All Things Bright and Beautiful: The Warm and Joyful Memoirs of the World's Most Beloved Animal Doctor

Written by James Herriot

Narrated by Christopher Timothy

The basis for the PBS Masterpiece series and the second volume in the multimillion copy bestselling series.

Millions of readers have delighted in the wonderful storytelling and everyday miracles of James Herriot in the fifty years since his animal stories were first introduced to the world.

All Things Bright and Beautiful is the beloved sequel to Herriot's first collection, All Creatures Great and Small, and picks up as Herriot, now newly married, journeys among the remote hillside farms and valley towns of the Yorkshire Dales, caring for their inhabitants—both two- and four-legged. Throughout, Herriot's deep compassion, humor, and love of life shine as we laugh, cry, and delight in the portraits of his many varied animal patients and their equally varied owners.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Macmillan Audio
• Release date: Mar 1, 2003
• ISBN: 9781593971748

James Herriot

James Herriot (1916–1995) was the pen name of James Alfred “Alf” Wight, an English veterinarian whose tales of veterinary practice and country life have delighted generations. Many of Herriot’s works—including All Creatures Great and Small, All Things Bright and Beautiful, All Things Wise and Wonderful, The Lord God Made Them All, and Every Living Thing—became international bestsellers and have been adapted for film and television. Herriot’s stories rely on numerous autobiographical elements taken from his life in northern England’s Yorkshire County, and they depict a simple, rustic world deeply in touch with the cycles of nature.

Reviews for All Things Bright and Beautiful

[Helena Du Toit · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

very good but they do blaspheme every now and then ? but I just block ? it out

[Sarah Melissa Lee · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Wonderful how the author manage to express his stories to his audience.. i could stop listening to the audio book

[Sheron Perry · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This man is so pleasant to hear from! He describes processes, people, animals and places so well that you feel that you are there. It’s a great lesson in history also. I’m a better person from reading this book.

[Mick Marchant · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I was lucky enough to grow up around the Yorkshire Dales and James Herriot always brings those loving Memories Back To Me with tears and smiles. Thank you very much.

[Gay Gasper · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

OMG, love this book, never wanted to end! Loved the reader.

[jamesmscott-1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Heartwarming in the best possible way. A gallery of vignette-sized stories of Herriot's (Alf Wight's) farm & house calls over an extended career as a country veterinarian in the Yorkshire region. An education on animal husbandry, the moors and hills of his homeland, and, most tellingly, life. I will certainly read another of his collections, and I discovered his son wrote a loving biography, which also makes the tbr list.

[boppisces · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

The second book in this newly released classic series from James Herriot. Now living in Darrowby and recently married to Helen, this book continues his exploits on the Yorkshire Dales as he deals with the sometimes hilarious incidents he stumbles into during his entertaining veternary career. Absolutely loving the fantastic new covers!

[norabelle414 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

More tales of James Herriot’s adventures as a rural veterinarian in Yorkshire in the 1920s and 30s. Featuring cats, dogs, horses, sheep, cows, pigs, and a goldfish.

I didn’t love this collection as much as the first. It’s a bit disjointed and not many of the stories are memorable. Although sometimes he tells a few stories with a similar theme (his boss Mr. Farnan being hypocritical, farmers being mercurial and not trusting him, everyone being drunk, women being attractive, incredibly reckless driving) they are not in any particular chronological order, which isn’t very motivating to keep reading. Fine to have in the background but not a must-read. I do really enjoy Christopher Timothy as a narrator, he does about 3 or 4 different accents which is plenty.

[yukon92 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Still as good as the first time reading it as a child!

[jennybeast · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I remember my dad giving me these books for a birthday or xmas fairly early on, and I've loved them and returned to them ever since. Just re-listened to the excellent audio book version. _- love the accents, the humor, the wonderful setting, and the compassion to animals. Great storytelling.

[jtsolakos · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Although I enjoyed Mr. Herriot's first book, this one seemed like more of the same ole, same ole. It is a bit choppy, out of context. Sometimes he is married, sometimes he is not. Sometimes it is winter, the next day it is the heat of summer. It is an O.K. read. Just know, nothing new.

[debs4jc · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

One of my all time favorites. I love the depiction of a slower pace of life, the scenes of caring for animals, and the vivid description of the people he encountered. He also waxes poetic about the countryside and I love those parts too. Picking one of this series up is like having a gentle breeze wash over you and blow some of the craziness of life away.

[jeanbmac · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Such a lovely book.

[fredreeca · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This is a collection of stories about a small town veterinarian, James Herriot. I laughed, I cried and I even know some of these people in these tales! I was captivated from start to finish.

I loved this audiobook! The narrator is fantastic with his perfect accent! Totally made the whole book.

