The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks cover art

The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks

A True Story of Scientific Discovery, Questionable Ethics, and a Family's Fight for Truth

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The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks

By: Rebecca Skloot
Narrated by: Cassandra Campbell
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About this listen

A heartbreaking account of a medical miracle: how one woman’s cells – taken without her knowledge – have saved countless lives. The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks is a true story of race, class, injustice and exploitation.

‘No dead woman has done more for the living . . . A fascinating, harrowing, necessary book.’ – Hilary Mantel, Guardian

Her name was Henrietta Lacks, but scientists know her as HeLa. Born a poor black tobacco farmer, her cancer cells – taken without her knowledge – became a multimillion-dollar industry and one of the most important tools in medicine. Yet Henrietta’s family did not learn of her ‘immortality’ until more than twenty years after her death, with devastating consequences . . .

Rebecca Skloot’s moving account is the story of the life, and afterlife, of one woman who changed the medical world forever. Balancing the beauty and drama of scientific discovery with dark questions about who owns the stuff our bodies are made of, The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks is an extraordinary journey in search of the soul and story of a real woman, whose cells live on today in all four corners of the world.

Now an HBO film starring Oprah Winfrey and Rose Byrne.

 Biological Sciences Professionals & Academics Racism & Discrimination Science Science & Technology Social Sciences True Crime Women Exciting Medicine Tobacco

Critic Reviews

A fascinating, harrowing, necessary book. (Hilary Mantel)
A heartbreaking account of racism and injustice.
A fine book . . . a gripping read . . . The book has deservedly been a huge bestseller in the US. It should be here, too.
All stars
Most relevant
I was surprised by this book. I thought the author did an amazing job of pulling all the detail together to create a really interesting true story that had you there to the end. The most impressive thing about it was the author - I got to really like her for her compassion, resilience and creativity. It took 10 years, but definitely worth it. Added bonus, I now have a much deeper understanding of cell research and the ethical issues around it. It actually made me cry a couple of times, and certainly had me laughing. Well done! I'm really glad I read it.

So touching

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This is an excellent page turner. A touching human story that challenges readers to think about many aspects of morality in our modern society. Medical ethics, racism, poverty, religion, capitalism.....

Well written and brilliantly narrated

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Love this book I found it to be so well written and the science was easy to understand. Plus a great human story sewn together by brilliant writer.

Fabulous

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whether you're a scientist, a doctor, a patient or the public this is a fantastic insight into the amazing world of medicine, medical ethics and the lives of the people who disappear in history. fantastic insight but someone who acts well as an unbiased third party.

absolute must read

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One of the best books I ever read! a mix of biography and science that you can't stop listening! Amazing!

Amazing

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