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The Yorkshire Vet: In The Footsteps of Herriot
The life story of vet Peter Wright, as he walked in the footsteps of the famous ‘James Herriot’, from work experience with him as a lad – to taking over his practice in the beautiful Yorkshire Dales.
Packed full of laugh-out loud moments, heartbreaking stories and transporting tales of his love for working with the animals and people of this breath-taking part of the country.
Covering his bucolic childhood growing up on a farm right through to the heady days of his successful Channel 5
TV series, Peter’s warm nature and professional attitude shine through every page.
Packed full of laugh-out loud moments, heartbreaking stories and transporting tales of his love for working with the animals and people of this breath-taking part of the country.
Covering his bucolic childhood growing up on a farm right through to the heady days of his successful Channel 5
TV series, Peter’s warm nature and professional attitude shine through every page.
275 pages, Paperback
Published June 21, 2019
88 people are currently reading
367 people want to read
About the author
Peter Wright
4 books18 followersPeter Wright, BVSc, MRCVS
Peter qualified from the Univeristy of Liverpool in 1981 and has worked at Skeldale for longer than he cares to admit! He worked with Alf White and Donald Sinclair, the original James Herriot and Siegfried Farnon, and enjoys telling the younger vets tales from his time with them which leaves them wondering if he ever made an appearance in the James Herriot books!
Peter qualified from the Univeristy of Liverpool in 1981 and has worked at Skeldale for longer than he cares to admit! He worked with Alf White and Donald Sinclair, the original James Herriot and Siegfried Farnon, and enjoys telling the younger vets tales from his time with them which leaves them wondering if he ever made an appearance in the James Herriot books!
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 73 reviews
August 9, 2020
After reading all the books over the years written by James Herriot who practised as a vet in Thirsk, just up the road from where I live, there came the local news that a TV series of documentaries was going to be made of Herriot's practice, now run by his son and Herriot's original trainee, Peter Wright plus another young vet Julian Norton. I loved these TV documentaries. The Vets treated the local farm animals and also small animals from Thirsk residents were all treated by the vets. Peter was the senior partner and the local farmers were the salt of the earth. Peter's love of his job and his clients shone out and his personality is gentle and so caring with the sick animals he treated. Eventually Peter began to write books about his life and this is one of them. I highly recommend both the TV documentaries and Peter's books. The younger vet Julian Norton who was originally part of the practice but has now begun another vetinary practice in a nearby village along with his wife who is also a vet. I highly recommend any lovers of the country and animals to view the documentaries, read Peter's book and get to know this gentle man with a lovely zest for his life who is loved by all his clients (and by many of his patients too.)
May 12, 2022
I Need Some Yorkshire Pudding Now
It must be nice to live near this veterinarian as wellAs to have known James Harriet who was once this author’s boss. I have read all of James Harriet’s books and loved them dearly. I would have loved to be able to say that I loved this book as well, but it is more of a memoir, just as it says, and as a memoir it is filled with too much sadness at times.
The camera was on Peter. He had just performed a castration on a dog and was now holding up the dog’s. testicles. This was of no interest to me, as I saw myself back in high school when I thought that I wanted to become a veterinarian. I would go to vet school in Davis, CA, and I moved to Davis right after high school, but not to go to college. I saw the beagles in cages with radiation warnings on their pens at the vet school. I was just roaming around. Sickening. Anyway, I had mentioned my desire to become a vet to the new female veterinarian in town, and had asked her if I could come and watch her do her work so I would know if I really wanted to become a veterinarian. She was doing a castration that day on a black lab. I stood and watched, thought it somewhat interesting but not so much, for I never returned. It was just not something that I wanted to do. I did the same with a medical lab in town. That kind of job seemed interesting too. I didn’t last out the week. Altering animals is one of the most frequent jobs that a veterinarian does. Being a lab tech has the big job of watching vials spin in a little container or looking down at a microscope. I got married instead. As for this first marriage, I should have become a teacher instead.
What interested me in this book was the kindness and compassion, as well as the sympathy that Peter had shown throughout this book. He was raised on a farm and cared for his family’s chickens, even named them all. One day he went out to feed them, and they were all dead. A fox had come in the night and had slaughtered them all, leaving most for a later date. He never took care of chickens again. Just didn’t have the stomach or the heart for it.
