Author: Mantak Chia
Publisher: Simon and Schuster
ISBN: 1620556510
Category : Health & Fitness
Languages : en
Pages : 360
Book Description
A detailed guide to restoring the eight foundational areas of health • Explains how each of legendary Taoist masters known as the Eight Immortals has a specific area of health as the focus of his or her teachings • Offers practices, techniques and guidelines for each of the Eight Immortal Healer teachings, including the important roles of oxygen and water in the body, nutrition, detoxification, exercise, energy work, emotional pollution, and spiritual hygiene The Eight Immortals are a group of legendary ancient Taoist masters, each associated with a specific area of health or a powerful healing technique. These eight disciplines can bestow vibrant health and well-being and provide the antidote to the stresses, ailments, degenerative diseases, and toxins of modern life. In this guide to the healing practices of the Eight Immortals, Master Mantak Chia and Johnathon Dao share the legends of each Immortal teacher and detail the many ways to apply their wisdom through nutrition, exercises, supplements, detoxification methods, spiritual practices, and energy work. They explain how the first Immortal, born during the 8th century AD, is associated with oxygen, considered in the Taoist healing perspective as the body’s primary nutrient. They discuss how oxygen deficiency is the main culprit in cancer and virus and provide a number of oxygen therapies including the use of hydrogen peroxide and deep breathing to stimulate the metabolism and immune system. The second Immortal Healer centers on water, and the authors explain how chronic dehydration can lead to a host of ailments and offer advice for rehydrating. The other teachings of the Immortal Healers include Nutrition, with guidance on supplements, superfoods, toxic foods, and daily meals; Detoxification, with detailed guidelines for cleansing the body’s organs and glands; Avoiding environmental poisons, with advice on vaccines, dental amalgam fillings, sunscreen, chemotherapy, fluoride, and pesticides; Exercise, with step-by-step instructions for Inner Alchemy practices, yoga, and breathing techniques; Maintenance of the energy body, through acupuncture, chi kung healing, magnet therapy, and photon sound beams; and Emotional pollution and spiritual hygiene, with a wealth of practices for balancing the emotional body and staying connected to Source, including forgiveness, meditation, and karmic yoga. By following these Eight Immortal Healers, you can take control of your health, remove the root causes of the chronic ailments that inhibit well-being and longevity, and choose to live life to the fullest in happiness and radiant health.
The Eight Immortal Healers
Author: Mantak Chia
Publisher: Simon and Schuster
ISBN: 1620556510
Category : Health & Fitness
Languages : en
Pages : 360
Book Description
A detailed guide to restoring the eight foundational areas of health • Explains how each of legendary Taoist masters known as the Eight Immortals has a specific area of health as the focus of his or her teachings • Offers practices, techniques and guidelines for each of the Eight Immortal Healer teachings, including the important roles of oxygen and water in the body, nutrition, detoxification, exercise, energy work, emotional pollution, and spiritual hygiene The Eight Immortals are a group of legendary ancient Taoist masters, each associated with a specific area of health or a powerful healing technique. These eight disciplines can bestow vibrant health and well-being and provide the antidote to the stresses, ailments, degenerative diseases, and toxins of modern life. In this guide to the healing practices of the Eight Immortals, Master Mantak Chia and Johnathon Dao share the legends of each Immortal teacher and detail the many ways to apply their wisdom through nutrition, exercises, supplements, detoxification methods, spiritual practices, and energy work. They explain how the first Immortal, born during the 8th century AD, is associated with oxygen, considered in the Taoist healing perspective as the body’s primary nutrient. They discuss how oxygen deficiency is the main culprit in cancer and virus and provide a number of oxygen therapies including the use of hydrogen peroxide and deep breathing to stimulate the metabolism and immune system. The second Immortal Healer centers on water, and the authors explain how chronic dehydration can lead to a host of ailments and offer advice for rehydrating. The other teachings of the Immortal Healers include Nutrition, with guidance on supplements, superfoods, toxic foods, and daily meals; Detoxification, with detailed guidelines for cleansing the body’s organs and glands; Avoiding environmental poisons, with advice on vaccines, dental amalgam fillings, sunscreen, chemotherapy, fluoride, and pesticides; Exercise, with step-by-step instructions for Inner Alchemy practices, yoga, and breathing techniques; Maintenance of the energy body, through acupuncture, chi kung healing, magnet therapy, and photon sound beams; and Emotional pollution and spiritual hygiene, with a wealth of practices for balancing the emotional body and staying connected to Source, including forgiveness, meditation, and karmic yoga. By following these Eight Immortal Healers, you can take control of your health, remove the root causes of the chronic ailments that inhibit well-being and longevity, and choose to live life to the fullest in happiness and radiant health.
