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All Creatures Great and Small #3
Let Sleeping Vets Lie
Full of hilarious tales of his boss Siegfried Farnon, his student brother Tristan, the joys of spring lambing, a cat called Boris and James' jinxed courtship of the lovely Helen, this volume of memoirs is sure to delight old and new James Herriot fans.
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First published January 1, 1973
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About the author
James Herriot
269 books3,402 followersJames Herriot is the pen name of James Alfred Wight, OBE, FRCVS also known as Alf Wight, an English veterinary surgeon and writer. Wight is best known for his semi-autobiographical stories, often referred to collectively as All Creatures Great and Small, a title used in some editions and in film and television adaptations.
In 1939, at the age of 23, he qualified as a veterinary surgeon with Glasgow Veterinary College. In January 1940, he took a brief job at a veterinary practice in Sunderland, but moved in July to work in a rural practice based in the town of Thirsk, Yorkshire, close to the Yorkshire Dales and North York Moors, where he was to remain for the rest of his life. The original practice is now a museum, "The World of James Herriot".
Wight intended for years to write a book, but with most of his time consumed by veterinary practice and family, his writing ambition went nowhere. Challenged by his wife, in 1966 (at the age of 50), he began writing. In 1969 Wight wrote If Only They Could Talk, the first of the now-famous series based on his life working as a vet and his training in the Royal Air Force during the Second World War. Owing in part to professional etiquette which at that time frowned on veterinary surgeons and other professionals from advertising their services, he took a pen name, choosing "James Herriot". If Only They Could Talk was published in the United Kingdom in 1970 by Michael Joseph Ltd, but sales were slow until Thomas McCormack, of St. Martin's Press in New York City, received a copy and arranged to have the first two books published as a single volume in the United States. The resulting book, titled All Creatures Great and Small, was an overnight success, spawning numerous sequels, movies, and a successful television adaptation.
In his books, Wight calls the town where he lives and works Darrowby, which he based largely on the towns of Thirsk and Sowerby. He also renamed Donald Sinclair and his brother Brian Sinclair as Siegfried and Tristan Farnon, respectively. Wight's books are only partially autobiographical. Many of the stories are only loosely based on real events or people, and thus can be considered primarily fiction.
The Herriot books are often described as "animal stories" (Wight himself was known to refer to them as his "little cat-and-dog stories"), and given that they are about the life of a country veterinarian, animals certainly play a significant role in most of the stories. Yet animals play a lesser, sometimes even a negligible role in many of Wight's tales: the overall theme of his stories is Yorkshire country life, with its people and their animals primary elements that provide its distinct character. Further, it is Wight's shrewd observations of persons, animals, and their close inter-relationship, which give his writing much of its savour. Wight was just as interested in their owners as he was in his patients, and his writing is, at root, an amiable but keen comment on the human condition. The Yorkshire animals provide the element of pain and drama; the role of their owners is to feel and express joy, sadness, sometimes triumph. The animal characters also prevent Wight's stories from becoming twee or melodramatic — animals, unlike some humans, do not pretend to be ailing, nor have they imaginary complaints and needless fears. Their ill-health is real, not the result of flaws in their character which they avoid mending. In an age of social uncertainties, when there seem to be no remedies for anything, Wight's stories of resolute grappling with mysterious bacterial foes or severe injuries have an almost heroic quality, giving the reader a sense of assurance, even hope. Best of all, James Herriot has an abundant humour about himself and his difficulties. He never feels superior to any living thing, and is ever eager to learn — about animal doctoring, and about his fellow human creature.
http://us.macmillan.com/author/jamesh...
In 1939, at the age of 23, he qualified as a veterinary surgeon with Glasgow Veterinary College. In January 1940, he took a brief job at a veterinary practice in Sunderland, but moved in July to work in a rural practice based in the town of Thirsk, Yorkshire, close to the Yorkshire Dales and North York Moors, where he was to remain for the rest of his life. The original practice is now a museum, "The World of James Herriot".
