The Book of Blood : From Legends and Leeches to Vampires and Veins

"HP Newquist's thrilling volume explores the dark and often gruesome tales about blood. Though common among living beings, this substance is anything but ordinary. People have always feared and respected blood. It spills out at both birth and death--its bright red color like a warning sign--indicating events of the utmost significance. Ancient civilizations couldn't perform religious rituals without the revered liquid. Doctors up through the nineteenth century attempted to cure mysterious illnesses by draining their patients' blood. Scientists only recently began to understand this fascinating fluid: how its microscopic components nourish the entire body, why simple transfusions don't always work, and that bloodletting likely killed people who otherwise would have lived. But back before people understood what blood really was, they had to weave their own explanations. Whether vampire legends, medieval medical practices, and Mayan sacrificial rites fascinate or terrify, this comprehensive (and sometimes horrific) investigation into blood's past and present will surely enthrall. And if this account is a little blood-curdling, well, that's half the fun!"--;"A thrilling and lively tour of the world of blood, from ancient history to modern science, to dark and often gruesome legends of vampires and plague, this book informs readers about the most important tissue in the body"-- "HP Newquist's thrilling volume explores the dark and often gruesome tales about blood. Though common among living beings, this substance is anything but ordinary. People have always feared and respected blood. It spills out at both birth and death--its bright red color like a warning sign--indicating events of the utmost significance. Ancient civilizations couldn't perform religious rituals without the revered liquid. Doctors up through the nineteenth century attempted to cure mysterious illnesses by draining their patients' blood. Scientists only recently began to understand this fascinating fluid: how its microscopic components nourish the entire body, why simple transfusions don't always work, and that bloodletting likely killed people who otherwise would have lived. But back before people understood what blood really was, they had to weave their own explanations. Whether vampire legends, medieval medical practices, and Mayan sacrificial rites fascinate or terrify, this comprehensive (and sometimes horrific) investigation into blood's past and present will surely enthrall. And if this account is a little blood-curdling, well, that's half the fun!"-- "A thrilling and lively tour of the world of blood, from ancient history to modern science, to dark and often gruesome legends of vampires and plague, this book informs readers about the most important tissue in the body"-- This award–winning YA book takes readers on a fascinating tour through the world of blood—from ancient history to modern science.HP Newquist's thrilling volume explores the dark and often fascinating tales about blood—with an occasional side trip to explore the stranger aspects about blood and our relationship to it. Though common among living beings, this substance is anything but ordinary. People have always feared and respected blood. It spills out at both birth and death, indicating events of the utmost significance. Ancient civilizations couldn't perform religious rituals without this sacred substance. Doctors up through the nineteenth century attempted to cure mysterious illnesses by draining their patients'blood. Scientists only recently began to understand how its microscopic components nourish the entire body, why simple transfusions don't always work, and that bloodletting likely killed people who otherwise would have lived. Back before people understood what blood really was, they had to weave their own explanations. From vampire legends to medieval medical practices and Mayan sacrificial rites, this comprehensive investigation into blood's past and present will surely enthrall. And if this account is a little blood-curdling, well, that's half the fun!Winner of the Magnolia Award "HP Newquist's thrilling volume explores the dark and often gruesome tales about blood. Though common among living beings, this substance is anything but ordinary. People have always feared and respected blood. It spills out at both birth and death--its bright red color like a warning sign--indicating events of the utmost significance. Ancient civilizations couldn't perform religious rituals without the revered liquid. Doctors up through the nineteenth century attempted to cure mysterious illnesses by draining their patients' blood. Scientists only recently began to understand this fascinating fluid: how its microscopic components nourish the entire body, why simple transfusions don't always work, and that bloodletting likely killed people who otherwise would have lived. But back before people understood what blood really was, they had to weave their own explanations. Whether vampire legends, medieval medical practices, and Mayan sacrificial rites fascinate or terrify, this comprehensive (and sometimes horrific) investigation into blood's past and present will surely enthrall. And if this account is a little blood-curdling, well, that's half the fun!"-- Provided by publisher Winner of the Magnolia Award HP Newquist takes young readers on an engaging tour of the world of blood, from ancient history to modern science—with an occasional trip to the very strange side of the most important tissue in our bodies. Oddly enough, scientists began to understand this fascinating fluid only within the past one hundred years and how its microscopic components nourish the entire body. Whether the tales of vampires, medieval medical practices, and Mayan sacrificial rites captivate or terrify, this comprehensive investigation into blood’s past and present will surely enthrall. And if this account is a little bloodcurdling, well, that’s half the fun! "A thrilling and lively tour of the world of blood, from ancient history to modern science, to dark and often gruesome legends of vampires and plague, this book informs readers about the most important tissue in the body"-- Provided by publisher From Ancient History To Modern Science, To Dark And Often Gruesome Legends Of Vampires And Plague, This Thrilling And Lively Tour Of The World Of Blood Informs Readers About The Most Important Fluid In The Body. 10,000 First Printing. Real blood The mystery inside Making progress Smaller than sand Making blood Where the blood flows The blood's battleground Red blood, blue blood, clear blood, cold blood The creeps The undead Flowing, but not freely.