james herriot books uk

James Herriot Books In Order

Publication order of all creatures great and small books.

Publication Order of Smudge Books

Publication Order of Short Story Collections

Publication Order of Picture Books

Publication Order of Non-Fiction Books

Publication Order of Anthologies

Born in Sunderland, County Durham, James Herriot was the son of James and Hannah Bell Wight. While James took work as a ship plater, he also indulged his passion of the piano, his wife earning a small income as a dress maker, on top of her singing.

Attending Yoker primary school and Hillhead High School, Herriot gained a passion for football at an early age, becoming a lifetime supporter of the Sunderland Football club. He entered the veterinary filed at the age of 23, having received his qualifications from Glasgow veterinary college in 1939.

Initially practicing in Sunderland, James Herriot eventually moved to a rural area in the town of Thirsk, and there he stayed for the remainder of his life. James Herriot married Joan Catherine Anderson Danbury in 1941.

They had two children; James Alexander not only entered the veterinarian business but also joined his father as a partner in his practice, while Rosemary became a general practice physician. James Herriot briefly served in the military and eventually attested, even then, to have held a passion for writing, a dream than never came to fruition because so much of his time was consumed by his family and business.

It was his wife, Joan, who finally pushed him to pursue his dream; despite his enthusiasm, Herriot’s initial attempts at writing were met with rejection and often revolved around football. It wasn’t until he turned his eye towards what he knew best, animals, that James Herriot began to experience success.

It was after he observed the potential for success that his first novel ‘If only they could talk’ presented that James decided to drop the name Wight in favor of his pen name ‘James Herriot’, this resulting from common etiquette at the time which frowned upon the concept of professionals in most businesses advertising their services. James Herriot was diagnosed with prostate cancer in 1991 and died four years later; Joan, his wife, also died in 1999.

Writing Career

Many of James Herriot’s books are partially autobiographical and will tell stories that loosely incorporate events, people and places connected to his own life, many times in a personal manner. The books, in many ways, chronicle the shift the veterinary industry underwent during James’ years in his practice, taking into account the role transitions in agriculture as well as various social factors might have played in the process, this including the fact that many a veterinary practice slowly but steadily shifted their primary focus away from large beasts of burden to smaller creatures like dogs and cats.

While his books are largely referred to as animal stories, the creatures in James Herriot’s novels often play a fairly negligible role, with the plots primarily revolving around the people of Yorkshire country and their lives. The unique flavor present in Herriot’s work often emanates from the emphasis he places upon the relationships between animals and their owner, with the author known for making shrewd and quirky observations about this human/animal dynamic.

James Herriot’s books were adapted into a movie titled ‘All Creatures Great and Small’ in 1975, as well as a long running series of the same name which aired on BBC Television. The BBC also developed a three part drama in 2010 titled ‘Young James Herriot’ which utilized case notes and diaries to tell the story of the author. Herriot’s home of Thirsk has benefited greatly from his popularity, with the ‘World of James Herriot’ Museum attracting many a curious fan.

If Only They Could Talk

James Herriot arrives in the small village of Darrowby, unaware of the adventures that await him or the new friends that lie ahead. ‘If Only They Could Talk’ is a memoir narrating James Herriot’s first few years as a vet; operating in the country, ‘If Only They Could Talk’ manifests James Wight’s unique storytelling magic, the novel providing several hours of fun and joy to those persons that enjoy the company of animals and wish to explore the wild places of the country side.

‘If Only they could talk’ is an elegantly written novel that is often forgotten by today’s readers; there is never a dull moment within its pages. The characters are eccentric and the narrative couldn’t be any more humorous. Many natives of the region within which the novel is set have often complimented James’ first book for the sense of homeliness it creates

It shouldn’t happen to a Vet

The title aptly describes the spirit of James Herriot’s the second novel, which finds the author’s primary character, at one point, sitting on a high Yorkshire Moor and oddly scented like a cow. ‘It shouldn’t happen to a Vet’ continues to tell many more stories about Herriot’s complicated life, roping his boss Siegfried Farnon and the unpredictability that is his personality into the chaos, along with Tristan, his charming brother, complimented by Herriot’s fated encounter with the beautiful Helen.

Once more the beauty of the countryside shines through in this warm tale that is as charming as it is wise. ‘It shouldn’t happen to a vet’, like all of James Herriot’s works, is one novel that shouldn’t be rushed. James Herriot doesn’t write fast paced page turners filled with thrilling tales; rather it is those readers that enjoy the quite simplicity of a good book that Herriot writes for, his second novel simply happy to crawl down its own path, rarely in a hurry to arrive at its destination but making every portion of the journey a true delight.

James’ anecdotes about the life of a vet in the country illustrate a love for the quite life; they reveal wisdom and wit even while never failing to entertain. ‘It shouldn’t happen to a vet’ has no particular target group. It is the sort of novel that readers both young and old, men and women, are going to enjoy, whether they love animals and the countryside or not.

Indeed many older readers have admitted to enjoying James Herriot’s works during their teenage years, the same novels they continue to visit today and whose entertainment value has not dimmed even with the passing of time,

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All of James Herriot’s books are a timeless joy to savor.

