Status
Available
Call number
Publication
Del Rey (New York, 1962). 1st edition, 3rd printing. 191 pages. $1.95.
User reviews
LibraryThing member Noisy
I whizzed through this book. Eminently satisfying, and virtually nothing to be criticised.
Published in 1962, so - 47 years since it was written? (Actually 50-plus since the first story was published!) Hard to believe that there was so little that seemed anachronistic. The setting, of course, being
A wide variety of alien species are presented, existing in harmony to a very large degree, and the different environmental requirements play a large part in setting the scenes and challenges for Dr. Conway - an Earth-human physician who starts his career on the station in a lowly role. There are many descriptions of alien physiologies and the atmospheric; gravitational; and radiation conditions that represent their home-world conditions, and there is much sketching of engineering layouts and equipment that provide both conundrums and solutions. The aliens; mechanical devices; puzzles and resolutions are usually wrapped up in a time-based scenario that keeps the action moving along constantly.
I have fond memories of this series, and I'm glad to report that this re-reading after *cough* *mumble* years has not diminished my opinion. All it has done is to reinforce my assessment that James White is an author that I can thoroughly recommend.
Published in 1962, so - 47 years since it was written? (Actually 50-plus since the first story was published!) Hard to believe that there was so little that seemed anachronistic. The setting, of course, being
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a space station that is a hospital (duh) where a majority of the 'residents' (staff plus patients) are aliens means that the human interactions are limited, so can be easily glossed over. The story is episodic, being a number of previously published short stories that have been stitched together, but there is sufficient linkage that the presentation is effective. Each of the five stories poses a medical conundrum for the chief characters to resolve, establishing the characters for what became a long-running series. A wide variety of alien species are presented, existing in harmony to a very large degree, and the different environmental requirements play a large part in setting the scenes and challenges for Dr. Conway - an Earth-human physician who starts his career on the station in a lowly role. There are many descriptions of alien physiologies and the atmospheric; gravitational; and radiation conditions that represent their home-world conditions, and there is much sketching of engineering layouts and equipment that provide both conundrums and solutions. The aliens; mechanical devices; puzzles and resolutions are usually wrapped up in a time-based scenario that keeps the action moving along constantly.
I have fond memories of this series, and I'm glad to report that this re-reading after *cough* *mumble* years has not diminished my opinion. All it has done is to reinforce my assessment that James White is an author that I can thoroughly recommend.
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LibraryThing member empress8411
James White was rumored to hate violence - and his books reflect that. Set in a hospital, these characters strive to preserve life, and look on violence towards any creature as abhorrent. In this atmosphere, we meet Conway and O'Mara, two characters who work to heal others in their own unique ways.
Note: White has often been accused of misogynist writings. While that might be true of some of his works, it is relativity absent from this particular story. True, women are nurses, and it is their physical attributes that are commented on more than their mental or professional achievements, but considering the time the book was written (1962), it isn't as bad as it could be.
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Conway, a young and new doctor at the hospital, is at first, a quite unlikable character. Arrogant, bigoted, and self-righteous, and most of the book follows his journey from asshole to good person (and Doctor). O'Mara is a hilarious character, and the banter between him and Conway is well-done. But most of what I like about this book is the treatment of non-Earth-humans. Each is given its own culture, prejudice, food, atmosphere, ideas of beauty and justice, and in short - not Earth-human or even similar to them. Much of the drama in the story comes from the clash and the drive to understand each other, and in particular, to heal those who are different from you. White's creates a well-done world with many excellent characters. A fun, refreshing science fiction story, in particular, suited towards those who want something other then the laser-space-battles and pulpy hero stories.Note: White has often been accused of misogynist writings. While that might be true of some of his works, it is relativity absent from this particular story. True, women are nurses, and it is their physical attributes that are commented on more than their mental or professional achievements, but considering the time the book was written (1962), it isn't as bad as it could be.
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LibraryThing member raegroup
One of my favorite reads. This book, and it's sequel have been read again and again till they are basically falling apart. Because these stories were originally publish as a series of short stories, there is a tendency to repeat details, but that doesn't get in the way. I think what I like is the
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sense of confidence that problems can be overcome. White doesn't try to pretend that things like war, prejudice and hatred don't exist, he simply presents the idea that they can be overcome. Show Less
LibraryThing member zjakkelien
Interesting. Nice stories, even if they got a bit involved sometimes with everything happening at once. Still, I liked the idea of 'medical emergencies' (reminds me of Star trek!) being the theme of a book.
LibraryThing member leslie.98
3.5*
James White was a pacifist and so he created a science fiction setting based upon a medical space station rather than the more typical military space opera. According to Wikipedia, "White said that The Troubles in Northern Ireland induced him to write about the sort of world he would like to
As a youth he wanted to become a doctor, but had to go out to work. Hence he relied on epidemics and natural disasters to provide the conflicts that stories need to make them interesting."
