• Never Turn Your Back on an Angus Cow

  • My Life As a Country Vet
  • By: David Fisher, Dr. Jan Pol
  • Narrated by: Tom Perkins
  • Length: 8 hrs and 41 mins
  • 4.7 out of 5 stars (326 ratings)

Prime logo Prime members: New to Audible?
Get 2 free audiobooks during trial.
Pick 1 audiobook a month from our unmatched collection.
Listen all you want to thousands of included audiobooks, Originals, and podcasts.
Access exclusive sales and deals.
Premium Plus auto-renews for $14.95/mo after 30 days. Cancel anytime.
Never Turn Your Back on an Angus Cow  By  cover art

Never Turn Your Back on an Angus Cow

By: David Fisher, Dr. Jan Pol
Narrated by: Tom Perkins
Try for $0.00

$14.95/month after 30 days. Cancel anytime.

Buy for $15.47

Buy for $15.47

Pay using card ending in
By confirming your purchase, you agree to Audible's Conditions of Use and Amazon's Privacy Notice. Taxes where applicable.

Publisher's summary

Dr. Jan Pol is not your typical veterinarian. Born and raised on a dairy farm in the Netherlands, he is the star of Nat Geo Wild's hit show The Incredible Dr. Pol and has been treating animals in rural Michigan since the 1970s. Dr. Pol's 20,000-plus patients have ranged from white mice to 2,600-pound horses and everything in between. From the time he was 12 years old and helped deliver a litter of piglets on his family's farm to the incredible moments captured on his hit TV show, Dr. Pol has amassed a wealth of stories of what it's like caring for this menagerie of animals. He has established himself as an empathetic yet no-nonsense vet who isn't afraid to make the difficult decisions in order to do what's best for his patients - and their hard-working owners. Reminiscent of the classic books of James Herriot, Never Turn Your Back on an Angus Cow is a charming, fascinating, and funny memoir that will delight animal lovers everywhere.

©2014 Jan Pol and David Fisher (P)2014 Tantor

Critic reviews

"America's favorite veterinarian." ---Scratch magazine

What listeners say about Never Turn Your Back on an Angus Cow

Average customer ratings
Overall
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    270
  • 4 Stars
    36
  • 3 Stars
    10
  • 2 Stars
    8
  • 1 Stars
    2
Performance
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    218
  • 4 Stars
    41
  • 3 Stars
    15
  • 2 Stars
    6
  • 1 Stars
    3
Story
  • 5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    240
  • 4 Stars
    28
  • 3 Stars
    11
  • 2 Stars
    4
  • 1 Stars
    1

Reviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.

Sort by:
Filter by:
  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Definitely going to listen to again!

I love the TV show so I figured I'd be entertained by the book, but let me tell you it exceeded my expectations. I loved all the stories most of all, but it was also cool how Dr. Pol got candid and talked about some behind the scenes stuff. I liked how he was honest about how he felt and why when he talked about being reported for treatment another vet thought was wrong. I also liked how he said multiple times that animals are not like humans and should not be treated like humans. it sounds weird out of context, so have a listen and see what he's talking about. most importantly I love how Dr. Pol loves animals and how it really does show in all his stories. I definitely recommend this book for a fun and sometimes educational read!

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

11 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    3 out of 5 stars

A Fun Read

I have never watched the television show “The Incredible Dr. Pol” on the National Geographic Channel. Until I read this book, I had never heard of Dr. Pol. Jan Pol was born and educated in the Netherlands. He has been a veterinarian in Michigan since the 1970s.
The book is well written and tells the story of his life as a large animal vet. Pol does a good job describing what the life of a vet is like and how it has changed since the 1970s. He states there are less small farms now than in the 70s. Therefore, he does more small animal vs large animal veterinary work now.

I found the book an enjoyable read and learned what it was like being a large animal vet. He told some great stories about cows and horses. There is some repetition in the book that the editors should have removed. The quality of writing does not match that of James Herriot, but it is highly readable.

The book is almost nine hours. Tom Perkins does a great job narrating the book. Perkins is an award-winning audio-engineer for over forty years. Now also narrating audiobooks.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

6 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Fun book about the day to day life of a vet

What did you love best about Never Turn Your Back on an Angus Cow?

I laughed often at this book. The stories were really wonderful. My only criticism is that my stomach was a little squeamish during parts. That's a personal problem though and most would find no issue with the details of some of the cases.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Dr. Pol - he is warm and caring and compassionate with the animals but can be tough as nails when it's in the best interest of the animal and the farmer.

What about Tom Perkins’s performance did you like?

I enjoyed his reading a lot but I think that the audiobook might have been better in Dr Pol's own voice.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

I really liked how Dr Pol said that the show brought his son and himself closer together. I thought that was very sweet.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

6 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    2 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    2 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    2 out of 5 stars

Does Not Nearly Do Justice For Dr Pol

We are dairy farmers, or at least my husband is. As a commuter, I listen to a lot of audio books. And, since I never miss an episode of Dr Pol, I was thrilled to learn he had written a book. But something unpleasant happened along the way. Perhaps it was the writer, or perhaps it is Dr Pol's story just doesn't translate, or, maybe it was the narrator but whatever it was, something didn't gel.

I almost didn't leave a review and it is my hope that it was just me, but I have committed to write honest reviews, from MY own point of view, so there you have it. Others may find it wonderful and I actually hope so.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

5 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars
  • L2
  • 08-21-16

What a breath of fresh air Dr Pol is!

This is at least my fourth listen to the book. I wish I had access to NatG these days. I miss the show.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

4 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Good wholesome real life story.

Loved hearing about Dr Pol's real life. We have truly enjoyed hearing it while we travel around doing errands. More
People should love their jobs so -

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

4 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Perfect for a pre-vet student

As someone that is pursuing a career as a DVM- like the show, this book offers a good depth of the profession. It's cool to here about Dr. Pol and his life.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

4 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    3 out of 5 stars

Dr. Pol

Stories and opinions of the kind TV vet.
Book sounded like him, even though it was not in his voice.
enjoyable to listen and learn more about him, his family and of course the animals.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

3 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Love the show and the book

Would you listen to Never Turn Your Back on an Angus Cow again? Why?

I would listen to this one again.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Well, Dr. Pol of course. I am an animal lover and own several, if Dr. Pol was my local vet I would hire him everytime. Im a fan of the show and so happy this book was written. He has led a wonderful life doing what he loves and it shows in his energy and sense of humor.

Which character – as performed by Tom Perkins – was your favorite?

Narration was fine but I wish that Dr. Pol could have read this himself. I like the accent very much.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

When he discussed his feelings about euthanasia. Its the hardest emotional issue any pet owner may have to face at sometime and it was nice to know Dr. Pol sympathizes with these choices too as he had to make this choice even for his own pets.

Any additional comments?

Dr. Pol Rocks. If you like the show you need to read this.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

3 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

cute good book love the show

if you have seen the show you should read the book. It has a little insight on how the show got started. Dr. Plls history on how he became a vet and well it was very interesting. I enjoyed it very much.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

1 person found this helpful