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A Fatal Inheritance: How a Family Misfortune Revealed a Deadly Medical Mystery
Weaving his own moving family story with a sweeping history of cancer research, Lawrence Ingrassia delivers an intimate, gripping tale that sits at the intersection of memoir and medical thriller Ingrassia lost his mother, two sisters, brother, and nephew to cancer—different cancers developing at different points throughout their lives. And while highly unusual, his family is not the only one to wonder whether their heartbreak is the result of unbelievable bad luck, or if there might be another explanation. Through meticulous research and riveting storytelling, Ingrassia takes us from the 1960s—when Dr. Frederick Pei Li and Dr. Joseph Fraumeni Jr. first met, not yet knowing that they would help make a groundbreaking discovery that would affect cancer patients for decades to come—to present day, as Ingrassia and countless others continue to unpack and build upon Li and Fraumeni’s initial discoveries, and to understand what this means for their families. In the face of seemingly unbearable loss, Ingrassia holds onto hope. He urges us to “fight like Charlie,” his nephew who battled cancer his entire life starting with a rare tumor in his cheek at the age of two—and to look toward the future, as gene sequencing, screening protocols, CRISPR gene editing, and other developing technologies may continue to extend lifespans and perhaps, one day, even offer cures.
320 pages, Hardcover
Published May 14, 2024
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May 7, 2024
In 1968, at the age of 42, Ingrassia's mother died of cancer—a tragic event for any family, but unusual mostly for her young age. Cancer is common enough that all of us will be touched by it in some way or another—oneself, a loved one, etc.—and treatment options had (still have) a long way to go. But then Ingrassia's youngest sister was diagnosed with cancer and died at 24, and his other sister was diagnosed with cancer and died at 32, and his nephew got cancer when he was just 2. It didn't end there. In the United States, writes Ingrassia, life expectancy is nearly eighty years. In my family, not including me, the average life span was forty-five (loc. 3997*). The odds were staggering, but at the time doctors shrugged it off as terrible luck.
But the brilliance of this book is that it is not only memoir—and I say this as someone who loves memoir—but a meticulously researched, compassionately reported dive into the history of cancer research: more specifically, how scientists came to identify what caused this rare and horrible quirk in some families' histories, and what all that research means for individuals, and families, affected by cancer.
Although Ingrassia opens with his family's story in the first chapter, it's another dozen chapters before he returns to the subject—instead he introduces other families facing staggering counts of cancer diagnoses (and deaths), sets the scene for the scientists who are some of the heroes of the story, and begins to carefully and precisely walk lay readers through the complicated science behind cancer and gene mutations. I thought this might be a book to read in small pieces, but instead I tore through it in two days. Reminiscent of Hidden Valley Road, which explored research into schizophrenia via the lens of one family disproportionately affected by it, A Fatal Inheritance brings to life the drier work of lab science by putting it within the context of families—including his own—for whom cancer after cancer made the future uncertain.
It is at times hard to keep all of the names and dates straight, but Ingrassia is an award-winning journalist, and the skill and care he has put into this work shows. I'd be remiss not to note that although I found tremendous value in the research and science Ingrassia makes accessible to the lay reader, he observes toward the end that while this is a book about scientific discovery begun by two tireless doctors, it is even more a love letter to my family, written to preserve memories for my children, and their children, and the children after them. Because I will be gone someday as well, and I don't want these memories to be gone with me (loc. 3991).
4.5 stars; this will be a must-read for those seeking to better understand cancer and cancer research.
Thanks to the author and publisher for providing a review copy through NetGalley.
*I read an ARC, and quotes may not be final.
But the brilliance of this book is that it is not only memoir—and I say this as someone who loves memoir—but a meticulously researched, compassionately reported dive into the history of cancer research: more specifically, how scientists came to identify what caused this rare and horrible quirk in some families' histories, and what all that research means for individuals, and families, affected by cancer.
Although Ingrassia opens with his family's story in the first chapter, it's another dozen chapters before he returns to the subject—instead he introduces other families facing staggering counts of cancer diagnoses (and deaths), sets the scene for the scientists who are some of the heroes of the story, and begins to carefully and precisely walk lay readers through the complicated science behind cancer and gene mutations. I thought this might be a book to read in small pieces, but instead I tore through it in two days. Reminiscent of Hidden Valley Road, which explored research into schizophrenia via the lens of one family disproportionately affected by it, A Fatal Inheritance brings to life the drier work of lab science by putting it within the context of families—including his own—for whom cancer after cancer made the future uncertain.
It is at times hard to keep all of the names and dates straight, but Ingrassia is an award-winning journalist, and the skill and care he has put into this work shows. I'd be remiss not to note that although I found tremendous value in the research and science Ingrassia makes accessible to the lay reader, he observes toward the end that while this is a book about scientific discovery begun by two tireless doctors, it is even more a love letter to my family, written to preserve memories for my children, and their children, and the children after them. Because I will be gone someday as well, and I don't want these memories to be gone with me (loc. 3991).
4.5 stars; this will be a must-read for those seeking to better understand cancer and cancer research.
Thanks to the author and publisher for providing a review copy through NetGalley.
*I read an ARC, and quotes may not be final.
December 1, 2023
While I really enjoyed reading the book, this was not an easy book to read. To read about how, one by one, his siblings and some of their children died from various forms of cancer was very difficult. But as difficult as this book was to read, the author kept me engaged and wanting to read more. And I did, spending many hours past my bedtime reading about the saga of the discovery of Li–Fraumeni Syndrome.
Author Lawrence Ingrassia is a professional journalist and editor who worked for many prominent news organizations, specifically reporting on business. However, with three of his siblings having suffered from cancer with some of their children also dying from cancer, he wanted to know more about the disease that hunted his family.