Publisher: Simon and Schuster
ISBN: 1620556510
Category : Health & Fitness
Languages : en
Pages : 360
Book Description
A detailed guide to restoring the eight foundational areas of health • Explains how each of legendary Taoist masters known as the Eight Immortals has a specific area of health as the focus of his or her teachings • Offers practices, techniques and guidelines for each of the Eight Immortal Healer teachings, including the important roles of oxygen and water in the body, nutrition, detoxification, exercise, energy work, emotional pollution, and spiritual hygiene The Eight Immortals are a group of legendary ancient Taoist masters, each associated with a specific area of health or a powerful healing technique. These eight disciplines can bestow vibrant health and well-being and provide the antidote to the stresses, ailments, degenerative diseases, and toxins of modern life. In this guide to the healing practices of the Eight Immortals, Master Mantak Chia and Johnathon Dao share the legends of each Immortal teacher and detail the many ways to apply their wisdom through nutrition, exercises, supplements, detoxification methods, spiritual practices, and energy work. They explain how the first Immortal, born during the 8th century AD, is associated with oxygen, considered in the Taoist healing perspective as the body’s primary nutrient. They discuss how oxygen deficiency is the main culprit in cancer and virus and provide a number of oxygen therapies including the use of hydrogen peroxide and deep breathing to stimulate the metabolism and immune system. The second Immortal Healer centers on water, and the authors explain how chronic dehydration can lead to a host of ailments and offer advice for rehydrating. The other teachings of the Immortal Healers include Nutrition, with guidance on supplements, superfoods, toxic foods, and daily meals; Detoxification, with detailed guidelines for cleansing the body’s organs and glands; Avoiding environmental poisons, with advice on vaccines, dental amalgam fillings, sunscreen, chemotherapy, fluoride, and pesticides; Exercise, with step-by-step instructions for Inner Alchemy practices, yoga, and breathing techniques; Maintenance of the energy body, through acupuncture, chi kung healing, magnet therapy, and photon sound beams; and Emotional pollution and spiritual hygiene, with a wealth of practices for balancing the emotional body and staying connected to Source, including forgiveness, meditation, and karmic yoga. By following these Eight Immortal Healers, you can take control of your health, remove the root causes of the chronic ailments that inhibit well-being and longevity, and choose to live life to the fullest in happiness and radiant health.
The Eight Immortals of Taoism
Author: Man-Ho Kwok
Publisher: Random House (UK)
ISBN:
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 168
Book Description
A collection of tales and legends about the semi-divine Eight Immortals of Chinese Taoism, each of whom is supposed to have lived as an historical person. However the main role of the Eight Immortals is as symbols of the success of Taoist discipline and magic.
Publisher: Random House (UK)
ISBN:
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 168
Book Description
A collection of tales and legends about the semi-divine Eight Immortals of Chinese Taoism, each of whom is supposed to have lived as an historical person. However the main role of the Eight Immortals is as symbols of the success of Taoist discipline and magic.
