All of Herriot's books are so comforting to read. I like to read them when I need a warm and fuzzy feeling. ( )

Herriot's third collection of loosely autobiographical tales of veterinary practice in the Yorkshire dales ostensibly takes place while he is serving in the Royal Air Force during World War II. However, most of the chapters only begin with a paragraph or two about his military life which inevitably reminds him of someone or some animal-related event from his past. This was mildly disconcerting as the connections between the RAF event and the story to follow are sometimes quite a stretch. The tales are still quite entertaining and enjoyable, although it becomes slightly more clear that what is being related is becoming a bit more fictionalized than the incidents contained in the first two books of the series. ( )

I loved Herriot's collection of vet stories based off of airforce stories. Herriot tells the story of his time in the airforce, which everything he does reminding him in some way of different experiences he had as a vet- experiences that are generally funny, sometimes sad, and sometimes inspiring. All of them are well written and enjoyable to read. ( )

This was a good book, but I can't wholeheartedly recommend it. My wife did. She's enjoyed the whole series and thought that I would like it too. She suggested many months ago that I grab one of the two James Herriot books off the shelf and have a read. So after a proper amount of delay--one mustn't respond too quickly to one's wife's suggestions, after all--I grabbed this one and stuffed it into my lunch bag so that I could leisurely peruse the volume over my lunch hours. This is where I erred. Oh, the stories were fine--well written, full of warmth and humor. I did think it a bit odd that a book set during Mr. Herriot's RAF service was predominantly full of flashbacks, but that didn't really spoil the book for me. No, the problem is that All Things Wise and Wonderful, like the other books in the series, are anecdotes culled from Mr. Herriot's veterinarian practice. So while I'm trying to enjoy my bologna sandwich and nibble my Doritos, Mr. Herriot is sticking his arms into various barnyard orifices and describing all sorts of messy physical ailments. Fortunately I was hungry enough to carry through and finish both book and lunches. So if you are like me and enjoy some literature with your afternoon sustenance, be warned: This may be a book to save for after dessert.
--J. ( )

The third book by Mr. Herriot is about his years during World War II. He interspersed the stories of his time in the RAF with flashbacks to stories of being a vet. He spent one year before being discharged for medical reasons, but did get the opportunity to learn to fly before. He was the second in his group to solo, so he must have been pretty good at it. He was very sorrowful that his discharge ended his flying career, but was glad to get back to his practice and his son that was born while he was away. Some of the stories, including when he went AWOL to visit his wife without getting caught, are side splittingly funny.

Herriot's gift for writing is, as always, present and delightful. He has a wonderful ability to draw the reader in and help them feel as if they are standing just behind, peering over his shoulder. The characters and animals he meet are breathed to life in some of the easiest to read descriptions. They are quickly old friends of mine, too, as I wish I could actually be there and meet them myself. And, as always, I am left with a desire to go wander the Yorkshire Dales. What a masterful writer he is. ( )