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James White

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James White, b.1928-d.1999

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Titles to Look Out For:
1962. Hospital Station
1963. Star Surgeon
1969. The Aliens Among Us
1972. Lifeboat
1974. The Dream Millennium
1974. Ambulance Ship
1985. Star Healer
1987. Sector General
1987. Major Operation
1987. Code Blue-Emergency
1988. Federation World

James White was born in Belfast, Northern Ireland, on April 7, 1928 and spent part of his early life in Canada. He was educated at St. John's Primary School (1935-41) and St. Joseph's Technical Secondary School (1942-43), both in Belfast. He married Margaret ("Peggy") Sarah Martin in 1955. They had three children: daughter Patricia, and sons Martin and Peter.

Until 1955, White worked for several Belfast tailoring firms and was an assistant manager in the Co-Op department store. Then he became a technical clerk (1965-66), publicity assistant (1966-68), and publicity officer (1968-84) with plane-makers Short Brothers, Ltd. He made good use of this varied background material in such works as 'Counter Security' (1963) and Tomorrow is Too Far (1971).

White was introduced to to science fiction by 'Astounding Science Fiction', in 1941. Astounding (Analog since 1960), dominated the Golden Age of magazine sf (c. 1938-50). During 1941 alone, editor John W. Campbell, Jr. (1910-71) presented such classic novels as Methuselah's Children by Robert A. Heinlein and Second Stage Lensman by E. E. "Doc" Smith. (See A Requiem for Astounding. by Alva Rogers: Advent, Chicago, 1964.)

Six years later, White met the noted Irish fan Walter A. ("Walt") Willis (1919-99) when they were both hunting for the same American sf magazines. They would help produce two of the most distinctive -- and collectable -- fanzines: Slant (1948-53) and Hyphen (1952-65: special one-off issue, 1987). Both titles featured fiction and non-fiction by such 'real' authors as John Brunner, A. Bertram Chandler, and fellow Ulsterman Bob Shaw (1931-96). Shaw, author of the classic novel Other Days, Other Eyes (1972), deserves a Paperback-Parade article to himself.

At that time James White had no ambition to become a professional writer. He was busy producing woodcut illustrations for Slant, but facing too much competition from friend Gerard Quinn, who was a frequent cover/interior artist for British prozines. Quinn also did many fine Pan paperback covers, e.g. Arthur C. Clarke's Prelude to Space (No. 301, 1954).

When eventually White took up authorhood seriously, he researched the available markets with a thoroughness that was typically him. The magazine 'Astounding' had fallen into a thematic rut: "Every other story seemed to be a post-HotWar disaster epic, with the human race reduced to pre-technological barbarism and menaced by malignant mutants" (Blackthorn).

Thankfully, however, there was New Worlds magazine, which--after a false three-issue start during 1946-47 -- began regular publication in 1949. Its original editor, E. John ("Ted") Carnell (1912-72) remained at the helm until 1964, when he handed control over to Michael Moorcock. New Worlds: An Anthology (Flamingo, London, 1983), edited by Moorcock, contains much excellent fiction and non-fiction, plus an issue-by-issue index.

After taking several different approaches, White finally wrote the kind of story that he liked to read. 'Assisted Passage' (an interplanetary spoof on current Anglo-Australian emigration policies) duly saw print in New-Worlds for January 1953. But: "Being accepted by Carnell was sometimes a more traumatic experience than rejection. He waxed eloquent concerning my then somewhat unorthodox syntax and other grammatical deficiencies. Apparently, I had spelt 'manoeuvre' three different ways -- all of them wrong!" (Blackthorn).

More short stories by James White were published in New Worlds over the next few years: 'Crossfire' (June 1953); 'The Conspirators' (June 1954); 'Starvation Orbit' (July 1954); 'The Star Walk' (March 1955); 'Boarding Party' (July 1955). 'Dynasty of One' appeared in Carnell's Science-Fantasy (September 1955). He also made the small but high-quality Scottish magazine, Nebula, with 'Curtain Call' (August 1954) and 'Pushover Planet' (November 1955).

'Crossfire' became the first James White story to be anthologised, in The Best From New Worlds Science Fiction (T.V. Boardman paperback original, London, 1955), edited by John Carnell.

