STAR SURGEON
Alan E. Nourse

Van Rees Press/David McCay Co. Copyright 1959, 1960 

HB 182pgs

ISBN#  None available/Library of Congress Cat# 60-7199 

    Occasionally I find an old SCI-Fi book that grabs my attention; often they are what were termed "juveniles" -- books written for the younger audience.  This book is a fine example of a juvenile book; the story line is simplified, the action is fast paced and the story is wrapped up nicely at the end.

     In Star Surgeon, Earth has been accepted as a probationary member of the Galactic Confederation of Worlds.   Members of the Confederation tend to specialize in a field and provide that specialty to other members, Earth has discovered that they have a "knack" for medicine that other members lack.  Earth's government, economy and resources are devoted to providing medical care and a large fleet of starships travels throughout space providing medical services.  The story is centered on Dal, the first non-human to complete Earth medical training as a surgeon.  Dal has to deal with resentment, politics, fear and attempts to derail his career.  During his efforts he discovers his strengths (honesty, persistence and surgical skills) and faces his weaknesses (dependence, fear of failure). Eventually, Dal overcomes his detractors and becomes a fully recognized Star Surgeon.  Oh, and by the way, Dal's case was a test of Earth by the Galactic Confederation of Worlds -- can a non-human be accepted by humans as a Doctor?  The question is answered and Earth is granted full membership.

    An pleasant book that reminded me of what started me reading SCI-FI, Star Surgeon has many now quaint ideas and attitudes that are no longer seen in the genre.  Overall, an excellent book to hand to a younger person to stimulate interest in reading in general and SCI-FI in particular.

Shown Rolfe