The Wonderful World of James Herriot is a recent audiobook release narrated by Nicholas Ralph. ❤️ At first I was disappointed, as the slightly fictionalized stories are a rehash taken directly from the original All Creatures series. However, there is an introduction to each story, giving the reader a factual glimpse into what really happened during that time period. I ended up really enjoying this cozy feel-good audio.

For anyone who has not read anything by James Herriot before, I think this audiobook compilation would make a great introduction to his stories. They aren't all sappy either. Most are true to life, with a touch of humor. Plus, I appreciate the author always used correct medical terminology to describe his veterinary related events. ( )

The Wonderful World of James Herriot by James Herriot is a charming collection of stories. I enjoy watching All Creatures Great and Small which is why I wanted to read the stories that inspired the series. I enjoyed the introduction written by the author’s adult children, Jim Wright and Rosie Page. I like that the author provides context before each chapter. I found the book to be easy to read. We are taken back to a simpler time with this collection of tales. The author’s descriptions of the Yorkshire Dales allowed me to envision them. I could see the rolling countryside with the farms. I love the characters (James, Helen, Mrs. Hall, the Farnon brothers). The veterinarians addressed a variety of issues. They treated cats, dogs, cows, horses, pigs, goats, and more. I am amazed at the medical issues they addressed. If you are squeamish, some of the descriptions will be off putting (I skimmed through some of these sections). This is a lovely collection of stories. You can read one or all of them. I enjoyed this trip to the past where you can see Herriot’s love for people and animals. ( )

i normally don't read abridged versions or excerpts from books and wouldn't have picked this up had i known that this is largely that. but i'm glad, in the end, that i did. because honestly i wasn't going to read h is 7 or so books, and this gives me a little taste of most of them and of him and his life and stories. it also comes with explanatory commentary to let us know, before the passage from his book is read, what was going on in his life at the time. so i feel like i have a little summary and snippets of his stories and writing that i wouldn't have before, and that has made me appreciate what he did and his writing. if you've read him before, there is no point to this, but it's a lovely little introduction or a good overview, and i'm glad to have read it. ( )

In a world where the pace of life seems to be ever-accelerating, James Herriot's stories offer a delightful escape to a simpler time, reminding us of the beauty and profound connections that can be found in the most ordinary and extraordinary moments of life. The Wonderful World of James Herriot is a treasure trove of these moments, making it an essential addition to any bookshelf and a testament to the enduring legacy of a remarkable author. ( )

For readers who were enamored with Herriot’s works, this aptly titled book brings it all back for us. We revisit a simpler, more innocent time, with a pastoral landscape, unruly farm animals, various characters (and their crazy antics!) and rugged but generous farmers with their strong Yorkshire accents. We learn of the real people behind the characters in the books, and what many of the stories were based upon. This includes good sections of the original writing from the books (including many humorous bits), many of which I had remembered (to my surprise). The chapters could work as standalone essays, as they are not in sequential order. They cover topics such as the landscape, the townsfolk, the visiting veterinary students, and the various types of animals that were cared for.

There is also the interesting historic component to the book, notably in relation to veterinary medicine. We start off in an era before antibiotics, and it is interesting to learn of how basic animal medicine was prior to that time. With technology, draught horses were replaced by tractors. And women didn’t wear pants.

I was provided with an ARC (thanks to the author & publisher!) and I am voluntarily posting my honest review. ( )