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

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)

One of sweetest stories ever told

James Herriot’s stories are full of self-deprecating humor and good will. This is a rare book that the entire family will enjoy sitting around the fireplace and reading together, particularly if that family is populated with animal lovers.

Delightful

As a fan of the BBC series I could not be more thrilled. I loved every moment spent with the”salt of the Earth” people brought to life herein.

Entertaining

This story is interesting and humorous.
Wonderfully written. Perfectly preformed.
I will be reading more.

Wonderful story

I don’t know how I missed it first time around and I thank PBS for bringing it to my intention. I am loving both versions, the written memoir and the screenplay version. Great story, don’t miss it!!

Enjoyable Listen

Enjoyed listening. the narrator was great. some of the stories were squeamish but overall A very enjoyable listen.

A Nice Story with LOTS of good parts

I started reading this book over 20 years ago, but never finished so came back to close it out. The story is fun and has Lots of fun (you literally laugh out loud) and heart felt parts. If your an animal lover (Dogs and cats specifically) it will be hard not to tear-up at parts. Overall I liked it, but realized it was more of a collection of experiences compared to a full story with a standard conflict, resolution, and ending.

The best (and funniest) memoir I've ever read

What did you love best about All Creatures Great and Small?

The sweetness of the whole affair - the innocence and caring of Mr. Herriott. And of course, the characters, which are unforgettable.

What did you like best about this story?

This is one of only three books I've ever read that time and again, made me put the book down because I was laughing so hard. Herriott never works too hard to be precious or twee, the humor arises perfectly out of the situation.

Have you listened to any of Christopher Timothy’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

This is the only one I've listened to, but he handled the many accents with aplomb.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

I only turned it off when I had to.

Great!

I was looking for something happy and light. I just finished it and am excited to start the next one!

15 Hours Well Spent

I was an ardent fan of the PBS series - I very much enjoyed this wonderful book and highly recommend it!

Beautifully written and narrated - top choice

This is one of my favorite audiobooks ever. Warm tales of humanity infused with humor, local color, rich characters. Go for it