James Herriot's Dog Stories: Warm And Wonderful Stories About The Animals Herriot Loves Best [Hardcover]

James Herriot (Author), Victor G. Ambrus (Illustrator)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 15, 1986

In the years after the publication of All Creatures Great and Small, James Herriot became the most beloved storyteller of our time. The warm and joyful memoirs of his life as a country vet in England's Yorkshire have endeared him to countless readers around the world. In addition to the succeeding volumes in that series-All Things Bright and Beautiful, All Things Wise and Wonderful, The Lord God Made Them All, and Every Living Thing-his writing has appeared in eight children's books and in the special illustrated volumes James Herriot's Yorkshire and The Best of James Herriot. James Herriot's Cat Stories, with more than a million copies in print, became his most popular hardcover ever. And, in this volume, the kindly animal doctor collects fifty of his tales about his very favorite animal-man's best friend.

Herriot tells us that even at an early age "I was fascinated by dogs...I could never quite take dogs for granted. Why were they so devoted to the human race? Why should they delight in our company and welcome us home in transports of joy? Why should their greatest pleasure lie in being with us in our homes and wherever we were?...As a vet I could be with dogs all the time, attending to them, curing their illnesses, saving their lives." And although-as James Herriot was soon to find out-being a vet in the Yorkshire Dales meant caring for cows, sheep, and horses, with precious little time left over for "small animal" practice, somehow dogs continued to play a large pare in both his personal and his professional life.

Here are the complete dog stories form the first four volumes of his memoirs: a handsome collection of tales (some available nowhere else in America) that will warm the hearts of dog lovers around the world. Featuring a special introduction by the author and his own accompanying notes to each story, and warmly illustrated by Victor Ambrus, this tribute from man to dog is a volume no Herriot fan will want to be without.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

YA Readers of Herriot's four classics and viewers of the PBS series will recognize many of these stories, which will still bring a smile or a tear to the eyes of dog lovers. Each of the 50 stories is preceded by a pen-and-ink sketch. Following each story, there are one or two paragraphs of Herriot's philosophy, outlook on life, and reminiscences about the dogs he has known. In these accounts he illustrates the various reactions of the dogs to the vet who treats them, thus providing the psychological side of animal doctoring. Especially interesting and enlightening are the descriptions of treatments given in the '30s as compared to what research has put into the hands of today's vet. A good choice for dog lovers. Mary Wadsworth Sucher, Baltimore County Reading Services
Copyright 1986 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Library Journal

Those awaiting the further adventures of Twicki Woo, the pampered Pekingese, may be disappointed to find only a postscript. Those seeking an excuse to reread selections from the author's popular book quartet ( All Creatures Great and Small , etc.) chronicling his Yorkshire veterinary experiences will be gratified to discover this collection of tales solely about dogs. The repackaging of these stories (some never published in the United States) has not lessened their charm or obscured the author's delightful insight into human and canine character. An optional purchase for limited-budget libraries, but most others should buy to meet the expected demand. Kimberly Megginson, VA Medical Ctr. Lib., Bedford, Mass.
Copyright 1986 Reed Business Information, Inc.

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 13 and up
  
• Hardcover: 464 pages
• Publisher: St. Martin's Press; 1st edition (April 15, 1986)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0312439687
• ISBN-13: 978-0312439682
• Product Dimensions: 9.4 x 6.5 x 1.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.8 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (40 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,500,275 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

34 of 34 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Wags and Woofs - Aye, Dogs are Amazing Creatures, June 10, 2003

By 

Mama Kimmberli "Mama Kimmberli" (Boonies - Southwest, Chicago) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

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This review is from: James Herriot's Dog Stories: Warm And Wonderful Stories About The Animals Herriot Loves Best (Mass Market Paperback)

If you have any passion for animals at all, you will devour this book. It's so sweet and wonderful -- a masterpiece of 20th century literature.

Mr. Herriot was truly a gifted writer. His heart could be felt in every word -- he deeply cared for the animals he doctored over the years. Aside from the endearing tails (pardon the pun), he masterfully described the European countryside, the people who belonged to the pets, the pubs he frequented and his everyday astonishing feats of medical marvelry. Yet he was so humble and down-to-earth. His stories are either tear-jerkers or pant-wetters. More than once I found myself nearly crying during study period at college because I was laughing so hard.

Some of my favorite shorts were "The Card Over the Bed", "Tricki Woo", "Granville Bennett", "Have a Cigar" and "Mrs. Donovan" -- the latter being my favorite. (Mrs. Donovan was a crone who patrolled the streets of Darrowby trying to cure people's animals quite often causing strife for Mr. Herriot.)

The very best thing about this book, aside from it being a quick and easy read, is that the stories are broken up so that you can put it down at any time and come back to it without fear of having lost your place.

James Herriot was the master of animal literature. Never have I encountered a more tasteful writer who so accurately depicted the behavior of dogs. I am a huge animal lover having two cats and a dog of my own. I found amazing similarities between the antics of the dogs showcased in this book and my own golden lab, and reading it made me want to cuddle him closer.

20 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Not for dog lovers only, December 2, 2003

By 

cyclista (the Midwest) - See all my reviews

This review is from: James Herriot's Dog Stories: Warm And Wonderful Stories About The Animals Herriot Loves Best (Mass Market Paperback)

James Herriot's Dog Stories is written by a man who loves both people and animals. The descriptions of people, dogs, and his humble view of himself are an irresistable combination. The accuracy and wit with which he presents people's relationships with their dogs is priceless. When I read this book, I laugh at the eternal goofiness of dogs and also dog people! The sadder stories are written with a balanced view. This book is an amazing collection of short stories. Highly recommended.

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars 50 Warm And Comforting. Hug Your Dog!, August 12, 2006

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SUPPORT THE ASPCA. "PILUM THROWER!" (?????) - See all my reviews

This review is from: James Herriot's Dog Stories (G K Hall Large Print Book Series) (Hardcover)

Do you have a passion for animals? If so, you'll inhale this book. The authors heartfelt emotions can be felt on every page. He clearly adored the animals he cared for over the decades. He described the colorful European countryside, the diverse pets, and the people who owned them in fine detail. Each story is accompanied by an ink sketch that added some warm visuals. My favorite stories were of "Tricki Woo", "Judy The Nurse Dog", "Granville Bennett", and "Cigar." What was nice is that since the stories were broken up, you could not lose your place when you took a break. Yet, I only took one because this was a fast page turner. I have had several dogs in my life and these are the most honest depictions of dog behavior I have read thus far. All animal lovers will enjoy this. Time to hug my dog and adopt another.