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Henrietta Lacks The Untold Story
Henrietta Lacks The Untold Story
I really need people to understand the reason behind me writing this book about my grandmother "Henrietta Lacks". For those that have never heard of her, she is the first human whose cell line was able to grow in culture, her cells were unlike any other cells, while others cells would die, Henrietta Lacks cells doubled every 20 to 24 hours. She has contributed to the medical field in ways that no other cell line has done. HeLa cells has helped with the polio vaccine, gene mapping, in vitro fertilization, sensitivity to tape, dental and even used in the cosmetic field.
To hear and read constantly that Henrietta Lacks was a poor black farmer is hard to accept. Anyone that looks at her picture can tell that Henrietta and her husband David Lacks weren't poor black farmers - they enjoyed the finer things in life. They moved from Clover to Baltimore, not out of poverty but, because they felt their children would get a better education here.
I decided it was time to let people have an inside look from the side of the family that people don't hear about much and that's Lawrence Lacks family - Henrietta Lacks' oldest son. He's the only one who's still alive that knew his mother. My dad was 16 years old when his mom passed away. It still brings tears to his eyes when he thinks about all the pain and suffering that she went through before her passing.
Our family has always wanted people to know about Henrietta Lacks, because we have always been enthused by the millions of lives that "Henrietta Lacks' HeLa cells" have done to help save and cure people all over the world. But what we didn't want is for her history to be told incorrectly. I'm so thankful that I am able to tell her family side of the story from the people who was there while she was still living and things that I personally witnessed for myself as time went on. As I get older I now realize if I didn't tell this story no one else would. This is a story that needs to be shared because there is a huge part of her history that has been left out.
As stated in my book : "It's not often that we as African Americans get to share in the telling of our own stories, most of the time the people are long gone and we can only go by what people decide to say happened and not the actual truth of what happened".
I really need people to understand the reason behind me writing this book about my grandmother "Henrietta Lacks". For those that have never heard of her, she is the first human whose cell line was able to grow in culture, her cells were unlike any other cells, while others cells would die, Henrietta Lacks cells doubled every 20 to 24 hours. She has contributed to the medical field in ways that no other cell line has done. HeLa cells has helped with the polio vaccine, gene mapping, in vitro fertilization, sensitivity to tape, dental and even used in the cosmetic field.
To hear and read constantly that Henrietta Lacks was a poor black farmer is hard to accept. Anyone that looks at her picture can tell that Henrietta and her husband David Lacks weren't poor black farmers - they enjoyed the finer things in life. They moved from Clover to Baltimore, not out of poverty but, because they felt their children would get a better education here.
I decided it was time to let people have an inside look from the side of the family that people don't hear about much and that's Lawrence Lacks family - Henrietta Lacks' oldest son. He's the only one who's still alive that knew his mother. My dad was 16 years old when his mom passed away. It still brings tears to his eyes when he thinks about all the pain and suffering that she went through before her passing.
Our family has always wanted people to know about Henrietta Lacks, because we have always been enthused by the millions of lives that "Henrietta Lacks' HeLa cells" have done to help save and cure people all over the world. But what we didn't want is for her history to be told incorrectly. I'm so thankful that I am able to tell her family side of the story from the people who was there while she was still living and things that I personally witnessed for myself as time went on. As I get older I now realize if I didn't tell this story no one else would. This is a story that needs to be shared because there is a huge part of her history that has been left out.
As stated in my book : "It's not often that we as African Americans get to share in the telling of our own stories, most of the time the people are long gone and we can only go by what people decide to say happened and not the actual truth of what happened".
- GenresNonfictionBiography
150 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 17, 2020
62 people are currently reading
287 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
April 4, 2021
I love getting to read all sides of the story when it comes to Henrietta Lacks and HeLa cells. Ron’s story does offer a different perspective and you can tell it comes from a place of strong emotion for him. I wonder if some of this could be solved with open communication. I did not think the book by Rebecca Skloot portrayed the family negatively at all. I guess it’s all a matter of perspective. I definitely understand that people should be able to tell their own stories and anything written will have biases.
