Have you read this one?

SWC College Book (2011-12)

This semester we are highlighting twenty years of SWC College Book selections. Stop by the display on the second floor of the Library to take a stroll through past picks. Which ones have you read so far?

You know a book is a showstopper when HBO makes it into a show. The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks is about the intersection of science and the soul. It is a must-read must-see for anyone who cares about life, medicine, education, sociology, and ethics.

The story follows Henrietta Lacks and her cells long past Henrietta’s short life. Referred to as HeLa cells (the first two initials of Henrietta’s first name and first two initials of her last name), humanity has relied heavily upon these cells for polio vaccines, space exploration, and so much more!

What makes this story an interesting read, even for the not-so-scientifically minded, is that it is also a story about a daughter trying to find out more about her deceased mother. This book will not only change the way you think about the medical community; it will also change the way you think about our society.

The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks

 

College Book - More Information

HBO Movie - More Information

Review by Lauren McFall, SWC Librarian