There are many more titles that James White subsequently wrote. An initial selection has been prepared below; with the storylines for each book included where possible


James White at Amazon:

White, James. 'Hospital Station', published in 1986 in Great Britain in paperback,
1986, Orbit, pbk
Sorry, out of stock

White, James. 'Hospital Station', published in 1976 under the Corgi SF Collector's Library, 192pp, ISBN 0552102148. Sorry, out of stock, but click image to access prebuilt search for this copy on Amazon UK
1976, Corgi SF Collector's Edition, pbk
Sorry, out of stock

  • Hospital Station [top]
    The book collects together a series of five short stories previously published in New Worlds magazine between 1957 and 1960
    Edition Notes:
    First published in 1962 (1st Edition) by Ballantine in hardcover and paperback
    1967, Corgi Edition published
    1976, Corgi Edition reissued. Purple cover, under the Corgi SF Collector's Library. 192 pages, ISBN 0552102148
    Published in 1986 in Great Britain by Orbit Futura, in paperback, ISBN 0708881815

Story: This is the first of the chronicles of Sector General, a vast, galactic hospital-where everyone-and everything in the universe can be treated. The heroes are doctors and nurses-who have eight legs...or none; who breathe methane-or water. Each patient is a fantastic and challenging problem-such as getting close to an invalid whose 'food' is radiation; caring for a baby, who weighs half a ton...

White, James. 'Star Surgeon', published in 1986 in Great Britain by Orbit Futura, in paperback, 160pp, ISBN 0708881882. Sorry, sold out, but click image to access prebuilt search for this title on Amazon UK
1986, Orbit Futura, pbk
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White, James. 'Star Surgeon' published in 1976 in Great Britain by Corgi in the Corgi SF Collector's series, 160pp, ISBN 055210213x. Sorry, out of stock, but click image to access prebuilt search for this title on Amazon UK
1976, Corgi SF Collector's Edition, pbk
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White, James. 'Star Surgeon', published in 1963 in the United States, in paperback, 159pp. Sorry, sold out, but click image to access prebuilt search for this title on Amazon UK
1963, Ballantine, pbk
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  • Star Surgeon [top]
    First Edition published in 1963 in the United States by Ballantine in hardback
    Published in 1963 in the United States by Ballantine in paperback, 159pp, illustrated on the front cover by Richard M. Powers
    1967. Corgi Edition published
    1976. Corgi Edition reprinted. Purple cover, under the Corgi SF Collector's Library, 160 pages, ISBN 055210213x
    Published in 1986 in Great Britain by Futura Orbit in paperback, 160pp, ISBN 0708881882

Story: Star Surgeon is the second of the Chronicles of Sector General, the gigantic hospital, wheeling in space, where the sick of all kinds-from all worlds-come to receive treatment. But now for the first time, the hospital is threatened by creatures too different to understand its purpose-and so powerful that they can cause utter havoc. Sector General faces a fight for survival...

 

White, James. 'The Aliens Among Us' published in 1981 in Great Britain by Ballantine Books in paperback, 224pp, ISBN 0345291719. Sorry, sold out, but click image to access prebuilt search for this title on Amazon UK
1981, Ballantine Books, pbk
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White, James. 'The Aliens Among Us', published in 1970 in Great Britain by Corgi Books, in paperback, 224pp, 0552084611. Sorry, sold out, but click image to access prebuilt search for this title on Amazon UK
1970, Corgi, pbk
Sorry, out of stock

  • The Aliens Among Us [top]
    First published in 1969 in the United States by Ballantine Books
    Published in 1970 in Great Britain by Corgi Books, in paperback, 224pp, 0552084611
    Published on 5th December 1978 in Great Britain by Ian Henry Publications in hardback, 168pp, ISBN 0860251403
    Published in 1981 in the United States by Ballantine Books in paperback, 224pp, ISBN 0345291719
    Published in 1988 in Great Britain by Orbit Futura, 218 pages, ISBN 0708882587

Story: Book contains 7 stories. Very good condition, nice clean copy. Story: On Earth or on Sector General... the aliens are here. Countercharm Star Surgeon Conway had to share his brain with an alien medic-but the alien was taking over. Occupation: Warrior. The Orligs were cute, cuddly teddy bears-but all they really wanted to do was batter humans to death. The Conspirators: Colonel Dermod had to fight a war-but his troops were cowards, handpicked by the enemy. Includes four more stories: To Kill or Cure; Red Alert; Tableau; The Scavengers

White, James. 'Major Operation' published in 1987 in Great Britain by Orbit Futura, in paperback, 188pp, ISBN 0708881858. Sorry, sold out, but click image to access prebuilt search for this title on Amazon UK
1987, Orbit Futura, pbk