September 11, 2021
Henrietta Lacks
I enjoyed the open and honest way that Ron shared his grandmother’s legacy. It was obvious that he felt a deep responsibility to his family to tell the story from the perspective of a close family member. I was deeply saddened by the underhanded way Johns Hopkins Hospital obtained Henrietta’s cells, how the pharmaceutical companies are benefiting financially and how Rebecca Skloot’s book was taken at face value with no one checking her facts. And, she became a millionaire and is still benefitting from her deception. What a travesty!!! I am also disappointed with Oprah and Gayle for not doing the research that you would expect from journalists before endorsing Skloot’s book. They could have helped the family avoid much of the pain they have had to endure. I hope through Ron’s book the Lacks family can begin to heal.
I enjoyed the open and honest way that Ron shared his grandmother’s legacy. It was obvious that he felt a deep responsibility to his family to tell the story from the perspective of a close family member. I was deeply saddened by the underhanded way Johns Hopkins Hospital obtained Henrietta’s cells, how the pharmaceutical companies are benefiting financially and how Rebecca Skloot’s book was taken at face value with no one checking her facts. And, she became a millionaire and is still benefitting from her deception. What a travesty!!! I am also disappointed with Oprah and Gayle for not doing the research that you would expect from journalists before endorsing Skloot’s book. They could have helped the family avoid much of the pain they have had to endure. I hope through Ron’s book the Lacks family can begin to heal.
March 1, 2024
I think this is an important supplement to The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks, even if only to show another side to the story and how some of the family were affected by the book.
I did find myself agreeing with some of the arguments against Skloot that he brings up, but some of them seem to go a little too far, which makes sense, as I was not expecting this to be without bias.
I also just enjoyed hearing some of what Skloot's book had given me again, just through the voice of someone within the family. I personally enjoy memoir more than biography, and I think a perspective like this, when available, is important.
Overall, I think this is worth reading if you are interested in the subject and especially if you have read the book by Rebecca Skloot.
I did find myself agreeing with some of the arguments against Skloot that he brings up, but some of them seem to go a little too far, which makes sense, as I was not expecting this to be without bias.
I also just enjoyed hearing some of what Skloot's book had given me again, just through the voice of someone within the family. I personally enjoy memoir more than biography, and I think a perspective like this, when available, is important.
Overall, I think this is worth reading if you are interested in the subject and especially if you have read the book by Rebecca Skloot.
October 23, 2021
Outstanding book! A definite must read!
November 8, 2023
This book is a self-published memoir by Ron Lacks, the oldest grandson of Henrietta Lacks. In many ways, it is a response to the award-winning and best-selling book "The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks" by Rebecca Skloot.
The title suggests that the book will reveal things that previously were unknown, however, this seems misleading. The author provides a different perspective on events detailed in Skloot's book and makes some unsubstantiated claims regarding what really happened.
It is a short read and at times hard to follow. The author repeats things many times unnecessarily and sometimes goes off on tangents. The book would have benefited from a good editor to help streamline the narrative and bring out the points the author is trying to make in a clearer way.
I feel the author brings up some good points about the way his family was portrayed and treated with the publication of Skloot's book. However, the author really does not offer up any new evidence aside from his perspective. Furthermore, the author makes some claims that are just outrageous. For example, the author suggests that Skloot may have had something to do with his aunt's death.
The tone of the book comes across as very negative. Clearly, the author is upset with Skloot and illustrates it on every page with a strong, negative tone laced with bad grammar and profanity.
Individuals who have read Skloot's book will better appreciate the unique perspective the author has and can better judge for themselves whether there is merit to his claims.
The title suggests that the book will reveal things that previously were unknown, however, this seems misleading. The author provides a different perspective on events detailed in Skloot's book and makes some unsubstantiated claims regarding what really happened.
It is a short read and at times hard to follow. The author repeats things many times unnecessarily and sometimes goes off on tangents. The book would have benefited from a good editor to help streamline the narrative and bring out the points the author is trying to make in a clearer way.
I feel the author brings up some good points about the way his family was portrayed and treated with the publication of Skloot's book. However, the author really does not offer up any new evidence aside from his perspective. Furthermore, the author makes some claims that are just outrageous. For example, the author suggests that Skloot may have had something to do with his aunt's death.