Tai Chi Bang
Author: Jesse Tsao
Publisher:
ISBN: 9781607965220
Category : Sports & Recreation
Languages : en
Pages : 134
Book Description
Tai Chi Bang: Eight-Immortal Flute is an energy practice based on characteristic Tai Chi postures combined with traditional Chinese self-healing meditation and self-defense kung fu. Tai Chi Bang gives an object to focus on between the palms, bonding the two hands moving together, making it easy and fun for beginners to feel the qi (energy), and gain the benefits of Tai Chi practice. Students who find it difficult to quiet their minds find this practice especially effective in gathering attention. Holding the Bang with both palms help them concentrate and be in the moment. The movements of the Bang imitate the movement of the qi inside the body. It relieves stress, gathers in fresh energy, rejuvenates the body and spirit, brings inner calm, and promotes qi and blood circulation.
Publisher:
ISBN: 9781607965220
Category : Sports & Recreation
Languages : en
Pages : 134
Book Description
Tai Chi Bang: Eight-Immortal Flute is an energy practice based on characteristic Tai Chi postures combined with traditional Chinese self-healing meditation and self-defense kung fu. Tai Chi Bang gives an object to focus on between the palms, bonding the two hands moving together, making it easy and fun for beginners to feel the qi (energy), and gain the benefits of Tai Chi practice. Students who find it difficult to quiet their minds find this practice especially effective in gathering attention. Holding the Bang with both palms help them concentrate and be in the moment. The movements of the Bang imitate the movement of the qi inside the body. It relieves stress, gathers in fresh energy, rejuvenates the body and spirit, brings inner calm, and promotes qi and blood circulation.
Eight Immortal Flavors
Author: Johnny Kan
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Cooking, Chinese
Languages : en
Pages : 260
Book Description
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Cooking, Chinese
Languages : en
Pages : 260
Book Description
The Eight Immortals' Revolving Sword of Pure Yang
Author: Dr. Baolin Wu
Publisher: Lulu.com
ISBN: 1931483191
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 230
Book Description
This is the story of Master Wu and the esoteric sword practice he learned at the White Cloud Monastery in Beijing. It opens this practice to the outside world for the first time, explaining its history, theory, cosmology, and practice in great detail.The Eight Immortals'Revolving Sword goes back for seventeen generations, starting with Wang Chongyang, the founder of the Complete Reality school and martial arts champion of the Song dynasty, and actively continued through Qiu Chuji and other senior Daoist lineage holders. Practicing sword to attain immortality is a profound Daoist method. Master Wu shares his insights and practice instructions as a way of self-cultivation, illuminating the power of the practice to drive away inauspicious energies, eliminate harmful incidents, and safeguard against ghosts. Able to harness good fortune, practice of this sword set enhances inner communication and creates an intimate connection with the universe.In traditional Chinese fashion, Master Wu guides the reader through the ins and outs of the history, folklore, and technique of this sword practice, focusing especially on the figures of the Eight Immortals and explaining their legends, practices, and feats in great detail. Along the way, he highlights the hidden jewels of training with insightful commentaries on various parables, thereby to bring out the essence of Dao. He succeeds masterfully at braiding together his unique training history and deep Daoist insights with treasured traditional stories, creating a thrilling account and setting a palpable example of Daoism 1/2s best kept inner secrets as brought to life in actual experiences today.
Publisher: Lulu.com
ISBN: 1931483191
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 230
Book Description
This is the story of Master Wu and the esoteric sword practice he learned at the White Cloud Monastery in Beijing. It opens this practice to the outside world for the first time, explaining its history, theory, cosmology, and practice in great detail.The Eight Immortals'Revolving Sword goes back for seventeen generations, starting with Wang Chongyang, the founder of the Complete Reality school and martial arts champion of the Song dynasty, and actively continued through Qiu Chuji and other senior Daoist lineage holders. Practicing sword to attain immortality is a profound Daoist method. Master Wu shares his insights and practice instructions as a way of self-cultivation, illuminating the power of the practice to drive away inauspicious energies, eliminate harmful incidents, and safeguard against ghosts. Able to harness good fortune, practice of this sword set enhances inner communication and creates an intimate connection with the universe.In traditional Chinese fashion, Master Wu guides the reader through the ins and outs of the history, folklore, and technique of this sword practice, focusing especially on the figures of the Eight Immortals and explaining their legends, practices, and feats in great detail. Along the way, he highlights the hidden jewels of training with insightful commentaries on various parables, thereby to bring out the essence of Dao. He succeeds masterfully at braiding together his unique training history and deep Daoist insights with treasured traditional stories, creating a thrilling account and setting a palpable example of Daoism 1/2s best kept inner secrets as brought to life in actual experiences today.
