James Herriot books in order

Featured in

    Looking to read James Herriot's books in order? We can help! Discover an up-to-date list of his novels in their intended order and learn helpful insights as you go along.

    James Herriot, the beloved pen name of the late veterinary surgeon James Alfred Wight, has been an incredible success story. For over 40 years, readers have been captivated by his heartwarming tales of life as a Yorkshire veterinarian.

    His books and television adaptations have captured the hearts of millions around the globe, making him one of Britain’s most widely-read authors. With such an extensive bibliography, it can be challenging to decide which book to start with – or even where you are in the series!

    That’s why we’ve put together this comprehensive list of all James Herriot books in order. From All Creatures Great and Small books to Every Living Thing and beyond, we dive into the world of James Herriot to explore his timeless body of work.

    James Herriot books in order

    All Creatures Great and Small

    Soon after graduating from Glasgow veterinary college, James Herriot embarks on a new journey as a veterinary assistant in Yorkshire, England, during the 1930s Great Depression. He quickly develops relationships with Siegfried Farnon and Tristan, the two brothers in charge of Skeldale House, where he works.

    Over time, James learns to understand the local farmers and townspeople as he compassionately tends to their animals’ medical needs. Herriot develops an intimate knowledge of each animal’s specific care requirements and personalities, from cows to horses to sheep.

    Amidst the changing moods of the English countryside and its inhabitants, his passion for animals shines through. Despite the challenges of this period, James is determined to honor every creature-great and small-with his unwavering devotion.

    All Creatures Great and Small is a combination of two stories previously published separately in the UK – If Only They Could Talk (1970) and It Shouldn’t Happen to a Vet (1972). The combined work was done by St. Martin’s Press in New York.

    The book has inspired several movies, including a 41-episode BBC television series.

    All Things Bright and Beautiful

    James Herriot’s All Things Bright and Beautiful follows the beloved country vet on his journeys through the Yorkshire Dales, where he visits numerous animals and their owners. This book chronicles Herriot’s unique interactions as he treats a wide range of creatures: from cats to cows, parrots to pigs.

    Throughout the two novel omnibuses, Let Sleeping Vets Lie and Vet in Harness, readers travel with James as he meets humorous yet endearing characters and learns life lessons along the way. The delightful stories of rural England provide an insight into life during the 1940s-60s while also celebrating the beauty of nature and the friendship between animals and humans.

    All Things Wise and Wonderful

    All Things Wise and Wonderful is the third installment in the much-loved series, this time following protagonist James Herriot through a completely different experience – military service in Britain’s Royal Air Force (RAF). The novel begins with Herriot signing up for basic training, a process that includes extensive instruction on aircraft as well as physical and mental challenges. Though it proves to be a difficult transition, he is spurred forward by his love for his wife, Helen, who stays behind while he serves.

    Throughout the novel, readers are treated to insightful reflections from Herriot’s past experiences as both an animal veterinarian and now a part of the RAF. Moments such as struggling with physical training only to come out stronger or being moved by the kindness of strangers become the highlights of this book.

    The novel combines two stories previously published separately in the UK – Vets Might Fly (1976) and Vet in a Spin (1977). It has since become one of the most beloved books in Herriot’s series, known for its charming characters and heartfelt messages about family, courage, and resilience.

    The Lord God Made Them All

    James Herriot returns home from the RAF to life in Darrowby, where not much has changed since before the war. He takes his children along with him on some of his veterinary calls and even travels abroad as part of his new role as a supervisory veterinarian.

    In this fourth book, diary-like entries document his time in Russia and Istanbul, during which he was responsible for ensuring animal health and welfare for animals about to be sent overseas. Herriot also navigates the medical advancements that come with post-war times, making it an intriguing period for readers to explore.

    Every Living Thing

    In James Herriot’s early 1960s veterinary practice, readers are re-introduced to the talented assistant John Crooks and the eccentric Calum Buchanan.

    With his own family by his side, he spends countless days traveling in his van to visit farms, tending to all kinds of animals, from tiny sparrows to prize bulls. His beloved dog Tricki Woo is usually alongside him during these visits.

    Despite the long hours and harsh conditions, Herriot is content with a job that has allowed him to build a life for himself and get closer to nature. It’s a life of hard work, immense satisfaction, and joy for every living thing he tends to.

    All five installments are international bestsellers that have inspired several movies.