This first book in the series is actually a combination of several short stories that White had previously published in sci fi magazines, though they mesh well together as a single book. I found the number and variety of alien species impressive!
James White was a pacifist and so he created a science fiction setting based upon a medical space station rather than the more typical military space opera. According to Wikipedia, "White said that The Troubles in Northern Ireland induced him to write about the sort of world he would like to
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live in, and that he disliked war and militarists. As a youth he wanted to become a doctor, but had to go out to work. Hence he relied on epidemics and natural disasters to provide the conflicts that stories need to make them interesting."
This first book in the series is actually a combination of several short stories that White had previously published in sci fi magazines, though they mesh well together as a single book. I found the number and variety of alien species impressive!
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LibraryThing member quondame
Clever, well constructed puzzle stories, but overly reliant on one person figuring out what others have missed in spite of repeatedly asserting that the others have huge stores of experience and information. Also, the hospital is staffed with intelligent beings with only the vaguest hints of
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personal lives, so the setting, while stimulating offers no hint of comforts. Show Less
LibraryThing member DeltaQueen50
Hospital Station by James White is the first book in the author’s science fiction series entitled Sector General and consists of five short stories that had been previously published in New Worlds magazine between 1957 and 1960.
Sector General is a huge inter-species hospital set in the outer
These original five stories are mostly centered around one doctor. Dr. Conway is an idealistic, intelligent yet rather sheltered young doctor but as we read through the stories, his character develops and grows and by the end of the book I found him very likeable and trustworthy. Although the stories felt rather episodic and slightly repetitive, I enjoyed all of them and this first book has whetted my appetite for more.
Sector General is a huge inter-species hospital set in the outer
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reaches of the galaxy with a mission of offering medical assistance to all forms of life. The series builds on the challenges faced by the medical staff in diagnosing and solving the medical problems in the many aliens that they treat. The staff of the hospital is also multi-species so it needs to be able to supply all their needs, whether they breath oxygen or another gas, or need the amount of gravity required to be adjusted. Language problems are solved by the use of a translator system that works for all. Sector General has many departments and wards that are set to deal with every requirement needed. These original five stories are mostly centered around one doctor. Dr. Conway is an idealistic, intelligent yet rather sheltered young doctor but as we read through the stories, his character develops and grows and by the end of the book I found him very likeable and trustworthy. Although the stories felt rather episodic and slightly repetitive, I enjoyed all of them and this first book has whetted my appetite for more.
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LibraryThing member streamsong
Sector General is an immense hospital space station that treats aliens of all species. Many of the patients, as well as the doctors are completely non-humanoid, requiring environments of differing g forces and gasses to breathe as well as challenging nutritional requirements and non-human behavior.
Each of the aliens’ disorders are a medical mystery, as doctors tease out the illness and required treatments from the distinctly non-human but normal behavior.
For me it was refreshing to read SF without intergalactic war. According to Wikipedia, author James White abhorred violence (perhaps due to his upbringing in Northern Ireland) and chose to write these amazing stories about cooperation between very differing outlooks.
I look forward to continuing this series.
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These first five stories center around a young human newcomer to the station, Dr Conroy.Each of the aliens’ disorders are a medical mystery, as doctors tease out the illness and required treatments from the distinctly non-human but normal behavior.
For me it was refreshing to read SF without intergalactic war. According to Wikipedia, author James White abhorred violence (perhaps due to his upbringing in Northern Ireland) and chose to write these amazing stories about cooperation between very differing outlooks.
I look forward to continuing this series.
Show Less
LibraryThing member leslie.98
James White was a pacifist and so he created a science fiction setting based upon a medical space station rather than the more typical military space opera. According to Wikipedia, "White said that The Troubles in Northern Ireland induced him to write about the sort of world he would like to live
As a youth he wanted to become a doctor, but had to go out to work. Hence he relied on epidemics and natural disasters to provide the conflicts that stories need to make them interesting."
This first book in the series is actually a combination of several short stories that White had previously published in sci fi magazines, though they mesh well together as a single book. I found the number and variety of alien species impressive!
Show More
in, and that he disliked war and militarists. As a youth he wanted to become a doctor, but had to go out to work. Hence he relied on epidemics and natural disasters to provide the conflicts that stories need to make them interesting."
This first book in the series is actually a combination of several short stories that White had previously published in sci fi magazines, though they mesh well together as a single book. I found the number and variety of alien species impressive!
Show Less
LibraryThing member zjakkelien
Interesting. Nice stories, even if they got a bit involved sometimes with everything happening at once. Still, I liked the idea of 'medical emergencies' (reminds me of Star trek!) being the theme of a book.
Subjects
Language
Original language
English
Original publication date
1962
Physical description
191 p.; 6.8 inches
ISBN
0345283538 / 9780345283535