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All Creatures Great and Small Paperback – May 6, 2014
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The classic multimillion copy bestseller
Delve into the magical, unforgettable world of James Herriot, the world's most beloved veterinarian, and his menagerie of heartwarming, funny, and tragic animal patients.
For over forty years, generations of readers have thrilled to Herriot's marvelous tales, deep love of life, and extraordinary storytelling abilities. For decades, Herriot roamed the remote, beautiful Yorkshire Dales, treating every patient that came his way from smallest to largest, and observing animals and humans alike with his keen, loving eye.
In All Creatures Great and Small, we meet the young Herriot as he takes up his calling and discovers that the realities of veterinary practice in rural Yorkshire are very different from the sterile setting of veterinary school. Some visits are heart-wrenchingly difficult, such as one to an old man in the village whose very ill dog is his only friend and companion, some are lighthearted and fun, such as Herriot's periodic visits to the overfed and pampered Pekinese Tricki Woo who throws parties and has his own stationery, and yet others are inspirational and enlightening, such as Herriot's recollections of poor farmers who will scrape their meager earnings together to be able to get proper care for their working animals. From seeing to his patients in the depths of winter on the remotest homesteads to dealing with uncooperative owners and critically ill animals, Herriot discovers the wondrous variety and never-ending challenges of veterinary practice as his humor, compassion, and love of the animal world shine forth.
James Herriot's memoirs have sold 80 million copies worldwide, and continue to delight and entertain readers of all ages.
- Reading age16+ years, from customers
- Print length448 pages
- LanguageEnglish
- Dimensions5.54 x 1.12 x 8.3 inches
- PublisherGriffin
- Publication dateMay 6, 2014
- ISBN-101250057833
- ISBN-13978-1250057839
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Editorial Reviews
Review
“Absolutely super, a rarity, magnificently written, insightful, unforgettable. . . . If you have ever loved a friend, human or otherwise, this is the book for you.” ―Houston Chronicle
“This warm, joyous and often hilarious first-person chronicle of a young animal doctor . . . shines with love of life.” ―The New York Times Book Review
“One of the funniest and most likeable books around.” ―The Atlantic Monthly
“[Herriot] is the most entertaining, most thoroughly likeable, most engaging person to have come along in a long time, and the stories he has to tell are fascinating.” ―The Washington Post
“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
“Absolutely super, a rarity, magnificently written, insightful, unforgettable . . . If you have ever loved a friend, human or otherwise, this is the book for you.” ―Houston Chronicle
“Refreshingly original . . . as close to a novel as a chronicle of memoirs could be . . . hilarious, touching, athletic and warming . . . Dr. Herriot's characters . . . rival any from British fiction.” ―Los Angeles Times
“James Herriot . . . is one of those rare men who know how to appreciate the ordinary . . . a natural storyteller.” ―The New York Times
“Warm, anecdotal . . . All Creature Great and Small makes you feel good about the worried and some of the people in it.” ―San Francisco Chronicle
“What the world needs now, and does every so often, is a warm, G-rated, down-home, unadrenalized prize of a book that sneaks onto the bestseller lists . . . James Herriot's memoirs qualify admirably.” ―Time
“An inspirational book . . . with all its comedy; tragedy, drama, and farce . . . works like a spring tonic: It lifts the spirits and warms the heart . . . There is no advice, no pat formula for better living. There is just Herriot, a man you cannot resist.” ―Chicago Tribune
“Herriot has a real flair for writing and his book is a treat.” ―Publishers Weekly
About the Author
Product details
- Publisher : Griffin
- Publication date : May 6, 2014
- Edition : New edition
- Language : English
- Print length : 448 pages
- ISBN-10 : 1250057833
- ISBN-13 : 978-1250057839
- Item Weight : 2.31 pounds
- Reading age : 16+ years, from customers
- Dimensions : 5.54 x 1.12 x 8.3 inches
- Best Sellers Rank: #6,015 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #1 in Animal & Pet Care Essays
- #14 in Medical Professional Biographies
- #67 in Memoirs (Books)
- Customer Reviews:
About the author

"James Herriot (1916–1995) was the pen name of James Alfred “Alf” Wight, an English veterinarian whose tales of veterinary practice and country life have delighted generations. Many of Herriot’s works—including All Creatures Great and Small, All Things Bright and Beautiful, All Things Wise and Wonderful, The Lord God Made Them All, and Every Living Thing—became international bestsellers and have been adapted for film and television.
Herriot’s stories rely on numerous autobiographical elements taken from his life in northern England’s Yorkshire County, and they depict a simple, rustic world deeply in touch with the cycles of nature."
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An Enjoyable Read
Top reviews from the United States
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- Reviewed in the United States on October 25, 2014I bought the 20h Anniversary edition, but most of this review will be directed to the work itself. (I wanted a hard copy that matched the others on my shelf from the 70's... this one fit the bill.)
When I was in high school, I was engrossed in James Herriot. The little stand-alone chapters accumulate into a life-story, making it easy to snatch a chapter in a time-cranny. Attune to Herriot's writing muse, I wrote a short story for a writing contest and promptly won. I am still proud of that story.
Herriot's real name was Al Wight. (You can read about that in his son's biography of him, which is a fascinating insider's view of how Herriot came to his writing gift.) Herriot is a gracious, gentle, gentle spirit (what I call "the 3 G's"). He is a great corrective to the abusive spirit of the day. He writes of a time when an old way of life was giving way to a new world where plow horses were replaced by tractors, and the veterinary business was shifting from large animals to small animals (pets). While his stories revolve around animal care, the real narrative is his penetrating insights into the lives and hearts of the people of Yorkshire. Time and again he contrasts the small-holders and estate owners.
