Comments on: Skloot on the Cover of Publishers Weekly & Advance Praise for The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks

By: J. Marie

J. Marie — Sun, 28 Mar 2010 11:26:14 +0000

Hello Ms. Skloot, I waited well over six weeks to get this book from my local library, and it was well worth the wait! It was truly a well told and researched story of the continued medical mistreatment of African Americans. When I read about the part of the Tuskegee Institute’s involvement with the HeLe cultures, at the same time as they were conducting the syphilis study, I almost threw the book down on the floor! What! Not here again! Made me wonder about what other “secret” studies involving African Americans this Historically Black College was or is involved in? I know the Lacks family appreciated all your efforts to help them understand what happened to their mother and sister, and the establishment of a Foundation to help educate her decendants, I truly hope if nothing else, this book opened “eyes wide” and people learn to speak loudly and carry a big stick when confronted with situations they do not understand, espically when it come to our health. Thanks for bringing this story to the public attention, another lesson learned.

By: Counts, A

Counts, A — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 16:10:27 +0000

Rebecca, I just finished your book this morning; purchased it Tuesday (3-16-10); couldn’t put it down until I finished it. I loved it; this is truly an amazing book and story. You did a wonderful job. How is the foundation coming along?
I sent all my friends an email this afternoon to make them aware of this wonderful book, and to encourage them to purchase it.

By: Nathaniel Comfort

Nathaniel Comfort — Tue, 19 Jan 2010 07:52:39 +0000

Congrats, Rebecca–It looks terrific. And you have quite the marketing juggernaut going. Hope it’s a huge success. I look forward to reading it.

By: P. Jennings

P. Jennings — Fri, 15 Jan 2010 13:25:27 +0000

Rebecca, congratulations on finally having your book come out. I’ve been waiting for it, because I somehow heard about it some years ago.
I’ve pre-ordered it for our Kindle; that makes it easy.
I’m wondering if you’ll be on Charlie Rose? If you’re not scheduled yet, perhaps an e-mail and or (gasp) letter-writing campaign by your many friends and supporters would make it happen?
Really looking forward to actually reading the book!

By: Texas Reader

Texas Reader — Mon, 28 Dec 2009 17:09:36 +0000

Rebecca: I received this book on Saturday and finished it in 24 hours. Towards the end I nearly cried (the chapter about taking Deborah and her brother to the lab to see the actual HeLa cells.)
I’ve finished my Amazon Vine review. I rarely give any book 5 stars, but this one I did.
I’d like to know more about the issue of contamination of other cell lines with HeLa cells – if you have time to do a post in it that would be great.

By: Rebecca Skloot

Rebecca Skloot — Sat, 19 Dec 2009 16:10:04 +0000

@TexasReader: I’m thrilled that the book is part of the Amazon Vine program — glad you’re getting a copy. Thanks for the interest!

By: Texas Reader

Texas Reader — Thu, 17 Dec 2009 15:57:43 +0000

I just got a newsletter Amazon puts out for its Vine reviewer program and this book was offered so I ordered it! I can’t wait to get it. And thanks Rebecca for participating in the Vine program!
Now if you’ll come to Dallas on your book tour I will be there in line to get it signed.

By: Jim Thomerson

Jim Thomerson — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 11:46:15 +0000

The way I recall the story is this. Cell culture was fairly difficult, then over a very short period of time, cell culture became much easier. Turned out that cell cultures world wide were contaminated and taken over by HeLa cells.

By: Nishi

Nishi — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 05:56:48 +0000

There is no doubt this is good to be a huge hit among cell culture scientists. Anyone with a passion for cells will have to read about Henreitta Lacks.

By: Renee

Renee — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 00:16:34 +0000

Fabulous. Well deserved praise, I’m so glad your book is hitting a chord – these reviews are just a small taste of what’s to come!