As a child I named our rooster “Pecky, “and one day at the dinner table, I was told that the cooked chicken on the table was Pecky. I was upset and wouldn’t eat him. I didn’t think that hens were ever eaten because they laid eggs for us, so I named one “Henrietta.” Then one day when I sat down at the table to eat, I was told that the chicken on the table was her. I never named another chicken.
While I found too much sadness in his book like the lecture on suicide and the sad story of a friend’s suicide, then his wife’s cancer, even though she recovered, I liked him and his writing. I know if he ever writes a book like James Harrie’s, I will never read it because I have lost too many pets, some recently. And I can no longer read about cruelty to animals by their owners or in labs. I know what they do, what people do to their animals, and I don’t need to hear any more. I even heard too much when volunteering for the Humane Society.
It must be nice to live near this veterinarian as wellAs to have known James Harriet who was once this author’s boss. I have read all of James Harriet’s books and loved them dearly. I would have loved to be able to say that I loved this book as well, but it is more of a memoir, just as it says, and as a memoir it is filled with too much sadness at times.
The camera was on Peter. He had just performed a castration on a dog and was now holding up the dog’s. testicles. This was of no interest to me, as I saw myself back in high school when I thought that I wanted to become a veterinarian. I would go to vet school in Davis, CA, and I moved to Davis right after high school, but not to go to college. I saw the beagles in cages with radiation warnings on their pens at the vet school. I was just roaming around. Sickening. Anyway, I had mentioned my desire to become a vet to the new female veterinarian in town, and had asked her if I could come and watch her do her work so I would know if I really wanted to become a veterinarian. She was doing a castration that day on a black lab. I stood and watched, thought it somewhat interesting but not so much, for I never returned. It was just not something that I wanted to do. I did the same with a medical lab in town. That kind of job seemed interesting too. I didn’t last out the week. Altering animals is one of the most frequent jobs that a veterinarian does. Being a lab tech has the big job of watching vials spin in a little container or looking down at a microscope. I got married instead. As for this first marriage, I should have become a teacher instead.
What interested me in this book was the kindness and compassion, as well as the sympathy that Peter had shown throughout this book. He was raised on a farm and cared for his family’s chickens, even named them all. One day he went out to feed them, and they were all dead. A fox had come in the night and had slaughtered them all, leaving most for a later date. He never took care of chickens again. Just didn’t have the stomach or the heart for it.
As a child I named our rooster “Pecky, “and one day at the dinner table, I was told that the cooked chicken on the table was Pecky. I was upset and wouldn’t eat him. I didn’t think that hens were ever eaten because they laid eggs for us, so I named one “Henrietta.” Then one day when I sat down at the table to eat, I was told that the chicken on the table was her. I never named another chicken.
While I found too much sadness in his book like the lecture on suicide and the sad story of a friend’s suicide, then his wife’s cancer, even though she recovered, I liked him and his writing. I know if he ever writes a book like James Harrie’s, I will never read it because I have lost too many pets, some recently. And I can no longer read about cruelty to animals by their owners or in labs. I know what they do, what people do to their animals, and I don’t need to hear any more. I even heard too much when volunteering for the Humane Society.
October 12, 2018
Fascinating and absolutely engrossing.
Peter Wright worked in Sinclair and Wight's practice in Thirsk. 'James Herriot's' practice. I grew up reading the wonderful Herriot books and at the time never realised the surgery was so near to the area I live in so this book has tremendous appeal. This is a new gem in the nostalgic world of James Herriot. Easy reading, not loaded with technical terms, so easy to enjoy. I loved how he told his story. Lots of warmth and nostalgia, just lovely.
I haven't seen the TV series 'The Yorkshire Vet', but I had noticed and bought both of the books by the other vet in the series, Julian Norton, and have yet to read those. So I was coming to this book first. It was totally my sort of book. The author qualified in 1981, is now in his 60s, and he's been a vet for more than 35 years. The book starts with a quick whizz through what a typical working day in his life as a vet is like. Then it goes back to his childhood onwards, interspersing many anecdotes along the way. Stories from something as minor as a family pet getting their claws trimmed, to surgery to remove a tumour, small animals, and large farm animals etc-it's all in here, the wide variety of cases in a vet's daily life. Even from the opening chapter, I could tell it was going to be a fascinating read.
