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The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks

Rebecca Skloot

Discussion: May/June 2010

Discussion leader: LynnB

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May/June 2010

The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks - Rebecca Skloot
By LynnB · 18 posts · 39 views

last updated Aug 31, 2013 12:15PM

The Devil's Star by Jo Nesbo
By LynnB · 3 posts · 8 views

last updated Jan 05, 2013 05:30PM

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What Members Thought

Aug 28, 2012 Erika Nerdypants rated it really liked it

Shelves: non-fiction, compulsive-non-fiction, read-in-2012, women

Another non-fiction book written with the pace and momentum of a novel. I had never heard of HeLa, or the immortal cells of Henrietta Lacks, a black woman who died of cervical cancer in the 50s. The author brings the human element to what could otherwise be a very fry, but nevertheless important story. HeLa cells have been used in medical research since they were taken from a sample of cervical tumor before Henrietta's death, without her knowledge. They are responsible for many groundbreaking di ...more

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Jul 05, 2011 Kerry rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: audible

I thought this was a fabulous book! So much to think about with no easy answers. I love that the story is told both scientifically/objectively and emotionally. I agree with some of the other reviewers that maybe too much time was spent on Deborah, however I don't think I would have fully appreciated her experience and point-of-view without the detail.

I also really enjoyed the bonus interview with Rebecca Skloot in this audio edition. ...more

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Sep 19, 2010 SweetPea rated it it was amazing

Shelves: non-fiction, pg-count-up-to-500, library-kindle, 2010, history, biography-memoir

Terrific book on how one woman had a huge impact on science. The author did a nice job of intermingling the human side of the story with the scientific aspect.

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Jun 19, 2011 Lladroluv rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Very glad I read it!

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Jun 18, 2011 Shh rated it really liked it

Shelves: nonfiction, bee-shelf

I started this one awhile back, and then I signed up for a class where we had to read a novel a week and this one got lost in the shuffle. I just got my husband to bring it to me in the hospital so I hope to finish it very soon.

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