An incredible book with wonderful characters and a beautiful setting. It will keep you guessing until the end.

Thank you NetGalley for this ARC! We love James Herriot and are grateful to have had access to this book. Such sweet, heartwarming stories and perfect for those looking to expand on Herriot's wonderful library of animal tales. I personally enjoyed it as an adult and can highly recommend it!

I am sorry for the inconvenience but I don’t have the time to read this anymore and have lost interest in the concept. I believe that it would benefit your book more if I did not skim your book and write a rushed review. Again, I am sorry for the inconvenience.

James Herriot's books made me want to be a veterinarian.

Life, had other plans: I’ve never visited the Yorkshire Dales, nor had my arm, pit deep in a cow, but as a librarian and a human, I still have warm and fuzzy feeling about his work.

None of the stories were new to me, a minor disappointment, but I really enjoyed revisiting old favourites, and the sections involving his children.

Thanks to St. Martin’s Press and Macmillan Audio for this nostalgic ARC.

James Herriot's literary magic has once again cast its spell in 'The Wonderful World of James Herriot.' This captivating collection is not just a book; it's a heartfelt journey through the enchanting tapestry of the Yorkshire Dales, woven with warmth, humor, and a profound love for animals.

The author's narrative prowess shines through each page, transporting readers to a bygone era where the rolling hills served as the backdrop for endearing tales of farm life, veterinary adventures, and the remarkable bond between humans and their animal companions. Herriot's storytelling is a testament to his keen observation, wit, and an uncanny ability to find joy and humor in the most unexpected places.

What makes this collection truly remarkable is its universal appeal. Whether you're a seasoned Herriot enthusiast or a newcomer to his world, the stories resonate on a deeply human level. The characters, both two-legged and four-legged, come to life with such vividness that you can almost hear the barks, feel the fur, and smell the country air.

'The Wonderful World of James Herriot' is not just a celebration of the author's veterinary escapades; it's a celebration of life in all its messy, unpredictable, and heartwarming glory. The stories are a balm for the soul, providing comfort, laughter, and a gentle reminder of the enduring power of compassion.

This collection is a timeless treasure that transcends generations. Herriot's legacy lives on, and this book is a testament to his ability to capture the essence of the human-animal connection with unmatched grace. For anyone seeking solace, laughter, and a renewed appreciation for the simple joys of life, 'The Wonderful World of James Herriot' is an absolute must-read—a literary masterpiece that deserves a permanent place on every bookshelf.

The Wonderful World of James Herriot by James Herriot is a charming collection of stories. I enjoy watching All Creatures Great and Small which is why I wanted to read the stories that inspired the series. I enjoyed the introduction written by the author’s adult children, Jim Wright and Rosie Page. I like that the author provides context before each chapter. I found the book to be easy to read. We are taken back to a simpler time with this collection of tales. The author’s descriptions of the Yorkshire Dales allowed me to envision them. I could see the rolling countryside with the farms. I love the characters (James, Helen, Mrs. Hall, the Farnon brothers). The veterinarians addressed a variety of issues. They treated cats, dogs, cows, horses, pigs, goats, and more. I am amazed at the medical issues they addressed. If you are squeamish, some of the descriptions will be off putting (I skimmed through some of these sections). This is a lovely collection of stories. You can read one or all of them. I enjoyed this trip to the past where you can see Herriot’s love for people and animals.

I vaguely remember my parents watching the "All Creatures Great and Small" tv series. That memory led me to James Herriot’s books, which were like a warm hug, full of the daily difficulties and joys of being primarily a large animal vet in the Yorkshire countryside from shortly before WWII to the man’s retirement.

Consequently, I was immediately drawn to this book, and I’m so glad I read it. It opens with an introduction by James Herriot’s, or really Alf Wight’s, two children, Rosie Page and James Wight, fondly remembering their father as he ministered to his patients, and got to know the farmers in the area.

Though Alf Wight used a pen name and changed the names of the local farmers and their animals, his local readers greatly enjoyed their vet’s stories about his work. Over the years, Wight’s stories’ popularity spread far and wide, and gained this quiet man fame and recognition.

In this book, which is a retrospective of Wight’s life, the material is organized in categories, so each chapter covers things such as the Yorkshire Dales, Wight’s business partner, how Wight came to settle in the area and raise his family, the farmers and their temperaments and superstitions, and the different creatures he treated over the years. There are snippets from Wight’s writings from different books different years in each chapter illustrating each point with Herriot’s gentle humour and kindness.

