Our review of : The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks

Written by : Rebecca Skloot

Release date : 02-02-10

4.5 out of 5 - Based on 15,343

Retail price : $31.93

Category:

The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks is a book by Rebecca Skloot about the life of Henrietta Lacks, an African American woman whose cells were taken without her consent in 1951 and used to create the first immortal human cell line. The book also explores race and poverty in America.

For who is this book for ?

This book is for someone who wants to learn about the history of Henrietta Lack and her cells. This book also looks into race and poverty in America which makes it a great read for anyone interested in sociology or history.

Pros :

  • The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks is an important book about African American history and race in America.
  • The book tells the story of a woman whose life was changed by scientists without her consent.
  • The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks is well written and researched.

Cons :

  • The author spends too much time discussing the history of cell research and Henrietta’s family background.
  • The book does not provide a clear conclusion about what happened to Henrietta’s cells after her death.
  • Some readers may find the detailed descriptions of medical procedures boring or difficult to follow.

Learn more about the author

Rebecca Skloot is a freelance science writer and an assistant professor of creative writing at the University of Memphis.

Reader Reviews

“A mesmerizing, unpredictable journey.”

“I’m not a scientist, but I found this book fascinating. It’s well written and easy to follow even if you don’t have any background in biology.”

“I could not put this book down. It is well written and thoroughly researched. The author shows great compassion for the Lacks family as well as for scientists who struggled with the implications of their work.”

“The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks is a fascinating, informative look at the woman whose cells have been fundamental in medical research for the past sixty years. Rebecca Skloot tells the story of Henrietta Lacks and her family with sensitivity and respect, uncovering shameful chapters of our history while celebrating African American resilience and scientific progress.”

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