Product Description

James Herriot has captivated millions of readers and television viewers with tales of the triumphs, disasters, pride and sometimes heartache that filled his life as a vet in the Yorkshire Dales. Every Living Thing shines with the captivating storytelling that has made James Herriot a favourite the world over.

Here is a book for all those who find laughter and joy in animals, and who know and understand the magic of wild places and beautiful countryside.

'He can tell a good story against himself, and his pleasure in the beauty of the countryside in which he works is infectious' Daily Telegraph

'Full of warmth, wisdom and wit' The Field

'It is a pleasure to be in James Herriot's company' Observer

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #37711 in Books
• Published on: 2006-04-07
• Original language: English
• Binding: Paperback
• 370 pages

About the Author

James Herriot grew up in Glasgow and qualified as a veterinary surgeon at Glasgow Veterinary College. Shortly afterwards he took up a position as an assistant in a North Yorkshire practice where he has remained, with the exception of his wartime service in the RAF. He is married with a son who is also a veterinary surgeon and a daughter who is a doctor.

Customer Reviews

Gently humorous
This book is the last book written by James Herriot - actually James Alfred Wight (1916-95). James, a native of Glasgow, Scotland, qualified as a veterinarian at 23 years of age, and quickly fell with his new location of Yorkshire. Beginning in 1970, James began to write books, reaching into his years of experience as a vet, and spinning out enthralling and entertaining stories of things that did happen and things that might have happened on the Yorkshire Dales.

As I said, this book was James's last, being published in 1992. In it, we read adventures of a country vet, doing battle against disease, hypochondriac pet-owners, uncooperative animals, the weather, other vets, and...just about everything. This is another great James Herriot - All Creatures book, one that I loved as much as the earlier books. If you like good storytelling, or are interested in veterinarians, then you will love this book. It is a gently humorous story that is sure to entertain all. I highly recommend it!

This final book will not disappoint Herriot fans
James Herriot has not failed his reading public with these wonderful stories. There are the many familiar characters as well as new ones especially the veterinary assistants employed by the growing practice. I found it particularly interesting how he compares modern veterinary drugs and treatments with the ones he used when he was a young vet and how the farming world of even this quiet seemingly untouched part of Britain is changing. But all the best ingredients which have made his books loved throughout the world, the warmth, the concern for all living things and a quirky, British humour are to be found in this last book.

More from the world's most beloved veterinarian
The late Alf Wight aka James Herriot left a legacy of books that excites readers to this day (and I presume will do so for decades more.) His gentle, self-deprecating style of humor and the portraits of the Yorkshire Dales farmers and country people are amusing and interesting.

The four books, named after a hymn "All Creatures Great and Small" are joined by this fifth volume with similar stories. James (as Alf called himself) now has his own practice in Skeldale House, is married with two kids. The stories are very similar to the first four, with goof-ups, miracles, and funny tales. Somehow, these stories are not quite as hilarious as the first set, possibly because Mr. Herriot had written up most of the good stuff, or to represent the seriousness of raising two kids and having his own practice and being a settled man rather than a raw youth just out on his own.

Nonetheless, if you lapped up all the "Creature" books, as I did, and you mourn the loss of Dr. Wight, who passed away in the 90's, then you will want to read these stories and vicariously enjoy more of the daily life of a country vet