Amazing look into the origin of HeLa cells This is a fascinating look into the origin of HeLa cells, still widely used today in medical research, yet the woman from which they originated is largely unknown. Tragically, her family in the US are unable to afford health insurance, yet her contribution to medical research has been priceless.
HeLa Astoundingly interesting story of Henrietta Lacks,her cells & her family--reads more like a great novel! See the book for its family photos, etc.,but listen to the CD set for the driving style of the reader- as well as the author interview.
A must read, thoroughly engaging book.
Expected Better I read an excerpt from this book in another book about writing creative nonfiction. I was entranced by Rebecca Skloot's writing style and I couldn't wait to read this book. About a quarter of the way through this book my enthusiasm waned. The author only has so much information to write about Henrietta, so she essentially has to insert herself into the story and make more for her to write about. At first the level of detail she provides is just right - engrossing without burdening the reader. As she goes on, though, she begins giving every little bit of information she can to fill the book. For instance, she introduces characters who don't have a big role in the story and then takes a paragraph or two to explain those people's entire lives, including where they were born. Who cares? Why does it matter? I skipped over pages near the end because they contributed nothing to the story and it just made me annoyed to read them. Henrietta's family are a pathetic lot. They are greedy and paranoid. Instead of feeling compassion, I feel nothing but pity for these people. They are products of an ignorant, incestuous upbringing and have no chance at redemption. For a book that is supposed to be about science, this one reads more like the transcript of an episode of Jerry Springer. I am disappointed.
"The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks," 5/5 stars Run, don''t walk, to your nearest bookstore or library and GET THIS BOOK!!! Skloot tells the story of Lacks, the cancer cells taken without her knowledge or permission (she was being treated for cervical cancer when those helping her helped themselves), how those cells grew and benefited many people (both medically and financially) AND how her own family were treated, at best, as an afterthought. Imagine their surprise when they found out a bit of there mother was in a lab somewhere being experimented on a good twenty years after her death! Skloot reports on this and other "face palm" moments in as detached and fair a manner as possible. Read the book before the HBO special Oprah is working on hits your TV.