The tone of the book comes across as very negative. Clearly, the author is upset with Skloot and illustrates it on every page with a strong, negative tone laced with bad grammar and profanity.
Individuals who have read Skloot's book will better appreciate the unique perspective the author has and can better judge for themselves whether there is merit to his claims.
February 22, 2023
If I hadn’t been required to read this book for a class, I would’ve quit after chapter 1. Unfortunately, instead of shedding light on previously unknown facets of Henrietta Lacks’ life, the author spent the majority of the book maligning Rebecca Skloot.
As an outsider, the grievances presented by Ron Lacks seemed contradictory—he complained about being offered a cut of the HeLa cell profits, yet turned down an offer from HBO to consult on their film about Henrietta Lacks because he was not offered enough money. He wanted money from Rebecca Skloot’s book deal, yet griped about the foundation she set up to benefit the Lacks family. The last straw for me was when Lacks implied that Skloot may have had a hand in Deborah’s death.
While his intentions behind writing the book seem pure, I fear Ron Lacks is too close to this story to faithfully and objectively recount it.
As an outsider, the grievances presented by Ron Lacks seemed contradictory—he complained about being offered a cut of the HeLa cell profits, yet turned down an offer from HBO to consult on their film about Henrietta Lacks because he was not offered enough money. He wanted money from Rebecca Skloot’s book deal, yet griped about the foundation she set up to benefit the Lacks family. The last straw for me was when Lacks implied that Skloot may have had a hand in Deborah’s death.
While his intentions behind writing the book seem pure, I fear Ron Lacks is too close to this story to faithfully and objectively recount it.
September 1, 2020
Amazing woman, sad family
This could have been an amazing story of the true life of Henrietta Lacks. A woman who unknowingly contributed so much to modern science. Sadly her grandson, the author chose to write more about his bitter disappointment than her wonderful attributes. Chapter nine was decent and the pictures were great!
This could have been an amazing story of the true life of Henrietta Lacks. A woman who unknowingly contributed so much to modern science. Sadly her grandson, the author chose to write more about his bitter disappointment than her wonderful attributes. Chapter nine was decent and the pictures were great!
July 11, 2025
3.5 stars
I recently read Skloot’s book about Henrietta Lacks and the way the Lacks family was portrayed enraged me. That’s what made me pick up this book.
Ron Lacks is a very angry man. That anger oozes through this story. However, he highlighted some of the issues I felt reading Skloot’s story. Her portrayal of the family as uneducated and impoverished was unfounded. Though they were not rich, they were also not scraping by and without education.
I also felt strong anger at her setting up a foundation rather than sharing the profits with the family whose story she distorted and used to become rich. The fact that the family members must apply for funds from the foundation and it is Skloot who determines whether the request is granted is horrifying. This creates the idea that they are begging for a share of the profits that she has reaped from their story.
Even the pictures he chose to include vs the ones Skloot included show a very different narrative. Like this author I believe Skloot had an angle and she conveniently chose the information that served that. She also benefited from being White and therefore being granted greater access to the history than the family and other people interested in the story before her.
Do I believe all his version? Not necessarily, but I actually give it more weight than I give her assessments.
I’m glad I read his rebuttal and I hope that the Lacks family is able to have some peace eventually.
Also, Oprah should be ashamed of the role she played in the movie and what the family was offered to sell their rights to have an opinion about their portrayal.
I recently read Skloot’s book about Henrietta Lacks and the way the Lacks family was portrayed enraged me. That’s what made me pick up this book.
Ron Lacks is a very angry man. That anger oozes through this story. However, he highlighted some of the issues I felt reading Skloot’s story. Her portrayal of the family as uneducated and impoverished was unfounded. Though they were not rich, they were also not scraping by and without education.
I also felt strong anger at her setting up a foundation rather than sharing the profits with the family whose story she distorted and used to become rich. The fact that the family members must apply for funds from the foundation and it is Skloot who determines whether the request is granted is horrifying. This creates the idea that they are begging for a share of the profits that she has reaped from their story.