Here's a lovely book which can satisfy your thirst for knowledge, tug at your heartstrings and make you chuckle now and then too. Wonderful!
Peter Wright worked in Sinclair and Wight's practice in Thirsk. 'James Herriot's' practice. I grew up reading the wonderful Herriot books and at the time never realised the surgery was so near to the area I live in so this book has tremendous appeal. This is a new gem in the nostalgic world of James Herriot. Easy reading, not loaded with technical terms, so easy to enjoy. I loved how he told his story. Lots of warmth and nostalgia, just lovely.
I haven't seen the TV series 'The Yorkshire Vet', but I had noticed and bought both of the books by the other vet in the series, Julian Norton, and have yet to read those. So I was coming to this book first. It was totally my sort of book. The author qualified in 1981, is now in his 60s, and he's been a vet for more than 35 years. The book starts with a quick whizz through what a typical working day in his life as a vet is like. Then it goes back to his childhood onwards, interspersing many anecdotes along the way. Stories from something as minor as a family pet getting their claws trimmed, to surgery to remove a tumour, small animals, and large farm animals etc-it's all in here, the wide variety of cases in a vet's daily life. Even from the opening chapter, I could tell it was going to be a fascinating read.
Here's a lovely book which can satisfy your thirst for knowledge, tug at your heartstrings and make you chuckle now and then too. Wonderful!
January 29, 2019
A wonderful look at a life many would call ideal. Living and working where you make a difference in your community; all the while being part of history as veterinary practices advanced so quickly in his lifetime. Some of my very favorite books are the James Herriot books and this biography reminds me so much of those. You laugh, cry, and get emotional right along with the author as he tells his life's story. This is another of the books I recommend to everyone.
June 16, 2024
I started watching The Yorkshire Vet series when I moved to the U.K. five years ago. Many, many (like 50!) years ago I read the All Creatures Great and Small books for the first time and have never forgotten them, especially since that series began in the ‘70s. I bought a bunch of books by Peter Wright and Julian Norton, the two main vets of Yorkshire, and even though they’re very quick reads they’re just delightful reading.
October 22, 2020
I have only recently discovered the wonderful TV series The Yorkshire Vet, and as a result have been binge-watching old episodes on My5. Peter Wright is a brilliant vet, and comes across like a favourite uncle both on the TV and in this book, which is extremely readable. Loved it.
October 23, 2018
I loved reading this book. Peter was taken on by the real life characters behind the James Herriot books. It bought many happy memories of reading those books and also getting an insight into Alf Wright and the real life Siegfried.
Peter describes his work experience there as a boy and then his years training and then his working life as a Yorkshire Vet alongside the tv series he agreed to do.
There is a lot of humour and sadness in the book as we hear all about his friends and his colleagues.
It has made me really want to visit the James Herriot centre and The Yorkshire vet series is now on a series link on my tv!
Peter describes his work experience there as a boy and then his years training and then his working life as a Yorkshire Vet alongside the tv series he agreed to do.
There is a lot of humour and sadness in the book as we hear all about his friends and his colleagues.
It has made me really want to visit the James Herriot centre and The Yorkshire vet series is now on a series link on my tv!
December 31, 2018
Book received from NetGalley
Review to Come
Last book of 2018
Review to Come
Last book of 2018
January 16, 2019
I’m a huge fan of the Yorkshire Vet TV series so this book was right up my street. It was so interesting to read about Peter Wright’s background and about the love he has for his family and of course Yorkshire. There are so many wonderful anecdotes about his association with Alf Wight ( James Herriot) and how he has endeavoured to carry on the tradition of being first and foremost a Vet who cares deeply about all the animals he treats. ‘ All Creatures Great and Small’ He describes so well all the hard work that is involved and it’s certainly not a job for the squeamish nor for anyone who wants a nine to five job. His warmth is apparent on every page as is his deep love for the County of Yorkshire which shaped his outlook on life. It’s a delight to read and I also enjoyed seeing the photos which were included. Highly recommended.
