复杂性科学是可与相对论、量子力学媲美的20世纪重大科学突破之一。在某种意义上，复杂性对整个科学体系的影响，也许比后两者更深刻、更广泛。进入21世纪，探索和理解复杂性，依然受到自然、社会、人文等各学科的共同关注。德国著名哲学家、复杂性科学专家克劳斯o迈因策尔教授的这本名著已出至第五版，它从哲学的高度，广泛涉猎物理学、生命科学、认知科学、计算机科学、经济学、社会学等诸多方面，揭示了不同学科体现出的共同的复杂性特征，以详尽而不失之繁琐的例证，和严谨而又尽可能通俗的笔法，阐释了对复杂性的探索将如何引起人们思维方式的深刻变化。
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生命最伟大的奇观体现在单个细胞(受精卵)发育成数十亿乃至数万亿个细胞而组建动物的过程。长久以来，科学家们就知道，要是能够阐明胚胎中形态和模式图案如何出现的话，他们就能够清楚地理解今天令人惊叹的动物界的多样性是怎样从5亿年前的原始形态演化而来的。在《无尽之形最美(动物建造和演化的奥秘)》中，著名生物学家肖恩·卡罗尔，演化发育生物学开创者之一，为广大读者打开了令人振奋的崭新生物学分支一一演化发育生物学的黑匣子，展示了这场令人叹为观止的科学革命。书中详细叙述了各种各样的动物，包括我们人类本身是如何建造的以及它们的分子遗传基础。《无尽之形最美(动物建造和演化的奥秘)》的英文版出版后获得一致好评，荣获多项奖励，如美国《发现》杂志和《今日美国》报等的科技图书年度奖。

《计算流体力学入门》是计算流体力学的入门教材，系统地介绍了计算流体力学的基本原理，控制方程、数值分析、计算方法、网络生成及其在工程中的应用，对计算流体力学现状和发展前景也作了概要综述。全书分成4部分：第1部分是基本原理和方程；第2部分是数值分析基础；第3部分是应用实例；第4部分是现代计算流体力学概述。

《追踪进化论》的传奇开场之际，您已身处其间：作为一名博物学爱好者，奉科学院差遣，倒溯三个世纪的时光，去观察，去实验，去跋涉。您的目标，是发现进化机制。您穿梭于光怪陆离的世界，遭遇种种巧合与必然：一只始祖乌、“露西”的骨骼、苏联生物学界的学阀、一头乱闯的矛尾鱼、短尾鼠的世世代代、贝格尔号的水手、异端分子和卫道士、烦人的突变果蝇，乃至矮种象和放屁虫……最终得以从内部探究、追寻生命科学这段令人回肠荡气的传奇。
与您交谈的人，是那些为自然史的书写暨物种起源之谜的解答做出贡献的人物：布丰、居维叶、拉马克、达尔文，等等。这些人物间的争鸣，标志着进化理论的进步，同时又令法国乃至国际科学界学派林立。对他们的想法，您或赞成，或反对，反正您得在这些辩论中采取您的立场。请您调动您的好奇心，运用您的逻辑思维，发挥您的勇敢果决，激活您的悟性，从而挫败那些虚假线索的欺骗。您的论说，能让您卓越的同行心悦诚服吗？而自18世纪以来，科学家们遇见形形色色的难题，您在经受这些问题的对质时，总能做出最恰当的选择吗？

《数学桥:对高等数学的一次观赏之旅》是一本独一无二的数学书。它不是教科书，也不是普及书，而是一本介于这两者之间的“普及性教科书”。它以高中数学为起点，用一种娓娓道来、徐徐展开的方式，向你展示大学数学中的核心内容和亮点，让你欣赏许多令人惊叹的结果，领略它们的自然之美和实用价值。《数学桥:对高等数学的一次观赏之旅》好比一座数学桥，它帮你从以重复性解题操练为基础的高中数学，平安顺利地过渡到以系统性思想探究为主旨的高等数学。如果你即将或正在学习高等数学，那么《数学桥:对高等数学的一次观赏之旅》将是你学习道路上的好伴侣；如果你已经学完了高等数学，那么不妨也来浏览一下，你很可能会说：“哎呀，原来是这么回事！”