Even the pictures he chose to include vs the ones Skloot included show a very different narrative. Like this author I believe Skloot had an angle and she conveniently chose the information that served that. She also benefited from being White and therefore being granted greater access to the history than the family and other people interested in the story before her.
Do I believe all his version? Not necessarily, but I actually give it more weight than I give her assessments.
I’m glad I read his rebuttal and I hope that the Lacks family is able to have some peace eventually.
Also, Oprah should be ashamed of the role she played in the movie and what the family was offered to sell their rights to have an opinion about their portrayal.
November 13, 2025
I read Rebecca Skloot's book, The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks, a few years ago and became fascinated by what had happened. As soon as I heard about this book, I knew I had to read it.
Ron Lacks largely wrote about his disagreement with the version of the story told by Skloot. While a lot of his points are very fair, I do think he went a little extreme in some theories about Skloot.
While reading this, I questioned if I would go back and change my 5 star rating of The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks, and I don't think I'm going to. Regardless of if some of what she told was inaccurate, I never would have known about what happened if not for her, and I believe that's worth noting. At the end of the day, I believe both her book and this one are both absolutely worth reading, as everyone needs to know what happened to Henrietta and her family.
Ron Lacks largely wrote about his disagreement with the version of the story told by Skloot. While a lot of his points are very fair, I do think he went a little extreme in some theories about Skloot.
While reading this, I questioned if I would go back and change my 5 star rating of The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks, and I don't think I'm going to. Regardless of if some of what she told was inaccurate, I never would have known about what happened if not for her, and I believe that's worth noting. At the end of the day, I believe both her book and this one are both absolutely worth reading, as everyone needs to know what happened to Henrietta and her family.
December 5, 2021
Although I initially loved the book by Rebecca Skloot, I really treasure and love the son( Ron's father Lawrence) book and now this offering by the grandson. He spoke on how the initial book split his family up, and that makes me sad. He also speaks on how they twisted this woman and her family's story. Shame on you who did. The Lacks Family were deeply intruded upon for their story and got.little to nothing for it. I pray that changes.
August 21, 2023
The Other Side of the Story, Just Read it!
I read some of the book “The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks” by Rebecca Skloot and couldn’t finish reading it. I had to put it down midway through since something didn’t seem quite right. Then, I noticed another book “Henrietta Lacks The Untold Story” by Ron Lacks. I felt compelled to read it. Oddly, something about the whole story wasn’t adding up in the other book and I wanted to hear the other side of the story so I am glad I had the opportunity to read it.
The author, Ron Lacks brings up some valid arguments such as how come no one in the family was properly compensated for the use of the HeLa cells after so many people benefited and profited off of using the cells? I can see how easy it is to be mislead into believing a story when you don’t have the ability to hear the whole truth. You have to read this book in order to understand more about who the family members are and were as well as what happened. I believe they were portrayed differently in the other book. For instance, they were seen as poor and uneducated people. However, that’s not the case. There are two sides of the story and it’s a shame that the family is divided by all this due to perhaps greed and/or other issues. I do not know them personally so I cannot comment more about that.
Note. If you read the other book first, then it’s only fair to read this one as well. Hopefully, the family can reconnect soon and that Henrietta is at peace as her cells continue to live on to this day.
I read some of the book “The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks” by Rebecca Skloot and couldn’t finish reading it. I had to put it down midway through since something didn’t seem quite right. Then, I noticed another book “Henrietta Lacks The Untold Story” by Ron Lacks. I felt compelled to read it. Oddly, something about the whole story wasn’t adding up in the other book and I wanted to hear the other side of the story so I am glad I had the opportunity to read it.
The author, Ron Lacks brings up some valid arguments such as how come no one in the family was properly compensated for the use of the HeLa cells after so many people benefited and profited off of using the cells? I can see how easy it is to be mislead into believing a story when you don’t have the ability to hear the whole truth. You have to read this book in order to understand more about who the family members are and were as well as what happened. I believe they were portrayed differently in the other book. For instance, they were seen as poor and uneducated people. However, that’s not the case. There are two sides of the story and it’s a shame that the family is divided by all this due to perhaps greed and/or other issues. I do not know them personally so I cannot comment more about that.
