The Lord God Made Them All

I can't say enough about this book. Love the writing style honest and humorous. Will re-read this one again.

I read James Herriot's books in the late 70's and early 80's and loved his descriptive style of writing about the people, countryside, and the animals around him. I watched the show on PBS and while it was great, it could never include all the emotions of the books. I recommend the books to anyone from teenagers to older adults. they are filled with humor, joy, blessings, and the hard live of a country vet. They are very similar to an Irish Doctor's books.

This is an absolutely wonderful book and a must read for every animal lover. All this author's books are "keepers."

Herriot is an unequaled master. He opens the door to the world of veterinary medicine that enables us to walk through the beautiful English landscape and into piles of muck, mud, slush and into warm farmhouses of hard working men and women. We are able to share his love of all animals, his tenderness and understanding of those who call (most often at 2 or 3 in the morning) to hurry and check the swollen/scratched/itchy/whatever it is on the toe, nose, paw, side, tail of the dogs and cats that are the only companions of elderly men and women. I could talk for hours and relate adventure and after adventure. Buy this book and ALL of the companion Herriot books. Have your children read them. Read them to your non-reading children. Share with your friends and family (but put your name in the book. Somehow ownership seems to change once another person gets their hands and eyes on your book.)

This is the fourth in a series written by a Scottish veterinarian who takes a job in Yorkshire, England, working under Siegfried Farnon. James Herriot, Farnon and his brother Tristan work on all sorts of animals from parakeets to draft horses. James Herriot has a wonderful ability to poke fun at himself, as is illustrated in one of his earliest essays from the first work, All Things Bright and Beautiful, where he clips the beak of a budgie, inadvertently suffocating the poor creature. We then see him struggle to find a replacement for the little bird, its owner's best friend. Later, we watch Herriot's bumbling attempt to court his future wife Helen. In The Lord God Made Them All, Herriot is returning from World War II where he served as an RAF officer; he's married with two children but he still works for Siegfried Farnon. Siegfried will remind you of a character from Dickens. He's an excellent veterinary but his many quirks and foibles make him a trying boss at times. Then there's his ne'er-do-well brother, Tristan. They're constantly fighting and Herriot usually winds up in the middle. The Yorkshire farmers are also fascinating. Herriot has a wonderful facility with dialect and some of the dialogue is hilarious. In the first story Herriot sets out to "nip" (castrate) a calf. "There's nobbut one, Mr. Herriot," the farmer says. "An enormous black animal galloped out . . . I stared at the spreading horns, the great hump of muscle on the shoulder and the coldly glittering eyes. It only needed a blast on a trumpet and sand instead of cobbles and I was in the Plaza de Toros in Madrid." Quite often Herriot serves as a psychologist, to his human clients. In one story, Herriot is awakened at one in the morning to treat Myrtle the beagle, whose drunken owner has a guilt complex about leaving his dog alone to attend the races. There's nothing wrong with the dog, but to assuage the owner's fears, Herriot gives Myrtle a vitamin tablet. This happens again and again, and when Herriot finally confronts the owner about the imaginary illnesses, the dog is really sick. Yes, the joke is usually on Herriot, but if your animal is sick, you call James Herriot and sometimes you call him just to talk. These are wonderful, nostalgic stories that take the reader back to a simpler time. It's so good you'll find yourself reading it as a pick-me-up when you feel blue.

James Herriot once again takes you on a magical journey through his whimsical hamlet of Yorkshire Dales, stealing your heart at every stop along the way. Anyone who picks up this book will be immediately captivated by the depth of love and respect for animals that embodies all of Herriot's books. Every character you meet, be it human or animal, will tug your heartstrings in a manner that you never expected from such a humble book whose clear honesty parallels that of the other books in an unforgettable series. You don't have to be an animal crazed lover like me to enjoy the simple joys of this book- it is definitely a cherished read, you won't regret it!

the whole james harriot series: the best use of paper besides the bible! everytime i read these moving books i don't know if i should cry or laugh. a great balance of funny and tear-jerking chapters. buy all three, read them. re-read them. you won't be disappointed.