Wight intended for years to write a book, but with most of his time consumed by veterinary practice and family, his writing ambition went nowhere. Challenged by his wife, in 1966 (at the age of 50), he began writing. In 1969 Wight wrote If Only They Could Talk, the first of the now-famous series based on his life working as a vet and his training in the Royal Air Force during the Second World War. Owing in part to professional etiquette which at that time frowned on veterinary surgeons and other professionals from advertising their services, he took a pen name, choosing "James Herriot". If Only They Could Talk was published in the United Kingdom in 1970 by Michael Joseph Ltd, but sales were slow until Thomas McCormack, of St. Martin's Press in New York City, received a copy and arranged to have the first two books published as a single volume in the United States. The resulting book, titled All Creatures Great and Small, was an overnight success, spawning numerous sequels, movies, and a successful television adaptation.
In his books, Wight calls the town where he lives and works Darrowby, which he based largely on the towns of Thirsk and Sowerby. He also renamed Donald Sinclair and his brother Brian Sinclair as Siegfried and Tristan Farnon, respectively. Wight's books are only partially autobiographical. Many of the stories are only loosely based on real events or people, and thus can be considered primarily fiction.
The Herriot books are often described as "animal stories" (Wight himself was known to refer to them as his "little cat-and-dog stories"), and given that they are about the life of a country veterinarian, animals certainly play a significant role in most of the stories. Yet animals play a lesser, sometimes even a negligible role in many of Wight's tales: the overall theme of his stories is Yorkshire country life, with its people and their animals primary elements that provide its distinct character. Further, it is Wight's shrewd observations of persons, animals, and their close inter-relationship, which give his writing much of its savour. Wight was just as interested in their owners as he was in his patients, and his writing is, at root, an amiable but keen comment on the human condition. The Yorkshire animals provide the element of pain and drama; the role of their owners is to feel and express joy, sadness, sometimes triumph. The animal characters also prevent Wight's stories from becoming twee or melodramatic — animals, unlike some humans, do not pretend to be ailing, nor have they imaginary complaints and needless fears. Their ill-health is real, not the result of flaws in their character which they avoid mending. In an age of social uncertainties, when there seem to be no remedies for anything, Wight's stories of resolute grappling with mysterious bacterial foes or severe injuries have an almost heroic quality, giving the reader a sense of assurance, even hope. Best of all, James Herriot has an abundant humour about himself and his difficulties. He never feels superior to any living thing, and is ever eager to learn — about animal doctoring, and about his fellow human creature.
http://us.macmillan.com/author/jamesh...
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 159 reviews
October 5, 2018
No two days are ever the same whilst working at Darroby practice, but veterinarian James Herriot wouldn't have it any other way. Working with animals can be such a rewarding job as James knows, but this comes with working long hours at any time of the day or night. Many a night James would crawl into bed wanting to wrap, Helen in his arms after a long and exhausting day only to be interrupted by an emergency call.
Let Sleeping Vets Lie is the third book in the All Creatures Great and Small series and what a delightful, fun and heartwarming book this is.
Any book that, can have you laughing out loud and then crying has got to be a book well worth reading in my opinion. Looking forward to reading the next book in this wonderful series. Highly recommended.
May 30, 2021
Another brilliant addition to the series. I love reading about the trials and tribulations of the people who lived in Yorkshire and the Moors there. It was a tough life and they had very little. I can understand that part of it because I grew up in similar conditions even though it was many years later.
The author does a wonderful job with the story telling once again. I laughed out loud reading this, again! As usual the Siegfried stories are wonderful.
The author does a wonderful job with the story telling once again. I laughed out loud reading this, again! As usual the Siegfried stories are wonderful.
February 4, 2024
I don’t write reviews.
And I’ve never been to England, let alone the Yorkshire Dales. I have, though, spent a good deal of my youth, and all of my adolescence, on the farm, caring for and riding horses. Those were happy days. I close my eyes and can instantly recall it all: the sounds of stall doors and happy whinnies, the smells of hay and animals, the textures of the wooden barns and leather tack, the colours of the sky and leaves. Had circumstances been different, I’d have stayed on the farm always. Herriot welcomes me to visit any time I like. Thank you, sir.
