Linda

Henrietta had to make that journey with her diagnosis of cervical cancer; and here begins the story of the "cells."

Henrietta's cancerous cells were removed (for research purposes) without her or her family's knowledge. These cells, nicknamed HeLa, have been reproducing and aiding research around the world for over 50 years. They have been involved in Polio, HIV, and cancer research - to name a few - all of tremendous importance.

But what about the family? To Henrietta's family, with their limited knowledge of the science, this became another exploitation of Black folks.

Through ten years of learning about HeLa and winning the confidence of the Lacks family, Ms. Skloot has brought justice to this issue. The profound emotions of Deborah, Henrietta's daughter, have brought Henrietta the person - mother, friend amd sister - to a new understanding of what it is to give of oneself... A truly remarkable read!

She is a smart red-head (although her hair is covered by a habit), befreckled, bespectacled, and complete with her knitting pouch around her neck, underneath her habit. This is important to know, as the knitting needles become a part of her!

This is the first in a series where Sister Pelagia goes 'under cover' - i.e. 'civilian' - to help the bishop solve murders, incidents, etc.

You will want to stay close to Sister Pelagia as she is quick in mind and body. Oh, the secrets, stories and missions! Beware and bless yourself as you travel through time...

Jessica is a wonderful writer who blends in the "today" with the "yesterday" of ships and the Hudson River.

The working tradition of the Hudson, changes along the waterfront, the lost art of navigation, and the craftsmanship and diversity of old technology are smoothly integrated into this lovely memoir.

There are also the personalities involved in the boat-to-person relationships and Jessica's own trial by fire, so to speak, with the fireboat she learns to engineer; the 9/11 experience and the tug boat the preservationists purchase.

Preservation of the old things - boats, buildings, tools - are all partof this story.

Learning the old methods, keeping a physical record of the past and all the challenges it presented will help us learn to deal with new and future challenges. History gives place and soul.

The Hudson was, and still is, so much.

The shores of Lyme Regis were being eroded and washed away, uncovering bits and pieces of the prehistoric past. Mary knew where to look and helped her family through hard times by selling specimens to tourists. One such woman became Mary's close friend and they were catapulted into the scientific spotlight with one of Mary's finds.

It's a story about discovery, friendship, family and a highly knowledgeable woman who became a a part of the patriarchal scientific community. A fight to be sure...

1830-1850s were interesting times; science and religion, geological discovery; fossil hunters and collectors - the world was changing.

This is based on a real person, Mary Anning, who became so knowledgeable and skilled a paleontologist that she made great and lasting contributions to science.

Rewilding is not a new concept. Aldo Leopold talked about it in 1949, and it has recently resurfaced. Basically, vast corridors of land are set aside to help species survive. but how do you get poorer countries to set aside land when they need it for food?

This becomes a scientific and a social issue. Ms. Fraser takes you around the world to meet unique animals and people, and their situations where inspired leaders, creative financing and grassroots efforts can make a difference.

This is just to slow extinction rates; man needs to re-engineer our own habits and consumption because all species are intertwined. Many interesting concepts are explained and animals' lives explored within.

Through there recent stories of sometimes complicated veterinary episodes, you will see Dr. Trout as a man who truly understands feelings, people, and pets.

So there is trauma surgery; cancer; survival and faith. Trout brings a certain understanding of coping with illness and death as he learned from his patients and their owners!

He's had his personal tragedy as well - and through all the science and medicine there still has to be hope and courage.

This is an entertaining & scientific read about some of our least understood creatures & their roles in society.

Beginning with myths, early medical procedures (poor George Washington), adventures in far away countries, the tales more to modern knowledge.

There is still a use for leeches; bloodletting can still be used; new understanding of blood flow (anti-coagulent) and much more.

Schutt uses humor and firsthand experience in his research and what stories he tells! It also shows how little we do know - the natural history...