Images of the Immortal
Author: Paul R. Katz
Publisher: University of Hawaii Press
ISBN: 0824862902
Category : Philosophy
Languages : en
Pages : 328
Book Description
The Palace of Eternal Joy (Yongle gong) is a mammoth cult site dedicated to one of late imperial China’s most popular deities, Lu Dongbin. In one of the first book-length studies of a Chinese sacred site, Paul Katz focuses on the Palace’s role in the development of Lu's legend. This highly innovative approach takes into account the various "histories" of the Palace presented in different texts and surpasses previous scholarship by stressing the ways in which the site both reflected and produced cultural diversity. Katz breaks new ground by analyzing the texts in terms of the textuality--the processes by which they were produced, transmitted, and understood. The study begins with a detailed description of the Palace of Eternal Joy and a brief account of its history. The reader is then introduced to the cult of Lu Dongbin. Special consideration is given to various hagiographical traditions, particularly those that influenced the growth of his cult at Yongle. Throughout late imperial China, a growing number of worshipers (among them scholar-officials, Taoist priests, artisans, and dramatists) created an ever-burgeoning variety of images of Lu, ranging from a patron god of ink-makers and prostitutes to a member of that powerful yet rambunctious group of spirits known as the Eight Immortals. In this context, the author explores the Perfect Realization Taoist movement's adoption of Lu's cult during the Jin and Yuan dynasties and highlight the social and religious factors that led to Lu's immense popularity in north China during the late imperial era. Katz next looks at the four type of inscriptions found at the Palace (commemorative, official, hagiographical, and poetic) and identifies the Palace patrons who worshiped there and contributed to its growth. In the description and analysis of the Palace murals that follow, he divides these works into two types: those painted to provide a setting for, and even an object of, Taoist rituals performed at the Palace; and those used to instruct Perfect Realization Taoists and perhaps pilgrims. The final section traces the reception of the Palace texts among the people of Yongle and its environs. Here Katz examines the ways in which patrons tried to impose their representations of the Palace’s history and the cult of Lu Dongbin on other members of the community and assesses the extent to which these efforts succeeded. Images of the Immortal is richly informed by a wide reading in social, cultural, and literary theory as well as a thorough awareness of previous work in comparative and Chinese religion. Scholars of Taoism, Chinese popular religion, and art history will find it especially rewarding for its thought-provoking reinterpretation of an important religious figure and his cult.
Publisher: University of Hawaii Press
ISBN: 0824862902
Category : Philosophy
Languages : en
Pages : 328
Book Description
The Palace of Eternal Joy (Yongle gong) is a mammoth cult site dedicated to one of late imperial China’s most popular deities, Lu Dongbin. In one of the first book-length studies of a Chinese sacred site, Paul Katz focuses on the Palace’s role in the development of Lu's legend. This highly innovative approach takes into account the various "histories" of the Palace presented in different texts and surpasses previous scholarship by stressing the ways in which the site both reflected and produced cultural diversity. Katz breaks new ground by analyzing the texts in terms of the textuality--the processes by which they were produced, transmitted, and understood. The study begins with a detailed description of the Palace of Eternal Joy and a brief account of its history. The reader is then introduced to the cult of Lu Dongbin. Special consideration is given to various hagiographical traditions, particularly those that influenced the growth of his cult at Yongle. Throughout late imperial China, a growing number of worshipers (among them scholar-officials, Taoist priests, artisans, and dramatists) created an ever-burgeoning variety of images of Lu, ranging from a patron god of ink-makers and prostitutes to a member of that powerful yet rambunctious group of spirits known as the Eight Immortals. In this context, the author explores the Perfect Realization Taoist movement's adoption of Lu's cult during the Jin and Yuan dynasties and highlight the social and religious factors that led to Lu's immense popularity in north China during the late imperial era. Katz next looks at the four type of inscriptions found at the Palace (commemorative, official, hagiographical, and poetic) and identifies the Palace patrons who worshiped there and contributed to its growth. In the description and analysis of the Palace murals that follow, he divides these works into two types: those painted to provide a setting for, and even an object of, Taoist rituals performed at the Palace; and those used to instruct Perfect Realization Taoists and perhaps pilgrims. The final section traces the reception of the Palace texts among the people of Yongle and its environs. Here Katz examines the ways in which patrons tried to impose their representations of the Palace’s history and the cult of Lu Dongbin on other members of the community and assesses the extent to which these efforts succeeded. Images of the Immortal is richly informed by a wide reading in social, cultural, and literary theory as well as a thorough awareness of previous work in comparative and Chinese religion. Scholars of Taoism, Chinese popular religion, and art history will find it especially rewarding for its thought-provoking reinterpretation of an important religious figure and his cult.