And I’ve never been to England, let alone the Yorkshire Dales. I have, though, spent a good deal of my youth, and all of my adolescence, on the farm, caring for and riding horses. Those were happy days. I close my eyes and can instantly recall it all: the sounds of stall doors and happy whinnies, the smells of hay and animals, the textures of the wooden barns and leather tack, the colours of the sky and leaves. Had circumstances been different, I’d have stayed on the farm always. Herriot welcomes me to visit any time I like. Thank you, sir.
February 24, 2024
The one in which we find peace in the everyday life of the vet - and the dogs and cats and cows and horses and those lovely precious lamb birthings in the Springtime of the Yorkshire Dales.
Udder (lol) euphoric joy.
Udder (lol) euphoric joy.
February 26, 2017
I took a long time reading this book, one by James Herriot I'd never read. I've read all the others and a long time ago, but needed something sweet and gentle from the past to offer some respite from today's news. This fit my wishes beautifully, stories by Herriot about his early days as a vet and the days of courtship with his future wife, Helen. If you need a bit of a pick me up, this is one that will help.
March 9, 2021
"If you don't like james herriot, you're a serial killer."
-Gandhi
^^And he was right.
-Gandhi
^^And he was right.
May 22, 2021
This is the third in the James Herriot series, and just as good as all the other books in this series. In this one we have James and his Helen living in a bedsit on the top floor of the clinic. I chuckled and laughed out loud over and over again as I read about James' exploits in and around Yorkshire. As always James Herriot describes the Yorkshire dales and moors in gorgeous prose. His descriptions of the old Yorkshire farmers and their wives are so wonderfully written that it's like meeting them in real life. For anyone who loves animals, this series is a must-read for you. And I assure you that you won't get bored either. It is always a pleasure to sit back and revel in James Herriot's world. It is a wonderful escape from all the craziness in the world. In this book James has been at Darrowby for two years, and he is making a name for himself in the countryside. His love and affection for animals instils trust in the people he deals with and in his animal patients. I look forward to reading more of these little gems.
July 29, 2010
Needed something light and cheerful to put me to sleep & started this last night...thankfully no nightmares followed - although I did have to read a bit further than when my eyes began to droop - the image of a sheep giving birth wasn't the right place to end the night. I watched the series many years ago and was addicted to Tristram and James and the old vet guy,Seigfreid. Reading this takes me back to less stressful times and I can still hear their voices and mannerisms while reading the dialogue.Made me wish in some ways that I didn't drop out of Zoology. The Yorkshire farmers accents make for some hilarious situations and I think animal lovers and aspiring vets will find the 1939 veterinary styles of medicine much different to today. (Most antibiotics were not invented then so many old fashioned remedies were used and (((often))) worked.)
July 11, 2023
Another sequel in the life of 1930's Veterinarian, James Herriot. James is employed by Siegfried Farnon. The location is set in Darrowby in the Dales of the U.K.
The story concerns the ups and downs of caring for all sorts of animals throughout the small village and the surrounding farms.
James is now dating Helen Alderson from a local, prominent family in the area. Mr. Alderson, however, does not approve of Helen's choice. He prefers she continue to step out with a more successful man like Richard Edmundson.
By close of the story James and Helen marry.
The story concerns the ups and downs of caring for all sorts of animals throughout the small village and the surrounding farms.
James is now dating Helen Alderson from a local, prominent family in the area. Mr. Alderson, however, does not approve of Helen's choice. He prefers she continue to step out with a more successful man like Richard Edmundson.
By close of the story James and Helen marry.
December 12, 2025
4 stars
Let Sleeping Vets Lie is the third wonderful book in the All Creatures Great and Small series by the talented James Herriot.
This takes me back, remembering times when we read these books and watched the TV series with family.
This is James Herriot's biographical work of his life as a vet in the 1940s in Yorkshire. It is fun to see what he went through with not only the animals but also with his clients. I loved the laugh-out-loud moments that are infused in the narrative.
