This collection of short stories is vaguely autobiographical but also draws on the experiences of others. He would particularly like to express his respect for Lieutenant Blair Mayne, who is re-imagined as the central character in Courage.
Andrew writes his life story as a boy who becomes a Veterinary surgeon in a simple and informative style. He charts the journey from student to retired vet in 25 chapters each of which is the title of a piece of contemporary pop music. His love of animals on this voyage come through vividly but the pressures of running his own business and managing with the day to day stress are not ignored. This book is a must read for all veterinary students about to embark on a similar path. Setting aside the problems all vets encounter they will surely gain pleasure from the stories of what the vet does best - try to cure sick animals. There will also be empathy from his fellow vets who will surely identify with the continuous wrestling of managing pet owners, staff and the veterinary authorities at a time when their profession is very much in the public eye. If the main trope of the book is the balance of lifestyle with professional medical ethos, then the chapter on the trip to the Himalayas (hence the picture on the cover) acts as a lightning conductor in helping Andrew to reignite his passion for the job. A serious road accident involving others on his trip lead him into a crisis which he overcomes and in an unconscious way helps him to find himself again. For the public this book will be a huge eye-opener because Andrew is not a celebrity vet. The book has been peer reviewed and has drawn huge praise for its style, humour and sheer love of the subject matter. It is a must read for all aspiring vets and a candid appraisal of the warmth that most animal owners and even farmers have for their four-legged charges.
''the experiences and musings of a veterinary surgeon'' - A collection of short stories recording some entertaining aspects of Martin''s life as a veterinary surgeon.