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The Complete List of James Herriot Books in Order

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James Herriot was the British veterinarian turned bestselling author who delighted generations of fans with his charming tales of animals and their owners.

His books have sold more than sixty million copies worldwide and put the quaint English county of Yorkshire on the international stage.

And though he sadly passed away in 1995, this beloved author’s work is still treasured by readers around the globe to this day.

Table of Contents

James Herriot’s Books in Order

In this post, I’ll give you a full list of every James Herriot book, including his classic ‘All Creatures Great and Small’ series, his illustrated children’s stories, and his non-fiction work.

Plus, I’ll include a selection of fascinating biographies written about this multi-talented author.

But before we dive into Herriot’s extensive bibliography, let’s find out more about the man behind the books.

Who is James Herriot?

Though most people know him by his famous pseudonym, James Herriot’s real name was James Alfred Wight, or simply ‘Alf’ to his friends.

He was born in 1916 in Sunderland, England, but spent much of his childhood in Glasgow after his family relocated.

As a boy, Alf was fascinated by animals, and by the time he was twelve years old, he knew beyond all doubt that he wanted to be a vet.

And so, at the age of 23, he graduated from Glasgow Veterinary College before taking on his first job at a veterinary practice in his birthplace of Sunderland.

But just a few months later, he was offered a similar position in the market town of Thirsk, Yorkshire, and the charms of rural England proved too much for him to resist.

He quickly settled into country life, and soon after he arrived, he met his sweetheart, Joan Catherine Anderson Danbury.

A year later, the couple was married, and Wight was promoted to a salaried partner at the veterinary clinic.

But meanwhile, WWII was raging, and in November 1942, Alf Wight joined the Royal Air Force as a combat pilot. Yet his time in the forces was short-lived, and in July of the following year, he was discharged on the grounds of ill health.

Upon his return, he rejoined his beloved practice in Thirsk, and by 1949, he became a full partner.

Working alongside him was fellow veterinarian Donald Sinclair, who would later inspire Wight’s hot-headed and eccentric main character, Siegfried Farnon.

But after the publication of the first James Herriot book in 1970, his relationship with Sinclair became strained. His partner hated the way his alter-ego, Siegfried, was portrayed, so much so that he even threatened to sue him.

In the books, Siegfried is bad-tempered, outspoken, and opinionated, but according to Wight’s son Jim, the real Sinclair was even more outlandish than his fictional counterpart.

Yet, in both his novels and in real life, Wight was always quick to point out that underneath his brash exterior, Sinclair was a kind-hearted man who always put the welfare of his animal patients first.

And thankfully, despite their disagreements, their friendship survived, and the pair continued their practice together for many years to come. 

Sinclair may have disliked Wight’s semi-autobiographical tales, but his fans couldn’t get enough. 

By the mid-1970s, Alf had gone from an unknown village vet to an international sensation, and readers began turning up at his clinic to meet the man behind their favorite stories. 

But Alf was a low-key kind of guy who valued his privacy. So, he, his wife, and their two children eventually moved out of Thirsk to the quaint village of Thirlby just a few miles down the road, away from the throngs of adoring fans.

Juggling two successful careers as both a veterinary surgeon and a bestselling author didn’t leave Alf Wight with much free time, so in 1980, he decided to go part-time at the practice.

Many others may have left their old career behind for good, but not Alf Wight . “I wouldn’t give up being a vet if I had a million pounds,” he said. “I’m too fond of animals.”

For the next decade, he continued delighting readers around the world, all while treating sick and injured animals in the Yorkshire Dales.

It wasn’t until 1990, after more than 50 years of veterinary service, that he finally retired from his beloved practice in Thirsk at the age of 74.

In February of 1995, Alf Wight sadly passed away at his home in Thirlby after a long battle with prostate cancer.

Yet his son, Jim, who also trained as a vet, continued his father’s legacy at his clinic for years to come.

Jim also followed in Alf’s literary footsteps, and in 2001, he published The Real James Herriot: A Memoir of My Father.

In it, he describes his father as a kind-hearted, generous, and modest man who never quite understood the attention he received from his adoring fans.

Instead, he preferred to avoid the public eye, dedicating himself to the welfare of animals while sharing the joys of his work with readers around the globe.

Writing Career

Although he didn’t become a published author until much later in his life, Alf Wight had always had a talent for writing.

Even as a child, he wrote daily journals and submitted several pieces for his school magazine.

Yet it wasn’t until the early 1960’s that he took his hobby to the next level.

He began by penning numerous short stories, but despite sending them to publishers around the country, he was met with rejection.

Ultimately, he realized the key to success was in writing what you know, and so in 1969, he began work on a collection of stories inspired by his experiences as a vet.

The following year, they were published in the UK by Michael Joseph Ltd. under the title ‘If Only They Could Talk,’ and Wight’s writing career finally began to take off.

But strict rules from the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons prevented practicing veterinarians from advertising in any way. And so Alf Wight needed a pseudonym, and his alter-ego, James Herriot, was born.

Sales of his early work were slow, but in 1972, he finally got his big break when the New York City publisher, St Martin’s Press, released his two first books under one volume, ‘All Creatures Great and Small.’

Suddenly, his readership skyrocketed, and James Herriot became a household name on both sides of the Atlantic.

