It has been 30 years since Noel Fitzpatrick graduated as a veterinary surgeon, and that 22-year-old from Ballyfin, Ireland, is now one of the leading veterinary surgeons in the world. Incidentally as a watcher of Supervet I've quite often thought there was over treatment but then as he points out, it's not quantifiably defined so who knows). Now, in this long-awaited memoir, Noel recounts this often-surprising journey that sees him leaving behind a farm animal practice in rural Ireland to set up Fitzpatrick Referrals in Surrey, one of the most advanced small animal specialist centres in the world. I also enjoyed Fitzpatrick's discussion on One Medicine, as this is an interest of mine working in a human healthcare setting. As much as I like Noel and the amazing work he does and all that he stands for, I liked and loathed this book in equal measure.

For years experimenting on animals has resulted in new treatments for humans so surely it makes sense to use these results for the good of both humans and animals. It definitely needed better editing as it was very repetitive in places but it was a very interesting and humbling book. This one had chapters based on qualities (Internalisation, Nowness, Truth and Trust, Empathy, Genuineness, Rightness, Innovation, Tenacity, Youness, Compassion, Appreciation, Respect, Eternalisation) that read like they are from a self-help genre book, and to be honest some of the content matches. The book also gives an insight into the pressure the vets are under to make the right decision and find the right treatment for their patients over and over every day and the toll it takes on them.You can change your choices at any time by visiting Cookie preferences, as described in the Cookie notice. I think Noel is probably neurodivergent and may be on the spectrum from some of his thought processes and his anxieties but the book just read like someone who had taken drugs and then talked for five hours without stopping. He's obviously very passionate, talented, incredibly intelligent and forward thinking about science.

However, I do find lots of these stories interspersed with self righteousness, and a sense of narcissism. Also there was a paragraph about him putting on weight and how he had put the food in his mouth so it was down to him to lose it again (with his personal trainer). Someone kindly bought this book for me as a gift, I don't think I've ever cried so much reading a book (except maybe Ginger's death in Black Beauty), but it is a fascinating glimpse into the Supervet's world. It was just a bit too political from what I was expecting and having another person's politics preached at me is not what I personally enjoy in a book.We meet the animals that paved the way, from calving cows and corralling bullocks to talkative parrots and bionic cats and dogs. The narrative of "if you work for it you will get it" was so pervasive I found myself despairing and shaking my head numerous times. I just didn't have the will to pick up the next chapter, as I knew it would be just the same as the previous ones.

This book was so interesting and at times a little sad, but for many animals that come to Noel they are given a second chance because they had been deemed beyond help by others. It was this bond with Pirate, and a fateful night spent desperately trying to save a newborn lamb, that inspired Noel to enter the world of veterinary science - and set him on the path to becoming The Supervet.

His plan of "one medicine" that sets out to help both animal and humans equally without the (current) expense of a healthy animal's life should be the goal of both human and animal medicines. I really, really love Noel, he's the best kind of human and I really enjoyed his first book which is why I opted to read this.

This added a depth to the book and intertwined the human/animal relationship that forges his ultimate passion of "One Medicine" - something I knew nothing about before reading this book but strongly agree with.It was interspersed with long passages of self justification in the face of an RCVS inquiry, and technical accounts of operations that went over my head. He reflects on the valuable lessons of Integrity, Care, Love and Hope that they have taught him - lessons that have sustained him through the unbelievable highs and crushing lows of a profession where lives are quite literally at stake. I learnt a lot about the veterinary industry, and took a lot from his outlook on life and how to be more grounded when times are tough. There was quite a lot of medical information in this book which was hard going at times, but apart from that, it was an extremely well-written memoir which I have no hesitation in highly recommending.