This is a must read story about how African Americans were treated medically. Learning that there were no hospitals to take them when they were sick or injured except Johns Hopkins was horrific. The author describes some people just going to the hospital and being turned away. Although, this book covers an ugly part of our history with mental patients in Crownsville, MD and how the medical industry took fluids and tissues of black people who were just going in for help without telling them is eye-opening. Skloot does an excellent job of sharing the medical knowledge without becoming too complicated.
The story of Henrietta’s daughter, Deborah, and her search for her mother’s story is powerful. The author is actually part of this story. This book should be read by anyone wanting to enter the medical profession. It also would be fantastic if there was a young adult version of this book for younger readers. It is an excellent resource for learning more about African American history in the United States in the 20th century.
