A portrait of the author of "All Creatures Great and Small" by his son describes the life and times of the Yorkshire veterinarian, his devotion to his family, his work as a rural veterinarian, and his writings.

No one is better placed to write the biography of Alf Wight, alias James Herriot, than the son who worked alongside him in the veterinary practice during the time that James Herriot became a bestselling author. In this warm and often poignant memoir Jim Wight writes of a man who, despite his huge success as a writer, remained unchanged by wealth and fame; an essentially private person whose family had to share him with his millions of fans throughout the world.

The Best of James Herriot is one of the most extraordinary volumes ever devoted to the work and world of a contemporary writer. Within its covers are unforgettable episodes from the remarkable series of memoirs that began with All Creatures Great and Small-"the ones my family and I have laughed at over the years and the ones my readers have said they most enjoyed," as Herriot, himself, put it. Yet the book is far more than a simple anthology: Its gorgeous pages also include hundreds of line drawings and color photographs, capturing Herriot's Yorkshire in a worthy complement to the writer's words. The 1991 publication of Every Living Thing, rendered the original edition of this book incomplete. This fall will mark the publication of the complete, definitive edition with the addition of five of his best, more recent stories, as well as new art. Once again The Best of James Herriot becomes the quintessential Herriot volume-one of those invaluable books that will be loved as much in decades to come as it is today.

Winter 2000

The #1 New York Times–bestselling author of All Creatures Great and Small reflects on the rewards of training the next generation of veterinarians. As an aging James Herriot begins to see more house pets than livestock, the challenge of treating animals—and reassuring their owners—provides plenty of excitement, mystery, and moments of sheer delight. After building up his own practice, the renowned country vet begins to teach a new generation about a business both old-fashioned and very modern. He watches with pride as his own children show a knack for medicine, and remarks on the talents and quirks of a string of assistants. There is no perfecting the craft, since people and their animals are all remarkably different, but Herriot proves that the best healers are also the most compassionate.

Strapped into the cockpit of a Tiger Moth trainer, Herriot has swapped his wellingtons and breeches for sheepskin boots and a flying suit. But very soon the vet-turned-airman is grounded, and back to his old life in the Dales.