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karen_unabridged's review against another edition
4.0
Forgot to write a review of this one when I finished and now I don't remember a lot of details. But I know I love all of these books and the stories within. True comfort reading, although they have lead to some awkward moments when I've had to explain to my husband that I'm crying about a long gone cow who died too soon.
gigishank's review against another edition
3.0
When you read these 3 books all in a row, it gets confusing as to what is happening when. This one is more from the perspective of his stint in the war, which was mostly finding out he wouldn't be serving in battle, and his longing and memories of home.
katie_belle's review against another edition
emotional
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-paced
5.0
byrdnash's review against another edition
4.0
I'm continuing my quest to read all the James Herriot books back to back. I picked up the first book when I was 9 and I don't believe I read this one in the series during my childhood. Probably because by the time this one was issued in 1977, my family was going through a major upheaval.
Chapters begin with a paragraph or two of James (aka James Alfred Wight) beginning his WWII service. Most of the chapters quickly segue into an animal case that he remembers so for those who worry this will be a WWII fighting memoir, never fear. Alf never sees active service due to a medical condition.
Instead, the bits and pieces he gives here is about his RAF training, and the war seems quite distant from what he is doing. This is quite in keeping with some fiction at the time - it either delved into all the realness of WWII service, or it practically ignored the war (see PG Wodehouse, and his Jeeves and Wooster, an author that Wight admired).
Wight couldn't avoid discussing the war if he was going to continue the books on the timeline but as he states in the first book: "this won't be about wartime experiences" and it isn't.
While there are plenty of cases of both small and large animals to get stuck in, Herriot gives us more information about his relationship with Helen (who he misses dreadfully), the birth of his son (who later becomes a DVM), and the various people he meets in the RAF, along (naturally) the animal owners he comes into contact with.
This volume actually makes a nice break (but not a major one) and brings some freshness to a series that was growing a slightly stale by book two. While the events aren't strictly biographical (names and dates were changed to protect identities as a vet could not 'advertise' themselves), there are a few cases that don't go well.
This trend continues in the next book, The Lord God Made Them All. Perhaps Wight was growing more comfortable in discussing his character of James Herriot on a more personal level? Or maybe fans wanted this? Regardless, it gives us more of an idea of who Herriot is, his people, and how he feels about them.
By this time in the narrative, it is also becoming clear that James has an inferiority complex and anxiety that produces a lot of self-doubt. While this could be excused in the first, maybe the second book, because he was in the beginning of his practice, by this time we still don't see a man totally secure in is profession. The author was later treated for depression, and an astute reader can see between the lines the insecurity, that perhaps others perceived as modesty, that James feels.
Overall, I found this one more compelling than book two. A must read for those those interested in animal care, the changes happening around the farms in Britain through WWII, and those who love the James Herriot series.
Chapters begin with a paragraph or two of James (aka James Alfred Wight) beginning his WWII service. Most of the chapters quickly segue into an animal case that he remembers so for those who worry this will be a WWII fighting memoir, never fear. Alf never sees active service due to a medical condition.
Instead, the bits and pieces he gives here is about his RAF training, and the war seems quite distant from what he is doing. This is quite in keeping with some fiction at the time - it either delved into all the realness of WWII service, or it practically ignored the war (see PG Wodehouse, and his Jeeves and Wooster, an author that Wight admired).
Wight couldn't avoid discussing the war if he was going to continue the books on the timeline but as he states in the first book: "this won't be about wartime experiences" and it isn't.
While there are plenty of cases of both small and large animals to get stuck in, Herriot gives us more information about his relationship with Helen (who he misses dreadfully), the birth of his son (who later becomes a DVM), and the various people he meets in the RAF, along (naturally) the animal owners he comes into contact with.
This volume actually makes a nice break (but not a major one) and brings some freshness to a series that was growing a slightly stale by book two. While the events aren't strictly biographical (names and dates were changed to protect identities as a vet could not 'advertise' themselves), there are a few cases that don't go well.
This trend continues in the next book, The Lord God Made Them All. Perhaps Wight was growing more comfortable in discussing his character of James Herriot on a more personal level? Or maybe fans wanted this? Regardless, it gives us more of an idea of who Herriot is, his people, and how he feels about them.
By this time in the narrative, it is also becoming clear that James has an inferiority complex and anxiety that produces a lot of self-doubt. While this could be excused in the first, maybe the second book, because he was in the beginning of his practice, by this time we still don't see a man totally secure in is profession. The author was later treated for depression, and an astute reader can see between the lines the insecurity, that perhaps others perceived as modesty, that James feels.
Overall, I found this one more compelling than book two. A must read for those those interested in animal care, the changes happening around the farms in Britain through WWII, and those who love the James Herriot series.
pinkprada's review against another edition
4.0
Still a cozy hug but I think I need a longer break before the next one since while different the stories are similar so this one didn't feel as magical.
annaka_haynes's review against another edition
3.0
As with all of Herriot's books, I found myself reading this one in fits and spurts. To my mind, his works are ideal for that- while there is a gossamer-thin throughline to mark the passage of time, they strike me as collection of anecdotes, so I dip in and out when I'm in the mood. I was less engaged with this book than the previous two, because the skips between RAF service and remembered country life seemed more disruptive, somehow. I would find myself just getting back into the rhythm of country-vet life when I'd be pulled abruptly back into the discouragements of the war. I was also disheartened by the fact that so many stories in this collection seemed to end in loyal animals dying, which is always hard. So-not my favorite, but still good.
mudder17's review against another edition
5.0
These audiobooks are like a warm fire on a chilly winter night. I love listening to him talk about the different Yorkshire characters and about his love for animals, even the orneriest ones. I found myself laughing, commiserating, and even tearing up over his stories. I know this was a completely different time than today, but much of what he observed about human nature remains true today. If you need a little pick-me-up or find yourself in a reading slump, these audiobooks are an excellent way to get back into reading. The best part is that you can start and stop at any time. These books read like a collection of short stories with each chapter representing a story. This book jumped around back and forth in time as he recounted his time in the RAF and his time as a vet, sharing lessons he learned from both experiences, but I didn't find it at all disruptive. I look forward to continuing the series!
jpalfreyman's review against another edition
4.0
Herriott captures my heart again. I wasn't expecting to like this much because it centers around Herriott's experience in World War II with flashbacks to the Yorkshire Dales. There are a few chapters that really standout, including one of Siegfried, which was a highlight.
dotvz's review against another edition
5.0
James Herriot is just a phenomenal story teller. Amazing descriptions and captivating stories. So fun to read aloud.