Back in the 1960s when I started reading Science Fiction constantly, my “Favorite SF Author” changed by the week…depending on what I was reading. One week it was Asimov, the next week it was Heinlein, the next Simak, the next Laumer, etc. But the author I would drop everything to read was Murray Leinster (aka, William Fitzgerald Jenkins). Leinster wrote consistently excellent SF stories and novels.
One of Leinster’s series, the Med Series, captured my interest early on. The Med Series consisted of four books: 1 The Mutant Weapon (1959)
2 This World Is Taboo (1961)
3 Doctor to the Stars (1964)
4 S.O.S. from Three Worlds (1966)
I could have picked any of these wonderful books, but Doctor to the Stars made a big impression on me back in 1964 as a 15-year-old reading addict. For a while, I thought about becoming a doctor. These stories revolve around Calhoun, a stellar adventurer, troubleshooter, and physician.
If you’re in the mood for galactic problem solving with a medical twist, you’ll enjoy these interstellar exploits. GRADE: B+
TABLE OF CONTENTS:
The Grandfather’s War — 7
Med Ship Man — 75
Tallien Three — 120
I find it odd that a man with an Irish name would write under a Jewish name! Not that there’s anything wrong with it!
Bob, what’s in a name…
Bob, actually Leinster is also the name of one of the Irish provinces, so maybe he took the name from there?
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leinster
Wolf, good point!
Leinster also wrote some fine Westerns, and it’s fun to see elements from his SF books resurface on the plains.
Dan, I need to read some Jenkins westerns.
I read most of the Med Ship stories piecemeal as a teen in the late ’60s. some in their original ANALOG appearances, others in paperback. Leinster was an amazing writer for longevity and adaptability to changing trends and tastes.
Fred, you’re right! Leinster’s writing career spans many decades!
Sounds good. I’ve read some of his stories but not this series.
Jeff, I’m sure you would enjoy the MED series.
Like Jack Williamson, a writer who continued contributing to several fields of fiction for half a century, without going nuts (Heinlein) or otherwise diminishing their own achievements.
Todd, being able to sell stories over a half a century is impressive. So many changes, so many fashions, so many editors to please!
As you know, I’m also a big Leinster fan, George, and his Med Service series showcases his talents admirably. Reading those stories did not make w=me wish to become a doctor, but I sure would have liked to have had a Murgatroyd
Jerry, my dreams of being a doctor crashed and burned when I took BIOLOGY and had to dissect a frog!
Jackie always says that when she was young, most women only had three choices of profession: nurse, teacher or secretary. She did both of the latter two, but quit the idea of nursing because she couldn’t stand the sight of blood!
She really wanted to be a writer.
Jeff, Diane says the same thing. When she had her meeting with the school Guidance Counselor Diane was asked, “Do you want to be a nurse, a teacher, or a secretary?” Diane had a great Fourth Grade teacher, Mrs. Bigelow, who inspired her to become a teacher.
I also started reading his stories in the 60s in Analog. So that’s how I upgraded the bits of English I learned at school.
Wolf, I spent most of the 1960s reading and Leinster was a big part of it. I read everything of his that I could get my hands on!
Jeff, Jackie forgot about the fourth career choice, the glamour one — airline hostess.