Did you read All Creatures Great and Small?

Question

It is a wonderful book by James Herriot who started his career as a veterinarian in Yorshire. I loved reading about him and the animals he treated. I first read it in the early 70's and have read it over again many times. He had much insight about people as well as animals.

What brought this up: I noticed another "do my homework for me" question by a student who had obviously not read All Creatures Great and Small. Will she ever realize what she is missing by not reading the good books? Were we really that much different in our youth?

I'm rambling away from the subject. Dear Senior Citizen section friends...... Any comments about the book? I'd love to hear from you.

Answer 1

I read it, many years ago (I'm 52 - not quite a "senior" but this group is a good fit for me in some ways). I think people of any age who don't read are missing a lot. I don't know that we were all that different; we just didn't have all the options that kids today have.

Answer 2

I read the whole series of James Herriot books when I was a teen in the 70s. They are to this day the best books I have ever read. They have you laughing one minuet and crying the next! What a wonderful testament to a wonderful, kind and caring man! So happy to hear from someone else who has read them. =)

Answer 3

I am an avid reader, but never read Herriot's book. I did, however, watch and enjoy the television series a number of years ago. This is one old show that should be revived for the benefit of people who need to know that people have more heart, more depth and life has more meaning than is shown on most TV channels today.

Answer 4

Yes. I have read the whole series by James Herriot. I also read excerpts of the books to my children. I love those stories!

Answer 5

That was one the sweetest books I ever read. I also read the sequel when he was married. I think it was "All things Bright and Beautiful" (obviously he named his books from the poem).
All things bright and beautiful, all creatures great and small, all things wise and wonderful, the Lord God made them all.

They actually made a movie of the first book and it was charming but not as interesting as the book. I learned a lot about veterinary medicine from that book.

Thanks.

Answer 6

I did read the books and throughly enjoyed the British series based on these books..I wish they would show them again....It ran for a long time on PBS.

You can buy it now on DVD, here at Amazon


http://www.amazon.com/All-Creatures-Great-Small-Collection/dp/B0009298NO

I still prefer the nice feel of a good book, rather than TV....I read a lot. My biggest clutter problem is books and clothes...I can't seem to let go of either.

Answer 7

I read a few of them a long, long time ago. And I used to like catching the British series once in awhile on PBS (I think it was).

I almost became of Vet because of those books, but decided on human medicine instead.

Answer 8

The whole series is wonderful. It seems that too many kids want the easy way out nowadays. It's especially sad when it come to reading when they could be enjoying a whole different world.

Answer 9

I read the whole series and absolutly loved the books. They had a movie on the books on A & E. Very cute, humerous books to read, totally delightful

Answer 10

I adored all Herriot's books. I, too read them when they first came out and have reread them several times. My older children were introduced to them also. I beleive Reader's Digest had them in condensed form also.