January 22, 2022
This was a lovely autobiography of another Yorkshire vet like my beloved James Herriot. What makes his story even better is that he worked with James (Alf) and Sigfreid only he was just much younger. In many ways this is also a follow up to the Herriot practice and how things have evolved to today. I also love that he met Gerald Durrell author of My Family and Other Animals.
Lovely story.
Lovely story.
November 23, 2018
James Herriot warmed the cockles of many hearts, including mine. Whether it was his lovely books or the sweet series based on them, he brought a smile to my face and a warmth to my soul. It was with great pleasure that I was able to interview all three leads of the series in 1982 and I carry the memories with me to this day.
I had no idea until I read this book how intimately Peter Wright was connected to Alf aka James Herriot when I glanced at The Yorkshire Vet on telly during a visit to England. So I was delighted to read this book to fill in the blanks so to speak. It is a enjoyable journey on its own from Peter’s rural and rustic youth to his hobnobbing with the rich and famous thanks to his television show. Not only was Alf his family vet, it was Alf who encouraged and helped Peter along the route to his veterinary career. He joined the clinic first as a salaried staff person all the way to becoming the senior partner.
Along the way, there were many anecdotes of memorable characters both two and four legged. There was much laughter and not a little heartbreak as he and his fellow vets struggled to keep the animals in their care healthy and to provide them with a humane end when all else failed. The reader can imagine how cruel and bitter it must have been during things like the Mad Cow outbreak or the foot and mouth disease outbreak that devastated the animal population in Yorkshire. For so many, animals are not just objects. Clearly Peter has been a noble successor to James Herriot.
There can be no finer praise. Five purrs and two paws up.
I had no idea until I read this book how intimately Peter Wright was connected to Alf aka James Herriot when I glanced at The Yorkshire Vet on telly during a visit to England. So I was delighted to read this book to fill in the blanks so to speak. It is a enjoyable journey on its own from Peter’s rural and rustic youth to his hobnobbing with the rich and famous thanks to his television show. Not only was Alf his family vet, it was Alf who encouraged and helped Peter along the route to his veterinary career. He joined the clinic first as a salaried staff person all the way to becoming the senior partner.
Along the way, there were many anecdotes of memorable characters both two and four legged. There was much laughter and not a little heartbreak as he and his fellow vets struggled to keep the animals in their care healthy and to provide them with a humane end when all else failed. The reader can imagine how cruel and bitter it must have been during things like the Mad Cow outbreak or the foot and mouth disease outbreak that devastated the animal population in Yorkshire. For so many, animals are not just objects. Clearly Peter has been a noble successor to James Herriot.
There can be no finer praise. Five purrs and two paws up.
January 13, 2025
A few years ago I worked on a TV show called Springtime on the Farm for Daisybeck which Peter was also a part of. A great show, with great people and although I only briefly spoke to him and his wife a few times they were always very pleasant.
Since working on that show and seeing how farmers think and feel about what they do, especially the welfare of their animals, I have had a new found understanding and respect for people in that industry and here Peter opens up that world as well as the world of pets and their owners to readers even more.
I have always said in life “I don’t care what someone is interested in as long as they are passionate about it” and there is no doubt whatsoever that Peter Wright is extremely passionate and cares so much about his profession and it is a real joy to read about his adventures over the years.
The book isn’t as in depth as it could have been and just when Peter is starting to really get his teeth into something and make his opinion heard, I can’t help but feel it was muted by the editor or publisher. As he’s now a TV personality and it matters what he says… BUT saying that, what the book did offer was a nice insight into veterinary practices, the emotional rollercoaster it can be and on more than a few occasions it was genuinely funny.
It doesn’t break any new ground of course as these kind of books rarely do, but it is an honest, insightful and easy to read book and even though it’s not something I would have normally read, I’m very glad it picked it up.
Since working on that show and seeing how farmers think and feel about what they do, especially the welfare of their animals, I have had a new found understanding and respect for people in that industry and here Peter opens up that world as well as the world of pets and their owners to readers even more.
I have always said in life “I don’t care what someone is interested in as long as they are passionate about it” and there is no doubt whatsoever that Peter Wright is extremely passionate and cares so much about his profession and it is a real joy to read about his adventures over the years.
