The Young Country Doctor Book 1: Bilbury Chronicles

Bilbury Chronicles is the first of a series of books (all available on Amazon as Ebooks) describing the adventures (and misadventures) of a young doctor who enters general practice as an assistant to an elderly and rather eccentric doctor in Devon, England. When he arrives in Bilbury, a small village on the edge of Exmoor where central heating is a log fire in the middle of the room and where doors are never locked, the young doctor doesn't realise how much he has to learn. But he soon finds the extent of his ignorance when he meets his patients. There is Anne Thwaites who gives birth in the middle of a field and local rogue Thumper Robinson who knows a good many tricks that aren't in any textbooks. And there is Mike Trickle, a TV show host, who causes great excitement when he buys a house in the village. The young doctor's employer is elderly Dr Brownlow who lives in a house that looks like a castle, drives an old Rolls Royce and patches his stethoscope with a bicycle inner tube repair kit. The local pub, the Duck and Puddle, is run by Frank, the inebriate landlord, and the village shop is run by Peter who also drives the local taxi, delivers the mail and acts as the local undertaker. There is Miss Johnson, the receptionist with a look that can curdle milk; Mrs Wilson, the buxom district nurse and Len, her husband who is the local policeman with an embarrassing secret. And there is Patsy. The author of the Bilbury series of books, Dr Vernon Coleman, is a qualified doctor who has written over 100 books which have sold more than two million copies in hardback and paperback in the UK and been translated into 24 languages. Many of his books have been bestsellers. His novel Mrs Caldicot's Cabbage War has been turned into an award winning movie and his medical books include Bodypower and How To Stop Your Doctor Killing You - both of which have been huge international bestsellers. Dr Coleman has written columns for many of the world's leading newspapers and magazines and has presented hundreds of television and radio programmes. What the papers say about Vernon Coleman and his books: The tales he tells are truly uplifting and thought-provoking. They are a breath of fresh air in a troubled world and are also very amusing. The tale of the village cricket match in Bilbury Revels is the funniest thing I have ever read. Be warned -don't attempt to read it in a public place. - People's Friend Vernon Coleman writes brilliant books - The Good Book Guide Truthful, well observed and consistently readable - Daily Telegraph His dry humour transforms doctor-patient encounters into hilarious anecdotes - Publishers Weekly Most of his adventures are funny, some hilarious; but he has the good sense to leaven the comedy with some that are sad, some touching. All are written lightly, easily, entertainingly. We could do with some more. - Oxford Times He has succeeded in writing a book that will entertain, a book that will entertain and warm the cockles of tired old hearts. - Punch The funniest book I have read since Three Men in a Boat - Chronicle and Echo Coleman is a very funny writer - This England His powers of observation combine with his penchant for brilliant word pictures to create a most delightful book that will appeal to all those who appreciate humour and sharp characterisation. - Sunday Independent No thinking person can ignore him - The Ecologist Superstar - Independent on Sunday Brilliant - The People The calmest voice of reason - The Observer Compulsive reading - The Guardian His message is important - The Economist The man is a national treasure - What doctors don't tell you His advice is optimistic and enthusiastic - British Medical Journal Revered guru of medicine - Nursing Times Marvellously succinct, refreshingly sensible - The Spectator Probably one of the most brilliant alive today - Irish Times He writes lucidly and wittily - Good Housekeeping Britain's leading health care campaigner - The Sun