Alondra Nelson

Life on Mars by Tracy K. Smith is a collection of poems that contemplates the mysteries of the universe and the complexities of human existence. With nods to David Bowie and sci-fi, these poems explore a future devoid of danger, the forces that bring us together and push us apart, and the ephemeral nature of love and illness. Smith also shares personal stories, including the tragic loss of her father who worked on the Hubble Space Telescope. Dive into these thought-provoking poems and discover a soundtrack to accompany life's ups and downs.

This book explores the evolution of cancer from being perceived as a white woman's disease to a threat in communities of color. Keith Wailoo draws on patients' accounts, films, fiction, medical evidence, and epidemiological data to reveal how cancer awareness, prevention, treatment, and survival have all been impacted by race. From the mass black migration to urban areas to the civil rights movement and contemporary health activism, the author documents the central role that race and gender have played in the history of cancer awareness. This pioneering study sheds light on the ongoing battle against cancer, particularly along the color line.

Discover an inspiring and poignant story of MacNolia Cox, the first African American finalist in the National Spelling Bee Competition in 1936. The book portrays her dream of becoming a doctor and the pivotal moment that changed her life forever. A nonlinear narrative adds depth to the engaging plot, underscoring how a single event can shape a person's future.

This compelling book exposes the disturbing medical experimentation that took place within the walls of Philadelphia's Holmesburg Prison from the mid-1950s through the mid-1970s. Inmates were used as guinea pigs for a host of medical experiments, from testing facial creams to potentially lethal substances. Based on in-depth interviews and rigorous research, Acres of Skin paints a disturbing portrait of abuse, moral indifference, and greed by doctors, prison officials, and corporations.