The book isn’t as in depth as it could have been and just when Peter is starting to really get his teeth into something and make his opinion heard, I can’t help but feel it was muted by the editor or publisher. As he’s now a TV personality and it matters what he says… BUT saying that, what the book did offer was a nice insight into veterinary practices, the emotional rollercoaster it can be and on more than a few occasions it was genuinely funny.
It doesn’t break any new ground of course as these kind of books rarely do, but it is an honest, insightful and easy to read book and even though it’s not something I would have normally read, I’m very glad it picked it up.
October 10, 2018
Peter Wright is a veterinarian in England ... he is the co-owner of and works at Skeldale Veterinary Centre, the clinic where Alf Wight (the real life James Herriot) worked. After he finished vet school, Wright worked with Alf, Donald Sinclair (Siegfried in Herriot's books) and Jim (Alf's son). The TV show Yorkshire Vet (which I've never seen or heard of) apparently follows the adventures of the vets in this clinic.
I like reading books about animals and loved the James Herriot series so that's why this book caught my eye. Wright tells of growing up in rural England, going to vet school, joining the practice with Alf and Donald, tending to the animals in his area, how things have changed over the years and more.
I liked this book and the writing style. Wright seems like a nice fella. There were many references to the Yorkshire Vet, English personalities and English organizations and news, though, which I'd never heard of (no doubt, those in English will be able to relate to the references). I liked the stories about the local characters and animals. It was interesting to read about Alf and Donald's retirements and deaths and how the practice carried on after they had retired.
Blog review post: http://www.teenaintoronto.com/2018/10...
I like reading books about animals and loved the James Herriot series so that's why this book caught my eye. Wright tells of growing up in rural England, going to vet school, joining the practice with Alf and Donald, tending to the animals in his area, how things have changed over the years and more.
I liked this book and the writing style. Wright seems like a nice fella. There were many references to the Yorkshire Vet, English personalities and English organizations and news, though, which I'd never heard of (no doubt, those in English will be able to relate to the references). I liked the stories about the local characters and animals. It was interesting to read about Alf and Donald's retirements and deaths and how the practice carried on after they had retired.
Blog review post: http://www.teenaintoronto.com/2018/10...
April 12, 2019
I was asked to review this book by Nudge books.
Having grown up reading James Herriot books, watching the films, tv series I was interested to read this book. I had not know this was a tv series and to begin with thought this was about a modern day vet- yes it is but that he actually worked with the real life Alf Wight (James Herrot0 and Donald Sinclair (Siegfried Farnon).
This book brought back memories of some great tales of the dales and in some ways has brought back the love of the dales which veterinary practice has moved on since Alf Wright started in practice, but this is a new unexpected addition to the books I loved so much.
So Peter did work experience, worked with Jim Wight (son of Alf and author of Every Living Thing) trained as a vet and returned to the Dales. his path to veterinary college was not easy. The book gives a fascinating account of Peters life. The photographs of what we remember as James Herriot a nostalgic touch.
So recommended for James Herriot fan who thought there was nothing else once the books were read, watched repeats of adaptations and went to Thirsk to the "world of James Herriot" what a great find this book is.
My thanks to Nudge and the publishers - Mirror Books for letting me review this.
October 12, 2018
Peter Wright's new book, The Yorkshire Vet: In the Footsteps of Herriot, is almost a sequel to the lovely books previously written by his former partner James Herriot (Alf Wight). Whereas Herriott usually regaled us with pleasant anecdotes of the animals and people he met as a result of his travels Wright has written his biography and spent a fair bit of time explaining the politics behind decisions that were made by the veterinarian practice where he worked and complaining about governmental decisions and policies that affected his traditional professional processes.
Wright's evocative descriptions of the way his life used to be, both for him personally and for Yorkshire farmers as a whole ring true and one can clearly hear the wistfulness in his voice for a simpler time. This reviewer was particularly disturbed by the author's failure to put the events of his book in chronological order and wonders why his editor didn't help him with this issue.
I received a free copy of this ebook via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Wright's evocative descriptions of the way his life used to be, both for him personally and for Yorkshire farmers as a whole ring true and one can clearly hear the wistfulness in his voice for a simpler time. This reviewer was particularly disturbed by the author's failure to put the events of his book in chronological order and wonders why his editor didn't help him with this issue.
