot books coming home with me from my next library trip.

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I will forever love anything to do with James Herriot. The Wonderful World of James Herriot shares some of the best of the stories from the Dales and beyond, interspersed with insight into the life and inspiration of James Wight from his children Jim and Rosie. This was a delight to read, and, even if like me you've read all the Herriot books multiple times, this book is still worth checking out for a glimpse into our favorite vet's life.

Thanks to St. Martin's Press and Netgalley for an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

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Are you one of the many viewers who has adored All Creatures Great and Small on PBS? If so, I think that you will be delighted with this collection of stories by Herriot (Wight), the vet upon whom the James on TV is based.

I was immediately drawn to this title by the lovely cover. I then enjoyed what was inside as well. The book begins with an introduction by Herriot/Wight’s children that sets the scene. Twelve wonderful stories then follow.

This book would make a perfect holiday gift. I think that I know a few people for whom I will purhase it.

Many thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for this title. All opinions are my own.

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