Analog since 1960, dominated the Golden Age of magazine sf (c. White’s introduction to science fiction came with Astounding Science Fiction, in 1941. He made good use of this varied background material in such works as ‘Counter Security’ (1963) and Tomorrow is Too Far (1971). Then he became a technical clerk (1965-66), publicity assistant (1966-68), and publicity officer (1968-84) with plane-makers Short Brothers, Ltd. Until 1955, White worked for several Belfast tailoring firms and was an assistant manager in the Co-Op department store. They had three children: daughter Patricia, and sons Martin and Peter. He married Margaret (“Peggy”) Sarah Martin in 1955. Joseph’s Technical Secondary School (1942-43), both in Belfast. Asimov’s humane lead was followed by James White, who died of an unexpected stroke on August 23, 1999.īorn in Belfast, Northern Ireland, on April 7, 1928, James White spent part of his early life in Canada.

Violence has certainly become the homepage of too many incompetent popular-fiction writers – in all categories. Read the first 18 pages of Beginning Operations by James White by clicking on this link to Amazon and then clicking on the image of the book.Īccording to Isaac Asimov, violence is the last refuge of the incompetent. The first of two omnibus volumes reprints the works that began the Sector General series, which were previously published as Hospital Station (1962), Star Surgeon (1963), and Major Operation (1971). And the only thing weirder than a hitherto unknown alien species is having a member of that species turn up in your Emergency Room. Sentient viruses, interspecies romances, undreamed-of institutional catering problems–it all lands on Sector General’s doorstep. Its 384 levels and thousands of staff members are supposedly able to meet the needs of any conceivable alien patient–though that capacity is always being strained as more (and stranger) alien races turn up to join the galactic community. Sector General: A massive deep-space hospital station on the Galactic Rim, where human and alien medicine meet. We hope you enjoy this dashing bit of science fiction by James White. Additionally, we also have a fantastic a bio-bibliography of James White by Graham Andrews, which is included below.

Today’s Irish Fiction Friday brings you Beginning Operations by Irish author James White.

Hospital Station by James White