In the decades that followed, he penned eight novels, multiple children’s stories, and several non-fiction works, too, including his final gift to the world, 1999 posthumously released ‘James Herriot’s Yorkshire Revisited.’

Even to this day, Alf Wight’s incredible legacy lives on, and thousands of fans still swarm the Yorkshire Dales each year to visit his iconic veterinary practice, now ‘The World of James Herriot’ museum.

So, if you’re a fan of this prolific author’s work, make sure to include a trip to Thirsk, Yorkshire, on your bucket list.

The Complete List of James Herriot Books in Reading and Publication Order

Alf Wight’s career as James Herriot gave birth to numerous semi-autobiographical fiction novels, as well as multiple children’s picture books, short stories, and non-fiction works too.

Below, I’ll list them all in the order they were published.

The ‘All Creatures Great and Small’ Books

This charming series about Herriot’s life as a Yorkshire veterinarian is his most celebrated body of work.

Each book takes the reader on a new and fascinating journey into the ancient English countryside, exploring the lives of the people, and animals, who live there.

Although they’re technically works of fiction, the stories are inspired by the author’s real-life experiences living and working as a vet, and many of the characters and events are rooted in reality.

The series was a phenomenal success on both sides of the Atlantic, and in 1975, the first two novels were transformed into a blockbuster movie starring Simon Ward and Anthony Hopkins.

As well as finding fame on the silver screen, Herriot’s work was also adapted as a hugely successful and long-running BBC television series starring Christopher Timothy and Robert Hardy.

The show ran from 1978 to 1990, and according to producer Bill Sellars : “It became a world favorite, and at its height was actually watched by twenty million viewers.”

It’s clear that Herriot’s ‘All Creatures Great and Small’ has left a lasting impact on the world. And even today, more than 25 years after the author’s death, these heartwarming tales of animals and their owners are as delightful and poignant as ever before.

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The All Creatures Great and Small Books in Reading and Publication Order

The series was originally published in two different formats, one for each side of the Atlantic.

So, how you order the books will depend on whether you’re reading in the UK or the USA.

In the UK, books one to six were published as separate novels, but in the USA, they were collected into two book volumes.

But the final two titles, ‘The Lord God Made Them All’ and ‘Every Living Thing,’ were the same on both sides of the pond.

To avoid any confusion, I’ll list both the UK and the USA series in reading and publication order below.

The Original UK Series

• If Only They Could Talk (1970)
• It Shouldn’t Happen to a Vet (1972)
• Let Sleeping Vets Lie (1973)
• Vet in Harness (1974)
• Vets Might Fly (1976)
• Vet in a Spin (1977)
• The Lord God Made Them All (1981)
• Every Living Thing (1992)

The USA Series

• All Creatures Great and Small (1972) (includes the stories If Only They Could Talk and It Shouldn’t Happen to a Vet) 
• All Things Bright and Beautiful (1974) (includes the stories Let Sleeping Vets Lie and Vet in Harness)
• All Things Wise and Wonderful (1977) (includes the stories Vets Might Fly and Vet in a Spin)

James Herriot’s Children’s Books

After the incredible success of ‘All Creatures Great and Small,‘ Herriot published several books for children, illustrated by Peter Barrett and Ruth Brown. 

Many of these original stories are still available to buy separately online, but in 1992, they were compiled into a singular special edition, ‘ James Herriot’s Treasury for Children. ’  

Each title acts as a standalone, so they can be read in any order you wish. 

• Moses the Kitten (1984) 
• Only One Woof (1985) 
• The Christmas Day Kitten (1986) 
• Bonny’s Big Day (1987) 
• Blossom Comes Home (1988) 
• The Market Square Dog (1989) 
• Oscar, Cat-About-Town (1990) 
• Smudge, the Little Lost Lamb (1991) 

Read More: The Complete List of Stephen King Books in Order

Non-Fiction Books 

Over the course of his long career as a vet, Herriot fell in love with the picturesque county of Yorkshire. 

And so, in 1979, he published a bestselling non-fiction book, ‘James Herriot’s Yorkshire,’ to give readers a glimpse into life in this beautiful part of England. 

Then, in 1999, four years after the author’s death, Herriot’s family authorized an updated edition, which includes never-before-seen photographs, excerpts from Herriot’s popular series, along with an introduction by his son, Jim Wight. 

• James Herriot’s Yorkshire (1979) 
• James Herriot’s Yorkshire Revisited (1999) 

Short Stories

James Herriot penned countless short stories in his life, and many were written long before he became a household name. 

Some of these quick reads never made it outside of the publisher’s office, but the ones that did have been collected into the anthologies below. 

• The Best of James Herriot (1983)
• Horse & Pony Stories (1986)

Further Reading

If you’ve read all of his books and still can’t get enough of James Herriot’s work, then worry not. 

There are several fascinating biographies to explore about this beloved author’s life and career, including the popular titles listed below.

• James Herriot: The Life of a Country Vet by Graham Lord (1997) 
• The Real James Herriot: A Memoir of My Father by Jim Wight (2000)
• Young He r riot: The Early Life and Times of James Herriot by John Lewis-Stempel (2011) 
• The Yorkshire Vet: In the Footsteps of Herriot by Peter Wright (2018)

You May Also Read: The Complete List of Margaret Atwood Books

James Herriot’s heartwarming and captivating reads are the perfect antidote to the stress of modern life.