Note. If you read the other book first, then it’s only fair to read this one as well. Hopefully, the family can reconnect soon and that Henrietta is at peace as her cells continue to live on to this day.
October 8, 2023
Ron Lacks' realistic, bio-ancestral history speaks to the need for multi-factor authentication when fact checking a biographical themed book. This book examines the damaging consequences of presenting 'fictionalized history' as non-fiction. Ron Lacks' book reveals some starling omissions. Factors such as Ms. Skloot's erroneous socio/economic character portrayal of Henrietta Lacks as a poor/Southern rural, illiterate Black female was addressed for what it was-a tantalizing bone emboldened by systemic racism. Author Ron Lacks' inclusion of various family photos and family correspondents speaks volumes - an honest portrait befitting HeLa. Kudos Mr. Lacks. This book is a must read for all students of African-American History, aspiring S.T.E.M. students, advocates for social justice, aspiring writers and those troubled by the conflicting dual images of Mrs. Henrietta Lacks.
May 27, 2025
This book was written by the famous Henrietta Lack's grandson, which is interesting content, especially for those who have already read the book written by Rebecca Skloot. It was interesting reading it from the view of a more familial person and not an outsider, as the author describes his grandmother as not just the originator of the cells that are currently siding modern science, but also a normal human being, a mother, a devoted wife and loved one whose memory would be treated more humanly and not a means to an end, as the author described Rebecca Skloot. The book has a controversial vibe concerning those seeking to monetize Henrietta Lacks, and I do not blame the author. I give this book 5 stars, because I also believe that every loved one's memory, alive or gone, must remain sacred and not to be exploited. A must read for all those who live memoirs!
September 23, 2023
Hmm. It is hard to rate this book. The author is motivated by family fractures, resentment, feelings of injustice and unfairness. He isn't entirely wrong; but in places his degree of victimhood seem highly exaggerated, and the motives he ascribes to others are arguably speculative. Innuendo is often used over proof. Although the book did make me want to know more than what I understood from the original book, ( The Immortal life of Henrietta Lacks ) I am inclined to take a lot of Ron Lacks' assertions with a grain of salt.
May 21, 2025
While this book was a refreshing perspective from a different point of view, it was less educational /detailed than "The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks" and more of a passionate essay by someone who has felt hurt. I agree with the other reviews that Ron may be too close to the family to be able to give an overall account of his family's story. It is unprofessional to call other people names and accuse them of things with out having evidence, so it makes it harder for me to take him seriously.
February 5, 2024
I really wanted to like this book, but it was misleading. It wasn't Henrietta's untold story, it was more about his childhood than anything else. Although, I can appreciate and sympathize with him, he didn't shed any groundbreaking insight. It felt more like a rant against Rebecca Skloot. Disappointing.
September 22, 2024
Having recently read Rebecca Skloots account of Henrietta Lacks I was interested to read this 'alternative' version written by Henrietta's grandson. Unfortunately for the most part, it was just an angry rant against Ms Skloot and her book. There were some insights into the Lacks family life and I feel if you read both books the truth falls somewhere in the middle.
October 6, 2022
Despicable journalist\author
My prayers for the reconciliation of the Lacks family. Shame on Rebecca Skloot and Oprah! Please do the right thing for Henrietta s family.
My prayers for the reconciliation of the Lacks family. Shame on Rebecca Skloot and Oprah! Please do the right thing for Henrietta s family.
October 6, 2022
This is a must read if you’ve read the immortal life of Henrietta lacks
August 4, 2023
For a different view on the Henrietta Lacks story, by all means read this. I consider it slanted just as Rebecca Sloot was, but from another angle. Neither is complete without the other.
May 19, 2025
Henrietta Lacks was an amazing woman with Golden Blood. Her story is not well known. It is remarkable what her blood was able to do in the medical field.
October 16, 2025
Henrietta Lacks grandson, Ron Lacks shares his story about his grandmother. Thanks for sharing.
January 5, 2026
An important perspective on a very popular book.
August 20, 2025
2.5…this was a rant. If you took out all the times he slammed Rebecca Skloot, it would have been the length of a college term paper. I don’t doubt he’s telling the truth, it just was written so angrily that it frustrated me.
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