    Nonfiction books by James Herriot

    • Animal Stories, Tame & Wild (1979)
    • James Herriot’s Yorkshire (1979)
    • All Creatures Great and Small (Annual 1982) (1981)
    • James Herriot’s Favorite Dog Stories (1986)
    • James Herriot’s Dog Stories (1986)
    • Greatest Cat Stories (1989)
    • James Herriot Story Book (1992)
    • James Herriot’s Treasury for Children (1992)
    • James Herriot’s Cat Stories (1994)
    • Seven Yorkshire Tales (1995)
    • James Herriot’s Yorkshire Stories (1995)
    • James Herriot’s Animal Stories (1997)
    • James Herriot’s Yorkshire Revisited (1999)

    Picture books

    • Bonny’s Big Day (1972)
    • Moses the Kitten (1984)
    • Only One Woof (1985)
    • The Christmas Day Kitten (1986)
    • Blossom Comes Home (1988)
    • The Market Square Dog (1989)
    • Oscar, Cat-About-Town (1990)
    • The Animals at Diamond Woods (2009)

    Short stories

    • The Best of James Herriot (1983)
    • Horse & Pony Stories (1986)
    • Smudge, The Little Lost Lamb (1991)

    Find James Herriot audiobooks on Speechify

    Speechify is an audiobook service that offers an extensive library of titles, including many popular James Herriot novels.

    With this service, you can easily listen to your favorite books and stories in a convenient format – no more turning pages or carrying heavy hardcover books. Speechify makes it simple for users to explore the world’s greatest literature with its well-designed user interface and helpful support team.

    How does it work? It’s easy! Just create your account, select the audiobooks you want from our vast selection of titles and start listening. You’ll have access to 130+ voices wherever you are, whether on your iPhone, Android, computer, or even Amazon Fire tablet.

    Even better, you can control the playback speed and go back or forward as often as you’d like. Speechify also allows you to bookmark specific parts of the story so you can come back later and pick up where you left off.

    So why not give Speechify a try today? With its large selection of audiobooks, thoughtful user interface, and helpful support team, it’s sure to provide hours of entertainment and enlightenment.

    Cliff Weitzman

    Cliff Weitzman

    Cliff Weitzman is a dyslexia advocate and the CEO and founder of Speechify, the #1 text-to-speech app in the world, totaling over 100,000 5-star reviews and ranking first place in the App Store for the News & Magazines category. In 2017, Weitzman was named to the Forbes 30 under 30 list for his work making the internet more accessible to people with learning disabilities. Cliff Weitzman has been featured in EdSurge, Inc., PC Mag, Entrepreneur, Mashable, among other leading outlets.

    Dyslexia & Accessibility Advocate, CEO/Founder of Speechify Dyslexia & Accessibility Advocate, CEO/Founder of Speechify

