• All Creatures Great and Small

  • The Warm and Joyful Memoirs of the World's Most Beloved Animal Doctor
  • By: James Herriot
  • Narrated by: Christopher Timothy
  • Length: 15 hrs and 41 mins
  • 4.8 out of 5 stars (7,401 ratings)

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All Creatures Great and Small

By: James Herriot
Narrated by: Christopher Timothy
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Editorial reviews

Rarely have story, author, and storyteller fused so magically as in Herriot's 1972 memoirs of a vet's life amidst the people and animals that filled it with meaning. Each moment in time reveals timeless joy, frustration, and heartbreak with such sincerity as to make it utterly compelling. As lovingly read by the actor Christopher Timothy, who played Herriot in a BBC series inspired by the book, the audio experience wraps the listener in a warm embrace, bringing this classic to life and making it a no-brainer as a must-listen.

Publisher's summary

Find All Creatures Great and Small: The Warm and Joyful Memoirs of the World's Most Beloved Animal Doctor, read by Nicholas Ralph, star of the new PBS Masterpiece series, on Audible.

These are the stories that catapulted James Herriot to literary fame. When this book was first published, it was a simple volume of memoirs by an unknown Scottish veterinarian. But within a year, the book became recognized as a masterpiece. And in the two and a half decades that followed, Dr. Herriot became one of the most universally loved authors of our time.

In this first volume of his memoirs, then-newly-qualified vet James Herriot arrives in the small Yorkshire village of Darrowby, and he has no idea what to expect. How will he get on with his new boss? The local farmers? And what will the animals think? This program is filled with hilarious and touching tales of the unpredictable Siegfried Farnon, his charming student brother, Tristan, and Herriot's first encounters with a beautiful girl named Helen.

Now as then, All Creatures Great and Small is full of humor, warmth, pathos, drama, and James Herriot's love of life. His journey across the Yorkshire dales, and his encounters with humans and dogs, cows and kittens, are lovingly told by Christopher Timothy with all the fascination, affection and joy that suffuses Dr. Herriot's works.

©1972 The James Herriot Partnership; Master recordings produced by Chivers Press Limited: If Only They Could Talk (p) 1994, It Shouldn’t Happen to a Vet(p) 1993, Let Sleeping Vets Lie (p)1994 • Compilation (p)1996 by Macmillan Audio (P)1996 by Audio Renaissance

Critic reviews

"One of the funniest and most likeable books around." (Atlantic Monthly)
"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)

Featured Article: Don't press paws! Snuggle up with the best audiobooks for people who love their pets


This pet-lover-approved selection of audiobooks will give new and veteran pet parents alike a sneak peek into the lives of their favorite (furry) companions. In times of stress and uncertainty, there's nothing more comforting than hanging out with a dependable, lovable dog, cat, bird, or other favorite critter. No wonder the adoption of furry friends continues to surge! Here are our favorite stories that center around the most captivating of comrades—our pets.

What listeners say about All Creatures Great and Small

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Wonderful!

This book is charming with stories that are riveting and humor that often makes me laugh out loud. Christopher Timothy does an outstanding job portraying all the rich characters. What a boon that there are three other books to this series!

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This books reviews aren't enough.

I'm halfway and i'd have paid the same for just that. I can hardly wait for the next half. It's a GREAT listen, even better than reading with the excellent narration.

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Love these books

I read these books many years ago and it was very nice to be able to listen to Be able to listen to them because I'm unable to read anymore

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A Veterinarian’s Lessons in Human Nature

Certainly Mr. Herriot gives the layman some ideas/concepts of animal physiology, anatomy, behavior, and maladies as he practices veterinary medicine during the peaceful period before WWII. His historical novel, however, mainly paints for the reader a splendid portrait of a stratified rural humanity as existed in and around Yorkshire by a populace depending for survival on agriculture.

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A treat for the ears

Listening to these audiobooks transports me back to my childhood when I used order DVD’s from Netflix that were based on these books . The BCC did such a wonderful job with the series and to hear Christopher Timothy, who played the role of James so well, is just the cherry on top. The stories stand the test of time, and honor a bygone era of life. They celebrate the best parts of life and people. I truly cannot recommend not only this story, but all of the Herriot books enough. If you love animals and many different types of people, this series is for you!

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Great story for the whole family.

My wife, children, and I have different interests but we all enjoyed James Herriot's tales of veterinary surgery in Darrowby.

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Really loved it! Worth listening to!

A book one should definitely read with their family. Very memorable, comic and warm moments.

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music annoying

I hated the music in between chapters. Otherwise, it was wonderful! I would definitely recommend this to anyone!

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Awesome

It was great to have the actor who played herriots in the BBC series narrate

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Absolutely Charming

Just the book for us. Warm, witty, and very earthy. Such delightful characters and animal experiences!

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