White, James. 'Major Operation', published in 1971 in the United States by Ballantine Books, in paperback. Sorry, sold out, but click image to access prebuilt search for this title on Amazon UK
1971, Ballantine Books, pbk

    Major Operation [top]
    Edition Notes:
    First published in 1971 in the United States by Ballantine Books, in paperback
    Published in 1974 in the United States by Ballantine Books, in paperback, ISBN 0345242297
    Published in 1981 in the United States by Del Rey, in paperback, ISBN 0345293819. Illustrated by Wayne Barlowe
    Published in 1986 in the United States by Ballantine Books, in paperback, ISBN
    0345336739
    Published in 1987 in Great Britain by Orbit Futura in paperback, 188 pages, ISBN 0708881858
    The Novelettes comprising this volume first appeared in 'New Writings in S-F Nos. 7 , 12 , 14 , 16 , 18

Story: The book continues the stories about Sector General, the gigantic hospital floating in space. Story: Sector General had met many a challenge that was literally out of this world. But that was only normal. This hospital was the single greatest structure ever put together in space-hundreds of floors with every conceivable form of environment, pressure and gravity. Designed to accommodate virtually any creature brought in for observation or medical care, Sector General was staffed with at least a hundred different species of doctors and nurses. But there was trouble aboard. Some life form had entered the great hospital. The invader was invisible and undetectable-even by the empathic Cinrusskins-and it was creating hallucinations that were causing serious accidents...

White, James. 'Lifeboat', published in 1972 in the United States, in paperback. Sorry, out of stock, but click image to access prebuilt search for this title on Amazon UK
1972, Ballantine, pbk
Sorry, out of stock

  • Lifeboat [top]
    First published in September 1972 in the United States in hardback and paperback (0345027973)
    First published in October 1972 in Canada
    Published on 12 Feb 1980 in the United States by Ballantine Books, 2nd printing. 188 pages, ISBN 0345286936

Story: A Titanic Disaster. Mercer felt slightly ridiculous. Not only was he "new boy", but as ship's Medical Officer he was regarded by the crew with something less than respect. He might be a fully qualified medico, but his qualifications were required by space travel regulations. He was definitely not a professional spaceman-and therefore, to the other officers, simply an added burden to be coped with in the daily routine of a perfectly safe ship. Until disaster struck. Then suddenly Mercer's inexperience was equalled by that of everybody else aboard. The crew knew what to do with the ship-and they were very busy with it indeed. The passengers, in their pathetic, plastic pods, unprepared and completely helpless were entirely Doctor Mercer's problem...

White, James. 'The Dream Millennium' published in 1976 in Great Britain by Corgi Books in paperback, 224pp, ISBN 0552100625. Sorry, sold out, but click image to access prebuilt search for this title on Amazon UK
1976, Corgi Books, pbk
Sorry, out of stock

White, James. 'The Dream Millennium' published in 1974 in the United States by Ballantine Books, in paperback, ISBN 034524012X. Sorry, sold out, but click image to access prebuilt search for this title on Amazon UK
1974, Ballantine Books, pbk
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White, James. 'The Dream Millennium' first published in 1974 in Great Britain by Michael Joseph in hardback, 222pp, ISBN 071811227X. Sorry, sold out, but click image to access prebuilt search for this title on Amazon UK
1974, Michael Joseph, hbk
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  • The Dream Millennium [top]
    First published in 1974 in the United States by Ballantine Books, in hardback
    and in paperback, 034524012X

    First published on 17th June 1974 in Great Britain by Michael Joseph in hardback with dustjacket, 222pp, 071811227X
    Published on 30th January 1976 in Great Britain by Corgi, 224 pages, ISBN 0552100625

Story: Fleeing the polluted, over-populated and incredibly violent society of Earth, a computer-controlled starship is embarked on a thousand year voyage in search for a new home for the nucleus of humanity it contains. Like seedlings in a gigantic metal pod, the humans inside the ship lie in suspended animation, confined in their Cold Sleep caskets and awakened only briefly and at lengthy intervals for physical and mental exercise.