本书将两千多年的数学发展历程融为十二章内容，每章都包含了三个基本组成部分，即历史背景、人物传记以及在这些“数学杰作”中所表现出的创造性。作者精心挑选了一些杰出的数学家及其所创造的伟大定理，如欧几里得、阿基米德、牛顿和欧拉。而这一个个伟大的定理，不仅串起了历史的年轮，更是串起了数学这门学科所涵盖的各个深邃而不乏实用性的领域。当然，这不是一本典型的数学教材，而是一本大众读物，它会让热爱数学的人体会到绝处逢生的喜悦，让讨厌数学的人从此爱上数学。

本书作者莫里斯·克莱因是美国著名的应用数学家、数学教育家、数学史学家和数学哲学家。本书的目的是为了阐明这样一个观点：在西方文明中，数学一直是一种主要的文化力量。在书中作者主要考察数学思想如何影响了直到20世纪的人类生活和思想，所涉及的内容时间跨度极大，从古巴比伦、古埃及开始，一直到现代的相对论。本书是理解数学与文化如何交互的经典之作。

A brilliant book celebrating improbability as the engine that drives life, by the acclaimed author of The Selfish Gene and The Blind Watchmaker. The human eye is so complex and works so precisely that surely, one might believe, its current shape and function must be the product of design. How could such an intricate object have come about by chance? Tackling this subject--in writing that the New York Times called "a masterpiece"--Richard Dawkins builds a carefully reasoned and lovingly illustrated argument for evolutionary adaptation as the mechanism for life on earth. The metaphor of Mount Improbable represents the combination of perfection and improbability that is epitomized in the seemingly "designed" complexity of living things. Dawkins skillfully guides the reader on a breathtaking journey through the mountain's passes and up its many peaks to demonstrate that following the improbable path to perfection takes time. Evocative illustrations accompany Dawkins's eloquent descriptions of extraordinary adaptations such as the teeming populations of figs, the intricate silken world of spiders, and the evolution of wings on the bodies of flightless animals. And through it all runs the thread of DNA, the molecule of life, responsible for its own destiny on an unending pilgrimage through time. Climbing Mount Improbable is a book of great impact and skill, written by the most prominent Darwinian of our age.

