John Lewis-Stempel is a farmer and 'Britain's finest living nature writer' (The Times). His books include the Sunday Times bestsellers Woodston, The Running Hare and The Wood. He is the only person to have won the Wainwright Prize for Nature Writing twice, with Meadowland and Where Poppies Blow. In 2016 he was named Magazine Columnist of the Year for his column in Country Life. He farms cattle, sheep, pigs and poultry. Traditionally.

"A delightful dollop of nostalgia and a reminder of the joy of Herriot's antics." Daily Mail "Admirers of Herriot's best-selling novels will find much to enjoy here." Choice "A fascinating look at Herriot's childhood and student days." -- Shari Low Daily Record "Herriot learnt his trade when animal medicine was a profession that 'trialed the faint miasma of witchcraft' about it. It's that hint of magic that made Herriot so famous." The Lady