I received a free copy of this ebook via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
December 12, 2018
What can I say about this book? Brilliant doesn't seem to do it justice.
Peter Wright's book 'The Yorkshire vet, in the footsteps of Herriot' has ben one of the best books I've read this year. I adore the Yorkshire Vet tv series and it is a family favourite in our household as well. We all love Peter and his wonderful nature with animals and we love the way in which the Herriot tradition is carried on so well at Skeldale.
This book was a wonderful portrayal of Peter's life working as the Yorkshire vet and it is a book that I really enjoyed and will doubtless read again in the future. Some parts of this memoir made me cry as aspects of it were heart breaking to say the least. Other aspects of the book made me laugh because just as the tv series shows us, life as a vet is full of both happy moments and sad ones.
This book is brilliantly written and Peter's warm heart and kind nature come across really well. His book also seems to capture the spirit of Yorkshire, Skeldale and the Herriot tradition.
A wonderful book that I recommend to anyone who loves animals.
Peter Wright's book 'The Yorkshire vet, in the footsteps of Herriot' has ben one of the best books I've read this year. I adore the Yorkshire Vet tv series and it is a family favourite in our household as well. We all love Peter and his wonderful nature with animals and we love the way in which the Herriot tradition is carried on so well at Skeldale.
This book was a wonderful portrayal of Peter's life working as the Yorkshire vet and it is a book that I really enjoyed and will doubtless read again in the future. Some parts of this memoir made me cry as aspects of it were heart breaking to say the least. Other aspects of the book made me laugh because just as the tv series shows us, life as a vet is full of both happy moments and sad ones.
This book is brilliantly written and Peter's warm heart and kind nature come across really well. His book also seems to capture the spirit of Yorkshire, Skeldale and the Herriot tradition.
A wonderful book that I recommend to anyone who loves animals.
January 17, 2019
Peter Wright is The Yorkshire Vet. Longtime veterinarian and star of the tv show of the same name, he quickly pulls you into his world, describing his life as a young lad growing up on the edge of the North Yorkshire moors. Then onward through vet training to his homecoming becoming employed and learning his trade from Alf Wight (the real life James Herriot!) then finally becoming senior partner of that oh so famous clinic. His descriptions of his home county, the people and animals made me feel in equal parts homesick and proud of my native Yorkshire. I laughed out loud at the many anecdotes of the people and animals that fill Gods own country, and shared in the sorrow and sometimes tragedy that inevitably comes along with with it. Thoroughly enjoyed this book as will any animal lover, especially James Herriot fans!
September 1, 2020
The Yorkshire Vet: In The Footsteps Of Herriot by Peter Wright is a wonderful accompaniment to the television series The Yorkshire Vet. I have been a fan of the show since the beginning, loving the wit and charm of Peter Wright and getting to know the various locals – my favourites being Steve and Jean Green.
This book perfectly captures the essence of Peter Wright with his straight forward speaking and the many tales of his life down the years.
It is fascinating to hear of Peter Wright’s time under Alf Wight (the real James Herriot).
The Yorkshire Vet pulls no punches and is accessible for all. It is absolutely charming and I loved every minute of it. I savoured every page. I loved having the many photos throughout.
Thank you Peter Wright, this is a marvellous book, every bit as charming and welcoming as the television series.
This book perfectly captures the essence of Peter Wright with his straight forward speaking and the many tales of his life down the years.
It is fascinating to hear of Peter Wright’s time under Alf Wight (the real James Herriot).
The Yorkshire Vet pulls no punches and is accessible for all. It is absolutely charming and I loved every minute of it. I savoured every page. I loved having the many photos throughout.
Thank you Peter Wright, this is a marvellous book, every bit as charming and welcoming as the television series.
January 15, 2024
This is pretty good as long as you adjust expectations and realize it isn’t going to read like Herriot. Nor will you hear a whole lot about Alf (James Herriot) or Donald (Siegfried Farnon), although both are mentioned, of course, with some details of their real personalities – which seem to match the characters captured in the books.