跌宕起伏的二十世纪，中国科学界经历了哪些风雨苍黄与五味杂陈？
十六位科技知识分子于耄耋之年对中国当代历史集体发声
不同身份、地位的历史见证者从各自角度回顾他们的“私历史”，思想的碰撞，观点的冲突，让历史鲜活而有温度
2015年，屠呦呦获得诺贝尔生理或医学奖，成为中国大陆第一位获得科学类诺贝尔奖的科学家，终于圆了中国人的诺奖梦。为何建国66年才摘下科学桂冠？66年里，中国科学怎么了？中国科学家做了什么？
《对于历史，科学家有话说》内容涉及广泛，中国科学界的大事小情均有涉及，尤其当事人说当时事，让读者从科技知识分子的角度认识改革开放前的中国历史，切身感受中国科学所遭遇的是是非非，理解当下中国科学遭遇困境的原因。
相比人文知识分子，科技知识分子人数更多，是现代知识分子的主体。他们经历了跌宕起伏的二十世纪，也有很多五味杂陈的往事，还是许多国家重大事件尤其是重大生产建设活动的关键当事人。但很少有科技知识分子来书写自己的故事。对科技知识分子进行访谈，系统记录他们的话语，是保存他们的经历、见闻和见识的最佳途径。
《对于历史，科学家有话说》精选对邹承鲁、郑哲敏、施履吉等科学家以及对薛攀皋、罗登、李毓昌等科技管理者所做的比较适合大众阅读的近二十篇访谈，让科学家自己说话，重点介绍20世纪50—70年代的中国科学界，是一本既具较高史料价值，又有很强可读性的口述史作品。
一部有趣味的现代科学史 ，一本讲真话的时代备忘录
以赛先生的目光打量人性，以德先生的标尺审视过
樊洪业 姚蜀平 王作跃 丁东 饶毅 刘兵 吴国盛 傅国涌 倾情推荐
只习惯于通过堆砌文献来研究当代科学史的人们，不妨像本书作者那样直接面对历史事件的亲历者，在访谈互动中深入挖掘保存在他们头脑中的记忆。人是社会活动的主体，在考察历史事件中追寻人的真实观念和具体活动，是读懂历史的有效途径。往事因亲历而鲜活，历史因细节而生动。我相信，中国当代史的研究者和爱好者，能够从本书中获得阅读快感。（樊洪业，中国科学院研究员）
由于战乱及政治运动等原因，20世纪的历史书写相当偏颇。口述历史以抢救记忆、探求历史真相为目标，正是对其最好的弥补。这类工作既要求客观、严谨，又需高超的采访艺术——真诚、理解和敏锐的鉴别力，这些在熊卫民教授的书中都一一体现。阅读此书，不仅可以获得大量可贵信息，还是学做口述历史的极佳机会。（姚蜀平，哈佛大学费正清中国研究中心协作研究员）
熊卫民教授的这本科学家口述访谈集，不仅为学者提供了丰富、多方位、珍贵的中国近现代科技史料，而且为公众展示了当代中国科学家求学成才、参与社会的坎坷经历，读来既趣味横生又令人深思，是一本兼具历史性和故事性的难得佳作。（王作跃，美国加州理工大学普莫娜分校教授）
这是一本因讲真话而难能可贵的书。书中所记载的一些历史错误、教训或灾难从反面表明，让有专长的科学家和知识分子参与公共决策是多么的重要！法治健全的社会才能容许、保障、鼓励知识分子独立，讲良心，并提出专业意见。（饶毅，北京大学教授、《知识分子》主编）
熊卫民教授通过人物访谈记录下来的是一部活的中国现代科技史。那些激动人心的岁月，那些惨痛的教训，都有无穷的教益值得后人记取。“后人哀之而不鉴之，亦使后人而复哀后人也”，中国现代科学文化建设任重而道远。（吴国盛，清华大学教授）
熊卫民长期进行当代科学家的口述采访，他善于挖掘通向体制机理的重要细节，展示了一幅令人深思的中国科学史画卷。（丁东，文史学者）
科学家的声音淡出公众视线已久矣，这本访谈录是当代中国科学家对往事的回顾，不仅具有史料价值，而且可以看到他们与时代的互动，以及他们在20世纪后半叶承担的命运。（傅国涌，文史学者）

When published in 1981, The Mismeasure of Man was immediately hailed as a masterwork, the ringing answer to those who would classify people, rank them according to their supposed genetic gifts and limits. Yet the idea of biology as destiny dies hard, as witness the attention devoted to The Bell Curve, whose arguments are here so effectively anticipated and thoroughly undermined. In this edition, Stephen Jay Gould has written a substantial new introduction telling how and why he wrote the book and tracing the subsequent history of the controversy on innateness right through The Bell Curve. Further, he has added five essays on questions of The Bell Curve in particular and on race, racism, and biological determinism in general. These additions strengthen the book's claim to be, as Leo J. Kamin of Princeton University has said, "a major contribution toward deflating pseudo-biological 'explanations' of our present social woes."

《普通高等教育"十一五"国家级规划教材:细胞生物学(第4版)》共17章，内容包括细胞的统一性与多样性、细胞生物学研究方法、细胞质膜、物质的跨膜运输、线粒体、叶绿体、细胞质基质与内膜系统、蛋白质分选与膜泡运输、细胞信号转导、细胞骨架、细胞核与染色质、核糖体、细胞周期与细胞分裂、细胞增殖调控与癌细胞、细胞分化与胚胎发育、细胞死亡、细胞衰老、细胞的社会联系等。《普通高等教育"十一五"国家级规划教材:细胞生物学(第4版)》共有图片370余幅，其中照片120余幅，全部插图均为作者自主设计、绘制，全部照片源自作者科研成果或授权使用。

《外来种与进化》进化生态学角度系统介绍了外来种的概念、外来种扩散和定居的机制以及对新生境的快速适应和进化过程，并深入探讨了外来种入侵过程中与土著种的相互作用及其相关的进化和生态学后果。作者引用大量实例深入浅出地介绍了外来种在拓殖新的地理区域时所发生的进化变化，以及土著物种与其相互作用时所作出的进化响应，特别强调了“快速进化改变”（rapidevolutionary change）在入侵生物学研究中的重要意义。《外来种与进化》概念清晰，涉及不同生物分类群、不同营养级生物以及不同生态系统类型，实用面广。不仅可作为高年级本科生和研究生进化生态学课程的教材，也可供进化生物学、生态学和保护生物学等相关领域的研究人员参考。

