Blood: An Epic History of Medicine and Commerce

by Douglas Starr

Book Overview

Powerfully involving narrative and incisive detail, clarity and inherent drama: Blood offers in abundance the qualities that define the best popular science writing. Here is the sweeping story of a substance that has been feared, revered, mythologized, and used in magic and medicine from earliest times--a substance that has become the center of a huge, secretive, and often dangerous worldwide commerce.

Winner of the Los Angeles Times Book...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0688176496
• ISBN13: 9780688176495
• Release Date: March 2000
• Publisher: Harper Perennial
• Length: 496 Pages
• Weight: 1.27 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.3" x 6.1" x 9.3"
• Age Range: 5 years and up
• Grade Range: Preschool to Grade 3

Customer Reviews

epic yet concise

Although I defer to Mr.Haschka's expertise in the field of blood, I must take issue with his snippy comment about Mr.Starr's affinity for bad news. I found Blood to be well-balanced-- he labors mightily to present good news and noble accomplishments alongside the tales of negligence, ignorance, and good old-fashioned greed. Yes, he does report on the tainted blood in great depth but let's face it-- mistakes advance science as much as, or even more than, successes, and should be accorded the appropriate amount of space. As far as repetition is concerned, I admit that I haven't read Mr.Shilts' tome, but Blood is perfect for those of us who are interested in the HIV crisis in the larger context of the industry as a whole, and in light of earlier discoveries. The book lost me a bit in its lengthy discussion of the business complex, but the information is important in order to understand how the impact of new discoveries (and mistakes) are felt worldwide. The history of blood is nothing less than riveting, how mysticism and individual hubris has given way to science-- and how they have simultaneously coexisted and been at loggerheads ever since. A formidable subject, nicely covered in a single volume.

Non-fiction at its best.

From to animal-human blood transfusions to the mobilizations of donated blood for Normandy to the battle for blood-as-commodity, this riveting, epic history of medicine and commerce promises to keep you reading all day and night. You will gain a new respect for the Red Cross and for modern medicine, and you will most likely rush out to donate blood after cringing through the pages describing the problems in the Blood Services Complex. Incredibly well-researched, fascinating and enlightening.

A powerful story of the best and the worst of humanity

The author takes an incredible journey through the history of blood. You will be amazed at how key experiments throughout the years have forever changed out feelings towards the tissue we call blood. You will root "for the good guys" as they pioneer medical research! But then you will cry when you see what modern business do once they got a hold of blood as a "product." You will see how greed,jealosy, and denial killed thousands and ruined the lives of many others. All because companies and some doctors would not listen to reason. Truly heartbreaking indeed.The author composes a beautiful symphony of history which is very easy to read and very difficult to put down. This book has certainly changed the way I think about business and medicine.

A trail, quite literally, of blood

Who knew that a book about transfusions and blood in medical history would turn out to be such a fascinating read? Starr works from the 17th century (with occasional visits to even earlier times) forward to the current environment of blood as monetary commodity.Scintillating, thought-provoking, disturbing, and even amusing, the storytelling does justice to the story. Brilliant people discovered amazing things about this liquid that keeps us alive, and Starr encapsulates the many discoveries extremely well.If you enjoy social history writing at all, you will likely appreciate BLOOD: AN EPIC HISTORY OF MEDICINE AND COMMERCE.

This book is the bible of research and information on blood

I originally took this book out of my local library to do a research project for my final exam in History. Since the culmination of my research, I have rented this book three more times in to read it for my own enjoyment. The topic of blood is purely fascinating. Starr has brilliantly written a book that informs the reader of important issues, as well as being entertaining and thought provoking. The reader gets a profound understanding of the importance of blood that spans from the 17th century, though World Wars, and through current problems with AIDS in the world's blood supply. I have never read a nonfiction book that has kept my attention as acutely as this one. This book is truly one that you'll want to keep.