Here we get to go out with Conway and his team in the ambulance ship Rhabwar and we meet a variety of new beings such as a Protector Of The Unborn, a cactus-like plant creature with a (sorry) prickly temperament but the desire to change, and a huge worm being with who knows how many legs. This second omnibus edition of James White's Sector General stories was much more interesting for me than the first one, Beginning Operations. He was also Guest-of-Honour of several conventions. Although missing winning the most prestigious honours four times, White gained other awards for specific works and for contributions to science fiction. The 'Sector General' series is regarded as defining the genre of medical science fiction, and as introducing a memorable crew of aliens. White abhorred violence, and medical and other emergencies were the sources of dramatic tension in his stories. White also published nine other novels, two of which were nominated for major awards, unsuccessfully. His best-known novels were the twelve of the Sector General series, the first published in 1962 and the last after his death. Encouraged by other fans, White began publishing short stories in 1953, and his first novel was published in 1957.

He became a fan of science fiction in 1941 and co-wrote two fan magazines, from 1948 to 19 to 1965.

He was born in Belfast and returned there after spending some early years in Canada. James White was a Northern Irish author of science fiction novellas, short stories and novels.

Star Healer by James White