His stories transport us back into an age of innocence and remind us of the fundamental connection that humans and animals have always shared.

If you’re new to Herriot’s work, I hope this article has helped you figure out where to begin your reading journey.

And if you’re already a James Herriot fan, I’d love to hear about your favorite books, so drop me a comment in the box below!

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•   All Creatures Great and Small: a guide to James Herriot's books

All Creatures Great and Small: a guide to James Herriot's books

Find out why the engaging and heartfelt memoirs of a vet in rural yorkshire continue to fly, leap and gallop off the shelves..

All Creatures Great and Small , James Herriot's wartime veterinary memoir, is now a television series starring Nicholas Ralph, Samuel West, Anna Madeley, Rachel Shenton and Callum Woodhouse. James Herriot's books are classic memoirs: feisty, funny and entrancing. Whether you're an animal lover, a student of human nature, or you have a penchant for the wild beauty of the Yorkshire moors, these books are for you. 

Looking for more memoir and real-life stories? Discover our selection of the best autobiographies and biographies .

The Wonderful World of James Herriot

By james herriot.

The perfect gift for fans of  All Creatures Great and Small , this is a charming collection of classic stories from James Herriot’s much-loved books, with insights into his life and work from his children. Capturing the spirit of the Yorkshire Dales on the cusp of change, before tractors and machines had taken over and modern medicines and antibiotics transformed veterinary work, a beloved cast of characters emerges –not least the animals, who are always at the heart of Herriot's stories.

James Herriot's memoirs

All creatures great and small.

The first of James Herriot's much-loved memoirs, All Creatures Great and Small sees the young James emerge from veterinary college in Glasgow in the 1930s. Carving out a career in rural Yorkshire, he has to tangle with eccentric new colleagues Siegfried and Tristan Farnon, as well as cryptic farmers, feral cattle and a tubby Pekingese called Tricky Woo. Things get even more complicated when he falls head over heels for Helen, the beautiful daughter of a local farmer.

All Things Bright and Beautiful

James is settling down in the quiet Yorkshire village of Darrowby, happily married to farmer's daughter Helen. But things are never quite as straightforward as planned . . . he must cope with the vagaries of his colleagues Siegfried and Tristan, get to grips with new techniques and deliver calves after drinking way too much home-brewed wine. Meanwhile war looms on the horizon, threatening to take him away from Helen forever.

All Things Wise and Wonderful

Away from Darrowby in the bustle of London, James finds himself missing his challenging colleagues and the grumpy local farmers, but most of all he longs to see his wife Helen, who is pregnant with their first child. He is training to be an RAF pilot, keen to serve his country, but could never miss seeing his child enter the world.

The Lord God Made Them All

James has returned from his wartime service in the RAF and is settling back into life as a rural vet. While the world has changed, his uncompromising farmer clients and the eccentric roster of animal ailments have not. Life in Darrowby is still full of events and uproars, and with a new baby on the way things are not going to get any easier . . .

Every Living Thing

Now back from the war and well established as a Yorkshire country vet, James has two children and a place in the hearts of even the gruffest local farmers. He has seen great advances in veterinary science and medicine, but still gets in the odd tangle dealing with obstinate animals and hypochondriac pet owners. Even so, there's nowhere he'd rather be than Darrowby. 

More books by James Herriot

Let sleeping vets lie.

Two years into his job as a vet, James is delighted to be assisting at the practice in Darrowby on the stunning Yorkshire moors. There's a rich cast of characters – and animals – to keep him on his toes: his mercurial boss Siegfried Farnon, Siegfried's sweetly errant brother Tristan, a distinctly mean cat named Boris, and beautiful Helen, who James is trying unsuccessfully to woo.

Vet in Harness

Life in Darrowby is good. James has become a partner in the practice, with his beloved wife Helen by his side. Between village cricket games, demanding animals and their ever more demanding owners, there is hardly a quiet moment in the Yorkshire Dales for James.

Vets Might Fly

The Second World War rudely interrupts James and Helen in their love nest in Darrowby, and he must leave home to play his part. Digging for victory in a training camp far from home, James longs for home cooking and the rustic life he left behind.

Vet in a Spin

It's all change for James, far from his precious practice and far above the ground: he is strapped into the cockpit of a Tiger Moth and training to be a fighter pilot for the RAF. James finds he is desperately homesick for his wife Helen, their small son Jimmy, and he even misses his unpredictable colleagues Siegfried and Tristan – and his four-legged friends back in Darrowby.

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How To Read James Herriot's All Creatures Great and Small Books In Order

The beloved PBS show is based on a series of eight books.

Every item on this page was chosen by a Town & Country editor. We may earn commission on some of the items you choose to buy.

As most fans already know, the show is based on a series of equally beloved novels by Herriot, whose real name is James Alfred Wight, and who wrote the books based on his own experiences as a young veterinary surgeon. So if you just can't get enough of the rich, uplifting world of Herriot and the animals he cares for, here's how to read the original books in order.