I particularly loved the context provided in each chapter, noting who Wight was actually writing about, as well as the changing society of the Yorkshire Dales or veterinary practices of the period. The medical science of treating animals changed quite a lot over the time Wight practiced, and there is some sense also how dangerous and rewarding Alf found spending time caring for his patients.

This was a lovely book, and well worth your time if you enjoyed his books, or the more recent tv series based on Alf Wight’s memoirs.

Thank you to Netgalley and to St. Martin’s Press for this ARC in exchange for my review

As a lover of the original TV series and the current one being aired, I really enjoyed learning through this book a little more about the author's life. Thank you.

THE WONDERFUL WORLD OF JAMES HERRIOT - James Herriot

WARM & COZY - 4 stars

Plot - 4 stars - This is a book of excerpts of the best of Herriot's stories, which in turn describe the inspiration for many of his stories, right from his real life, his family, and his world.

Writing - 5 stars - This is where the story shone for me. Herriot (actually, Wight) writes in such a fun and casual style, making even the simplest of activities into something interesting and unique. He's an excellent storyteller, and the stories he tells are warm and charming.

Characters - 4 stars - There are many memorable characters in his books amongst the people he worked with as well as the ones who were his clients (both human and animal). I'm not sure if Wight was lucky in the people surrounding him in his lifetime or if he looked on the bright side of life and recognized the value in everyone, but he had a sweet story about each of them.

Title - 3.5 stars - The title brings us back to the world that Herriot has created, although it sent me in a different direction, thinking that it would be another book of stories. It was, but it was more of a biography rather than the series that we're used to.

Cover - 4 stars - A peaceful and attractive cover, with a light-hearted and simple sketch of the countryside and the pastoral beauty of Herriot's surroundings.

Overall - 4 stars - Overall, I was very happy with this book. I had expected more stories from Herriot, describing his job and the characters he came across throughout his career. It did include many of these stories, although they were excerpts from previous books. Instead, this book focused on James Herriot himself, providing us with actual facts about his life (including his name, which I didn't know wasn't as presented all these years), his family, and his home. It made me feel closer to him while also revisiting some favorite remembrances in his comfortable and special style.

The Wonderful World of James Herriot is a charming book about the ins and outs of vet life in the English countryside. I have never read any of Herriot’s books, but this book got me excited to read all of them! I loved the funny moments in this book, and also the tug at your heartstrings moments.

Thank you to St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for an electronic Advanced Readers Copy of this book.

Fans of All Creatures Great and Small won't be disappointed in this book. James Harriot's writing involves the reader in his wonderful tales from his life as a rural vet. This book is for animal lover and history lovers who would like to know what life was like back then. It's charming but still realistic and very entertaining to read. What's interesting is that his stories are explained with an eye to the real life happenings, which made it fun to read.

I would recommend this for any fan of his work.

For this and other book reviews, visit www.bargain-sleuth.com and subscribe to email updates.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press; I am leaving this review voluntarily.

James Herriot’s classic books of life as a Yorkshire vet have gained a new following with the popularity of the new television series. While the original stories are charming in their own right, The Wonderful World of James Herriot provides context and comparisons between the original texts and that of Alf Wight, the man behind the stories.

With an introduction by his children (and on audio, the intro is read by his daughter, Rosie), this new volume will be sure to delight fans of the original books. Many of the most popular stories (and ones depicted in the new series) are repeated here, but then the “real” story follows. For those not familiar, James Herriot was a construct of the author and some of the stories actually came from his son’s time as a vet as well as his own. Siegfried and Tristan existed in real life, but their real names were Donald and Brian. While some say Wight exaggerated the characteristics of people like Siegfried, while others say he toned down the personalities.

Nearly all the stories have some basis in the truth, much like Laura Ingalls Wilder books, yet they are considered fiction. And that’s what’s so great about this new compilation of stories. Side by side comparisons are made between the fiction of the story, and what really happened. If you’re wondering which book a particular story came from, it’s provided, although by using the original book names and not the names of the compilations released in the United States. I always wanted to research Wight’s real life and wondered which stories were true or not but never got around to it, so this volume was a welcome addition to the library.

If you love the television series as much as I do, be sure to check out this book on audio, as Nicholas Ralph and Anna Madeley provide the narration. It’s a great way to get for Americans to get their “fix” of stories until season 4 premieres on PBS on January 7, 2024.

I had read these stories when they were first published and they have not lost anything over the years. The charming and humorous writing of this fine veterinarian and his adventures in Yorkshire over his career are timeless and entertaining.