《科学发现的逻辑》主要讨论知识理论的两个基本问题：划界和归纳问题。作者论证科学与非科学的划界标准不是可证实性而是可证伪性，科学的方法不是归纳法而是演绎检验法。书中提出的有关科学的性质和方法以及科学知识增长的独创性论点，对科学哲学、认识论、逻辑学、方法论以及科学史、自然科学、医学、设计理论、社会科学均有影响。一些著名科学家都认为他的方法符合科学研究的实际。

目录
序
导言
第一章　归纳主义：科学是从经验事实推导出来的知识
1. 广泛持有的常识科学观
2. 朴素归纳主义
3．逻辑和演绎推理
4. 归纳主义科学观中的预见和解释
5. 朴素归纳主义的吸引力
第二章　归纳问题
1．归纳原理能被证明是正确的吗？
2．向概率退却
3．对归纳问题的可能回答
第三章 观察依赖于理论
1．对观察的一般看法
2．视觉经验不决定于视网膜上的映像
3．理论是观察陈述的前提
4．理论指导观察和实验
5．归纳主义并未被最后驳倒
第四章　介绍证伪主义
1．支持证伪主义者的逻辑论点
2．可证伪性是理论的标准
3．可证伪性的程度、明晰性和精确性
4．证伪主义和进步
第五章　精致的证伪主义，新颖的预见和科学的成长
1．相对而不是绝对的可证伪程度
2．越来越增大的可证伪性和特设性修改
3．证伪主义科学观的确证
4．大胆、新颖和背景知识
5．归纳主义和证伪主义的确证观比较
第六章　证伪主义的局限性
1．观察对理论的依赖性和证伪的易缪性
2．波普尔的不适当的辩护
3．实际检验情况的复杂性
4．从历史的角度看证伪主义的不当
5．哥白尼革命
第七章　作为结构的理论：1．研究纲领
1．应该把理论看作有结构的整体
2．拉卡托斯的研究纲领
3．研究纲领内的方法论
4．研究纲领的比较
第八章　作为结构的理论：2．库恩的规范
1．导言
2．规范和常规科学
3．危机和革命
4．科学的进步
5．常规科学和革命的功能
第九章　科学：没有主体的过程
1．区别对科学的三种研究法
2．库恩著作中混淆了三种观点
3．科学是一种复杂的社会活动
4．对客观方法的进一步支持
第十章　真理、实在论和工具主义
1．朴素实在论
2．朴素工具主义
3．实在论和真理的符合理论（1）语义学问题
4．实在论和真理的符合理论（2）认识论问题
第十一章　激进工具主义或多元实在论
第十二章 两类激进的批评—唯物主义和认识论的无政府状态
1．唯物主义
2．唯物主义的彻底客观性
3．科学史理论
4．再论归纳问题
5．费耶阿本德的认识论无政府状态

