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livtoread's review against another edition
Some of the authors takes rubbed me the wrong way as she did not expand on the nuances of them. From the little I did get through I thought it was quite all over the place and the future chapters were looking to be very disconnected and only loosely based on blood - not what I had anticipated reading.
minneapolismerk's review against another edition
informative
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
4.0
marieintheraw's review against another edition
3.0
some sections are vastly more interesting than others.
rdlevitt's review against another edition
5.0
What an interesting book! Reminds me a lot of Mary Roach, whose writing I love. The book ends kind of abruptly, but maybe that's because there's really no good way to tie everything together that she didn't already say in the beginning of the book. The subject matter was fascinating and I liked her style and sense of humor.
savannahsshelf's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
informative
reflective
sad
medium-paced
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexism, Medical trauma, Misogyny, and Medical content
Moderate: Sexual assault and Rape
Minor: War and Gore
kpierce94010's review against another edition
3.0
I saw this book recommended as one of Bill Gates' five summer reads and it sounded intriguing. However, this book is too scattered. I think it would be better if it had focused on either the transfusion/ blood product aspect or the menstruation aspect. For example, there was a lot about blood transfusions and the diseases transmitted by blood transfusions, but there is no mention of the potential transmission of prion diseases, for example.
In addition, I think the author over states her case. For example, there is a whole discussion of the use of leaches for wound healing but the reality is that the use of leaches is extremely rare, including for veterinary medicine, and I think the author overstates the use..
In addition, I think the author over states her case. For example, there is a whole discussion of the use of leaches for wound healing but the reality is that the use of leaches is extremely rare, including for veterinary medicine, and I think the author overstates the use..
kwheeles's review against another edition
3.0
Interesting book with chapters organized as free-standing essays on different aspects of blood (transfusions, leeches, menses, blood loss, etc.). Author is British with the curiosity of a good writer and a chummy writing style. Enjoyed it thoroughly.