St. Martin's Paperbacks All Creatures Great and Small

First published in 1972, the first installment in the series picks up with a young James Herriot, fresh out of veterinary school during the Great Depression and searching desperately for a job. He finally accepts a position as an assistant vet at a rural practice in the sleepy Yorkshire village of Darrowby, and is thrown in at the deep end treating pets and farm animals.

This book was originally published in the UK as two separate novels— If Only They Could Talk (1970) and It Shouldn't Happen to a Vet (1972)—and was later combined into one.

St. Martin's Griffin All Things Bright and Beautiful

The second book in the series finds Herriot settled into life in Darrowby, and now married to his wife Helen. His former boss, Siegfried Farnon, is now his business partner, and Herriot is more established as a vet in the area. The book chronicles Herriot's journeys across the dales to treat a slew of new animal—from dogs to lambs to parakeets—and share sometimes comedic, sometimes moving interactions with their owners.

This book was originally published as two novels in the UK: Let Sleeping Vets Lie (1973) and Vet in Harness (1974).

St. Martin's Griffin All Things Wise and Wonderful

The third installment in the series finds our hero in a wildly different setting, as he begins his military service in Britain's Royal Air Force. All Things Wise and Wonderful follows him through the rigors of basic training, and the heartache of being away from his wife Helen. The story includes more recollections from Herriot's time as a country vet, as well as from his time in the RAF.

This story combines two novels previously published in the UK— Vets Might Fly (1976) and Vet in a Spin (1977).

St. Martin's Griffin The Lord God Made Them All

In this fourth book, Herriot and his wife have welcomed two young children, Jim and Rosie. In addition to chronicling his new life as a father, Herriot also recounts his professional trips to Russia and Istanbul during the 1960s—and, of course, shares plenty more touching anecdotes about the animals he treats.

St. Martin's Griffin Every Living Thing

The fifth and final installment in Herriot's series, Every Living Thing , focuses mainly on Herriot's life back in Darrowby after his time in the military, his relationships with his growing children, and his trademark encounters with eccentric local townspeople and animal owners. As the series builds towards its conclusion, Herriot also reflects on the remarkable advances in medical technology that he's seen throughout his decades-long career, and the ways in which war has changed him.

Emma Dibdin is a freelance writer based in Los Angeles who writes about culture, mental health, and true crime. She loves owls, hates cilantro, and can find the queer subtext in literally anything.

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All of James Herriot's Books In Order

Go back to the very beginning.

Born James Alfred Wight in 1916 Sunderland, the author better known by his pen name James Herriot worked in veterinary practice for more than 50 years, and his time as a veterinarian informs his best-known and most beloved books.

Though he had dabbled in writing throughout his life, he only seriously turned to attempting to publish after he was 50 years old and had already been a practicing vet for decades. Because regulations from the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons required that he not advertise, he wrote his first successful books under a pen name, in this case James Herriot, taken from the name of footballer Jim Herriot of Scotland, after Wight saw Herriot playing at Birmingham City.

In the years since he began publishing, Wight (as Herriot) has authored numerous books, most of them about animals and his experiences as a vet. Kicking off a successful franchise, Herriot’s books have remained in print for decades and inspired films and a successful, 90-episode BBC television series , among others. 

As well-loved as they are, however, getting into Herriot’s books for the first time can be a bit confusing, as they were published in the UK and the States in different editions, under different titles. Not to worry, though—we can help you navigate them.

• Photo Credit: James Herriot, courtesy of @jamesherriot

All Creatures Great and Small

Herriot’s first two books in the UK were If Only They Could Talk  and It Shouldn’t Happen to a Vet . Both chronicled his adventures and experiences working as a young country vet in the Yorkshire Dales. 

The first of these was published in 1970. When it came time to bring them to the States in 1972, however, his publisher decided to combine them into an omnibus volume, a technique that would be continued for the next few installments of his ongoing series. 

Herriot chose to call this omnibus All Creatures Great and Small , taken from the second line of the hymn “All Things Bright and Beautiful.” This would come to be the name by which the entire series was best known, both here and across the pond.

All Things Bright and Beautiful

Continuing the approach of combining two UK volumes into a single omnibus stateside, All Things Bright and Beautiful brought together the stories originally contained in Let Sleeping Vets Lie and Vet in Harness , originally published in 1973 and 1974, respectively. 

These also continue the saga of Wight’s own experiences as a country vet, chronicling events through the years, including his own marriage and the many unforgettable characters – both human and animal – that he met in his practice throughout the dales.

All Things Wise and Wonderful

The last of the omnibus volumes is far from the last of Herriot’s unforgettable stories. Combining works originally published as Vets Might Fly and Vet in a Spin , this third collection sees its narrator entering World War II as part of the RAF, again drawn from Wight’s own real experiences. 

For those who loved the gentle and pleasant nature of Herriot’s earlier books, however, fret not. The darkness of the war cannot cast a pall over Herriot’s love for animals, friends, and his own family, including his wife, who is about to have a baby in this unforgettable volume.

7 Real Life Adventure Stories

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The Lord God Made Them All

At the time of its publication in 1981, The Lord God Made Them All  was the culmination of Herriot’s vet stories, tying together both the original UK publications and the stateside omnibus editions with a title that brought the two together. 

In it, Herriot returns from World War II to settle in with his wife and new family, only to find himself facing new challenges – not only of fatherhood, but in his veterinary practice, including escorting a boatload of sheep to Russia, and much more. Find out why the Washington Post  calls this “Herriot at his best.”