Max Tegmark leads us on an astonishing journey through past, present and future, and through the physics, astronomy and mathematics that are the foundation of his work, most particularly his hypothesis that our physical reality is a mathematical structure and his theory of the ultimate multiverse. In a dazzling combination of both popular and groundbreaking science, he not only helps us grasp his often mind-boggling theories, but he also shares with us some of the often surprising triumphs and disappointments that have shaped his life as a scientist. Fascinating from first to last—this is a book that has already prompted the attention and admiration of some of the most prominent scientists and mathematicians.
“Tegmark offers a fascinating exploration of multiverse theories, each one offering new ways to explain ‘quantum weirdness’ and other mysteries that have plagued physicists, culminating in the idea that our physical world is ‘a giant mathematical object’ shaped by geometry and symmetry. Tegmark’s writing is lucid, enthusiastic, and outright entertaining, a thoroughly accessible discussion leavened with anecdotes and the pure joy of a scientist at work.” —Publishers Weekly (starred review)
“Lively and lucid, the narrative invites general readers into debates over computer models for brain function, over scientific explanations of consciousness, and over prospects for finding advanced life in other galaxies. Though he reflects soberly on the perils of nuclear war and of hostile artificial intelligence, Tegmark concludes with a bracingly upbeat call for scientifically minded activists who recognize a rare opportunity to make our special planet a force for cosmic progress. An exhilarating adventure for bold readers.” —Bryce Cristensen, Booklist (starred review)
“Our Mathematical Universe boldly confronts one of the deepest questions at the fertile interface of physics and philosophy: why is mathematics so spectacularly successful at describing the cosmos? Through lively writing and wonderfully accessible explanations, Max Tegmark—one of the world’s leading theoretical physicists—guides the reader to a possible answer, and reveals how, if it’s right, our understanding of reality itself would be radically altered.” —Brian Greene, physicist, author of The Elegant Universe and The Hidden Reality
“Daring, Radical. Innovative. A game changer. If Dr. Tegmark is correct, this represents a paradigm shift in the relationship between physics and mathematics, forcing us to rewrite our textbooks. A must read for anyone deeply concerned about our universe.” —Michio Kaku, author of Physics of the Future
“Tegmark offers a fresh and fascinating perspective on the fabric of physical reality and life itself. He helps us see ourselves in a cosmic context that highlights the grand opportunities for the future of life in our universe.” —Ray Kurzweil, author of The Singularity is Near
“Readers of varied backgrounds will enjoy this book. Almost anyone will find something to learn here, much to ponder, and perhaps something to disagree with.” —Prof. Edward Witten, physicist, Fields Medalist & Milner Laureate
“This inspirational book written by a true expert presents an explosive mixture of physics, mathematics and philosophy which may alter your views on reality.” —Prof. Andrei Linde, physicist, Gruber & Milner Laureate for development of inflationary cosmology
“Galileo famously said that the universe is written in the language of mathematics. Now Max Tegmark says that the universe IS mathematics. You don’t have to necessarily agree, to enjoy this fascinating journey into the nature of reality.” —Prof. Mario Livio, astrophysicist, author of Brilliant Blunders and Is God a Mathematician?
“Scientists and lay aficionados alike will find Tegmark’s book packed with information and very thought provoking. You may recoil from his thesis, but nearly every page will make you wish you could debate the issues face-to-face with him.” —Prof. Julian Barbour, physicist, author of The End of Time
“In Our Mathematical Universe, renowned cosmologist Max Tegmark takes us on a whirlwind tour of the universe, past, present—and other. With lucid language and clear examples, Tegmark provides us with the master measure of not only of our cosmos, but of all possible universes. The universe may be lonely, but it is not alone.” —Prof. Seth Lloyd, Professor of quantum mechanical engineering, MIT, author of Programming the Universe
“A lucid, engaging account of the various many-universes theories of fundamental physics that are currently being considered, from the multiverse of quantum theory to Tegmark’s own grand vision.” —Prof. David Deutsch, physicist, Dirac Laureate for pioneering quantum computing

地球上的生命如何产生？复制或者新陈代谢出现在生命史初期吗？在这本经过深入修订的第二版里，弗里曼• 戴森追问这些问题，并且讨论两个主要理论，试图说明天然存在的化学物质如何实现自我组织进而形成生命体。
多数观点认为，生命起源于分子的复制，形成了现代基因的前体。少数观点则认为，分子随机组合的群体早在进行精确的复制之前已逐步形成新陈代谢活动，自然选择促使细胞长时间朝着多样化的方向进化。这一过程中，基因并未进化。戴森参考地质学家和生物学家近期的重要发现来分析这两种理论，旨在鼓励科学家进行新的实验，帮助决定哪个理论正确。
本书第一版出版于1985 年，当时生物学、遗传学，以及地质学已经作出了革命性的发现，这增进了人们对于生命起源问题的了解。分子生物学家们发现了由RNA 构成的酶——核酶。遗传学家发现，许多最古老的生物生活在炎热的环境下，能够耐热。地质学家在格陵兰岛最古老的陆栖岩石上发现了生命迹象。本书第二版涵盖了过去十年半的时间里人类在生物学和地质学方面的重大进展以及这些重大进展对人类了解生命起源所产生的影响。戴森的这本书思路清晰、引人入胜，定会吸引那些对生命起源感兴趣的读者们。

