T. J. Bass, real name Thomas J. Bassler, MD (July 7, 1932 – December 13, 2011) was an American

science fiction author This is a list of noted science-fiction authors (in alphabetical order): A *Dafydd ab Hugh (born 1960) *Alexander Abasheli (1884–1954) *Edwin Abbott Abbott (1838–1926) *Kōbō Abe (1924–1993) * Robert Abernathy (1924–1990) *Dan Abn ...

and

physician A physician (American English), medical practitioner (Commonwealth English), medical doctor, or simply doctor, is a health professional who practices medicine, which is concerned with promoting, maintaining or restoring health through th ...

, having graduated from the University of Iowa in 1959. Bassler is also known for his controversial claim that nonsmokers who are able to complete a

marathon The marathon is a long-distance foot race with a distance of , usually run as a road race, but the distance can be covered on trail routes. The marathon can be completed by running or with a run/walk strategy. There are also wheelchair div ...

in under four hours can eat whatever they wish and never suffer a fatal

heart attack A myocardial infarction (MI), commonly known as a heart attack, occurs when blood flow decreases or stops to the coronary artery of the heart, causing damage to the heart muscle. The most common symptom is chest pain or discomfort which may tr ...

.Special Report: Are Marathons Dangerous?
'' Runner's World'', Amy Burfoot, December 2008; Page 5Running to Death
Waller B, Csere R, Baker W, Roberts W. Chest, 1981; 79(3):346-349 John Robbins has noted that Jim Fixx approvingly quoted Bassler in his best-selling book, ''

The Complete Book of Running ''The Complete Book of Running'' is a 1977 non-fiction book written by Jim Fixx. Overview The book discusses not only the physical benefits of running, but its psychological benefits as well: increasing self-esteem, acquiring a "high" from runn ...

''. Fixx died from heart failure at 52 while running.What Should We Learn From The Deaths Of Fitness Icons?
''

Huffington Post ''HuffPost'' (formerly ''The Huffington Post'' until 2017 and sometimes abbreviated ''HuffPo'') is an American progressive news website, with localized and international editions. The site offers news, satire, blogs, and original content, and ...

'', John Robbins, January 31, 2011 Two of Bass' novels, ''Half Past Human'' (1971) and ''The Godwhale'' (1974), were nominated for the

Nebula Award The Nebula Awards annually recognize the best works of science fiction or fantasy published in the United States. The awards are organized and awarded by the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America (SFWA), a nonprofit association of profe ...

. In both his books the Hive was a three trillion population of 'nebishes' - humans who had four toes and all aggressiveness bred out of them.Nebula Final Ballots from the 1970s
/ref>

Bibliography

Science fiction novels ''(as T. J. Bass)'' *''

Half Past Human ''Half Past Human'' is a fixup science fiction novel by American author T. J. Bass, published in 1971. Two short stories were combined and fleshed out to form this novel: "Half Past Human", first published in ''Galaxy Science Fiction'' in Decembe ...

'' (1971, fix-up) *''

The Godwhale ''The Godwhale'' is a science fiction novel by American novelist T. J. Bass, first published in 1974. It is the sequel to '' Half Past Human''. The book was nominated for the Nebula Award for Best Novel in 1974. The novel deals with genetic and ...

'' (1974) Short stories
''Star Itch''
(1968) '' If'' magazine
''Star Seeder''
(1969) ''If'' magazine
''Half Past Human''
(1969) ''

Galaxy Science Fiction ''Galaxy Science Fiction'' was an American digest-size science fiction magazine, published in Boston from 1950 to 1980. It was founded by a French-Italian company, World Editions, which was looking to break into the American market. World Editi ...

'', Vol.29 No.4
''G.I.T.A.R'' (or "Song of Kaia")
(1970) ''If'' magazine, Nov–Dec
''A Game of Biochess''
(1970) ''If'' magazine, Feb
''Rorqual Maru''
(1972) ''Galaxy Science Fiction'', Vol.32 No.4 Non fiction ''(as Thomas J. Bassler)'' *''The Whole Life Diet: An Integrated Program of Nutrition and Exercise for a Lifestyle of Total Health'' (1979), with Robert E. Burger

References

External links

* {{DEFAULTSORT:Bass, T. J. 1932 births 2011 deaths 20th-century American novelists American male novelists American science fiction writers Writers from Clinton, Iowa American male short story writers 20th-century American short story writers 20th-century American male writers Novelists from Iowa Physicians from Iowa 20th-century pseudonymous writers