This TRUE story is one of the most interesting, well written and touching books I have read thus far this year!! Touching on scientific ethics,social equality and health insurance issues, it is inspiring, shocking and thoroughly engrossing!! Highly recommended!

posted Oct 5, 2012 at 11:26AM

Facinating and frightening story first of a poor woman and her family and also of science, research and bioethics. Amazing to think that just a few decades ago, some people thought it was ok to experiment on others without their knowledge or consent. Also, who would think that some cancer cells are so relentless that they could continue to grow and multiply for over 50 years. The easiest thing to believe is that the family of Henrietta Lacks never knew the extent of the use by researchers of their mother’s cells. Amazing and enlightening. Don’t be surprised if you find yourself running to the internet to learn more.

posted Oct 14, 2011 at 4:29PM

An important story that needs to be told.

posted Mar 16, 2011 at 3:15PM

Heart-breaking - yet amazing!

posted Feb 28, 2011 at 4:24PM

I agree! I wish i knew more about biology and cells and stuff, because i have some questions, but what a fascinating story.

posted Jan 26, 2011 at 8:12AM

Boy, did Skloot get the story of a lifetime here. I think others might have written it better, but kudos to her for pursuing it. It's absolutely mindblowing that a huge portion (majority?) of medical research has been performed on the cell tissue of one woman, a young black mother who died at 31--and that her children never knew that modern medicine was built upon their mother's back.

posted Jan 7, 2011 at 10:43AM

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