All Things Wise and Wonderful

The third book in the All Creatures Great and Small memoirs was just as tender and lovely as the precious two books.In this collection, James Herriot reminisces over his time during WWII. Starting from boot camp through his eventual return home, Herriot recounts his experiences and how in most situations, he would be reminded of his experiences in his beloved Yorkshire Dells.Going back in forth in time to bachelorhood and married life, Herriot once again offers up heartfelt, hilarious, and at times heartbreaking stories of the animals and people in his life.As I was reading a first edition copy of this book (a loaner from a dear friend) along with following along with the Audible narration, I did have to skip around the book as the narrator was clearly reading from an updated and revised edition, but that didn’t affect the storytelling in anyway.Actor Nicholas Ralph (who plays James Herriot in the current PBS Masterpiece adaptation of the book series) gives a marvelous performance as the reader of this book. He’s able to affect so many different accents beautifully; from his native Scottish Highland burr, Yorkshire, Queen’s English and everything in-between. What I really enjoyed was his ability to sound exactly like his co-star Samuel West whenever he would speak in Siegfried’s voice.Once again, Herriot’s descriptions are so incredibly visual that sometimes you feel as if you actually roaming those glorious Dells along with him. These books a pure delight and incredibly nourishing for the soul.

I cannot express how wonderful these books are. I am having withdrawal after finishing the Mitford series, but these books give me so many fun loving stories! Thank you Mr. Wight!

This was an awesome book full of humor and so very interesting! I enjoyed the light reading! It was a welcome way to send my attention after having surgery.

Mr. Herriot’s books are simply and unexaggeratedly wonderful. He writes as if he were having a cup of coffee with a friend and telling you about his day. He loved animals (and people), even the prickly or difficult ones. He wrote with humor, compassion, and grace, sharing his experiences in a down-to-earth way that makes his writing so engaging you will want to read everything he wrote. Please do. You won’t regret it.

Heart warming tales of life in the good, old days of a small rural town where folks live a hardy country life.

I’ve heard of these books for decades, but somehow never got around to reading them. I started this one because of a requirement in the Kindle year end contest. I’m so glad I did. I’m a little apprehensive though to try the others now. What will I do if they’re not all as sweet, as innocent, or as poignant as this? I took away one star, but only for the times in the book that I’d wanted a happier ending. Logically I know that a book about a country veterinarian is going to have its tragic moments, but I was raised on fairy tales, and bad things shouldn’t happen to good animals, or good people either! But please try this book despite its 4star rating. It is a relaxing read for anyone raised in the country farm setting, and not afraid of the many, many references to animal bums, or veterinarians arms shoulder deep therein! Having said that, it is also a book written with great sensitivity to both human and animal natures, and their often similar reactions to the same incidents. It is in these moments that we are made to see how great our need for animal companionship, and that truly One Creator Made us all.

This memory laden biography of Harriet’s life is just as fresh as when I read it decades ago. I hope you enjoy the series as much as I have.

I am so happy with my purchase of "All Things Wise and Wonderful" from you. The book looked almost brand new. Thank you for taking such good care of the book. Beverly Cho

Another wonderful collection of stories from James Herriot! Just like "Great and Small", this is a delightful, beautifully written book which I found very hard to put down. Herriot 's love of his work, the animals he treats, his colleagues at Skeldale House and most of all, the amazing countryside around him, shine through with great warmth on every page. One of the beauties of the book is that every chapter tells a different story, so the reader never loses interest. James Herriot must surely rank amongst the top three authors in Britain and I would recommend that everyone - and I mean everyone - should read this book. It's interesting, fun and truly captivating

Laugh out loud, lovely, gentle, heart-warming book. This is the 3rd one in the series, and is every bit as enjoyable as the first two. If you watched and liked the TV dramatisation based on these memoirs (from the 1970's I think), you will adore these books. If you didn't, you've missed a treat - but read the books: you'll surely love them. Smiling away to myself just writing about them.

40 years ago I read my first James Herriot book and have been hooked ever since. I've read them all several times over the years.,in paperback and some in hardback and now rereading again on my kindle. Always a delight. If you love animals,the countryside and people you'll love these and learn of many things you didn't know from history, especially the weird and wonderful medicines and treatments , many of which were used by human doctors too I expect.

Reading this omnibus edition of James Herriot's memoirs brought back to me Sunday nights, watching All Creatures Great and Small when I was a child. I never realised how closely the television series followed the stories in the books until I started reading and could visualise specific scenes from the programme. I really enjoyed this trip down memory lane, both in terms of reading about the past and experiencing my own childhood memories. Wonderful.

After a 50 year gap since first reading these books, they still have all the charm and humour I first found. Wonderful characters, heartstrings stories and a window into a time and place that is now sadly lost. Highly recommended!