Charles Drew: Pioneer of Blood Plasma [Paperback]

Linda Trice (Author)

Book Description

Series: Ideas on Trial | Publication Date: July 11, 2000

This text follows the life and struggle of Dr. Charles Drew, black surgeon and blood plasma pioneer, who successfully fought the American Red Cross in their decision to segregate white blood from black. While in Britain in 1940, Drew became full-time medical director of the plasma project for Great Britain, the first great experiment in gross production of human plasma. His documentation of the experiment was used by the U.U. Army, and later the American Red Cross, in more ambitious blood bank projects. This work is written in the dramatic style of the "Ideas on Trial" series from Bank Street, presenting Drew's life and struggle in detail. It contains diary entries, letters, trial transcripts and newspapers.

Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

The Inspiring True Story of How the Founder of America's Blood Banks Paved the Way For Minorities in Medicine.

Watching his beloved sister become deathly ill during the "Doomsday Flu" epidemic of 1918 made young Charles Drew determined to become a doctor. But it wasn't so easy. College and medical school were more expensive than his working-class family could afford. Then there was prejudice. In the early 1900s, racial prejudice barred all but a tiny handful of African-Americans from attending U.S. colleges and even fewer from going to the nation's medical schools. Yet, Charles was determined to succeed.

His motto was "Dream High" and he did. Over and over throughout his amazing life he overcame prejudice by being the best at everything he tackled, from student athlete to doctor, professor, and scientist.

Now in this exciting biography, Dr. Linda Trice, a former black Studies professor, tells the unforgettable story of the life and achievements of one of the world's most honored scientific innovators, the pioneer of blood plasma and father of the modern blood banks, a man who devoted his life to helping minority students become doctors and puncturing racial myths.

In Charles Drew, read how Drew made his momentous discoveries. Live through hs dramatic battles against racism and his truggle to become a doctor. Take a front-row seat as you experience the conditions African-Americans lived in during the years 1900 to 1950 and come to understand Drew's extraordinary courage and determination.

Finally, be inspired by a man who, through his brilliance and dedication, "Dreamed High" and achieved.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 13 and up
  
• Paperback: 121 pages
• Publisher: McGraw-Hill Companies (July 11, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0071353178
• ISBN-13: 978-0071353175
• Product Dimensions: 8.2 x 5.9 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #841,740 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #71 in Books > Teens > Biographies

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Black Man of Science, September 17, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Charles Drew: Pioneer of Blood Plasma (Paperback)

Charles Drew watched his baby sister get sick. He wanted to save her life but most schools would not let him attend because he was black. He said he "Dreamed High" and found a way. He became a surgeon and helped others become surgeons. He was a great man. I'm glad I read this book.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars My Science Club Loved This Book, September 20, 2000

A Kid's Review

This review is from: Charles Drew: Pioneer of Blood Plasma (Paperback)

My science club read this last week. I was surprised at how primitive medicine was just a few short years ago.

Reading about Dr. Drew and all the challenges he had to face made me more determined than ever to become a doctor.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Written for children, but a page-turner for adults, too., August 11, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Charles Drew: Pioneer of Blood Plasma (Paperback)

Thousands of lives were saved on World War II battlefields thanks to Dr. Charles Drew, but he is barely remembered outside the African-American community. Charles Drew: Pioneer of Blood Plasma by Linda Trice will make him unforgettable.

By 1940, the situation in Europe was critical. Holland and Belgium had surrendered to Nazi Germany. France would soon fall. Wounded soldiers were dying because the Allies couldn't keep the battlefields supplied with enough fresh blood for transfusions. Using dialog and dramatic recreation, Trice, a former elementary school teacher and Black Studies professor, shows actual events leading to Drew's determination that the answer lay in blood plasma.

Drew subsequently served as medical supervisor of the "Blood for Britain" program providing American blood to British soldiers and guided the American Red Cross in establishing blood banks throughout the U.S. to support American armed forces.

Student athlete, doctor, medical school professor and scientist, Charles Drew's motto was "Dream High." He never lost sight of his dream to save lives, despite the poverty and racial discrimination which hampered his efforts to obtain a medical education.

Although the book was written for children, adults, too, will not only be inspired by Drew's life, but will learn about early twentieth century America from the many sidebars which provide context without interrupting the narrative flow.