James Herriot's Favorite Dog Stories

By James Herriot

Collecting stories about dogs from all of Herriot’s previous volumes, this is the perfect book for dog lovers, and it also boasts some new writing from Herriot, specifically talking about his own dogs that he has owned throughout the years. 

Companion volumes, collecting favorite cat stories, Yorkshire stories, and various animal stories from Herriot’s memoirs, were published a few years later, as well.

13 Books About Dogs That Will Warm Your Heart 

Every Living Thing

More than a decade passed between the publication of The Lord God Made Them All  and the next book in Herriot’s ongoing saga, Every Living Thing , released in 1992. By then, Herriot was beginning to retire from the veterinary practice, after more than 50 years of treating animals, and as a result, the nature of the stories told in  Every Living Thing is different from those in his earlier books. 

In  Every Living Thing , he treats more house pets than livestock, and he has begun to train a new generation to take his place. In fact, he had retired from full-time practice by the 1981 publication of  The Lord God Made Them All , and fully retired about the time  Every Living Thing was released – by which time he was over 70 years old. 

Indeed, Herriot passed on just a few years after the publication of  Every Living Thing , and all but one of his subsequent books were published posthumously.

9 Books About the Fascinating World of Birds

James Herriot's Cat Stories

The last of his books to be published during his lifetime,  James Herriot’s Cat Stories is the ideal companion to his Dog Stories , and the perfect gift for cat lovers . With ten warm and unforgettable stories of felines great and small, this book includes such beloved figures as Olly and Ginny, the cats who lived in the log shed behind Herriot’s home and ate dinner on his retaining wall for years, but could never be coaxed inside. 

First introduced in Every Living Thing , these cats get to star in several of the stories in this volume and have been beloved by readers for decades.

James Herriot's Yorkshire Stories

Originally released as an illustrated hardcover in 1998, just three years after Herriot’s death, this volume can be seen as a sort of “best of,” collecting 10 of the best-known and most well-loved stories from Herriot’s previous volumes. Yorkshire Stories details

 his work as a country vet in the Yorkshire Dales, as he encounters unforgettable animals and people in his practice, through classic stories told with warmth, humanity, and humor.

James Herriot's Animal Stories

Like Dog Stories , Cat Stories , and Yorkshire Stories before it, this volume, not published until 2015, brings together fan-favorite stories from Herriot’s previous books, hand-picked by his real-life son, Jim Wight. 

These “James Herriot’s Stories” books may be old hat to those who have read the entire All Creatures Great and Small  saga, but they make perfect gifts for animal lovers or those who are new to Herriot’s work.

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4 Ways to Read James Herriot Books In Order | Ultimate Guide

Are you a fan of James Herriot’s books and looking for a list of all the James Herriot books in order?

Then we are here to help!

Who is James Herriot?

James Herriot is the pseduonym for James Alfred Wight. He was an English veterinarian who drew inspiration from his life when he turned to writing.

Before he became a writer, Wight lived a full life as a veterinarian. He also served in the Royal Air Force and helped raise his family.

While he wanted to write a book for years, it wasn’t until his wife challenged him that Wight – at 50 – finally put pen to paper. Unfortunately, his first stories on different topics were not successful. It wasn’t until he shifted to a semi-autobiographical tone in his writing that he found his niche.

The decision to publish under a pen name was due in part to Wight still being a practicing veterinarian. Readers fell in love with the veterinarian James Herriot’s reflections. While Wight’s first book, If Only They Could Talk, wasn’t an instant bestseller, the decision to combine his first two books within a single volume bind-up brought great success.

All Creatures Great and Small has since been adapted for television and film, as well as inspiring many sequels within the series.

If you’re interested in reading the James Herriot books in order, continue reading to find out how best to approach his works.

How To Read the James Herriot Books In Order

As already mentioned, James Herriot’s books often include semi-autobiographical material. This leads to a personal tone within his writing that creates an immersive experience for readers. He paints such a detailed picture of the setting and environment that it feels familiar and comforting to readers, even those who have never visited Yorkshire.

In his All Creatures Great and Small series, Wight depicts rural life in the English countryside through the eyes of a veterinarian named James Herriot. While animals therefore feature quite heavily in his books, it doesn’t detract from Wight’s character development or portrayal.

Instead, in exploring the relationship between animals and their owners, Wight was able to capture a sense of magic amongst the mundane that have made his books so long-lasting.

James Herriot Books in Order of Publication

There are four different ways to read James Herriot books in order. These are divided into the following sections

• All Creatures Great and Small Books
• Non-Fiction Books
• Picture Books
• Short Story Collections

Some books are out of print and cannot be linked. You might be able to find them in a used bookstore.

#1 All Creatures Great and Small Books in Order

The All Creatures Great and Small series was initially published in two different ways. It all depended on which side of the Atlantic you were ordering your books on.

In the UK, the first six books were published in separate volumes, which are listed below. The final two books in this series were published the same in both the US and the UK.

If Only They Could Talk (1970)

It shouldn’t happen to a vet (1972), let sleeping vets lie (1973), vet in harness (1974), vets might fly (1976), vet in a spin (1977), the lord god made them all (1981), every living thing (1992).