You do not want to miss the antics involved in this heart warming read! The animals and their owners will keep you entertained!

I received this novel from the publisher for a honest review.

[jetangen4571 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

historical, hilarious, Yorkshire, veterinarian, memoir, nonfiction, 1930s, short-stories, rural, village*****

I can't think why I haven't read this marvelous book before! It's a lot of fun and I like the way he tells how it was when he was starting out in practice but also how the improvements in veterinary medicine have helped the domesticated animals. He relates his own foibles as he deals with the varied human characters as well as the others.
This program is read by Nicholas Ralph, star of the new PBS Masterpiece series and his interpretation is wonderful! I love listening to him as he portrays Herriot and everyone else.
I requested and received a free audio copy from MacMillan Audio via NetGalley. Thank you!

[aldusmanutius · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Call me an old softy, but I find these books heartwarming.

[maydacat_1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

No one else captures the life of a country vet better than James Herriot. In this collection of tales, the reader is treated to a variety of animals in many circumstances, from the most mundane nail trimming to the most dire where nothing can save them. But more often than not, James’ patients pull through, sometimes surprising even the doctor. We are also privy to a bit of James’ private life, as he courts his wife-to-be Helen. Well told and highly entertaining, these tales are classic.

[librarycin · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

This is Herriot's second book about his vet practice in rural England in the 1930s. This one starts just after he has married Helen and ends with him joining the Air Force (presumably just before the war?). At this point, he is trying to expand the practice (which includes brothers, Siegfried and Tristan) to include more small animals (pets).

He is such a great storyteller! Not only does he include stories about the animals he treated, but he has stories about the people, in general. You can tell how much he loved living in the rural area, and he has plenty of humour in his stories. I really enjoyed this one, as well.

[cheryl_in_cc_nv · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

These four books were the first I read from the adult section of the tiny town library I grew up with. Still remember them fondly - still don't want to be involved in animal husbandry or to have a pet. That universality of appeal is a large part of their genius.

[njgrandmalinda · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

SUPER! Gotta be one of the best-loved series - ever! No objectionable language or sexual situations. I listen to this series once per year, usually in the winter when the short days get depressing.

[mariesreads · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I LOVE LOVE LOVE this book! James Herriot is a veterinarian in England. He writes about his personal life and his work with the animals and the animal owners. He is SO funny. He can write about the most mundane things and make it a hilarious anecdote. You can tell by his writing that he cares about the animals and the people in his life and life in general.

[miketopper · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

who wouldn't want to become a vet in the yorkshire dales after reading this book?

[debbiemccauley-2 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

The second book in this newly released classic series from James Herriot. Now living in Darrowby and recently married to Helen, this book continues his exploits on the Yorkshire Dales as he deals with the sometimes hilarious incidents he stumbles into during his entertaining veternary career. Absolutely loving the fantastic new covers!

[jeremypreacher · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Pretty much exactly the same as All Creatures Great and Small, just with new stories. Sometimes predictable is good.

[davelaw_1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

collection of anecdotal animal storuies from the life of James Herriott (Alf Wight). Often hilarious, sometimes poignant the stories bring to life the world of pre-world war 2 rural Yorkshire. I have often laughed out loud at some of the stories and I would strongly recommend to anyone who wants a "happy" read.

[sylvester2u · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I discovered Herriot's books several years ago. He has since become my all time favorite author! I have collected all of his adult books in hardcover and purchased all of the childrens works for my children. Wonderful storyteller for animal lovers. You cannot go wrong with any one of his books.

[kurtankeny · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

Again, another charming set of stories from James Herriot. I liked this one and didn't find the stories to be as repetitive as the last volume. I still think this is one of those things best read a chapter per night to the little ones in the house. But, as we don't have any little ones just yet, that will have to wait.

[kurtankenybeauchamp · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

Again, another charming set of stories from James Herriot. I liked this one and didn't find the stories to be as repetitive as the last volume. I still think this is one of those things best read a chapter per night to the little ones in the house. But, as we don't have any little ones just yet, that will have to wait.

[t1bnotown · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

As in all of Herriot's books, this one is filled with a variety of stories that are primarily humorous and uplifting. This book comes out a little disjointed, because it goes back and forth between Herriot's early married life, his courtship, and earlier with sometimes shaky transitions. The stories are wonderful, of course, and if you like the other books, you're sure to love this one, too.

[emscape · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

British Veterinarian, James Herriot, warms the heart and stimulates laughter with his second collection of autobiographical tales of his practice in the Yorkshire dales. It continually amazes me that Herriot is apparently just as skilled with a pen as he is a scalpel or syringe. Even 80 years after the occurrence of these events, his stories are captivating and strangely relevant.