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lisamchuk's review against another edition
3.0
I really wanted a book that could describe how blood was viewed or important to cultures and history. Instead I got this, the published version of Hill's CBC Massey Lectures on CBC Radio. Lawrence Hill is the author of the famous book The Book of Negroes, which had a CBC mini series so I guess he's well like by those CBC VIPs. Regardless, I was interested in reading radio lectures (yes, still not sure how that worked), especially if I could learn about blood in an up to date, Canadian context.
The first two parts were interesting enough. Hill covered the nature/functions of blood, historic practices, menstruation, blood typing, human sacrifice, honour killings, stem cells, tainted blood, blood donation, and cheating in sports. So far so good, so far pretty interesting. Long chapters, but this was the content I was interested in. Then the book went downhill for me. The last three chapters tie blood to race and religion. To me that's more genetics and cultural upbringing, but what do I know. Topics included race (heavy on Black, with some Aboriginal tie-ins), adoption, citizenship, witches (?), boxing, crime scene investigation, genocide and more race, skin colour, identity repeat etc. The concepts were interesting enough, but I wanted blood, as in cells, not blood as in racial identity.
The last 2/3s of the book was generally repetitive, if not slightly long winded, as it kept coming down to black vs white skin colour. Don't get me wrong, Hill is a great writer, accessible, poetical, but I was just looking for something different I guess. I'll fondly remember reading the first two chapters, and forget that I skimmed through the rest. In the end it's my fault - the subject heading for this books is Blood -- Social Aspects and clearly I was more interested in the science, biology, history, gruesome/gory bits. I'd still recommend this book though, especially if you're interested in how "blood" has been tied to racial identity.
The first two parts were interesting enough. Hill covered the nature/functions of blood, historic practices, menstruation, blood typing, human sacrifice, honour killings, stem cells, tainted blood, blood donation, and cheating in sports. So far so good, so far pretty interesting. Long chapters, but this was the content I was interested in. Then the book went downhill for me. The last three chapters tie blood to race and religion. To me that's more genetics and cultural upbringing, but what do I know. Topics included race (heavy on Black, with some Aboriginal tie-ins), adoption, citizenship, witches (?), boxing, crime scene investigation, genocide and more race, skin colour, identity repeat etc. The concepts were interesting enough, but I wanted blood, as in cells, not blood as in racial identity.
The last 2/3s of the book was generally repetitive, if not slightly long winded, as it kept coming down to black vs white skin colour. Don't get me wrong, Hill is a great writer, accessible, poetical, but I was just looking for something different I guess. I'll fondly remember reading the first two chapters, and forget that I skimmed through the rest. In the end it's my fault - the subject heading for this books is Blood -- Social Aspects and clearly I was more interested in the science, biology, history, gruesome/gory bits. I'd still recommend this book though, especially if you're interested in how "blood" has been tied to racial identity.
jessicajane's review against another edition
4.0
Far from being just another biology book (as I expected it to be), this is a comprehensive review of the role of blood in various societies through the ages. Hill examines the symbolism attributed to blood in everything from ancient Aztec culture and the Old Testament to evolving taboos and misconceptions about menstrual blood in modern history. He tells the story of medicinal discoveries about circulation, blood types, blood storage and transfusions and the complexities of blood doping in sport. He also discusses metaphorical ideas about blood such as race, dynasties and hereditary monarchies. I was particularly interested in Hills thoughts on race and identity. He speaks of being born to a black father and white mother and the intricacies of his identity as a mixed race Canadian, as well as the subsequent identities of his children. This book also extensively examines the myriad of societies throughout history that have used unfounded notions about blood to justify discrimination, racism, slavery and genocide. Hill eloquently writes about the absurdity of the ideas that led to these atrocities and how elements of them continue to prevail in society today. A very interesting book, inviting us to examine our own ideas about blood in all elements of life.
zippz's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
informative
reflective
medium-paced
4.5
This is a thoughtful meditation on the many meanings we ascribe to blood. It covers science, history, sociology, with a wide range within each discipline; from the witch hunts to OJ Simpson, it has something to say about it all.
caoilinreads's review against another edition
4.0
Really well-written and captivating, it delves into our veins and explores our connections with the liquid that flows through us and keeps us alive.
weaselweader's review against another edition
5.0
It is always a pleasure to find non-fiction that qualifies as a gripping page turner!
If Lawrence Hill’s Blood were a musical composition, one might characterize it as a brilliant, free-wheeling and far-ranging improvisation on a single note – that single theme note (well, it’s obvious, isn’t it!) is “blood”! A couple of random quotations might serve better to illustrate Hill’s eclectic intent in pulling together such a disparate collection of essays. For example, consider this tidbit from the close of the first chapter:
“Blood, indeed, filters into every aspect of our language and defines who we are: in our emotional states, in our social ranking, in our state of innocence or moral guilt, and most important of all, in our relationships to each other.”
