Product Description

The first volume of the classic adventures and misadventures involving the young vet, James Herriot, in the Yorkshire Dales from 1937 onwards.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #10154 in Books
• Published on: 1999-09-10
• Original language: English
• Binding: Paperback
• 432 pages

Customer Reviews

Escape into a better world in the Yorkshire Dales
James Herriot (aka Alf Wight) first had these wonderfully warm and funny stories of life as a vet in the Yorkshire Dales published in the 1970's and they have stood the test of time. They spawned 2 feature films and a long running BBC TV series with Christopher Timothy, Robert Hardy and Peter Davison, but for the real deal read this book - the first two novels rolled into one and bask in the characters, the heartwarming stories and the bizarre animal tales. I've no doubt James Herriot's writing inspired a generation of kids to become vets, and no doubt there is plenty of artistic licence in the books, but they take you to a better world. A marvellous read.

A great place to start!
This is a good place to start if you are yet to read a book by this author. I first read it when I was a teenager and three decades later I am still enjoying Herriot's books from time to time. He takes the reader into a place and a life that strikes me as one I would love to be a part of. He offers the reader inciteful tales of humour, hardship, humanity and wisdom in the rich seasonal landscape of rural North Yorkshire. I cannot think of a negative word to say about this author. He is a rare gem who never disappoints. James Herriot has left a legacy that will continue to bring joy and peace to those who have the good fortune to pick up his books. Although not intended or regarded as works of high literature his books rest happily on my shelf alongside other lofty tombs! Many thanks Mr Herriot.

Classical Excellence
I read Herriot's "If only they could talk" (in Indonesian translation) when I was 10 years old in Indonesia. It gave me an unforgettable impression of the beauty of life. A life that's full of variation, dynamics, and humors at each part. It was one of my favourite books for the next 20 years! After the era of Internet, I tried to find the English version. What I got is this book, "All Creatures Great and Small", which is the expansion of "If Only". Funny, the book gave the same impression as if it's the first time I read it, the same feeling that our life is great, beautiful, dan humourous. The book has its role to form my philosophy of life. Read it, you'll see what I mean. (Another great thing is that now I live in the country of Herriot)