The only people with freedom of movement inside the ship are its crew of two, John Devlin and Patricia Morley, who are awakened to handle any decisions which are beyond the capabilities of the computer. But as the great vessel crawls interminably between the stars, they begin to realise that the many physical dangers which threaten the ship from without are of secondary importance to the growing threat to the sanity of the Cold Sleepers. For in that frigid sleep of suspended animation the dreams which come are strange indeed, and attack the very fabric of reality

 

White, James. 'Ambulance Ship', published in 1987 in Great Britain in hardback, 192pp, ISBN 0356140032
1987, Macdonald, hbk

White, James. 'Ambulance Ship', published in 1980 in Great Britain in paperback, 224pp, ISBN 0552115118
1980, Corgi, pbk

White, James. 'Ambulance Ship' published in 1979 in the United States by Del Rey in paperback,
1979, Del Rey, pbk

  • Ambulance Ship [top]
    Edition Notes:
    First published in the United States in 1979 by Del Rey, ISBN 0345285131
    First published in 1980 in Great Britain by Corgi Books, 224 pages, ISBN 0552115118. Part One of the this book was originally published as 'Spacebird' in New Writings in SF 22, edited by Ken Bulmer
    Published on 21st May, 1987 in Great Britain by Macdonald in hardcover, 192pp, 0356140032. This edition is referred to as the UK First Edition, although the Corgi paperback edition from 1980 precedes it

Story: Continues the tales of Sector General Hospital, the gigantic hospital floating in space. The staff of Sector General were extravagantly varied... . There was Diagnostician Thornnastor, an over-sized elephantine, six-legged Tralthan, whose brilliant brain made him chief pathologist of the hospital. There was Doctor Prilicla, the empath, a fragile insect-like creature who could sense a patient's mental condition when everything else had failed. And Naydrad, the silver-furred caterpillar-like Kelgian-the Kelgians were unsurpassed as nurses. And then there was Senior Physician Conway, male earth-human, who was given the charge of the new mission into space-treating emergency patients out in the stars, patients of every size, life-form, and physiology, all awaiting SG's AMBULANCE SHIP

White, James, 'Sector General', published in 1987 by Futura Publications (An Orbit Book), 200pp, 0708881866. Sorry, not in stock, but click image to access prebuilt search on Amazon
1987, Futura Publications (Orbit)

White, James. 'Sector General' published in 1987 in the United States by Ballantine Books, in paperback, ISBN 0345346270. Sorry, out of stock, but click image to access prebuilt search for this title on Amazon UK
1987, Del Rey, pbk

White, James. 'Sector General', published in 1983 in the United States by Del Rey in paperback, 196pp, ISBN 0345308514. Sorry, not in stock, but click image to access prebuilt search for this title on Amazon UK
1983, Del Rey, pbk

 

  • Sector General [top]
    First published in 1983 in the United States by Del Rey in paperback, 196pp, ISBN 0345308514. Cover illustration by Rick Sternbach
    Published in 1986 in the United States by Del Rey in paperback, ISBN 0345336720
    Published in 1987 in the United States by Ballantine Books in paperback, ISBN 0345346270
    First published in 1987 in Great Britain by Orbit (Futura) in paperback, 200pp, ISBN 0708881866. Original UK retail price: £2.50 net; Australia $8.95; New Zealand $12.99 (incl. GST)

Story: Contains 4 stories of medical disaster from the fantastic intergalactic hospital: Sector General.
Story 1) Accident: A spaceship crashes and two war heroes must decide how many-and which-victims can be saved.
Story 2) Survivor: A doctor contracts a fatal illness and his only hope lies in a colleague's courage....
Story 3) Investigation: The victims have all lost their limbs and the medics think they have the answer-but they are wrong... .
Story 4) Combined Operation: To reassemble a living jigsaw puzzle, Dr. Conway needs an alien's cooperation-but first he must learn to communicate with it....
Includes a story of the birth of the great hospital itself.

1987, Orbit
 

1987, Ballantine

1983, Del Rey

White, James. 'Star Healer', published in 1987 in Great Britain by Orbit Futura, in paperback, 220pp, ISBN 0708881874
1987, Orbit Futura, pbk

White, James. 'Star Healer', published in 1985 in the United States by Del Rey in paperback, ISBN 0345320891. Sorry, sold out, but click image to access prebuilt search for this title on Amazon UK
1985, Del Rey, pbk

    Star Healer [top]
    Edition Notes:
    First published in 1985 in the United States by Del Rey in paperback 0345320891
    1987. First published in Great Britain by Orbit (Futura), 220 pages, ISBN 0708881874

Story: The book continues the stories of Sector General-the gigantic hospital wheeling in space with a staff of thousands comprising over 60 intelligent species. Of all the hospital's very capable staff, Senior Physician Conway, the human doctor in charge of the Ambulance Ship Rhabwar, is thought to be the most promising. So when he is replaced-without notice- by the birdlike alien Prilicla, Dr Conway is surprised, to say the least. But that is nothing compared to his shock when he is offered a promotion to a challenging new position. It is his for the taking. If he has the nerve...

