James Herriot's Animal Stories [Hardcover]

James Herriot (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 15, 1997

When you enter the world of James Herriot's Animal Stories, you’ll share his wonder and humor, his adventures and misadventures as he contends with pet owners and landowners; rough-spoken farmers and soft-spoken gentry; orphaned lambs, litters of piglets and puppies, cattle and draught horses; and a miscellany of cats and dogs including, of course, Mrs. Pumphrey’s inimitable Pekinese, Tricki Woo.

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

A new critter collection from the visionary vet; the first printing is 500,000 copies.
Copyright 1997 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Kirkus Reviews

The Herriot industry never sleeps. Here is a repackaging of ten of the amiable Yorkshire vet's stories, drawn from several of his bestselling volumes, including All Creatures Great and Small (1972) and All Things Bright and Beautiful (1974). Featuring an introduction by Herriot's son (who took over his practice), and color illustrations by Lesley Holmes, the collection serves as a succinct reminder of the reasons for Herriot's success: his clear love of animals, his ability to match a droll wit (often exercised at his own expense) with lively sketches of shrewd country people, and his great skill at keeping his tales short and to the point. Fans won't need the volume, though newcomers may find it a useful introduction. (Literary Guild alternate selection) -- Copyright ©1997, Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 160 pages
• Publisher: St. Martin's Press; 1st edition (August 15, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0312168748
• ISBN-13: 978-0312168742
• Product Dimensions: 7.6 x 5.2 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #176,821 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Perfect Gift, July 23, 2009

By 

R. Schultz (Chicago) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: James Herriot's Animal Stories (Hardcover)

Even people who have everything, especially shelves already full of books - would still appreciate receiving this little volume. It's a slender sampler of some of Herriot's stories from his career as a veterinarian in the Yorkshire Dales in the 1930's.

It's of course still better to get Herriot in his entirety - the whole of "Creatures Great and Small" and its sequels. However, if you just don't have time for that quantity of reading, as enjoyable as that would be - then a book like this is the ideal solution. It's the perfect bedside companion.

The stories selected for this volume don't include any mention of Siegfried or Tristan, the founding proprietors of the veterinary office. The book concentrates on Herriot alone, out in the field with his Dales patients. There are no tragic endings in this selection, so it would make a good book for young children and for adults who want an escape from sadness for a while. It does include a story about Herriot's most famous patient, the inimitable Tricki Woo, (let's see, is he to be addressed as "Esquire" or "Master?), the cosseted lapdog from whom so many benefits flowed.

Herriot's son wrote an introduction to the book, reminding us that the real family name is "Wight." His introduction also reminds us of the real name and location of what became "Skeldale House," a slight displacement practiced to somewhat disguise the real identities of the people who appeared in these pages.

Each story is wonderfully illustrated with a watercolor painting or two done in sepia and muted earth tones. At first glance, these illustrations might seem to be a little too understated. We are used to more vivid special effects. But as you begin to steep in each of these stories in turn, you'll probably feel that the pictures strike just the right note after all. They illustrate the quiet joys to be found driving through all the seasons of the Yorkshire Dales.

5.0 out of 5 stars James Herriot's Animal Stories CD, February 26, 2009

By 

Gardener (Mahomet, Illinois United States) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: James Herriot's Animal Stories (Audio CD)

It's excellent. The best stories, heartwarming, funny; a nice introduction from Herriot's son. If you are a fan, this should be in your collection.

1 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I love this audio book!, May 8, 2009

By 

Mary Cay (Murrieta, CA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: James Herriot's Animal Stories (Audio CD)

This is a wonderful audio book. It's really nice having Timothy Christopher, the actor who played James Herriot in the televison series read the book. It's fun and exactly what I wanted.