A loosely woven collection of humorous, bittersweet, heart-breaking, nostalgic and witty stories of the young Herriot as he takes up his calling and discovers that the realities of veterinary practice in rural Yorkshire are very different from the sterile setting of veterinary school as he tends his patients in the depths of winter on the remotest homesteads to dealing with uncooperative owners and critically ill animals.
This is a book about Harriot's first year as a veterinarian in the English moor country (think "Jane Eyre" and "Wuthering Heights"). Harriot writes simply and directly. I enjoyed reading his stories and was struck by his gentleness with animals and humans. There is a slight story arch throughout the book, but you could almost pick this up and read stories randomly. If you've been to the English Moors in Yorkshire, then you'll be able to clearly picture the landscape in which Harriot operates. If not, he gives you ample details of the harsh, lovely topography and weather. A good book for relaxing.