I'd enjoyed Hayes' first book, Sleep Demons, very much indeed, and went looking for other works of his; when I found this one I ordered a copy at once. It's in a similar style, memoirs alternating with the history and science of blood in many aspects: transfusions, menstruation, bloodletting, forensics, and more. Perhaps a discussion of blood demands a more serious tone than sleep, so this book seems a bit less amusing, but it is still interesting and always enjoyable.

Watching his lover Steve's blood being drawn for his regular tests, he notes "Rosemary stands between us cradling tin her hands the vials of his blood. That's a part of his body, I think; it has passed through his heart." From this poetic moment he segues to the discovery that one of the nurses at a blood lab Steve had used briefly years ago has been accused of re-using needles, potentially infecting many people with AIDS and other blood-borne diseases. [Steve was HIV-positive before that time, but his concern is whether her actions made someone else sick via his own blood... though re-infection with a different strain of AIDS could be a death blow anyway.] A chilling turn, though the progress of the court case is in the background for most of the book.

One chapter deals with menstruation, with Hayes relying on accounts from his sisters - one of whom suffered terribly painful periods for years before a hysterectomy freed her from them. Hayes wonders whether her early troubles inclined her to a spiritual bent - she came very close to taking vows as a nun, and only backed out at the last moment after her brother came out to her and she realized that the church she was about to make vows to would not accept him...

In another chapter Hayes starts with "origin stories" in superhero comic books and wanders off to the discovery of blood cells - including a visit to a man who's made replicas of Leeuwenhoek microscopes. Later still he talks about the use of blood tests in criminal cases, and compares Ehrlich (who worked out staining techniques that helped with the identification of specific bacteria as the causes of specific diseases) with Sherlock Holmes - I love the way he brings so many things in to the narrative. (Yes, Dracula's in here too; can't discuss blood without mentioning vampire myths!)

Back to the present, he discusses blood donation practices, including the restrictions on donations from gay men, and mentions some movements to loosen these restrictions a bit - this made a lot of sense, though, alas, I haven't heard that they're making much progress yet.

Later still he's discussing the role of blood in arousal, and mentions that when he first came to San Francisco he was given copies of "must-reads" for gay men: Tales of the City - and Interview with the Vampire!

Overall, the book's more clinical in tone than Sleep Demons, but I still found it informative, personal, and fascinating. Recommended.

[Update: Hayes' third book, The Anatomist, is also worth reading!]

RELEASE NOTES:

Controlled release: This is one of a batch of books that I've mailed ahead for distribution at the upcoming BC Convention in Charleston SC, courtesy of BCer kiptrix (many thanks!). I don't know whether the books will wind up in goodie bags or on the "book buffet" or somewhere else, but I hope someone will enjoy them!

Received in a box of books for release at the convention. Thank you!

This is the acme of the gory details book. I'm NOT going to read it.

But Gory, what a wonderful book to release!

Found this on the table. What an interesting book! And perfect for the Books About Things bookbox.
Skyring and Gory, nice meeting you both in person!!

Wow, what an interesting book. It tells you everything you can think of about blood, everything you want to know about blood, and even things you don't want to know - the first sighting of blood under a microscope, hemophilia and other blood diseases, the vampire lore, the author's sister's menstruation, a tour of a blood bank, the discrimination of gay men as blood donors and the mechanism of an erection. Gory details indeed!

Thanks for such wonderful book. This is now going into MaryZee's bookbox.

Hmmm, I''m not quite sure about the subject, but when I saw the list of famous BCers thru whose hands this book has passed, I just knew I had to be part of its travels. I think I''ll try this one, and see how I like it. Thanks, guys!

Memoirs are one of my favorite genres, although history and science are definitely up there too. This book combined these favorite genres into an interesting and enjoyable read, although I do think the personal memoir parts of this book were my favorites. I enjoyed reading about his family history, and his more personal history. Lots of interesting historical info here too.

Sorry it took me so long to get around to reading this one. It will soon be going on to a new home, as a prize in my 8th BCversary RABCK. Thanks to GoryDetails and everyone else who's shared this enjoyable book.

This book is on its way to Canada, as a prize for my 8th BCversary TBR RABCK. Enjoy!

Thank you so much, MaryZee! I'm looking forward to reading this.

I finally got around to reading this one, and I'm sorry I left it so long because I really enjoyed it. I loved the combination of memoir and history, although I have to admit it kind of annoyed me how Hayes zoned out whenever there started to be much depth to the science.

I will most likely be wild releasing this due to my current unemployment.

On bookshelf near door.