Young James Herriot: The Making of the World’s Most Famous Vet

John Lewis-Stempel

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Published by BBC Books, part of Ebury Publishing

Format: Paperback

£7.99

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Details

EAN: 9781849902724
Published: 2 Aug 2012

About the book

Synopsis

Set in Glasgow in the 1930s, Young James Herriot is the fascinating story of Herriot’s formative years at veterinary college, recounting the tales behind his calling to work with animals and his early friendships. With no modern drugs, and a lot of trial-and-error, James sets about learning how to treat the local farm animals and the pets of city folk.

Accompanied by a cast of eccentric professors and an ensemble of aspiring veterinarians, this book reveals a world now lost to us, showing how life in pre-war Britain changed an enthusiastic young student named Alf Wight into the man who would charm millions of readers the world over.

Press

What the critics say

A delightful dollop of nostalgia and a reminder of the joy of Herriot's antics.
- Daily Mail

Admirers of Herriot's best-selling novels will find much to enjoy here.
- Choice

A fascinating look at Herriot's childhood and student days.
- Daily Record

Herriot learnt his trade when animal medicine was a profession that 'trialed the faint miasma of witchcraft' about it. It's that hint of magic that made Herriot so famous.
- The Lady

By this author

About the Author

John Lewis-Stempel is the author of a number of books, including Six Weeks, The Autobiography of a British Soldier, England: The Autobiography and The Wild Life. Coming from a long line of farmers and being a farmer himself, John has always had a warm admiration and respect for vets and is a long-time admirer of James Herriot.

James Herriot was the pen name of Alf Wight, who turned to writing after a long career in veterinary medicine. Alf qualified as a vet from Glasgow's Veterinary College in 1939 and moved to Thirsk, Yorkshire. He remained there until his death at the age of 78 in 1995. His experiences as a vet in Yorkshire have been immortalised in a number of internationally best-selling novels, as well as the long-running television series and film adaptation, All Creatures Great and Small.

John Lewis-Stempel