James Herriot, the pen name of James Alfred Wight, was a renowned British veterinary surgeon and author. Born on October 3, 1916, in Sunderland, England, he graduated from Glasgow Veterinary College in 1939 and spent nearly 50 years practicing in rural Yorkshire. Herriot began writing seriously in his fifties, inspired by his wife Joan, and his first book, If Only They Could Talk, was published in 1970. His works, known for their warmth and humour, have sold millions worldwide and inspired numerous adaptations. Herriot passed away on February 23, 1995, leaving behind a legacy as one of the 20th century’s most beloved storytellers about animals and rural life.
Summary “It Shouldn’t Happen to a Vet” is the second instalment in James Herriot’s beloved series of veterinary memoirs, chronicling his experiences as a young veterinary surgeon in the Yorkshire Dales during the 1930s. The book picks up where its predecessor left off, following Herriot as he continues to navigate the challenges and joys of […]
If Only They Could Talk – Summary James Herriot’s If Only They Could Talk is a heart-warming and humorous memoir chronicling his first year as a newly qualified veterinary surgeon in rural Yorkshire. The book introduces readers to the fictional village of Darrowby, inspired by Thirsk, where Herriot begins his career under the employment of Siegfried