In the US, however, the James Herriot books in order for this series is bit shorter. This is because those first six books were published in bind-up volumes containing two books each. Again, the final two books in this series were published the same as in the UK.

All Creatures Great and Small (1972)

All things bright and beautiful (1974), all things wise and wonderful (1977), #2 james herriot other non-fiction books in order.

• Animal Stories, Tame & Wild (1979)
• James Herriot’s Yorkshire (1979)
• 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 Yorkshire Village (1995)
• James Herriot’s Animal Stories (1997)
• Yorkshire Stories (1998)
• James Herriot’s Yorkshire Revisited (1999)

#3 James Herriot Picture Books in Order

• 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)

#4 James Herriot Short Story Collections

• The Best of James Herriot (1983)
• Horse and Pony Stories (1986)

Other Books about James Herriot

• The Real James Herriot: A Memoir of My Father
• James Herriot: The Life of a Country Vet
• The Yorkshire Vet: In the Footsteps of Herriot

A Summary Of James Herriot Books in Order

When the newly qualified vet, James Herriot, arrives in the small Yorkshire village of Darrowby, he has no idea of the new friends he will meet or adventures that lie ahead.

From the author whose books inspired the BBC series “All Creatures Great and Small”, this first volume of unforgettable memoirs chronicles James Herriot’s first years as a country vet, with the signature storytelling magic that has made him a favourite the world over.

Here is a book for all those who find laughter and joy in animals, and who know and understand the magic of wild places and beautiful countryside.

How on earth did James Herriot come to be sitting on a high Yorkshire moor, smelling vaguely of cows? James isn’t sure, but he knows that he loves it.

This second hilarious volume of memoirs contains more tales of James’ unpredictable boss Siegfried Farnon, his charming student brother Tristan, animal mayhem galore and his first encounters with a beautiful girl called Helen.

This volume contains both If Only They Could Talk and It Shouldn’t Happen to a Vet.

Delve into the magical, unforgettable world of James Herriot, the world’s most beloved veterinarian, and his menagerie of heartwarming, funny, and tragic animal patients. For over forty years, generations of readers have thrilled to Herriot’s marvelous tales, deep love of life, and extraordinary storytelling abilities. For decades, Herriot roamed the remote, beautiful Yorkshire Dales, treating every patient that came his way from smallest to largest, and observing animals and humans alike with his keen, loving eye. In All Creatures Great and Small, we meet the young Herriot as he takes up his calling and discovers that the realities of veterinary practice in rural Yorkshire are very different from the sterile setting of veterinary school.

Some visits are heart-wrenchingly difficult, such as one to an old man in the village whose very ill dog is his only friend and companion. Some are lighthearted and fun, such as Herriot’s periodic visits to the overfed and pampered Pekinese Tricki Woo who throws parties and has his own stationery. Yet others are inspirational and enlightening, such as Herriot’s recollections of poor farmers who will scrape their meager earnings together to be able to get proper care for their working animals.

From seeing to his patients in the depths of winter on the remotest homesteads to dealing with uncooperative owners and critically ill animals, Herriot discovers the wondrous variety and never-ending challenges of veterinary practice as his humor, compassion, and love of the animal world shine forth.

With two years experience behind him, James Herriot still feels privileged working on the beautiful Yorkshire moors as assistant vet at the Darrowby practice. Time to meet yet more unwilling patients and a rich cast of supporting owners. Full of hilarious tales of his unpredictable boss Siegfreid Farnon, his charming student brother Tristan, the joys of spring lambing, a vicious cat called Boris and James’ jinxed courtship of the lovely Helen, this third volume of memoirs is sure to delight hardened fans and new readers of James Herriot titles alike.

The Yorkshire dales have never seemed more beautiful for James – now he has a lovely wife by his side, a partner’s plate on the gate and the usual menagerie of farm animals, pets and owners demanding his constant attention and teaching him a few lessons along the way. All of the old Darrowby friends are on top form – Siegfried thrashes round the practice, Tristan occasionally buckles down for finals and James is signed up for a local cricket team.

This volume includes both Let Sleeping Vets Lie and Vets in Harness.

It picks up as Herriot, now newly married, journeys among the remote hillside farms and valley towns of the Yorkshire Dales, caring for their inhabitants – both two- and four-legged.

Throughout, Herriot’s deep compassion, humor, and love of life shine out as we laugh, cry, and delight in his portraits of his many, varied animal patients and their equally varied owners.

A few months of married bliss, a lovers’ nest in Darrowby and the wonders of home cooking are rudely interrupted for James Herriot by the Second World War.

James Herriot’s fifth volume of memoirs relocates him to a training camp somewhere in England. And in between square pounding and digging for victory, he dreams of the people and livestock he left behind him.

James Herriot has swapped his wellies for a flying jacket, but he can’t wait to get back to the practice and his old Darrowby friends.

James Herriot, strapped into the cockpit of a Tiger Moth trainer, feels rather out of place, but he hasn’t found a new profession and it surely won’t be long before the RAF come round to his point of view.

This sixth volume of unforgettable memoirs sees him dreaming of the day when he can rejoin his wife Helen, little son Jimmy, veterinary partner Siegfried, the eternal student Tristan – and all the old Darrowby crows, both two-legged and four.

