THE REAL JAMES HERRIOT: THE AUTHORIZED BIOGRAPHY PDF, EPUB, EBOOK Jim Wight | 384 pages | 12 Jul 2006 | Penguin Books Ltd | 9780140268812 | English | London, United Kingdom The Real James Herriot: The Authorized Biography PDF Book Jun 12, Jan J rated it really liked it. Although I was mortified when I first learned that 'James Herriot' was not the real name of the author who had since childhood enthralled me with beautifully written stories of the strong bonds between the human and animal worlds, I realize now that this was a selfish attitude--I did not want 'James Herriot' to protect himself and his friends from the inevitable media coverage that resulted from his multi- million book sales, Jim Wight tells his father's story with humor, compassion, and candor. Thirsk Tourist Information. I think James Herriot was always an author I really liked, so it's interesting to have some background information and a few backstories of people and animals who became characters in his books. Quotes from The Real James He Shortly after their wedding, the Wights moved from Brandling Street, Sunderland to Glasgow in Scotland, where James took work as both a ship plater and pianist for a local cinema, while Hannah was a singer as well as a dressmaker. These things, to me, are expressions of love. The Guardian. This is an excellent biography of a man who was a veterinary surgeon and later on in his life a best selling author. Language: ENG. His last book, Every Living Thing , immediately went into the top 10 best-seller list in Britain, and had an , copy first edition printing in the United States. With full access to his father's papers, correspondence, manuscripts, and photos, Wight has created a fitting and affectionate tribute to the well-loved vet and author of "All Creatures Great and Small". Seller Inventory Archived from the original on 26 February Namespaces Article Talk. Biographies Lord, Graham. Well written and a joy to read. I must admit I'm bemused by his bemusement! James Herriot has to be one of the most beloved authors in history, and the delightful thing about this book is that it shows the person behind the books was just as good as the books! In the United States, Herriot's novels were considered too short to publish independently, and so several pairs of novels were collected into omnibus volumes. Written by the son of James Herriot, Jim Wight is not the writer his father was, but the stories in the book that run along the same vein are entertaining and informing; however, the book is a biography of James Herriot, not a memoir of the veterinary life; the few stories included are fun, but incidental. Book Description Condition: New. In fact, Dick Francis is mentioned s Jim Wight has written a moving tribute to his father, James Alfred Wight, known as James Herriot to millions of fans around the world. May 18, Dina Tanners rated it really liked it. Wight was just as interested in their owners as he was in his patients and his writing is, at root, an amiable but keen comment on the human condition. No matter how famous he became he always considered himself a veterinary surgeon and family man first. There was a man I knew, who possessed all the virtues of the famous veterinarian - and more. Apr 30, Linore rated it it was amazing. Not only did his books have great success, but they also inspired many to take up the profession, in what was known as the 'Herriot effect'. That was really surprising. The reality of the man's life was quite different. We learn that Alf's life was not always as great as he led us to believe. Sorry, your blog cannot share posts by email. Laura Ingalls Wilder came off as boring and slightly annoying, while Alf Wight came off even more interesting than I would have expected — and a decent human being as well! His son Jim does an excellent job detailing the life of his father and the wonderful man that he was. Jim Wight does not quite have the flair of his father, but occasionally he tells a story or quotes a letter and that certain something shows through. He established a wonderful rapport with farmers and their animals in Yorkshire,England. The Economist. New York: Ballantine Books. Alf Wight as he is described in this book was a kind, funny, hard-working man who stayed humble even when he finally became very successful. Mar 22, Christie Bane rated it it was amazing. Thirsk Town Council. Retrieved 7 April He practiced in a time before antibiotics and technology. From a historical standpoint, the stories help document a transitional period in the veterinary industry; agriculture was moving from the traditional use of beasts of burden in Britain, primarily the draught horse to reliance upon the mechanical tractor and medical science was just on the cusp of discovering the antibiotics and other drugs that eliminated many of the ancient remedies still in use. The books have been adapted for film and television, including a film titled All Creatures Great and Small and a long-running BBC television programme of the same title. Illustrated Textbook of Dog Diseases Hardcover. Book Description Penguin Books Ltd. Book Description Now, in this warm and poignant memoir, Jim Wight talks about his father--the beloved veterinarian whom his family had to share with half the world. The Real James Herriot: The Authorized Biography Writer Seven Yorkshire Tales Paperback. Jim Wight has written a moving tribute to his father, James Alfred Wight, known as James Herriot to millions of fans around the world. James Herriot was the character name given to the real-life vet — Alf Wight- who worked in Yorkshire from the s onwards. In places it was quite reminiscent of the autobiographies of Dick Francis and Roald Dahl who shared some similar experiences - especially during the war. Wikimedia Commons has media related to James Herriot. They lived there until , at which point they moved back to 23 Kirkgate, staying until Jun 01, Linda rated it really liked it. Published by imusti Published by Penguin Books Ltd , London And thank god he did! Jun 06, Ariel rated it it was ok Shelves: adult , non-fic. Alf was right - there is no one better to write his biography than his son. Seller Inventory BTA New Paperback Quantity Available: 2. But he supposes at one point the drive behind our attraction to his beloved Yorkshire. Retrieved 5 December Thanks for telling us about the problem. It was fascinating to get a glimpse of his life from the person who probably knew him best. So his books are very meaningful to me, and I was hesitant to discover any back story. Lists with This Book. Retrieved 16 September The practice owner, Donald Sinclair , had enlisted in the Royal Air Force RAF and was soon to leave for training; he gave Wight all the practice's income in return for looking after it during his absence. Books ship from the US and Ireland. The Real James Herriot: The Authorized Biography Reviews His many hours of fam This book is a must-read for any Herriot fan. The most gratifying part was hearing that Herriot really was the modest, kindly, wry guy who comes through in the books. In Stock. Although he brought fame and fortune to himself and those around him, Alf Wight remained an intensely private person, respected and trusted by those whose animals he cared for, and adored by millions of fans. All Rights Reserved. It's only fitting his son should tell the story of his Dad. James Herriot is one of my favorite authors of all time. Wight was just as interested in their owners as he was in his patients, and his writing is, at root, an amiable but keen comment on the human condition. Well written and a joy to read. Martin's Press in New York City, received a copy and arranged to have the first two books published as a single volume in the United States. For Alf's birth, his mother returned to Sunderland, bringing him back to Glasgow when he was three weeks old. Alf Wight aka James Herriot grew up in Glasgow, where he lived during a happy rough-and-tumble childhood and then through the challenging years of training at the Glasgow Veterinary College. And that's the real point of the book. This authorized biography by Jim Wight, son of James Alfred Wight, who wrote under the pen name of James Herriot, is amazingly well written. The animal characters also prevent Wight's stories from becoming twee or melodramatic - animals, unlike some humans, do not pretend to be ailing, nor have they imaginary complaints and needless fears. Num Pages: pages, 16pp photographs. The cast of the series spoke exclusively to Express. Open Preview See a Problem? Wight retired in , passing his share of the practice to his son. Goodreads helps you keep track of books you want to read. He was over fifty when his first book of stories about life as a Yorkshire vet was published, giving birth to some of Yorkshire's most famous and much-loved literary characters. Book Description Condition: New. It was often hilarious, and offered a candid look into Mr. Shelves: , biography , nonfiction , adult. In a couple of places, Wight seems to inadvertently fall into the trap of recounting stories we've already heard told so masterfully in Herriot's canon. Apr 15, Jane rated it it was amazing.