Bloody Blood Groups!

by Hugh Graham

Ever wondered about your blood group and what it might mean? If so, Bloody Blood Groups is the book for you. Open it up and rummage around the facts and arguments to find what is relevant - you might be surprised at what you find!

Blood groups have been associated with a genetic predisposition to disease, intelligence, personality, ability, psychopathy and, physical attributes and all of these are discussed in the book with some of the reported unfounded nonsense separated from proven scientific conclusions.

Simply explained, but entertaining with its tales all written in humorous style, the book also has the author's own working life interspersed between the description of facts and tales surrounding the ideas around blood groups.

But what is a blood group? And where is it found? Answering these questions, the author also brings to life some of the bizarre conclusions and assumptions earlier investigations have claimed. Are you especially intelligent as a consequence of your blood type? Are you particularly handsome or good looking as a consequence of it? The ABO and Rhesus groups are explored as are the uncommon and really rare blood groups. Could you be one of those?

Read on to find out!

176 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 28, 2023

Reviews

[J Kromrie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this eARC.

"Bloody Blood Groups!" by Hugh Graham is a fascinating exploration into the world of hematology, as a comprehensive guide to understanding blood types and their significance.

Graham, a seasoned Biomedical Scientist, delves into the subject with a blend of expertise and approachability, ensuring that the content is accessible to a broad audience.

The book begins with a primer on the ABO blood groups, detailing the unique characteristics of each type and providing a historical context for blood typing. Graham's conversational tone, paired with his humor, makes the introduction to such a complex topic both engaging and educational.

As the narrative progresses, Graham introduces the Rhesus (Rh) blood groups and their importance, particularly in medical scenarios such as blood transfusions. The discussion extends beyond the common knowledge of blood types and Rh factors, venturing into the lesser-known blood group systems and their implications in health and disease.

One of the book's highlights is its debunking of myths surrounding blood types, particularly the notion that they can determine personality traits. Graham's scientific approach provides a refreshing perspective, emphasizing the role of blood types in predisposition to certain diseases and their geographical distribution.

The latter chapters of the book focus on the technical aspects of blood transfusion, the significance of rare blood groups, and the intricacies of cross-matching. Graham also touches upon the future of medicine with a discussion on monoclonal antibodies and their potential.

"Bloody Blood Groups!" is not just a scientific treatise; it's a journey through the lifeblood of humanity, peppered with anecdotes about famous personalities and their blood types. Graham's ability to interweave facts with storytelling makes this book a compelling read for anyone curious about the liquid that sustains us all.

In summary, Hugh Graham's "Bloody Blood Groups!" is an enlightening and enjoyable read that explains blood groups and their impact on our lives. It's a must-read for those who appreciate science communicated with clarity and wit.

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was intrigued to read this as we all have blood – but do we ever think about it and know what it does and its functions?

I was also drawn to this book as it promised to be written in a way to leave out the jargon and be understandable without being written as a medical journal. I wasn’t disappointed. The book was actually a very quick read as it was very interesting, and I found I was surprisingly learning quite a lot as the book went on.

The book explains about blood types; where they are found on the blood cell, how they were discovered and the history of blood genetics – all without being boring and repetitive. In plain English! It also explains the antigens and proteins found in blood and what they mean.

A very interesting and concise book, which I really enjoyed – aimed at anyone who wants to know more about blood and their blood group.

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC in return of an honest, unbiased review.

[Steve · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book. The writing is conversational and the science is explained very well. Although the book was too short to do a deep dive into any one area, there is enough detail to get a good appreciation of the subject matter. There are interesting quotes to start the chapters. Some of the anecdotes about working in a blood lab are excellent. Overall I felt that this book is well worth reading, both as an explanation of blood and to read some good science writing. Thank you to Netgalley and Matador for the digital review copy.

[Annie · Rating 3 out of 5]

As the title suggests, this is about human blood groups, the history and science behind them. The author opens by noting that when it comes to blood groups, there are two kinds of people: those who know their blood type and those who want to know their blood type, which seems amusingly true. I knew a lot of the science behind blood groups already since I took a hematology class years ago, but it was still an interesting read. I was surprised to learn that there are actually more blood groups than just the ABO and Rh types. 3 stars.

[Kat · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found this to be incredibly easy to read and understand. There is a lot of information in this! I loved the stories about individual cases. I liked learning about the history of blood and blood types.

Very approachable and informative!