This volume contains Vets Might Fly and Vet in a Spin.

In the midst of World War II, James is training for the Royal Air Force, while going home to Yorkshire whenever possible to see his very pregnant wife, Helen.

Musing on past adventures through the dales, visiting with old friends, and introducing scores of new and amusing character – animal and human alike – Herriot enthralls with his uncanny ability to spin a most engaging and heartfelt yarn.

The Lord God Made Them All is the bestselling sequel to All Things Wise and Wonderful. It is the fourth volume in James Herriot’s US publications classic collections of animal stories. In the UK order of publication this is the seventh novel in the series.

In this newly repackaged volume, after serving in the RAF in World War II, Herriot gladly returns home to Yorkshire to his beloved family and multitude of patients, with many more tender, funny, sad and wise stories to share with us and warm our hearts.

Every Living Thing shines with the storytelling magic that has made him a favourite the world over. It also reveals more of the real James Herriot than ever before. Here is a book for all those who find laughter and joy in animals. And for those who know and understand the magic of wild places and beautiful countryside.

I hope this helps you know how to approach reading the James Herriot books in order.

Herriot’s books are a delightful, heartwarming read for anyone who enjoys British humor or animal stories. In addition, his memoirs are still as relevant today as they were when first published in the 1970s.

Looking for more books in order?

You might also be interested in Agatha Christie Books in Order or Dog Man Books in Order .

4 thoughts on “ 4 Ways to Read James Herriot Books In Order | Ultimate Guide ”

Good to know.

Fabulous overview! Thank you so much, T.L. Branson! ????

This is a very clear and helpful guide. Thank you.

Thank you very much for this guide – I got very confused trying to work out the relationships between the titles and this sorts it out – much appreciated!

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James Herriot

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• Amercian Society of Authors and Writers - Biography of James Herriot
• Kennel Union of Southern Africa - The Life and Times of James Herriott
• Official Site of James Herriot
• World of James Herriot - Biography of James Herriot
• James Herriot - Student Encyclopedia (Ages 11 and up)

James Herriot (born October 3, 1916, Sunderland , Durham, England—died February 23, 1995, Thirlby, near Thirsk, Yorkshire ) was a British veterinarian and writer. Born James Alfred Wight, he joined the practice of two veterinarian brothers working in the Yorkshire Dales and at age 50 was persuaded by his wife to write down his collection of anecdotes . His humorous fictionalized reminiscences were published under the name James Herriot in If Only They Could Talk (1970) and It Shouldn’t Happen to a Vet (1972), which were issued in the United States as All Creatures Great and Small (1972). The instant best seller inaugurated a series of highly popular books, which were adapted for film and television.

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All Creatures Great and Small: The Classic Memoirs of a Yorkshire Country Vet Paperback – 17 Jan. 2013

The first collection of memoirs from the author who inspired the BBC series All Creatures Great and Small . This edition contains If Only They Could Talk and It Shouldn't Happen to a Vet . Fresh out of Glasgow Veterinary College, to the young James Herriot 1930s Yorkshire seems to offer an idyllic pocket of rural life in a rapidly changing world. But from his erratic new colleagues, brothers Siegfried and Tristan Farnon, to incomprehensible farmers, herds of semi-feral cattle, a pig called Nugent and an overweight Pekingese called Tricki Woo, James finds he is on a learning curve as steep as the hills around him. And when he meets Helen, the beautiful daughter of a local farmer, all the training and experience in the world can’t help him . . .

Since they were first published, James Herriot’s memoirs have sold millions of copies and entranced generations of animal lovers. Charming, funny and touching, All Creatures Great and Small is a heart-warming story of determination, love and companionship from one of Britain’s best-loved authors.

'I grew up reading James Herriot's books and I'm delighted that thirty years on, they are still every bit as charming, heartwarming and laugh-out-loud funny as they were then' Kate Humble

• Print length 560 pages
• Language English
• Publisher Pan
• Publication date 17 Jan. 2013
• Reading age 18 years and up
• Dimensions 15.1 x 3.5 x 19.7 cm
• ISBN-10 1447225996
• ISBN-13 978-1447225997
• See all details

Product description

About the author, product details.

• Publisher ‏ : ‎ Pan; Main Market edition (17 Jan. 2013)
• Language ‏ : ‎ English
• Paperback ‏ : ‎ 560 pages
• ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1447225996
• ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1447225997
• Reading age ‏ : ‎ 18 years and up
• Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 15.1 x 3.5 x 19.7 cm
• 56 in Agriculture & Farming
• 81 in Medical Biographies
• 112 in Biographies on Novelist & Playwrights

About the author

James herriot.

"James Herriot (1916–1995) was the pen name of James Alfred “Alf” Wight, an English veterinarian whose tales of veterinary practice and country life have delighted generations. Many of Herriot’s works—including All Creatures Great and Small, All Things Bright and Beautiful, All Things Wise and Wonderful, The Lord God Made Them All, and Every Living Thing—became international bestsellers and have been adapted for film and television.

Herriot’s stories rely on numerous autobiographical elements taken from his life in northern England’s Yorkshire County, and they depict a simple, rustic world deeply in touch with the cycles of nature."

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