Intro
If you just finished The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks, by Rebecca Skloot, and you want more books about medicine, ethics, and real lives, this video is for you.
These are six picks, from history to memoir. Let’s get started.
Medical Apartheid
Number one is Medical Apartheid, by Harriet Washington, from two thousand six. It is a history of medical experimentation on Black Americans, from the colonial era to today.
It is the closest companion to Skloot’s book, and it gives the wider context for what happened to Henrietta.
The Emperor of All Maladies
Number two is The Emperor of All Maladies, by Siddhartha Mukherjee, from twenty ten. It is a biography of cancer, from ancient times to modern treatments.
It is longer, but it is beautifully written, and a good pick if you loved the science in Skloot’s book.
The Spirit Catches You and You Fall Down
Number three is The Spirit Catches You and You Fall Down, by Anne Fadiman, from nineteen ninety seven. It follows a Hmong family in California and their clash with the American medical system.
It is about what happens when doctors and patients do not understand each other, and it is a perfect pair with Skloot.
Being Mortal
Number four is Being Mortal, by Atul Gawande, from twenty fourteen. A surgeon looks at aging, illness, and what medicine can and cannot do.
It is gentler and more personal, and it is a great pick if you want a book about care at the end of life.
Bad Blood
Number five is Bad Blood, by John Carreyrou, from twenty eighteen. It tells how a startup called Theranos deceived investors and patients.
It reads like a thriller, and it is a good example of what happens when medical promises go unchecked.
When Breath Becomes Air
Number six is When Breath Becomes Air, by Paul Kalanithi, from twenty sixteen. A young neurosurgeon becomes a patient with terminal cancer.
It is short, moving, and a good choice if you want a personal view of the same system that Skloot describes.
Where To Start
So which one first? If you want the history, start with Medical Apartheid. If you want a gripping story, try Bad Blood. If you want something personal, pick When Breath Becomes Air. Links to all six are in the description below.
Tell me in the comments which one you will read first, and thanks for watching.