《金霉素·牛棚·生物固氮:沈善炯传》内容有流离徽鄂、借读广西、转学联大、毕业留所、留学美国、机会难得、加州理工、新科博士、归国历险、被扣东京、坚拒台北、获释归国、金霉素研究、在研究组的基础上直接筹建研究所、负责上海微生物研究所等。

The conflict between science and religion seems indelible, even eternal. Surely two such divergent views of the universe have always been in fierce opposition? Actually, that’s not the case, says Peter Harrison: our very concepts of science and religion are relatively recent, emerging only in the past three hundred years, and it is those very categories, rather than their underlying concepts, that constrain our understanding of how the formal study of nature relates to the religious life.
In The Territories of Science and Religion, Harrison dismantles what we think we know about the two categories, then puts it all back together again in a provocative, productive new way. By tracing the history of these concepts for the first time in parallel, he illuminates alternative boundaries and little-known relations between them—thereby making it possible for us to learn from their true history, and see other possible ways that scientific study and the religious life might relate to, influence, and mutually enrich each other.
A tour de force by a distinguished scholar working at the height of his powers, The Territories of Science and Religion promises to forever alter the way we think about these fundamental pillars of human life and experience.

《发现者》分上下册，是一部描述人类在历史长河中探索世界和自我的文明史的杰作，在美国出版后即不胫而走，畅销不衰，已被译成20多国文字。
《发现者》全书分四卷：“时间”、“陆地与海洋”、“自然”和“社会”。
在第一、二卷中，作者通过历史上翔实而有趣的故事，娓娓动听地叙述了人类初始各种伟大的发现：人类第一项伟大发现是时间？一星期有7天？时钟是怎样发明的？陆地与海洋是怎样发现的？为什么中国人没有“发现”欧洲和美洲？为什么人们那么久后才知道地球是环绕太阳运行的？等等。
在第三卷中，作者翔实地描述了从眼镜到望远镜以及显微镜等拓宽人类视野的新发明，以及人类如何将这些新发明用于茫茫大海引航、探索深邃无垠的天宇、观察肉眼所不及的微生物机体的奥秘，从而开辟了航海学、天文学、微生物学、胚胎学等知识领域的新前景。作者还生动地叙述了发现家们不畏千难万险地寻觅新奇罕见的物种，并在此基础上建立的动植物分类学，又为人们进一步揭开了大自然的奥秘。
在第四卷中，作者另辟蹊径叙述了人类共同生活的社会，从古老的人类起源、原始人的冲突入手，叙及人类各民族的风土人情和文化风采，并探索了古代文明与近代文明的关系。同时，作者以流畅的笔触、独具只眼地介绍了人类一切智慧之母，即记忆术和印本书籍的形成和发展过程，认为记忆术和印本书籍是人类文化得以延续和进步的保证。作者还叙述了温克尔曼和谢里曼等先驱者如何艰难地发掘古典文化遗址，发现了古希腊和罗马等地辉煌的建筑物和古物宝藏，开考古学之先河。最后，作者以渊博的学识阐述了人类学，对人类社会在其历史演变过程中积累起来的物质财富和精神财富作了系统的评价。
《发现者》堪称一部展现绚丽多彩的人类文明史的巨作，不仅广采博引，资料丰富，而且贯通古今，颇具独到之见。

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, they are still alive today, though she has been dead for more than sixty years. If you could pile all HeLa cells ever grown onto a scale, they’d weigh more than 50 million metric tons—as much as a hundred Empire State Buildings. 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.
Now Rebecca Skloot takes us on an extraordinary journey, from the “colored” ward of Johns Hopkins Hospital in the 1950s to stark white laboratories with freezers full of HeLa cells; from Henrietta’s small, dying hometown of Clover, Virginia—a land of wooden slave quarters, faith healings, and voodoo—to East Baltimore today, where her children and grandchildren live and struggle with the legacy of her cells.
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, who was devastated to learn about her mother’s cells. She was consumed with questions: Had scientists cloned her mother? Did it hurt her when researchers infected her cells with viruses and shot them into space? What happened to her sister, Elsie, who died in a mental institution at the age of fifteen? 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.