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)

Furry, Funny, and Fabulous!

I read these books for the first time when I was about 13 years old on the recommendation of a friend and have loved them dearly ever since. James Herriot tells the story of beginning his career as a veterinarian in the Yorkshire Dales, gaining experience with large and small animal practice, learning about the customs and culture of the local people, and falling in love. If you love animals like I do, you will really enjoy these stories he shares with great emotion and humor. If you are interested in the clinical side of veterinary practice, this book shares wonderful vignettes of the medicines and challenges vets used to face. I have laughed until my ribs ached, and cried when his cases didn't go well for the animals, and enjoyed the quirky behavior of his friends the Farnon brothers. There is even romance in this book. All together it is a very well rounded story and well worth the listen/read. Enjoy!

Delightful Story and Narrator

Christopher Timothy does a delightful job narrating a delightful story. The scene toward the end (no spoilers) where James and Siegfried are talking about marriage was so well narrated, I was laughing out loud in my car! But throughout the book, Mr. Timothy skillfully brings life to all the sundry characters in the story. I have put the rest of the Harriott books narrated by Mr. Timothy in my queue.

loved this book

wonderful story and narration. highly recommend this book, it made my daily commute a delight.

Great performance!

This book made me love it's main character so much, and the performance is wonderful. I really enjoyed it. The music was a bit jarring because it happened so randomly, but I really loved the performance and writing. A simple and pleasant book.

Timeless

I remember watching this series when I was growing up and loving it. I’ve since read the first three in the series and still, as I start from the beginning, find myself with a smile on my face and a sense of well being in my heart. These stories are timeless and it was a joy to hear them narrated by Mr. Timothy!

Just as I Remembered

I read this as a teen and loved it. Now, listening as an adult, it was just like revisiting an old friend. Christopher Timothy does a super job reading and bringing James Herriot's words to life. I will be buying the rest of the series.

Delightful

Any additional comments?

I read this book when I was very young and liked it. But that was in the 1970's, so I decided to listen to the audible version now. It was delightful. Often times witty, I loved hearing the stories about people and animals. If you want a light and fun read or listen, this book is wonderful.

Never laughed so much

You won't be able to stop this audiobook. This book will warm your days and in lab and your nights with humor and enjoyment.

Excellent book and fantastic narrative

I have read this book many times. The narrator is excellent and I felt as though l was in Darrowby! I highly recommend this book!

Perfect!

If you read the books and loved the original television series you will love Christopher Timothy’s reading here, Timothy played James Herriot in the series and hearing his voice narrate could not be more perfect. It is amazing how he also does the reading of Sigfried and Tristan in a way that perfectly brings to life those beloved characters as well as a perfect rendition of the accent of the Dales farmers and Mrs Pumphrey. A must listen!