    Recent Blogs

    • Ultimate guide to ElevenLabs
      Ultimate guide to ElevenLabs
      Arrow
    • Voice changer for Discord
      Voice changer for Discord
      Arrow
    • How to download YouTube audio
      How to download YouTube audio
      Arrow
    • Speechify 3.0 Released.
      Speechify 3.0 is the Best Text to Speech App Yet.
      Arrow
    • Voice API
      Voice API: Everything You Need to Know
      Arrow
    • Text to audio
      Best text to speech generator apps
      Arrow
    • The best AI tools other than ChatGPT
      The best AI tools other than ChatGPT
      Arrow
    • Top voice over marketplaces reviewed
      Top voice over marketplaces reviewed
      Arrow
    • Speechify Studio vs. Descript
      Speechify Studio vs. Descript
      Arrow
    • Google Cloud Text to Speech API
      Everything to Know About Google Cloud Text to Speech API
      Arrow
    • Source of Joe Biden deepfake revealed after election interference
      Source of Joe Biden deepfake revealed after election interference
      Arrow
    • How to listen to scientific papers
      How to listen to scientific papers
      Arrow
    • How to add music to CapCut
      How to add music to CapCut
      Arrow
    • What is CapCut?
      What is CapCut?
      Arrow
    • VEED vs. InVideo
      VEED vs. InVideo
      Arrow
    • Speechify Studio vs. Kapwing
      Speechify Studio vs. Kapwing
      Arrow
    • Voices.com vs. Voice123
      Voices.com vs. Voice123
      Arrow
    • Voices.com vs. Fiverr Voice Over
      Voices.com vs. Fiverr Voice Over
      Arrow
    • Fiverr voice overs vs. Speechify Voice Over Studio
      Fiverr voice overs vs. Speechify Voice Over Studio
      Arrow
    • Voices.com vs. Speechify Voice Over Studio
      Voices.com vs. Speechify Voice Over Studio
      Arrow
    • Voice123 vs. Speechify Voice Over Studio
      Voice123 vs. Speechify Voice Over Studio
      Arrow
    • Voice123 vs. Fiverr voice overs
      Voice123 vs. Fiverr voice overs
      Arrow
    • HeyGen vs. Synthesia
      HeyGen vs. Synthesia
      Arrow
    • Hour One vs. Synthesia
      Hour One vs. Synthesia
      Arrow
    • HeyGen vs. Hour One
      HeyGen vs. Hour One
      Arrow
    • Speechify makes Google’s Favorite Chrome Extensions of 2023 list
      Speechify makes Google’s Favorite Chrome Extensions of 2023 list
      Arrow
    • How to Add a Voice Over to Vimeo Video: A Comprehensive Guide
      How to Add a Voice Over to Vimeo Video: A Comprehensive Guide
      Arrow
    • How to Add a Voice Over to Canva Video: A Comprehensive Guide
      How to Add a Voice Over to Canva Video: A Comprehensive Guide
      Arrow
    • What is Speech AI: Explained
      What is Speech AI: Explained
      Arrow
    • How to Add a Voice Over to Canva Video
      How to Add a Voice Over to Canva Video
      Arrow
    • How to Add a Voice Over to Canva Video
      The Best Celebrity Voice Generators in 2024
      Arrow
    • How to Add a Voice Over to Canva Video
      YouTube Text to Speech: Elevating Your Video Content with Speechify
      Arrow
    • How to Add a Voice Over to Canva Video
      The 7 best alternatives to Synthesia.io
      Arrow
    • How to Add a Voice Over to Canva Video
      Everything you need to know about text to speech on TikTok
      Arrow
    • How to Add a Voice Over to Canva Video
      The 10 best text-to-speech apps for Android
      Arrow
    • How to Add a Voice Over to Canva Video
      How to convert a PDF to speech
      Arrow
    • How to Add a Voice Over to Canva Video
      The top girl voice changers
      Arrow
    • How to Add a Voice Over to Canva Video
      How to use Siri text to speech
      Arrow
    • How to Add a Voice Over to Canva Video
      Obama text to speech
      Arrow
    • How to Add a Voice Over to Canva Video
      Robot Voice Generators: The Futuristic Frontier of Audio Creation
      Arrow
    • How to Add a Voice Over to Canva Video
      PDF Read Aloud: Free & Paid Options
      Arrow
    • How to Add a Voice Over to Canva Video
      Alternatives to FakeYou text to speech
      Arrow
    • How to Add a Voice Over to Canva Video
      All About Deepfake Voices
      Arrow
    • How to Add a Voice Over to Canva Video
      TikTok voice generator
      Arrow
    • How to Add a Voice Over to Canva Video
      Text to speech GoAnimate
      Arrow
    • How to Add a Voice Over to Canva Video
      The best celebrity text to speech voice generators
      Arrow
    • How to Add a Voice Over to Canva Video
      PDF Audio Reader
      Arrow
    • How to Add a Voice Over to Canva Video
      How to get text to speech Indian voices
      Arrow
    • How to Add a Voice Over to Canva Video
      Elevating Your Anime Experience with Anime Voice Generators
      Arrow
    • How to Add a Voice Over to Canva Video
      Best text to speech online
      Arrow
    • How to Add a Voice Over to Canva Video
      Top 50 movies based on books you should read
      Arrow
    • How to Add a Voice Over to Canva Video
      Download audio
      Arrow
    • How to Add a Voice Over to Canva Video
      How to use text-to-speech for Quandale Dingle meme sounds
      Arrow
    • How to Add a Voice Over to Canva Video
      Top 5 apps that read out text
      Arrow
    • How to Add a Voice Over to Canva Video
      The top female text to speech voices
      Arrow
    • How to Add a Voice Over to Canva Video
      Female voice changer
      Arrow
    • How to Add a Voice Over to Canva Video
      Sonic text to speech voice generator online
      Arrow
    • How to Add a Voice Over to Canva Video
      Best AI voice generators – The Ultimate List
      Arrow
    • How to Add a Voice Over to Canva Video
      Voice changer
      Arrow
    • How to Add a Voice Over to Canva Video
      Text to speech in Powerpoint
      Arrow
    footer-waves