Five Quarts: A Personal and Natural History of Blood

Rarely have I encountered so unflinchingly honest a book. Mr. Hayes has an exceptionally complex relationship with blood; his partner of fourteen years is HIV positive while Mr. Hayes remains HIV free. Therefore, the book falls squarely into its own unique category--it is a journal of discoveries both personal and scientific. Its power is found in the author's candor as he shares his journey of discovery. The personal dimension of this book is surprisingly vast. Though it does treat the science to the degree one would expect, the scientific and historical discussion is but the lesser portion. The true context lies in the author's expressed need to know what blood is all about and his discovery of how blood-related knowledge has shaped his life. The intensely personal nature of the work gives a depth to the discussion not present in the expected general science genre. Though the author's frank treatment of his sexual orientation and personal history were startling, it can safely be said that Five Quarts is much more than a memoir and certainly more than the typical general science/history offering. Five Quarts was truly a rare and welcome find.

Author Hayes mixes science, philosophy and a lot of personal intimacy in this interesting book on blood. A strange subject (though not the strangest around--a recent bestseller is about cadavers.) We have five quarts of the red stuff--hence the title. The book starts with Bill getting a cut. But then we go on a journey about hemophila and history (the royal house of Great Britain) and we learn about bloodletting, blood banks, and ultimately the AIDS epidemic. While I would prefer more science and less personal information in a treatise on a scientific subject, that's just me (I studied biology and immunology for quite some years.) But for a non-science-steeped reader, this is a fascinating look at the stuff of life. Recommended, though not for the squeamish.

Five Quarts: A Personal and Natural History of Blood by Bill Hayes started because the author cut his finger. What followed is fascinating nonfiction that explores blood through history, literature, science and mythology. I must admit that when I first saw the book I wasn't particularly interested. I couldn't imagine the subject of blood to be anything but dull and even repulsive. Finally, curiosity got the best of me, and I picked it up and began reading. And I continued reading. I couldn't believe how much there is to know about that vital fluid that runs through every human body. If you're interested in trivia, or find unique things that you've never considered fascinating before, this book is for you. I will never view my wedding ring or barbershop poles in the same way again. Five Quarts: A Personal and Natural History of Blood proves that even a seemingly obscure topic can be enthralling.

Bill Hayes has a rare ability to wind together a tale, seamlessly including historal details, up to the minute science and his own life history. It makes for great reading! Sometimes when reading books such as this, I sigh internally when I get to an historical part, bracing for some dry reading, but so often when reading Five Quarts, I barely noticed we had changed topics from hearing about Hayes' five sisters to learning about Echlich and his important blood discoveries to reading about a modern blood bank. All were equally well written and fascinating. I admit I passed by this book several times as I am a bit squemish, and worried it would make me faint, but it really didn't, in case you have similar worries! It DID make me decide I have waited long enough to give blood, and I want to become a blood donor. I hope Bill Hayes writes much more! I would LOVE to read more about his life. I loved Sleep Demons, which is a similar book in its mix of topics, and it seems like he would have much more to say about his life.

Bill Hayes has written another winner. He seamlessly weaves together a history of blood with personal reflections from his own life. Hayes explores and explains how man's understanding of blood developed not only in science but also the meaning of blood through time in our cultural, social and religious life. I found this aspect of the book educational and fascinating. At the same time, Hayes interweaves reflections and experiences from his own childhood and adult life. These reflections are laugh out-loud funny, heartbreakingly sad and profoundly intimate. In particular he focuses on his experience as a gay man in the age of AIDS and his long term relationship with a partner with AIDS. Through the lens of blood, this is another perspective on the HIV/AIDS epidemic in our lives; one that I believe has never really been explored before. He also describes the current impact of AIDS in the age of effective treatments on those affected and infected. This is important and has until now been left unsaid. While the impact of AIDS is no longer certain death, it still has enormous ramifications on our personal lives and in our communities. Blood gives Hayes the vehicle to describe this beautifully.