From the Bookshelf of Bookworms Anonymous

The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks
by
Start date
August 1, 2012
Finish date
August 31, 2012

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What Members Thought

Stephanie
Aug 24, 2012 rated it it was amazing
Shelves: bookclub, biography
What a wonderful story! You discover the true story of the Lacks family, mourninig the loss of their mother Henrietta and struggling to understand what it actually means that her cells are "still alive."

The author beautifully weaves her story of family and their emotional journey, with the scientific world of the progression of cell culture and research.

It doesn't read at all like a textbook, which I think most readers have come to expect when they hear "non-fiction." You won't be able to put
...more
Kent Winward
Dec 20, 2012 rated it really liked it
A perfect storm of bio-medical ethics, race relations, scientific advancement and dumb luck granted Henrietta Lacks' cells the immortality of scientific advancement, healing from disease and the bringing together of disparate individuals, including any lucky readers. It is a moving form of immortality. ...more
Heather
Mar 07, 2012 rated it it was amazing
Shelves: educational
Written with a skillful hand to balance understanding of complex scientific facts with a compelling human story. You will be smarter for having read this book.
Amy Nielsen
Dec 11, 2011 rated it really liked it
Very complex story of the development of the cells that have changed the history of medical research. Incredibly well researched and you can tell the whole heart and soul of this author went into every word. I was totally impressed with the depth of involvement Rebecca Skloot was able to acquire into the lives of those members of the Lacks family. A very complicated and convoluted very well laid out and expressed to the reader. Very easy to follow and fascinating all around.
Jill
Jun 10, 2013 rated it really liked it
Brandi Mechling
Mar 11, 2010 rated it really liked it
Lara Bone
Aug 11, 2012 rated it really liked it
Sheri
May 30, 2014 is currently reading it
Hayley Crombleholme
Jan 22, 2018 marked it as to-read