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The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks
- Narrated by: Cassandra Campbell
- Length: 12 hrs and 30 mins
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The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks
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Summary
Her name was Henrietta Lacks, but scientists know her as HeLa. She was a poor Southern tobacco farmer whose cancer cells – taken without her knowledge – became one of the most important tools in medicine. The first ‘immortal’ human tissue grown in culture, HeLa cells were vital for developing the polio vaccine; uncovered secrets of cancer, viruses, and the effects of the atom bomb; helped lead to important advances like in vitro fertilization, cloning, and gene mapping; and have been bought and sold by the billions. Yet Henrietta herself remains virtually unknown, buried in an unmarked grave
Now Rebecca Skloot takes us on an extraordinary journey in search of Henrietta's story, from the ‘coloured’ ward of Johns Hopkins Hospital in the 1950s to East Baltimore today, where her children and grandchildren live, and struggle with the legacy of her cells. Full of warmth and questing intelligence, astonishing in scope and impossible to put down, The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks captures the beauty and drama of scientific discovery, as well as its human consequences.
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What listeners say about The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Judi G
- 28-02-15
remarkable story.
loved the book and the narration. it has really opened my eyes about research. a must read.
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4 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Liz
- 23-11-20
Exceptional
This book was not what I expected but it is very well written and very sympathetically recorded. It is a tale of a woman born in the very shadow of her ancestors slavery who unknowingly changes the face of modern medicine. At the same time the medical miracles are beginning Henrietta dies in pain and her family are left bereft, poor and traumatized. The tale is equally parts inspiring and tragic.
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2 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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- MISS W
- 22-03-21
fabulous
really thought provoking, I can't wait to watch the film next. Well written, nicely narrated.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Tracy
- 10-10-19
Highly recommended
Excellent book very informative, thought provoking and well read. This is a must read for everyone.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
- Linda
- 16-04-11
Great Read!
I was really moved by this book. I had heard of HeLa cells before, having studied and worked in medical science for most of my career, but I had never heard the real story behind them. Apart from being a great read the book raises a lot of questions about bioethics, fairness and the injustices of the past. Definitely a story that needed to be told!
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7 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Mrs. Joanne Jones
- 28-01-19
An important And compelling read
What a fantastic, mesmerising, emotive, historic and shocking story. beautifully written, diligently research and thoughtfully presented. thoroughly recommend . essential reading for an informed mind regarding the medical world, scientific research and global ethics.
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- NixD
- 22-02-18
Amazing - must hear story!
I was wondering after I had downloaded this after being recommended it, if I would like it. A factual science book! Not the sort of thing I usually read or enjoy. Wow, I couldn’t have been more surprised. Utterly beautiful, interesting, sad, enlightening. I listened as much as I could and finished in a few days. Brilliant. The science was fascinating. At the end of this book you will be glad you know the name Henrietta Lacks.
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
- Phil
- 04-08-11
Very Good
This book is not mean't to be a science book. Henrietta Lack's life may have been unremarkable, but this book is not her history - it is about the effect her HeLa cells have had on those around her. Beautifully narrated by Cassandra Campbell.
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- Gopal Peddinti
- 27-06-18
Brilliant book
Excellent book and excellent performance by the reader. I am a computer scientist with a focus on life sciences, and associated HeLa cells with the person they came from only when I chanced upon this book. This book opens up the human story behind one of the workhorses of cancer research and beyond, and many ethical issues around research on human derived samples. It was heartbreaking at times to hear how poorly the patients were treated just a few decades ago.
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- A
- 07-04-20
Fascinating!
A fascinating story I knew nothing about previously.
Very sad what Henrietta Lacks went through but amazing the contribution she effectively made to medicine
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