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lauraalyssa's review against another edition
5.0
No book that I have read has ever gripped me so quickly from the first page. As a journalist in college, I encouraged all of my peers to read it. As a social studies teacher, it should be required reading. This is truly a must read for anyone looking into the systemic and institutional racism problem in the United States and anyone who works in a field that serves the public.
jenmangler's review against another edition
4.0
In 1951 Henrietta Lacks sought treatment for cancer. Her doctors took a sample of her cancerous cells without her consent. That seemingly simple action had a profound impact on science. Those cells, nicknamed HeLa cells, led to loads of scientific breakthroughs & furthered scientific understanding. You will not believe all the areas of science impacted by those HeLa cells.
But this is not only a story about how one woman's cells changed science. This is also a story about the family this woman left behind and how their lives were impacted by her death & the existence of those cells.
This is a wonderful book.
But this is not only a story about how one woman's cells changed science. This is also a story about the family this woman left behind and how their lives were impacted by her death & the existence of those cells.
This is a wonderful book.
kitkat962's review against another edition
5.0
Love this book so, so much! Here are my main three reasons.
1. Exciting stories about the Lacks family and the scientists involving in HeLa discovery and commercialization, with the author's own story about her journey of discovering and reporting. It blends seamlessly with knowledge of biology, cell culturing and science, with an easy-to-understand explanation.
2. Thorough research and intensive fact-check
This is probably the first book I read through the acknowledgment and notes, as there appeared to be a library of documents, articles, and publications.
3. And most importantly, the insight on science research, ethics, attitude towards patients, confidentiality and consent, the profit of science and related industry. On becoming a researcher myself, I appreciate these a lot, since it is never taught or much discussed back in graduate days.
1. Exciting stories about the Lacks family and the scientists involving in HeLa discovery and commercialization, with the author's own story about her journey of discovering and reporting. It blends seamlessly with knowledge of biology, cell culturing and science, with an easy-to-understand explanation.
2. Thorough research and intensive fact-check
This is probably the first book I read through the acknowledgment and notes, as there appeared to be a library of documents, articles, and publications.
3. And most importantly, the insight on science research, ethics, attitude towards patients, confidentiality and consent, the profit of science and related industry. On becoming a researcher myself, I appreciate these a lot, since it is never taught or much discussed back in graduate days.
elenit96's review against another edition
challenging
informative
fast-paced
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cancer
nikread84's review against another edition
5.0
Excellent. Skloot does fantastic job interweaving a story with Henrietta‘s ancestors Next to the story of how black bodies were treated in the 1940s and 50s.
andie94's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
4.0
shuffmcpuff's review against another edition
dark
emotional
informative
inspiring
fast-paced