apiep97's review against another edition
dark
informative
medium-paced
4.5
If anything, I wish this book was longer. The international adoption chapter felt especially short. It prompted me to do my own research into these industries and opened my eyes to the ongoing crisis in the flesh trade.
derry's review against another edition
4.0
A very interesting dive into red markets- the endlessly popular trade of human body parts and flesh. Think organs, blood, bone, but also hair, eggs, and children.
If you're squeamish, this book probably isn't for you.
The content of this book were absolutely fascinating to me. Things I'd never even considered, like how to get hold of blood for medical use in a society that isn't keen on blood donation, were throughly explored and examined and made me question my morals. Carney shows as much as both sides of the market as is seemingly possible, and is able to weave a narrative of his own experiences that made this non-fiction book easier to read. I've never been a big non-fiction reader if that wasn't obvious.
At times I thought Carney was a little bit repetitive in his moral dillemas, but this is mostly because the moral quandries of each of these markets is rather similar. Ultimately, can parts of the human body ever be sold without exploitation? Should they? Would altruistic donations alone be enough? If these questions grab your attention, this book is for you.
TLDR: Brilliant exploration of the black market trade surrounding human flesh, everything from human eggs to hair.
If you're squeamish, this book probably isn't for you.
The content of this book were absolutely fascinating to me. Things I'd never even considered, like how to get hold of blood for medical use in a society that isn't keen on blood donation, were throughly explored and examined and made me question my morals. Carney shows as much as both sides of the market as is seemingly possible, and is able to weave a narrative of his own experiences that made this non-fiction book easier to read. I've never been a big non-fiction reader if that wasn't obvious.
At times I thought Carney was a little bit repetitive in his moral dillemas, but this is mostly because the moral quandries of each of these markets is rather similar. Ultimately, can parts of the human body ever be sold without exploitation? Should they? Would altruistic donations alone be enough? If these questions grab your attention, this book is for you.
TLDR: Brilliant exploration of the black market trade surrounding human flesh, everything from human eggs to hair.
adamgolden's review against another edition
4.0
(4/5★)
In The Red Market, journalist Scott Carney travels around the world attempting to shed light on the suspicious anonymity and covert operations that fuel what is know as "The Red Market". Ever wonder where that human skeleton in your biology class originated from? Or why there isn't a trail of information that tells you where donated blood and organs hail from? Even less gruesome human commodities, like hair for weaves and wigs, have an interesting backstory to them that Carney delves into deeply in this book. Considering the medical advancements in the last 100 years, it'll be interesting to see if this market even exists in half that time, what with organ/tissue 3-D printing and other medicinal technologies.
In The Red Market, journalist Scott Carney travels around the world attempting to shed light on the suspicious anonymity and covert operations that fuel what is know as "The Red Market". Ever wonder where that human skeleton in your biology class originated from? Or why there isn't a trail of information that tells you where donated blood and organs hail from? Even less gruesome human commodities, like hair for weaves and wigs, have an interesting backstory to them that Carney delves into deeply in this book. Considering the medical advancements in the last 100 years, it'll be interesting to see if this market even exists in half that time, what with organ/tissue 3-D printing and other medicinal technologies.
nattycran's review against another edition
3.0
3.5 stars.
I went through all possible emotions while reading this book. Except joy. Despite this, I cannot say that this is a moving book. The essays are high quality in information but outside of the bare facts (and horrors) there is not a huge emotional element. It was up to the reader to feel empathy, Carney did not personally encourage it. Take that as you will.
Outside of the chapter on egg donation in Cyprus, basically all of the chapters had to do with India (where Carney was living at the time). While this was very interesting, I think I would have enjoyed more examples from around the globe. Horrible things are happening all the time, let's spread the love.
I went through all possible emotions while reading this book. Except joy. Despite this, I cannot say that this is a moving book. The essays are high quality in information but outside of the bare facts (and horrors) there is not a huge emotional element. It was up to the reader to feel empathy, Carney did not personally encourage it. Take that as you will.
Outside of the chapter on egg donation in Cyprus, basically all of the chapters had to do with India (where Carney was living at the time). While this was very interesting, I think I would have enjoyed more examples from around the globe. Horrible things are happening all the time, let's spread the love.
grimreader22's review against another edition
5.0
I heard of some of the issues with organ stealing prior to this but not to this extent. The chapter on blood, never heard those stories. Definitely eye opening and forces you have those ethical questions.