These were my favourite books to read when I was a child of about ten. I’m thinking of re-reading them. I grew up on a farm and miss the animals but certainly not my stepfather. We have a new version of the tv series now in uk, I’ve just watched the latest one when James has joined the war and leaves by bus.
Hi Adelia! Yes, my favorite books as well and for some time. Read and re-read! The original TV series was and still is great. The new series is avaialable here in the states as well, but I probably will not watch it as it just won't live up to the oringinal, and the oriiginal cast. Thanks for your comments!
Such a wonderful modest man who brightened the lives of millions, and continues to do so even today. He always seemed so surprised at his success and the appeal that his books have.
Favorite books are to be enjoyed over and over. Have purchased his books and given them away a few times. I loved his subtle sense of humor. Many times I would read a passage and laugh out loud. Nice to actually hear his kind voice. Lovely. Thank you from the southwest of US. 😊
On your tv remote, say :"RU-vid and James Herriot and Portrait of a Best Seller" and you will get an hour long wonderful interview from when he was about 10 years younger than this.
He moved to Glascow at a very early age and lived there for quite some time, hence his Scottish accent. When I interviewed him he was at his home/surgery and in his element and quite relaxed, but my guess is that at a more formal intereview he softened it a bit. I am currently reading a book by his son called, "The Real James Herriot." It's excellent and gives a great insight into the lovely man.
@@donfaber I'd love to read it, you were so lucky to meet him, he was so gentle, soft-spoken and retiring, yet with such an intelligent and good mind. You know I've often thought how much he did with this one series of books - entire worlds were created. All of the actors in the spin-offs had their lives and careers made through the writiing of this book - millions inlcuding myself, take comfort by turning to the tv series for that last bit of real, simply honest good innocent God-ordained living that Mr. Wight outlined in his gently lyrical and beautifully presented books - thank you for sharing this interview - look how seriously he took writing the dedication in the book to a fan - 100% of his attention and energy.
O M G the man himself. This is first and only film I've ever seen of him. Like his storytelling sweet and endearing presence. The milk of human kindness.
Me too! I'm a life-long fan of James Herriot but only thought to look up anything on youtube just now. His books provided so much hilarity and humanity that he's very beloved to me.
The Mr Rogers comparison was spot on, both truly compassionate characters. A fascinating life he had and his son's book about him is truly excellent, gives a real insight into his father's character plus journey, the Real James Herriot I think it's titled. Thanks for posting this clip of Alf Wight.
Thanks for the comments, Eddie, and for the "heads up" regarding his son's book. I immediatlely ordered it from my library and am already into chaper 3. It's well written and very enjoyable..
In 1986 I, too, visited the veterinary in Thirsk to meet my favorite author, “James Herriot.” Same room, same delightful man! I had brought his newest book “Dog Stories” from the USA for an autograph. :-)
Connie - What a wonderful memory we both have! Unfortunately the book he signed for me was lent to a friend and never returned and I forgot who it was! Shucks!
What a sweet manner Dr. Wright had, with such smiley eyes, looking away a little, so as not to seem aggressive. He reminds me of Mr. Rogers a little bit, calm and steady, to inspire confidence in small children and animals. That makes a lot of sense. His mannerisms didn't come across on the written page because, of course, he probably did not know how he looked in the mirror or on film while talking with farmers and people with sick pets. Yet that manner is key to understanding why he became so skilled in his calling. (In whatever profession one works at, it can be enlightening to see a video of oneself at work for this very reason. The first time I saw myself on video while working, I thought to myself, "Who is that kind, fat lady in the pretty sweater and the terrible haircut? She seems very caring, and easy to talk to, but she really needs a better hair dresser!")
@@lacymacdougall9660 I think that his internal attitude came across well in his books because he knew his own thoughts and put them onto the paper. But how he looks physically to others...how he moves that is different from how other people move, that is something that didn't come across in the writing, because it is not something most people know about themselves.... unless they are screen actors and make a study of their own mannerisms on screen for professional purposes. You have to have seen yourself on camera to know what that looks like to other people. Most people haven't seen themselves on camera all that much....though with tictok and youtube and all those social media video posting services, that is likely changing. Most of us are quite surprised and even taken aback, the first time we see ourselves on camera. But you were just being nasty, weren't you, and not actually caring about the content of what you said....
He was born in Sunderland but moved to Glasgow at a very young age. He did have a Scottish accent. I met him once when he visited a relative's farm at Sutton-under-Whitestonecliffe well before he became a famous author. The family was expecting his boss (Donald Sinclair) who always brought sweets for us children and was, by general consensus, a bit mad but very much loved. Instead "the Scottish vet" arrived and we got no sweets. He was universally liked and respected and I've never heard of anyone who had a bad word for him.
MrHistorian123 Fancy that I had no idea. I just assumed because of his Yorkshire practice he was from Yorkshire originally. He did you a favour. I consumed lots of sweets as a kid and as a result have always had bad teeth.
That's not something I asked him but I would have liked to know his thoughts as well. I personally thought it was excellent. The whole series was grand, frankly. I still can't fathom how they got all the actors that portrayed local citizens and farmers. They are as authentic as can be, even to the extent that their local accent is sometimes hard to understand! I've watched the series many times over and still am doing so.
Has that nice way about them, which was more a thing with their generation. Then again, show business is sincerity and how to fake it. Or, how not to look like show business. Not everything about those days was particularly nice. He himself lived in a crowded tenement building, I think, as a boy.
What a wonderful treasure you have here! Alf had his practice in Thirsk, and for the purposes of the books, the villages where he lived and worked in the North Riding of Yorkshire were referred to as 'Darrowby' - a fantastical place of legend, a lot like Narnia or The Shire of the hobbits.
Thanks for your post. I corrected the reference to Thirsk to be geographically accurate. I have visited there twice. What a beautiful area! Alf was a kind and delightful person and the BBC series my favorite. I still watch them!
You were quite fortunate to have met him. By the time I got to Thirsk, he was long gone, but I took my father for a drink in the pub he used to frequent. This is a real treasure you have here! Thank you again.
Cant thank you enough for posting this vid clip.Oh how I wish I had met Alf. I have read all his books several times and am just finishing the biography written and signed by his son. I have the box set of the TV series and have visited the old practice at Thirsk twice. The man is my hero! So like my father who died 17 days after Alf passed away from the same condition that my late hubby had.