The Story of Han Xiangzi
Author: Erzeng Yang
Publisher: University of Washington Press
ISBN: 0295801948
Category : History
Languages : en
Pages : 510
Book Description
In this seventeenth-century Chinese novel, Han Xiangzi, best known as one of the Eight Immortals, seeks and achieves immortality and then devotes himself to converting his materialistic, politically ambitious Confucian uncle—Han Yu, a real historical figure—to Daoism. Written in lively vernacular prose interspersed with poems and songs, the novel takes its readers across China, to the heavens, and into the underworld. Readers listen to debates among Confucians, Daoists, and Buddhists and witness trials of faith and the performance of magical feats. In the mode of the famous religious novel Journey to the West, The Story of Han Xiangzi uses colorful characters, twists of plot, witty dialogue, and action suitable for a superhero comic book to convey its religious message—that worldly life is ephemeral and that true contentment can be found only through Daoist cultivation. This is the first translation into any Western language of Han Xiangzi quanzhuan (literally, The Complete Story of Han Xiangzi). On one level, the novel is a delightful adventure; on another, it is serious theology. Although The Story of Han Xiangzi’s irreverent attitude toward the Confucian establishment prevented its acceptance by literary critics in imperial China, it has remained popular among Chinese readers for four centuries. Philip Clart’s introduction outlines the Han Xiangzi story cycle, presents Yang Erzeng in his social context, assesses the literary merits and religious significance of the text, and explores the theory and practice of inner alchemy. This unabridged translation will appeal to students of Chinese literature and to general readers who enjoy international fiction, as well as to readers with an interest in Daoism.
Publisher: University of Washington Press
ISBN: 0295801948
Category : History
Languages : en
Pages : 510
Book Description
In this seventeenth-century Chinese novel, Han Xiangzi, best known as one of the Eight Immortals, seeks and achieves immortality and then devotes himself to converting his materialistic, politically ambitious Confucian uncle—Han Yu, a real historical figure—to Daoism. Written in lively vernacular prose interspersed with poems and songs, the novel takes its readers across China, to the heavens, and into the underworld. Readers listen to debates among Confucians, Daoists, and Buddhists and witness trials of faith and the performance of magical feats. In the mode of the famous religious novel Journey to the West, The Story of Han Xiangzi uses colorful characters, twists of plot, witty dialogue, and action suitable for a superhero comic book to convey its religious message—that worldly life is ephemeral and that true contentment can be found only through Daoist cultivation. This is the first translation into any Western language of Han Xiangzi quanzhuan (literally, The Complete Story of Han Xiangzi). On one level, the novel is a delightful adventure; on another, it is serious theology. Although The Story of Han Xiangzi’s irreverent attitude toward the Confucian establishment prevented its acceptance by literary critics in imperial China, it has remained popular among Chinese readers for four centuries. Philip Clart’s introduction outlines the Han Xiangzi story cycle, presents Yang Erzeng in his social context, assesses the literary merits and religious significance of the text, and explores the theory and practice of inner alchemy. This unabridged translation will appeal to students of Chinese literature and to general readers who enjoy international fiction, as well as to readers with an interest in Daoism.