This is much more of a memoir combined with editorial and non-fiction educational. I think I would like this man very much, even if his storytelling can’t match Herriot’s style. FWIW, I had never even heard of ‘The Yorkshire Vet’ TV show, but now I’d like to see if it’s available streaming here in the US. (Edit: Yep, Amazon Prime.)
If you listen to the audiobook, it’s remarkable how little Christopher Timothy’s voice has changed despite how long it has been since the TV series or the recording of the audio versions of the Herriot novels.
This is much more of a memoir combined with editorial and non-fiction educational. I think I would like this man very much, even if his storytelling can’t match Herriot’s style. FWIW, I had never even heard of ‘The Yorkshire Vet’ TV show, but now I’d like to see if it’s available streaming here in the US. (Edit: Yep, Amazon Prime.)
If you listen to the audiobook, it’s remarkable how little Christopher Timothy’s voice has changed despite how long it has been since the TV series or the recording of the audio versions of the Herriot novels.
September 4, 2024
I‘ve been a fan of James Herriot since I read the books and watched „All creatures great and small“ on TV while studying English and working as an au-pair in the 80s.
Therefore I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book by Peter Wright who used to work with my favorite vet.
Now I have to watch „A Yorkshire Vet“ on TV. I guess I‘ll love it.
I can remember a time when dairy farmers could make a good living with 20 cows who all had names. It‘s a different world now …
His chapter about suicide among vets, GPs and farmers is disturbing and important. Something is very wrong in the modern world …
Donald (Siegfried Farnon in the series) ended his own life which is incredibly sad.
So it‘s not only funny stories but also a reflection on how the world of farming and medicine has changed big time in the last four decades.
Therefore I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book by Peter Wright who used to work with my favorite vet.
Now I have to watch „A Yorkshire Vet“ on TV. I guess I‘ll love it.
I can remember a time when dairy farmers could make a good living with 20 cows who all had names. It‘s a different world now …
His chapter about suicide among vets, GPs and farmers is disturbing and important. Something is very wrong in the modern world …
Donald (Siegfried Farnon in the series) ended his own life which is incredibly sad.
So it‘s not only funny stories but also a reflection on how the world of farming and medicine has changed big time in the last four decades.
February 21, 2019
This is a delightful read for all who are fans of James Herriot and everyone who loves animals. This has a real day to day account of the authors treating animals from the field and office. At times its sad,, funny and always entertaining throughout . I love learning that he worked with the real Herriot as his mentor. and teacher .I highly recommend this book and found it quite enjoyable from first page to the last. Thank you for the ARC which does not influence my review. Very well done to the author. As one who has read all the Herriot books and watched the show for years this gives a new current insight of the veterinarian work for animals that goes on in Yorkshire. I look forward to watching this show someday.
November 24, 2025
I really enjoyed this book and the way the authors work hasn’t been overly edited meaning it still sounds to be very much in Peters narrative.
I adore James Herriot and being from a rural village I love the old school vet, no nonsense but an unbelievably talented wealth of knowledge. I loved learning more about the unassuming man behind Herriot and the real people who inspired the characters.
I also loved learning about Peters past and his path that lead him all the way to vet school only to return to the practise (and home) of Herriot and the place he grew up in.
Peter comes across as a wonderful vet and person who cares deeply for the animals his path crosses but also is fiercely protective of both the name and reputation of the Herriot legacy.
I adore James Herriot and being from a rural village I love the old school vet, no nonsense but an unbelievably talented wealth of knowledge. I loved learning more about the unassuming man behind Herriot and the real people who inspired the characters.
I also loved learning about Peters past and his path that lead him all the way to vet school only to return to the practise (and home) of Herriot and the place he grew up in.
Peter comes across as a wonderful vet and person who cares deeply for the animals his path crosses but also is fiercely protective of both the name and reputation of the Herriot legacy.
July 3, 2020
The Path well followed
I am so happy to find Peter Wright's memoir. The Yorkshire Vet was one of the 1st programs I watched on Acorn Media streaming service. The same joy & ethos I felt
reading the Alf Wight books also shine through this biography of Alf's trainee, Peter.
Now that Acorn TV has added series 3-5 of The Yorkshire Vet I can continue to watch with greater understanding of the importance of the country vet in Great Britain. For all the ups & downs of vet practice & the big decisions that have to be made, I think Alf Wight & Donald Sinclair would say to Peter & all of the people of Skeldale Veterinary Centre, well done, you!
