And Miles to Go Before I Sleep: A British Vet in Africa |
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Hugh Cran
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Pages: 384 (Hardcover)
ISBN: 1873674961
Pub: Merlin Unwin Books
Pub date: 2007-09-19
Amazon.co.uk Sales Rank: 87532
Reader Reviews:
Did we read the same book? (0/1 people found this helpful)
I have to say that I was astonished to read the positive reviews of this tome. From the first sentence "In early December in the Year of our Lord 1966..." (which a good sub-editor had changed to "In early December 1966.." for the jacket blurb) to the second last sentence I found the writing heavy, unsympathetic and humourless. For a man writing an adventureous autobiography he writes a good textbook. James Heriot builds characters in a few sentences - characters you care about - Mr Cran does not. And, why is everyone so imperfect? He hardly has a good word to say about anybody!
Despite that, it is worth reading for the descriptions of the area and the times; just make sure that you skip the interminable descriptions of operations - unless you are a student vet.
Definitely one to get your nose into... (1/2 people found this helpful)
A fantastically witty and rivetting read that will delight a whole range of audiences..highly recommended!
Book of the Year (2/2 people found this helpful)
Literary, laugh a minute page-turner about Kenya's eccentrics, as seen though the eyes of their vet. The book is a panoply of exquisite observations, wittily expressed and with a modesty that belies the author's remarkable veterinary and personal accomplishments. Featuring virtually every creature from the camel to the chameleon, against the rich and often outrageous backdrop of a veritable Bayeux Tapestry of owners, this is a startlingly unique and highly valuable addition to each of the genres into which it so easily fits. It will be read for years to come - and would especially lend itself to being read aloud.
HUGH CRAN (2/3 people found this helpful)
IF YOU ONLY BUY ONE BOOK THIS YEAR MAKE SURE THAT IT IS THIS ONE
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Categories
Amazon.co.uk places this book into the following categories:
Books -> Subjects -> Biography -> Science, Mathematics & Technology -> Science
Books -> Subjects -> Scientific, Technical & Medical -> Veterinary Science
Books -> Subjects -> Science & Nature -> Veterinary Science -> Education -> Higher Education
Books -> Refinements -> Language (feature_browse-bin) -> English
Books -> Refinements -> Age (feature_two_browse-bin)
Books -> Refinements -> Format (binding_browse-bin) -> Hardcover
Books -> Refinements -> Condition (condition-type)