These stories are a delightful and poignant testament to a day that has passed, and yet they remain relevant because human nature does not change. Savor these books... there are only 6 of them.
note: Herriot came out of nowhere with this book. I used to use its opening paragraphs in a writing class to illustrate mastery of the elements of writing. Think about that. His first paragraphs in print as good or better than any I had ever read. When you read that first chapter in "All Creatures Great and Small," notice how many senses are drawn in. It is vivid from the very first, and so human.
- Reviewed in the United States on June 10, 2024Format: KindleVerified PurchaseI now completely understand why this book is so beloved. James Herriot somehow managed to hit all the right notes in his collection of vignettes. There is the humorous, the bittersweet, the heart-breaking, the nostalgic, the witty, and the fascinating amongst this loosely woven collection of stories. He paints his pictures of the Yorkshire Dales beautifully. He gives his human as well as his animal characters the utmost grace and compassion. Yet, he never once falls into the trap of sappiness.
One of the great things about this book is that most of the stories take up just one chapter. So, if you are very busy or plan to be interrupted a great deal, you can pick it up and put it down again easily. I don't know that I've enjoyed a book quite this much in a long time, so I would highly recommend it, most especially to animal lovers and country folks.
- Reviewed in the United States on December 12, 2025Format: PaperbackVerified PurchaseI love all of James Herriot's books! They're as good as books by Paul Campbell!
- Reviewed in the United States on March 2, 2026Format: PaperbackVerified PurchaseWonderful book, I enjoyed every minute of it!
Wonderful book, I enjoyed every minute of it!
Images in this review
- Reviewed in the United States on September 21, 2024Format: KindleVerified PurchaseOverall this is an enjoyable read, the writing is good, the characters are humorous and the tales in each chapter are interesting. It took me longer to read than it should have, though, because many chapters felt like little stand alone stories, nothing urged me to get to the next chapter to see what happened. I can see why this has been successfully turned into a TV series, the writing falls into “45 minute episodes “ nicely.
- Reviewed in the United States on October 23, 2024Format: KindleVerified PurchaseI first read this book as a thin, homely little girl of 13. I had never been farther than 50 miles from my NW Florida home. I fell in love with the people and animals in Yorkshire. I just read this as a 49 year old woman, loving less than 50 miles from the hospital I was born in with only a few years spent away from home.
I am not so full of tender wide eyed naivety now. Life can be hard and people can be cruel. This knowledge just makes this book sweeter. The tender yet humorous descriptions of the people, the animals, and the landscape of Yorkshire made me smile, giggle, and even tear up.
Every teen should read these books.
- Reviewed in the United States on February 19, 2026Format: KindleVerified PurchaseIf you've never read James Herriot you are in for a treat! Truly gifted writer and amazing stories. Absolutely a gift to read!
- Reviewed in the United States on February 23, 2025Format: KindleVerified PurchaseThis book was a joy to read. The people are so well described and simple events are always written with wit and candor. Made me feel like I was actually there.
I am already looking forward to the next one.
Top reviews from other countries
Cliente AmazonReviewed in Italy on November 29, 20205.0 out of 5 stars A delicious read
Format: KindleVerified PurchaseIt is simple, humble, straightforward but entertaining, excellent English language, also very British if an Italian like me can say so.
Delicoipus read as I titled.
K M HarikrishnanReviewed in India on December 28, 20245.0 out of 5 stars Goodness is above all else
This is one joyous book to pick up whenever one is feeling a bit blue. Open the book at any page, and read on, and you will end up feeling a glow of warmth and goodness spread all over your being. Like everything else James Herriot wrote, this book exudes goodness in every word, every page. I keep my copy where I can see it frequently. Thank you, James!
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WilhelminaReviewed in the Netherlands on March 15, 20265.0 out of 5 stars Hilarious,maar ook vol drama!
Dit boek is gebasseerd of James Herriot'belevenissen als dieren/veearts. Het boek leest heerlijk weg, en je zal het niet bij één keer lezen houden!! Er zijn twee veschillende TV series gemaakt die gebasseerd zijn op dit boek; jaren geleden werd de eestr tv seri uitgezonden. En dat werd alom geprezen. De laatste jaren is er opnieuw een tv series van gemaakt, die nu 6 seizoenen achter de rug heeft en nu zijn begonnen met het filmen van seizoen 7 en 8. Mijn absolute top favouriete tv show.!! Maar ik raadt iedereen aan het boek te lezen, Ook de andere boeken van James Herriot. Je beleeft er heel veel leesplezier aan!!
Jacqueline CreedonReviewed in Australia on March 5, 20215.0 out of 5 stars A classic
Brilliant. Funny. Sad. A beautiful telling of a young vets first couple of years in the Yorkshire Dales. If you’ve seen the tv series, but not read the books, it’s well worth the time with these books. I watched the original tv series as a child, and am now re-reading the books as an adult, and loving them even more second time around.
Flo_de_lallierReviewed in France on February 7, 20145.0 out of 5 stars Beware: addictive book!!!
Although the proud owner of the paper version (and the whole series as well) I had to purchase the Kindle edition to be able to read some parts anytime anywhere. It is the very first book in the series, I think it's best to start with this one to understand the setting and witness James's first introduction to his new boss and the Yorkshire Dales countryside and farmers. Absolutely hilarious, I remember laughting out loud in a train carriage years ago, unable to help it... The beautiful setting makes you dream, you feel empathy with the main characters, you get to know the everyday life of a rural veterinary surgeon in the 1920s... A must-have if you're looking for a funny book. Also for vet students interested in their trade history. Delighful!

