I am a lover of veterinarian memoirs, and James Herriot’s are my very favorite. Give me all of the cows, sheep, farms, dogs, dales, gooey births, York brogues and family connections that Herriot has to offer. With the the continued success of BBC’s reimagining of the 1970s version of All Creatures Great and Small television series, it was time to revisit these quaint stories. If you have read all the prior novels, be aware that this book is something different. The editors have taken portions of the life of the real Herriot, Alf Wight, and flanked them with the corresponding fictional story that goes with it. So for instance, Alf Wight’s schooling is detailed showing what actually happened. Then pieces of the fictionalization of his schooling are inserted in the chapter. It is exciting to see how the author used friends and experiences to create the books we love. As a Herriot lover, I devoured the behind the scenes look. Highly recommended for those that like veterinary memoirs, enjoy the PBS drama or familiar readers who would like to do a short revisit of all of the original novels. Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher St. Martin’s Press for a chance to read this book in return for a fair review.

I love James Herriot books; this one did not disappoint. very sweet collection of stories. I enjoyed it very much/

James Herriot was a favorite after my grandmother gifted me his books during my childhood. This book, a look at his veterinary life via his children, shares stories of the original people, animals, and stories behind the stories told in his original books. There are some revisits and excerpts from the original stories with reminiscences from his children about how the story came to be, if the characters were amalgamations of a few people, or some of the reactions of people who were included. It's an interesting way to create a biography in a way that honors J.A. Wight and his alter ego of James Herriot.

#arc
#netgalley
#thewonderfulworldofJamesHerriot

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC. I'm voluntarily leaving a review.

I really wanted to jump in and love this book. Every time it was in the middle of one of the veterinarian stories, I was enthralled. But the extra explanations went on too long for me. Now, others will love all the background—but it wasn't to my taste.

I still recommend this book because so many love the world of James Herriot.

Happy reading!

Thanks to NetGalley & St. Martin's for the advanced copy! I adore James Herriot books even though I came to them only a few years ago. This collection didn't disappoint! It has added insights about the people, animals, & settings from the books as well as fun excerpts. I am probably a very biased reviewer, but if you love James Herriot like me, I think you'll enjoy this collection.

The Wonderful World of James Herriot is a comfy compendium of mostly autobiographical stories by the delightful veterinarian Alf Wight, known as James Herriot. His children Rosie and Jim provide personal glimpses and context to the man, vet and author in the introduction. I love that.

My love for all things Herriot since in my teens took me on a lovely journey to Thirsk (fictional Darrowby) and surrounding Yorkshire. What a treat! The television series is wholesome and charming as well. But the eight books Wight wrote are incomparable, chock full of wit, giggle-inducing humour, wisdom and always bring tears of joy and sorrow. If you are fond of learning about veterinary medicine in the 1940s especially, this is unmissable. We see life during WWII, a smattering of romance and healthy doses of animals, both neglected and beloved. The animals have personalities, too.
My family classifies his books in a genre of its own! If you know the stories inside out or new to this fantastic world, get cozy and snuggle in.

My sincere thank you to St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for providing me with an early digital copy of this engrossing book.

After plenty of gentle urging from my father, I finally gave in and fell in love with the wonderful world of James Herriot in 2021. I read the two giant omnibuses comprised of All Creatures Great & Small, All Things Bright & Beautiful, All Things Wise & Wonderful, and Lord God Made Them All. I was deeply ensconced in the rolling hills of the Yorkshire Dales. I loved all the sweet characters living in Darrowby and they all felt so real. Although I wouldn't say I'm an animal lover, the medical aspect and how the author described the procedures always kept me interested. That being said, this special collection were all stories I had already read. There was special background information to provide proper context and real world examples, but the original books were still fresh in my mind. I wasn't surprised by any of the revelations and I didn't need a refresher course. I would consider this more as a companion novel rather than a substitute for the source material.

The James Herriot series is so special to me in many different ways. It's the first book in my literal taxonomy I've lovingly nicknamed as "honeyglow". It can apply to books, movies, or any form of entertainment that warms you up from the inside. It makes your cheeks hurt from smiling or your insides feel all mushy. It's the equivalent of swallowing a warm baked potato. James Herriot created a beautiful, immersive universe and it has bewitched the public for decades post publication. The new PBS show helped wrangle me into finally reading his work. Historical dramas are my own personal magnet and I can never refuse when one comes my way. If you enjoyed these novellas, I would strongly recommend the books to better understand these little snippets. This collection of short stories wasn't what I was anticipating, but any trip into the Wonderful World of James Herriot is time well spent.