The Immortal Eight
Author: Bennard B. Perlman
Publisher: North Light Books
ISBN:
Category : Art
Languages : en
Pages : 232
Book Description
"Around the turn of the century, American art was at a low ebb. Painting was in a hopeless state of nothingness. Sentimental landscapes were produced by the hundreds with little resemblance to the American scene. The established art world showed little of the vitality that marked the rambunctious growth of a nation in the throes of establishing a great free enterprise social order. In Philadelphia and later, New York, artistic rebellion grew up around a group of talented artist-reporters who painted the world as they saw it, in all its beauty and grim reality. The Realist or Ashcan School of Art was born. At first, the Realist painters were despised and rejected because of their choice of subjects -- burlesque houses, Bowery bars, bedrooms, ragged urchins and dingy street scenes. But the biting truth of the Realists' pictorial observations could not be denied. The artists' determination to freely exhibit their art became a virtual battle for survival. This is the true story of the men in the forefront of the struggle to establish the first truly American tendency in art"--Front flap.
Publisher: North Light Books
ISBN:
Category : Art
Languages : en
Pages : 232
Book Description
"Around the turn of the century, American art was at a low ebb. Painting was in a hopeless state of nothingness. Sentimental landscapes were produced by the hundreds with little resemblance to the American scene. The established art world showed little of the vitality that marked the rambunctious growth of a nation in the throes of establishing a great free enterprise social order. In Philadelphia and later, New York, artistic rebellion grew up around a group of talented artist-reporters who painted the world as they saw it, in all its beauty and grim reality. The Realist or Ashcan School of Art was born. At first, the Realist painters were despised and rejected because of their choice of subjects -- burlesque houses, Bowery bars, bedrooms, ragged urchins and dingy street scenes. But the biting truth of the Realists' pictorial observations could not be denied. The artists' determination to freely exhibit their art became a virtual battle for survival. This is the true story of the men in the forefront of the struggle to establish the first truly American tendency in art"--Front flap.
Night Reigns
Author: Dianne Duvall
Publisher: Zebra Books
ISBN: 1420118625
Category : Fiction
Languages : en
Pages : 400
Book Description
When Ami saves an immortal protector from a vicious vampire attack, she finds herself attracted to him, but Marcus, while admiring her bravery, does not want to take her on as a partner.
Publisher: Zebra Books
ISBN: 1420118625
Category : Fiction
Languages : en
Pages : 400
Book Description
When Ami saves an immortal protector from a vicious vampire attack, she finds herself attracted to him, but Marcus, while admiring her bravery, does not want to take her on as a partner.