Classic works of a wonderful man and his journey.
Let Sleeping Vets Lie is the third wonderful book in the All Creatures Great and Small series by the talented James Herriot.
This takes me back, remembering times when we read these books and watched the TV series with family.
This is James Herriot's biographical work of his life as a vet in the 1940s in Yorkshire. It is fun to see what he went through with not only the animals but also with his clients. I loved the laugh-out-loud moments that are infused in the narrative.
Classic works of a wonderful man and his journey.
October 14, 2011
Let Sleeping Vets Lie is a fantastic collation of short stories from a series of books by James Herriot. James Herriot was an English vetinary surgeon and writer who unfortunately died in 1995. In this book Herriot speaks of his time in Darrowby and his experience working as a vet during the time. He tells many heart warming stories of miracles he observed and made possible and tragedies he couldnt reverse.
July 5, 2025
Moving to 1930s Yorkshire. Don’t bother looking me up.
June 27, 2021
I'm not sure I can write anything about this third volume of James Herriot's (fictionalised) memoirs that is really that different from the first two. Herriot continues to be in love with the Yorkshire Dales, and with the beautiful Helen, although he seems incapable of wooing her in any sensible way. Somehow though, she sees past all that and decides that she likes him anyway.
Siegfried and Tristan both continue to be true to their established characters, although now that I'm ready for them, they become funny traits that I look forward to seeing. Herriot obviously puts a lot of love into the characterisation of the various folk that he comes into contact with over the course of his practice, both the loveable ones and the not-so-loveable.
This is mostly just very pleasant, light reading with nostalgic fondness for a hard time, long gone. Although in saying that, there are a couple of tear-jerking stories, and I tense up every time that Herriot has to go and visit a dog in the fear that something bad might happen to it.
I'm not really an animal person, and not a country person, but I do find myself enjoying these memoirs a lot.
Siegfried and Tristan both continue to be true to their established characters, although now that I'm ready for them, they become funny traits that I look forward to seeing. Herriot obviously puts a lot of love into the characterisation of the various folk that he comes into contact with over the course of his practice, both the loveable ones and the not-so-loveable.
This is mostly just very pleasant, light reading with nostalgic fondness for a hard time, long gone. Although in saying that, there are a couple of tear-jerking stories, and I tense up every time that Herriot has to go and visit a dog in the fear that something bad might happen to it.
I'm not really an animal person, and not a country person, but I do find myself enjoying these memoirs a lot.
May 9, 2011
Great, great, great. As always. The only thing is, I have been reading his series one after another, gobbling them up like a pig in a swimming pool of scraps, and they are all merging into one. The monk chapter is unrivalled in the comedy factor by any other books I've ever read, ever. It's hard to believe these characters were in fact real people! I wonder if everyone knew a Tristan or a Siegfried equivalent in the thirties... And now, eagerly onto the next Herriot book; expectations are high.
January 12, 2018
Another richly-satisfying read from James Herriot. My husband bought me the box-set for Christmas and he's had to put up with loud laughter (and the odd sob) coming from my side of the bed as he ploughs through our son's book-gift to him: a vast tome by Larry McMurtry! He's a very tolerant man!
May 27, 2013
Funny and heartwarming stories about a rural vet, written in a light and cheerful mood; a thoroughly enjoyable book.
February 5, 2023
James Herriot books are like a warm, comforting bath with the smell of Radox heavy in the air, just inviting you to drift merrily into his world. A soothing balm of a book.
June 19, 2025
This book was certainly amusing and parts of it I really enjoyed. My reason for not enjoying it more is that so many things that I previously thought of as innocent actually contain (albeit possibly unintentionally) elements of harmful abusive medical propaganda. (If you're wondering what I'm talking about, I'm referring to anything to do with the modern fake theory of disease causation and disease testing which became apparent to me working in "healthcare"* during the scam commonly known as covid). From now on I'll likely find this an issue with any book that supports mainstream views on health and disease. Oh well.
