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What Members Thought
True-story about medical developments from a cell sample taken unknowingly from a black woman in the 50s her story. It mixed both the science and medical developments with the lives of Henrietta Lacks and her family. It moved pretty well for a non fiction book, though tended to slow down for me when it got going on the science side.
It was an interesting look at how both scientists and the courts completely separate their studies from the people they are being performed on, and a bit scary in th ...more
It was an interesting look at how both scientists and the courts completely separate their studies from the people they are being performed on, and a bit scary in th ...more
A fascinating read on the history of HeLa cells and the story of the woman they came from. It's almost horrifying reading about medical procedures done in our not so distant past and to remember that the true world of medicine is very far from the glossy halls of Greys Anatomy.
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It's very fascinating to think that so many medical breakthroughs are based upon the cells of one woman who died in 1951. I'd never heard of her before, and this gives us a clue of her life and how her cells and medical fame has affected her family.
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Really enjoyable. I liked how the author was not hidden. Terrific research and deep humanity. Treated not as subject, but people!
Highly recommended.
Highly recommended.
I wasn't sure how I would react to this book, which came highly recommended from my sister, and is a choice for the Accra Book Club, to which I belong. I did enjoy it, and liked the way the author mixed the scientific and medical aspects of the story with those of Henrietta Lacks' family. I think she succeeded.
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This was a true story, but it read as well as a fiction novel. I think it was more interesting because you knew it was true.
A brilliant book that reads like a novel. The prose is unadorned, crisp and transparent. Fascinating and such an important read on many levels.
Skloot manages to deliver the facts while leaving opinions on heavy topics out. An amazing first(?) accomplishment on her part.
AN EXCELLENT READ!
Skloot manages to deliver the facts while leaving opinions on heavy topics out. An amazing first(?) accomplishment on her part.
AN EXCELLENT READ!
Feb 11, 2010
Katie
marked it as to-read
Mar 25, 2010
Melissa
marked it as to-read
Feb 17, 2011
Amber
marked it as to-read
Sep 11, 2012
C
marked it as to-read