The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks
Author: Rebecca Skloot
Publisher: Crown
ISBN: 0307589382
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 386
Book Description
#1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • “The story of modern medicine and bioethics—and, indeed, race relations—is refracted beautifully, and movingly.”—Entertainment Weekly NOW A MAJOR MOTION PICTURE FROM HBO® STARRING OPRAH WINFREY AND ROSE BYRNE • ONE OF THE “MOST INFLUENTIAL” (CNN), “DEFINING” (LITHUB), AND “BEST” (THE PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER) BOOKS OF THE DECADE • ONE OF ESSENCE’S 50 MOST IMPACTFUL BLACK BOOKS OF THE PAST 50 YEARS • WINNER OF THE CHICAGO TRIBUNE HEARTLAND PRIZE FOR NONFICTION NAMED ONE OF THE BEST BOOKS OF THE YEAR BY The New York Times Book Review • Entertainment Weekly • O: The Oprah Magazine • NPR • Financial Times • New York • Independent (U.K.) • Times (U.K.) • Publishers Weekly • Library Journal • Kirkus Reviews • Booklist • Globe and Mail Her name was Henrietta Lacks, but scientists know her as HeLa. She was a poor Southern tobacco farmer who worked the same land as her slave ancestors, yet her cells—taken without her knowledge—became one of the most important tools in medicine: The first “immortal” human cells grown in culture, which are still alive today, though she has been dead for more than sixty years. HeLa cells were vital for developing the polio vaccine; uncovered secrets of cancer, viruses, and the atom bomb’s effects; helped lead to important advances like in vitro fertilization, cloning, and gene mapping; and have been bought and sold by the billions. Yet Henrietta Lacks remains virtually unknown, buried in an unmarked grave. Henrietta’s family did not learn of her “immortality” until more than twenty years after her death, when scientists investigating HeLa began using her husband and children in research without informed consent. And though the cells had launched a multimillion-dollar industry that sells human biological materials, her family never saw any of the profits. As Rebecca Skloot so brilliantly shows, the story of the Lacks family—past and present—is inextricably connected to the dark history of experimentation on African Americans, the birth of bioethics, and the legal battles over whether we control the stuff we are made of. Over the decade it took to uncover this story, Rebecca became enmeshed in the lives of the Lacks family—especially Henrietta’s daughter Deborah. Deborah was consumed with questions: Had scientists cloned her mother? Had they killed her to harvest her cells? And if her mother was so important to medicine, why couldn’t her children afford health insurance? Intimate in feeling, astonishing in scope, and impossible to put down, The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks captures the beauty and drama of scientific discovery, as well as its human consequences.
Publisher: Crown
ISBN: 0307589382
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 386
Book Description
#1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • “The story of modern medicine and bioethics—and, indeed, race relations—is refracted beautifully, and movingly.”—Entertainment Weekly NOW A MAJOR MOTION PICTURE FROM HBO® STARRING OPRAH WINFREY AND ROSE BYRNE • ONE OF THE “MOST INFLUENTIAL” (CNN), “DEFINING” (LITHUB), AND “BEST” (THE PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER) BOOKS OF THE DECADE • ONE OF ESSENCE’S 50 MOST IMPACTFUL BLACK BOOKS OF THE PAST 50 YEARS • WINNER OF THE CHICAGO TRIBUNE HEARTLAND PRIZE FOR NONFICTION NAMED ONE OF THE BEST BOOKS OF THE YEAR BY The New York Times Book Review • Entertainment Weekly • O: The Oprah Magazine • NPR • Financial Times • New York • Independent (U.K.) • Times (U.K.) • Publishers Weekly • Library Journal • Kirkus Reviews • Booklist • Globe and Mail Her name was Henrietta Lacks, but scientists know her as HeLa. She was a poor Southern tobacco farmer who worked the same land as her slave ancestors, yet her cells—taken without her knowledge—became one of the most important tools in medicine: The first “immortal” human cells grown in culture, which are still alive today, though she has been dead for more than sixty years. HeLa cells were vital for developing the polio vaccine; uncovered secrets of cancer, viruses, and the atom bomb’s effects; helped lead to important advances like in vitro fertilization, cloning, and gene mapping; and have been bought and sold by the billions. Yet Henrietta Lacks remains virtually unknown, buried in an unmarked grave. Henrietta’s family did not learn of her “immortality” until more than twenty years after her death, when scientists investigating HeLa began using her husband and children in research without informed consent. And though the cells had launched a multimillion-dollar industry that sells human biological materials, her family never saw any of the profits. As Rebecca Skloot so brilliantly shows, the story of the Lacks family—past and present—is inextricably connected to the dark history of experimentation on African Americans, the birth of bioethics, and the legal battles over whether we control the stuff we are made of. Over the decade it took to uncover this story, Rebecca became enmeshed in the lives of the Lacks family—especially Henrietta’s daughter Deborah. Deborah was consumed with questions: Had scientists cloned her mother? Had they killed her to harvest her cells? And if her mother was so important to medicine, why couldn’t her children afford health insurance? Intimate in feeling, astonishing in scope, and impossible to put down, The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks captures the beauty and drama of scientific discovery, as well as its human consequences.