Lesson number one: when taking a cows temperature the old-fashioned way, never let go of the thermometer . . now firmly ensconced in the sleepy yorkshire village of darrowby, recently qualified vet james herriot has acclimatised to life with his unpredictable colleagues, brothers siegfried and tristan farnon. But veterinary practice in the 1930s was never going to be easy Lesson number one: when taking a cows temperature the old-fashioned way, never let go of the thermometer . . now firmly ensconced in the sleepy yorkshire village of darrowby, recently qualified vet james herriot has acclimatised to life with his unpredictable colleagues, brothers siegfried and tristan farnon. But veterinary practice in the 1930s was never going to be easy, and there are challenges on the horizon, from persuading his clients to let him use his modern equipment, to becoming an uncle (to a pig called nugent). Throw in his first encounters with helen, the beautiful daughter of a local farmer, and this year looks to be as eventful as the last... from the author whose books inspired the bbc series all creatures great and small, it shouldnt happen to a vet is a book for all those who find laughter and joy in animals, and who know and understand the magic and beauty of britains wild places. i grew up reading james herriots books and im delighted that thirty years on, they are still every bit as charming, heartwarming and laugh-out-loud funny as they were then kate humble he can tell a good story against himself, and his pleasure in the beauty of the countryside in which he works is infectious daily telegraph full of warmth, wisdom and wit the field