*In the country I live in official institutions concerned with this setting have nothing to do with "health" and don't provide "care" so this is really a misnomer.
https://odysee.com/@drsambailey:c/Pla...
*In the country I live in official institutions concerned with this setting have nothing to do with "health" and don't provide "care" so this is really a misnomer.
https://odysee.com/@drsambailey:c/Pla...
February 21, 2021
I realise that when Herriot’s books have some semblance of narrative they are quite impossible to beat. The charm of the Dales life is so alluring that you’d like to move there and see it all for yourself, from the characters to the landscapes. Siegfried continues to be a favourite with his well-meaning, but ultimately hypocritical advice.
The third book is perhaps the best so far because of the emotional heart at its centre and James’ difficult relationship with Helen is resolved in the most pleasant of ways.
I was worried after the dip in quality in the second book that I wouldn’t enjoy the third, but this was such a positive experience from start to finish. An easy 5 stars.
The third book is perhaps the best so far because of the emotional heart at its centre and James’ difficult relationship with Helen is resolved in the most pleasant of ways.
I was worried after the dip in quality in the second book that I wouldn’t enjoy the third, but this was such a positive experience from start to finish. An easy 5 stars.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 10, 2022
Another great collection of vignettes from James Herriot's early years as a vet in Yorkshire. In this book we see the continuation of his courtship with Helen and some more key stories about his friendships with Siegfried and Tristen, along with the usual assortment of stories about animals and their people. Highlights for me were his early encounters with Helen's dad as he tried and failed to make a good impression, his job as the judge for the local fair, and his supervision of the almost too perfect veterinary student Carmody. He also introduces neighboring vet Ewan Ross who he assists on occasion and who seems to be almost a foil character for the overly energetic Siegfried.
May 30, 2023
“I have never driven so slowly to a case. About ten miles an hour with Helen's head on my shoulder and all the scents of spring drifting in through the open window. And it was like sailing from stormy seas into a sweet, safe harbour, like coming home.”
January 28, 2019
Delightfully charming, and surprisingly gory. Excellent combo. I need to go back and (re)read the first two books; this one ended on a beautiful note.
December 31, 2024
-1 ster voor james die de hele tijd praat over hoe sexy alle vrouwen zijn? en waar is siegfried?
March 4, 2025
This series is an absolute joy to read. I think this one has had me smiling the most thus far. He is such a gifted story teller and the way he is able to describe each of the people he meets is so engaging.
August 14, 2020
Jag kanske inte vill bli veterinär, men jag vill definitivt bo på den engelska landsbygden. Intressanta och roliga historier. Önskar att de kunde visa tv-serien i repris igen.
December 14, 2022
author really finding his feet now in rural community
March 12, 2024
Such a lovely series 🥹
December 20, 2020
A truly wholesome easy read. Fascinating stories from a farm vets practice.
September 11, 2024
So many more episodes from author's early years of practice as veterinary surgeon. As tge series title suggests, on many sorts of animals - mostly large ones, like cows, or pigs, but also smaller ones, like cats.
And the and describes his wedding with Hellen, and their first pary of the honeymoon working on certain vaccination on some animals, due ro a sudden order from the authorities. Author pretends he did not remember much from the wedding ceremony; I wonder ... :-)
And the and describes his wedding with Hellen, and their first pary of the honeymoon working on certain vaccination on some animals, due ro a sudden order from the authorities. Author pretends he did not remember much from the wedding ceremony; I wonder ... :-)
January 14, 2008
Loved all the James Herriot books. My parents began to read them when I was maybe 10 or so and they would laugh out loud but I was far too cool to read what my parents did until one day I had a miserable toothache/earache and to take my mind off it I began to read one of this series of books. I too ended up laughing and simply being transported away to a different time, yet with places that seemed comfortingly familiar. (I'm from Yorkshire originally and was living there at this time.) I wrote my first ever fan letter to anyone, to James Herriot, and he replied! I was smitten and even investigated on my own to find out his real name! I also loved how he began to write the books kind of from a dare from his wife! And that he began them later in life. All things encouraging there!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 159 reviews