1985, Ballantine, pbk

1987, Futura, pbk

White, James. 'Code Blue-Emergency', published by Orbit in 1989, pbk. Price: £9.25, not including p&p, which is Amazon's standard charge (currently £2.75 for UK buyers and more for overseas customers)
1989, Orbit, pbk
sorry, sold out

White, James. 'Code Blue-Emergency', published by Ballantine Books under the Del Rey label, 1987, pbk, 282pp, ISBN 0345341724. Price:£9.25, not including p&p, which is Amazon's standard charge (currently £2.75 for UK buyers and more for overseas buyers)
1987, Del Rey, pbk
sorry, sold out

  • Code Blue Emergency [top]
    First published in July, 1987 in the US by Ballantine Books in paperback, 282pp, ISBN 0345341724
    First published in 1989 in Great Britain by Orbit (Futura), 282 pages, ISBN 0708843646

    Published on 27 September, 1990 by Severn House Publishers, in hardback, 280pp, ISBN 0727840908. 8vo
Story: Continues the adventures of the gigantic floating space hospital Sector General. Story: Not Again! "Emergency!" The address system blard across the recreation level. "Code Blue, AUGL ward. All named personnel report immediately to the AUGL ward. Chief Psychologist O'Mara, Charge Nurse Hredlichli, Trainee Cha Thrat. Code Blue--". Cha Thrat missed the rest because Cresk-sar was glaring down at her. It wasn't laughing. "Move yourself," it said harshly. "I'll acknowledge and go with you. As your tutor, I am responsible for your medical misdeeds. Hurry." As they were leaving the recreational level, the tutor continued, "A Code Blue is an emergency involving extreme danger to both patients and staff. Untrained personnel are usually ordered to stay clear. But they have paged you. "What have you done---?"

To the doctors and nurses of Sector General Hospital, Cha Thrat was just another trainee, but for Cha Thrat, life at Sector General was a most unnerving experience. Because her world had only recently been discovered by the Galactic Federation, she had never experienced the multiplicity of life-forms that populated Sector General-and no one knew what to expect of her.

Cha Thrat was a skilled healer, diligent, careful and-according to her world's strict medical ethics-very responsible. Chief Psychologist O'Mara tried to help her adjust to her new life, but time after time, her best intentions caused only catastrophe. And even after she had been barred from nearly every ward in Sector General, O'Mara was still surprised by just how much havoc one nurse-trainee could cause...

 

 

White, James. 'Federation World', published in 1988 in the United States by Del Rey in paperback, 283pp, ISBN 0345352637
1988, Del Rey, pbk
Sorry, sold out, but click image to access prebuilt search for this title on Amazon UK

    Federation World [top]
    Published in Science Fiction Science Fact, Volume 100: 8 (August 1980),Conde Nast Publications, NY. Cover by Cover by Schoenherr. This magazine includes "The Cloak and the Staff" (novelette) by Gordon R. Dickson. "Federation World" (novelette) by James White; "Anasazi" (pt. 2 of 2) by Dean Ing; "Scrooge in Space" by Sam Nicholson; "Fit to Print" by David Lewis. Science Fact: "Death Risk" by Milton A. Rothman. Reader's Departments: "The Editor's Page"; "Biolog" (Gordon R. Dickson); "The Analog Calender of Events"; "In Times to Come"; "The Alternate View" by G. Harry Stine; "The Reference Library" by Spider Robinson; "Brass Tacks." Illustrated by John Schoenherr, Leo Summers, Broeck Steadman, John Sanchez, and Jeffrey Terreson
    First published 1988 in the United States by Del Rey, in paperback, 283pp, ISBN 0345352637
    First published in 1990 in Great Britain by Orbit Futura, 284 pages, ISBN 0708883354

Story: The Federation of Galactic Sentients had a mission. As new planets and species were discovered and assessed, the deserving of their populations were invited to move en masse to the fabulous Federation World, a modified Dyson Sphere located in the galactic core.
But not all of the Federation inductees were suited to the idyllic life of the World. Martin and Beth were two of the rare ones chosen instead for the demanding job of First Contact. Their training was extensive, but all too soon, the two Earth-humans were out on their own, with all of the amazing technology of the Federation at their command. Martin knew that training was no substitute for experience. In First Contact, his first mistake would likely be his last

1988, Del Rey, pbk

1990, Futura, pbk

 
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