James Herriot Centenary Coming!

[The Bluestocking]

I know it isn't particularly SFF-y but one of the authors whose books I grew up with was James Herriot and his tales of vet mayhem and hilarity.

He would've been 100 on October 3rd had he lived that long. And his semi-autobiographical books influenced a generation of vets:

The James Herriot centenary: a vet who changed his profession
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/pets/new...t-centenary-a-vet-who-changed-his-profession/
Anyone else enjoy his books and stories? They made me literally roll about laughing (and I was a grumpy teenager when my dad bought me his books)!

 

[Vince W]

I love James Herriot's books! I've read them multiple times and still have my original Pan editions. I also watch All Creatures Great and Small almost annually. If ever I feel down a few chapters of It Shouldn't Happen to a Vet or If Only They Could Talk (or any of them) and I'm smiling and laughing like a fool. Simply some of the best storytelling ever.

 

[The Bluestocking]

One of my favourite stories of his was that tiny Mini Daschund that terrorised its owner, James, and Tristan

 

[Pedro Del Mar]

I read all these when I was much, much younger, many hours of enjoyment!

 

[Montero]

I think my favourite is the poor trainee who was trying to hold a bullock on a rope which ran off, he fell over and was towed round the field through cowpats, because he was so determined not to let go. There's dedication.

 

[Extollager]

Let me point out my colleague and friend Mitzi Brunsdale's book about Herriot, published by Twayne.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/0805778357/?tag=id2100-20

Dr. Brunsdale argues that Herriot suffered from brucellosis, once a common disease among vets, which could help to account for his depression.

 

[Montero]

He definitely suffered from brucellosis - he says so in one of the books.

 

[TheDustyZebra]

Happy birthday (upcoming) to Mr. Herriot! I grew up on his books, and recently passed some along to my daughter's best friend, who wants to be a vet.

 

[The Ace]

I loved them.

Re the Brucellosis, it was common among vets (he mentions getting it every year) due to their close proximity to infected animals (primarily cattle and sheep, but goats, pigs, and even dogs are also susceptible), until an effective vaccine - administered annually - was developed, and is still in use today. The disease was treated as an occupational hazard for decades, rather than the scourge it actually is.

I thought for a minute you were talking about former Dunfermline Athletic goalkeeper Jim Herriot;

"Are you the famous James Herriot ?"

"No, I'm the real one."