#1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER
Her name was Henrietta Lacks, but scientists know her as HeLa. She was a poor black tobacco farmer whose cells — taken without her knowledge in 1951 — became one of the most important tools in medicine, vital for developing the polio vaccine, cloning, gene mapping, and more. Henrietta’s cells have been bought and sold by the billions, yet she remains virtually … billions, yet she remains virtually unknown, and her family can’t afford health insurance. This phenomenal New York Times bestseller tells a riveting story of the collision between ethics, race, and medicine; of scientific discovery and faith healing; and of a daughter consumed with questions about the mother she never knew.
more
Must-read for lovers of science, history, intelligent investigative writing, addressing the profound wrongs of American history, and tales that are tough to confront but must be told. It’s an eye-opening read and an absorbing one.
Wow. What a powerful book. It’s been out for a while, but it’s still one of the best books I’ve ever read. Really made me think.
This is a great book. I hope it becomes part of the American history cannon that every high school student reads.
First and foremost, it’s a lovely, heartbreaking story of a black family in 20th-century America. But The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks also offers important perspective on some of the big changes in our country over the last 100 …
Just finished one of the most informative books on cell research.
Amazing book that everyone should read. True story of a young woman whose cells have continued living after her death and who has changed all of modern medicine for all of us. A must read and a story that will stay with you.
This was read in my book club in 2009 in England while I was an ex-patriot there. Great book for a book club discussion.
Felt bad for the family that was taken advantage of over and over again and NEVER received any compensation from any research facilities, colleges, or pharmaceuticals. It makes you wonder about justice and kindness that is so …
This book tells the story of how one woman’s unwilling donation to science led the way to some of the most important medical advances of the last century. It is a story that had remained ignored for a long time but thanks to the courage and indefatigable work of one writer came to light.
At the heart of the story is the woman whose cells made all …
I wasn’t sure whether or not I’d enjoy this book, because I thought it might be too scientific for me. It proved not to be, and I truly enjoyed it. While one might think that Henrietta Lacks life was unremarkable, her death proved to be anything but…. This book shows how one women’s cells (HeLa cells) led to the discovery of a vaccine for …
Do we really own all the wonders of nature going on in our body? Think about the implications. And, should our heirs profit from our body’s idiosyncrasies? This author assumed yes to both questions, but doesn’t explore the implications, instead getting wrapped into the family drama.
I absolutely loved this book! I learned so much and was really engrossed throughout the story as there were several stories within this book… the historical significance of this woman’s cells in terms of developing cures and scientific discoveries were astounding… I admired the author as she maintained such determination to create an …
Skloot’s biography of Henrietta Lacks is captivating, for she conveys so much not only about science but also about life. Through this masterful example of narrative nonfiction, Skloot reveals the humanity in what science/scientists see as subjects or experiments in their desire to advance civilization. Ironies abound.
If The Immortal Life of …
Everyone should this read this book. You won’t believe the injustice that was done to this family, and that Hela cells are still helping people to this day. This is a great book and a great read.
My book club just finished reading this amazing book. First a little history about Henrietta. She was a poor young black woman whose cells were taken without her knowledge and used for research in medical science. Her cells became one of the most important tools for science and were sold for billions of dollars. None of Henrietta’s family were …
Fascinating history of a woman who unwittingly gave so much to science and health, without getting credit for it until many, many years later.
It is amazing how science has progressed through the years and what liberties have been taken before the notion of informed consent was even recognized. Also very informative about how processes and procedures have not changed. Very good read. Very humanizing and informative.
Black lives matter. Poor lives matter. Uneducated lives matter. The sometimes unspeakable things we do to each other in the name of science, of money, of prestige is unforgivable. A must read. You will never be able to go back to the person you were before after you’ve read it.
I had heard a little about Henrietta Lacks and how her cells helped in the developing of the polio vaccine, uncovered secrets of cancer, viruses and the effects of the atom bomb and other important advances. I did not now the whole story of her family and was disgusted how Johns Hopkins Hospital in the 1950s had a “colored” ward and took want they …
The author gives you a fascinating 360 view of the historical, social, scientific and personal in this unique true story. This book was all I could think about while I was reading it and for weeks afterward.
Wow. This true story is unlike anything I’ve read before. It’s medical science that reads like science fiction, human interest, race relations, medical ethics, and mental health all rolled into one. It’s interesting that half the book is the chronicle of the author doing research for the book, but it really was the best format for the information. …
Had never heard of Henrietta Lacks before reading this book. How sad as to what the medical field did this lady. Yet what a gift she has given us in so many ways. Very interesting as to all this came to light.