I am so happy to find Peter Wright's memoir. The Yorkshire Vet was one of the 1st programs I watched on Acorn Media streaming service. The same joy & ethos I felt
reading the Alf Wight books also shine through this biography of Alf's trainee, Peter.
Now that Acorn TV has added series 3-5 of The Yorkshire Vet I can continue to watch with greater understanding of the importance of the country vet in Great Britain. For all the ups & downs of vet practice & the big decisions that have to be made, I think Alf Wight & Donald Sinclair would say to Peter & all of the people of Skeldale Veterinary Centre, well done, you!
May 16, 2022
I loved this but then I love the Yorkshire Vet so I knew I would!
I have read many of Julian Norton's books so picked up this one by my other favourite Yorkshire Vet. This was a great biography of Peter's life and how he came to be a vet. Whilst he does refer to many scenes that I had already watched on the TV program, there were a lot more stories within this book. From day to day in the life of Peter, and many personal stories as well.
Peter is a great storyteller and you can imagine the kinds of tales he can tell having worked for the famous Herriot! Many of which are in this book and what a life he must have had. A lovely memoir, really well written and very interesting!
I have read many of Julian Norton's books so picked up this one by my other favourite Yorkshire Vet. This was a great biography of Peter's life and how he came to be a vet. Whilst he does refer to many scenes that I had already watched on the TV program, there were a lot more stories within this book. From day to day in the life of Peter, and many personal stories as well.
Peter is a great storyteller and you can imagine the kinds of tales he can tell having worked for the famous Herriot! Many of which are in this book and what a life he must have had. A lovely memoir, really well written and very interesting!
March 31, 2019
A must read for any animal lover, fan of the programme of the same name or those who simply love Yorkshire. I am all three, so was particularly fascinated by Peter’s biography. An idyllic Yorkshire childhood, well apart from school, training in Liverpool and finally working with the animals. A book of laughter and tears, meeting once again some of the more memorable people from the programme. Read it if you like animals, or even if you don’t - you won’t be disappointed! I was given this ARC by the publisher and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
January 30, 2023
I have to admit that I have never seen The Yorkshire Vet series on TV, but I love the James Herriot books and was interested to see that Peter Wright worked at the Herriot practice with Alf and Donald.
Although I found the book itteresting I did feel slightly disappointed. Perhaps I would have enjoyed it more if I had seen the series, but I didn't feel there were enough animal stories. Not a patch on Herriot's books, unfortunately.
It was lovely to hear Christopher Timothy narrating the book, as he played Herriot in the original tv series.
Although I found the book itteresting I did feel slightly disappointed. Perhaps I would have enjoyed it more if I had seen the series, but I didn't feel there were enough animal stories. Not a patch on Herriot's books, unfortunately.
It was lovely to hear Christopher Timothy narrating the book, as he played Herriot in the original tv series.
February 7, 2019
Enjoyable book about The Yorkshire Vet's life and veterinary practice. In Britain, a tv show follows him and his practice. When he joined the practice, one of the other vets was "James Herriott" working under his real name. I would have enjoyed it more if there were more animal stories or if I had ever seen the tv show, but it was still interesting.
Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.
Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.
June 15, 2020
A wonderful insight into the personal and professional life of television's The Yorkshire Vet, who trained and worked with Alf Wight aka James Herriot.
Filled with many anecdotes about his working life along side Alf Wight and Donald Sinclair (Siegfried Farnon in the Herriot books) its clear Peter Wright's respect for these two men, runs deep even all these decades later.
A wonderful and highly recommended read.
Filled with many anecdotes about his working life along side Alf Wight and Donald Sinclair (Siegfried Farnon in the Herriot books) its clear Peter Wright's respect for these two men, runs deep even all these decades later.
A wonderful and highly recommended read.
January 16, 2024
A well-written and informative account of Peter's life and work, from which his care and compassion and love for animals and Yorkshire shine out. He is balanced and fair on controversial subjects such as the handling of the foot-and-mouth crisis and the challenges of working with the real Siegfried Farnon and dealing with changes in the veterinary world. It has a good mixture of gentle humour and serious issues.
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