The Wonderful World of James Herriot

Book Synopsis

The perfect gift: An illustrated narrative of the life and world of beloved bestselling veterinarian and author, James Herriot, featuring his classic stories and with an introduction written by his children.

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.

About the Author

JAMES HERRIOT, a pseudonym for James Alfred Wight, 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 remained, with the exception of his wartime service in the RAF, until his death in 1995. His bestselling books include All Creatures Great and Small, All Things Bright and Beautiful, All Things Wise and Wonderful, and The Lord God Made Them All. The books were televised in the enormously popular PBS series All Creatures Great and Small.

ROSIE PAGE and JIM WIGHT are the children of James Alfred Wight. Jim joined his father as a veterinarian, and Rosie became a general practitioner. Both Rosie and Jim live in Yorkshire.