“Blood is truly the stuff of life: a bold and enduring determinant of identity, race, gender, culture, citizenship, belonging, privilege, deprivation, athletic superiority and nationhood. It is so vital to our sense of ourselves, our abilities, and our possibilities for survival that we have invested money, time, and energy in learning how to manipulate its very composition.”
and an excerpt of the description of Hill’s CBC Massey Lecture that formed the kernel from which he created Blood:
“Blood: The Stuff of Life is a bold meditation on blood as an historical and contemporary marker of identity, belonging, gender, race, class, citizenship, athletic superiority and nationhood.”
Racism; persecution, blood sacrifices and religion; the imaginative ways that athletes, their coaches and their doctors have devised to cheat in sports; misogyny, feminism and menstruation; blood diseases; tainted blood, homosexuality and blood transfusions; the history of the science of blood; blood in mythology; the cultural definitions of “being” black, Jewish or aboriginal; genocide; entertainment and the public thirst for blood and gore; the popularity of vampires in today’s literature – well, I think you get the idea. The breadth of topics that Hill touches on is almost dizzying in its eclecticism.
On virtually every line of every page, Blood:The Stuff of Life is informative, entertaining, provocative, thoughtful and – that element so often missing from drier and less well-executed non-fiction – it is compelling.
Highly recommended.
Paul Weiss
If Lawrence Hill’s Blood were a musical composition, one might characterize it as a brilliant, free-wheeling and far-ranging improvisation on a single note – that single theme note (well, it’s obvious, isn’t it!) is “blood”! A couple of random quotations might serve better to illustrate Hill’s eclectic intent in pulling together such a disparate collection of essays. For example, consider this tidbit from the close of the first chapter:
“Blood, indeed, filters into every aspect of our language and defines who we are: in our emotional states, in our social ranking, in our state of innocence or moral guilt, and most important of all, in our relationships to each other.”
“Blood is truly the stuff of life: a bold and enduring determinant of identity, race, gender, culture, citizenship, belonging, privilege, deprivation, athletic superiority and nationhood. It is so vital to our sense of ourselves, our abilities, and our possibilities for survival that we have invested money, time, and energy in learning how to manipulate its very composition.”
and an excerpt of the description of Hill’s CBC Massey Lecture that formed the kernel from which he created Blood:
“Blood: The Stuff of Life is a bold meditation on blood as an historical and contemporary marker of identity, belonging, gender, race, class, citizenship, athletic superiority and nationhood.”
Racism; persecution, blood sacrifices and religion; the imaginative ways that athletes, their coaches and their doctors have devised to cheat in sports; misogyny, feminism and menstruation; blood diseases; tainted blood, homosexuality and blood transfusions; the history of the science of blood; blood in mythology; the cultural definitions of “being” black, Jewish or aboriginal; genocide; entertainment and the public thirst for blood and gore; the popularity of vampires in today’s literature – well, I think you get the idea. The breadth of topics that Hill touches on is almost dizzying in its eclecticism.
On virtually every line of every page, Blood:The Stuff of Life is informative, entertaining, provocative, thoughtful and – that element so often missing from drier and less well-executed non-fiction – it is compelling.
Highly recommended.
Paul Weiss
caitie95's review
3.0
Well, this book definitely didn't go as I expected when I picked it off the library shelf!
This book isn't really a science book, despite giving the outward impression of it. About half the time is spent with the author waxing on about racism or sexism in some way. It is about blood, but more in a how it is seen in a societal way, and over time, rather than it's make-up and function (though this is touched upon).
It was interesting to read, if a bit random, just not what I was expecting. There is one thing I hated about it though. It mentions Harry Potter and claims he is a 'half blood' because his mother was a muggle, when actually she was muggle-born. Surely anyone who's read the books knows that!
This book isn't really a science book, despite giving the outward impression of it. About half the time is spent with the author waxing on about racism or sexism in some way. It is about blood, but more in a how it is seen in a societal way, and over time, rather than it's make-up and function (though this is touched upon).
It was interesting to read, if a bit random, just not what I was expecting. There is one thing I hated about it though. It mentions Harry Potter and claims he is a 'half blood' because his mother was a muggle, when actually she was muggle-born. Surely anyone who's read the books knows that!
tirapati's review against another edition
5.0
A great non-fiction read! Hill analyzes and discusses the importance "blood" has in society. From racism, lineage, family, sports, steroids and Indigenous rights this book makes you think.
Very easy read and easy to follow. Length is manageable and I read through this book so fast because it had very fascinating content.
Very easy read and easy to follow. Length is manageable and I read through this book so fast because it had very fascinating content.
lunaslabcoat's review against another edition
4.0
As I spend everyday at work analyzing and looking at blood under the microscope I was intrigued to read this book. The clinical parts were nothing new (for me) but very interesting all the same.
I loved reading the changing attitudes throughout history and reading some of the historical experiments and discoveries of mankind. I have to admit I skipped over about 20 pages devoted to blood politics.....to me politics bores the pants off me (I know they are important and crucial to life today, but there is just no way of making a dry subject interesting....IMO)
Overall a great and interesting read!!
I loved reading the changing attitudes throughout history and reading some of the historical experiments and discoveries of mankind. I have to admit I skipped over about 20 pages devoted to blood politics.....to me politics bores the pants off me (I know they are important and crucial to life today, but there is just no way of making a dry subject interesting....IMO)
Overall a great and interesting read!!