Ever By My Side

A Memoir in Eight [Acts] Pets

By: Dr. Nick Trout

Narrated by: Simon Vance

New York Times best-selling author Nick Trout has captivated audiences with his books that take us behind the scenes into the heartwarming - and sometimes heartrending - world of veterinary medicine. In a perfect follow-up to his first two books, he turns his lens inward and offers a funny, moving, and thoughtful, memoir about the animals he's had all his life.

Nostalgic, warm, and insightful, Ever By My Side is about the power of animals to shape our lives, to teach us, and to bear witness to our struggles, triumphs, hopes, and fears.

©2011 Dr. Nicholas Trout (P)2011 Tantor

Critic reviews

"A tender tribute to the author's father." ( Kirkus)

Wonderful Heartwarming stories

Dr. Trout exposes his imperfections and vulnerabilities (humanness) while recounting stories of pets throughout his life and his journey to veterinary specialty. I loved this book and all his others (but I prefer his nonfiction best). I sure hope he writes more.

Wonderful Account of Dogs in This Vet's Life

What did you like about this audiobook?

Honest, Self-Aware, Thought-Provoking

How has the book increased your interest in the subject matter?

In many ways this book is similar to the author's previous two books which were primarily accounts of his experiences with dogs and cats in his clinical career. All three books blend a professional approach with his personal empathy for the animals and humans involved. However, this book focuses on the development of his personal connection with his own animals along with his maturing relations with his family. His deep love for all is clear throughout.

Does the author present information in a way that is interesting and insightful, and if so, how does he achieve this?

I enjoyed the scene where his daughter's Labrador swam out into a large lake chasing swans and a panicked call to 911 resulted in the appearance of a rescue team willing to go all out to save the dog or recover her remains for the little girl. I won't reveal the end result of this adventure. Read the book!

What did you find wrong about the narrator's performance?

A vet's personal account of the animals in his life and how they made him a better man

Do you have any additional comments?

I recommend this book highly to all animal lovers.

Modern day James Herriott

author has both an intuitive understand if much human and canine psychology, Not only understanding, but an even greater ability, if that is possible, to put that understanding into beautiful heartfelt prose displaying that understandin fir us,mtge lick readers.
Right up there with Janes Herriott, the very vet that the author's father wanted thevauthornwork with toward the end of Herriott's death.

Wow!

If you could sum up Ever By My Side in three words, what would they be?

heart-warming, funny, bittersweet

Which character – as performed by Simon Vance – was your favorite?

The author

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

No, too many to count

Any additional comments?

It made me laugh, it made me cry, it touched my heart.

Wonderful read

Fascinating look into a loving family and their very important pets. Pleasantly open and honest book.

Good book. Wish I could have listened on my iPads.

What disappointed you about Ever By My Side?

Not complaining about the book. Nick Trout is a very good writer. His stories are comparable to the James Herriot books. The problem is that I could not download to my MP3 player. And niether of my iPads would download to more than 40 percent of the two books I ordered. I emailed their customer support and they very politely responded with the information that I was out of luck. (Granted, this was an introductory offer for two free books.) I ended up buying the books in cd form. I will not be recommending Audible books to anyone I like.

This guy is no James Herriot!

It's probably my fault. I downloaded this book after listening to the "All Creatures Great and Small" series, which I adored. I was hoping for more of the same, but alas, no. This book is really an autobiography, beginning in the author's childhood, the dogs the family had, and the family's joys and sorrows during that period. There are a few "tongue in cheek" comments that might cause a chuckle, but that's about it for the humor, IMO. His father admires James Herriot (James Alfred Wight), and recommends that he become a vet. When he is in high school, they drive to the area where James Herriot lives and practiced veterinary medicine and he gets an autograph. Then he goes to college and subjects you to detailed medical descriptions as he travels around the English countryside as a medical student working with various vets. That was where I got bored (in chapter 6). I suppose this book might be interesting to a young person who is considering veterinary medicine. It can be considered lighthearted in some ways - not overly technical, but it was not for me.

Sorry, Boring

Would you try another book from Nick Trout and/or Simon Vance?

No, I found the story drawn out and boring. I stopped listening after the 4th part

Has Ever By My Side turned you off from other books in this genre?

No, always willing to try one

Would you be willing to try another one of Simon Vance’s performances?

Only if the book seems to have more energy

What character would you cut from Ever By My Side?

None of the characters are bad, it is just a boring story about a boy becoming a vet

Any additional comments?

This book is just not interesting. A boys love for dogs, then becoming a vet. I couldn't make it past the 4th part it was so boring.