The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks by Rebecca Skloot was, in fact, a page turner.
Henrietta Lacks was a woman who has had a great impact on modern medicine and, for a long time, no one had ever heard of her. For years scientists had been trying to figure out a way to make cells reproduce, but try as they might, they couldn't find a way to make it happen. Not until they came across Henrietta's cells.
Henrietta had been suffering from cervical cancer. As was common practice then, doctors took a sample of her cancer cells and found the winning lottery ticket. Not only did Henrietta's cells reproduce themselves, but it's reported that if you could weigh the amount of reproduced cells, they would weigh more than 100 Empire State Buildings, which is amazing since a cell weighs practically nothing. Her cells have been used by science to do everything from help to create a polio vaccine to cloning.
What makes the book a page turner is how the author paints a holistic picture of what was going on in the world at the time. Skloot weaves together elements of culture, history, and science from a global perspective and binds them together is a lovely tapestry. You see how the earth, moon and stars aligned at the perfect time for science to make these great steps forward.
Skloot also gives a very personal account of what transpired with Henrietta's family over the years. As a warning to soft-hearted readers like myself, some of the events are not pretty and difficult to read through. It is, however, very enlightening to the times, past and present.
For the most part, I didn't feel like I was reading a science book or just another biography. I felt like my eyes were opened to the past and I saw a glimpse of history that I was previously blind to.
If you hate reading, don't worry. I think Oprah is planning to make a movie about Henrietta Lacks. Otherwise, if you're looking for a good book, I would recommend this one.
Next up - When Helping Hurts
Henrietta Lacks was a woman who has had a great impact on modern medicine and, for a long time, no one had ever heard of her. For years scientists had been trying to figure out a way to make cells reproduce, but try as they might, they couldn't find a way to make it happen. Not until they came across Henrietta's cells.
Henrietta had been suffering from cervical cancer. As was common practice then, doctors took a sample of her cancer cells and found the winning lottery ticket. Not only did Henrietta's cells reproduce themselves, but it's reported that if you could weigh the amount of reproduced cells, they would weigh more than 100 Empire State Buildings, which is amazing since a cell weighs practically nothing. Her cells have been used by science to do everything from help to create a polio vaccine to cloning.
What makes the book a page turner is how the author paints a holistic picture of what was going on in the world at the time. Skloot weaves together elements of culture, history, and science from a global perspective and binds them together is a lovely tapestry. You see how the earth, moon and stars aligned at the perfect time for science to make these great steps forward.
Skloot also gives a very personal account of what transpired with Henrietta's family over the years. As a warning to soft-hearted readers like myself, some of the events are not pretty and difficult to read through. It is, however, very enlightening to the times, past and present.
For the most part, I didn't feel like I was reading a science book or just another biography. I felt like my eyes were opened to the past and I saw a glimpse of history that I was previously blind to.
If you hate reading, don't worry. I think Oprah is planning to make a movie about Henrietta Lacks. Otherwise, if you're looking for a good book, I would recommend this one.
Next up - When Helping Hurts
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