The book starts off with author Ingrassia profiling his own family’s dreadful losses segueing into the work of Dr. Frederick P. Li and Dr. Joseph F. Fraumani Jr. who collected records from various sources to analyze the data to see if they could detect a pattern for the clusters of cancers they were seeing in families.
Finally, they were able to announce their results in their landmark paper titled “Rhabdomyosarcoma in Children: Epidemiologic Study and Identification of a Familial Cancer Syndrome,” published in the American Journal of Epidemiology. If you search for the article on your favorite search site, you’ll be able to find a copy to read. Their results definitively showed that there was a likely a genetic component to the clusters of cancers they witnessed in families.
While there is no cure for Li–Fraumani Syndrome, there are now ways to test to see if a person is carrying the gene that causes the syndrome, allowing both the patient and medical professionals to keep a constant vigilance.
As I mentioned, this is not an easy book to read but it is a totally fascinating one. Readers will get a solid understanding of how research is conducted, and the consequences of discovery, as not everyone potential carrier wants to know if they carry the gene. The book also has an extensive notes section that are well worth perusing.
This book would be of interest to anyone who is drawn to scientific discovery or the detection and management of cancer.
[Thank you to NetGalley and the author for the advanced ebook copy in exchange for my honest and objective opinion which I have given here.]
Author Lawrence Ingrassia is a professional journalist and editor who worked for many prominent news organizations, specifically reporting on business. However, with three of his siblings having suffered from cancer with some of their children also dying from cancer, he wanted to know more about the disease that hunted his family.
The book starts off with author Ingrassia profiling his own family’s dreadful losses segueing into the work of Dr. Frederick P. Li and Dr. Joseph F. Fraumani Jr. who collected records from various sources to analyze the data to see if they could detect a pattern for the clusters of cancers they were seeing in families.
Finally, they were able to announce their results in their landmark paper titled “Rhabdomyosarcoma in Children: Epidemiologic Study and Identification of a Familial Cancer Syndrome,” published in the American Journal of Epidemiology. If you search for the article on your favorite search site, you’ll be able to find a copy to read. Their results definitively showed that there was a likely a genetic component to the clusters of cancers they witnessed in families.
While there is no cure for Li–Fraumani Syndrome, there are now ways to test to see if a person is carrying the gene that causes the syndrome, allowing both the patient and medical professionals to keep a constant vigilance.
As I mentioned, this is not an easy book to read but it is a totally fascinating one. Readers will get a solid understanding of how research is conducted, and the consequences of discovery, as not everyone potential carrier wants to know if they carry the gene. The book also has an extensive notes section that are well worth perusing.
This book would be of interest to anyone who is drawn to scientific discovery or the detection and management of cancer.
[Thank you to NetGalley and the author for the advanced ebook copy in exchange for my honest and objective opinion which I have given here.]
May 5, 2024
“A heartbreaking story of family loss and an inspiring story of scientific achievement”
The quote above is author Lawrence Ingrassia’s summary description of cancer research during the last six decades, especially the Li-Fraumeni syndrome that is the focus of A Fatal Inheritance. It is also an excellent description of his book, which was outstanding on both topics and which I would recommend to a very broad audience.
The stories of the families who experience the results of their “fatal inheritance” were heartbreaking even for me, and I do not know any of the people affected. It is hard to imagine being a member of the family and living through it, and I suspect that the author, who DID live through it in his own family, shed more than one tear as he wrote them. The illnesses and deaths are hard to take, such as the eight-year-old girl battling her second cancer, but there are also other understandable but perhaps less expected episodes. I was touched by a father recommending that his son, who had experienced several cancers growing up and lost several relatives to cancers, not marry and have children. The son responds that if his father had done that he himself would not be sitting there that day! In another family with widespread cancer a woman happily tells her family that a test has shown she does not have the gene in question only to be greeted with anger by her cousin’s obviously envious husband.
The descriptions of the scientific research, controversies, and discoveries were equally compelling. For a layperson like me, the heat of the disputes between the scientists who were pursuing genetic connections to cancer and those who were certain the cancers were caused by viruses was fascinating and eye-opening. I learned quite a bit about the subject, which was presented in a way that readers unfamiliar with this field of biology can understand, but I did not feel, as I often do, that the author was talking down to me. It made me smile and admire the researchers even more to read about their gathering of data like family histories in the years before the internet and largescale computers simplified such pursuits to such a degree that we tend today to take it for granted. Also impressive was the cost of such research, e.g., Warner Lambert pledged FORTY million dollars to help pay for simply the last phase of clinical trials for a test of a new drug.
Having a family member develop cancer is difficult for any family. The distress caused when multiple members suffer and often die from cancer is hard to imagine, especially when the cancer develops in young children, as it often does in Li-Fraumeni syndrome. I thank the author for sharing his family’s story and for educating readers like me on the connection between genes and cancer.
I received an advance review copy of A Fatal Inheritance from NetGalley and Henry Holt and Company.
The quote above is author Lawrence Ingrassia’s summary description of cancer research during the last six decades, especially the Li-Fraumeni syndrome that is the focus of A Fatal Inheritance. It is also an excellent description of his book, which was outstanding on both topics and which I would recommend to a very broad audience.
The stories of the families who experience the results of their “fatal inheritance” were heartbreaking even for me, and I do not know any of the people affected. It is hard to imagine being a member of the family and living through it, and I suspect that the author, who DID live through it in his own family, shed more than one tear as he wrote them. The illnesses and deaths are hard to take, such as the eight-year-old girl battling her second cancer, but there are also other understandable but perhaps less expected episodes. I was touched by a father recommending that his son, who had experienced several cancers growing up and lost several relatives to cancers, not marry and have children. The son responds that if his father had done that he himself would not be sitting there that day! In another family with widespread cancer a woman happily tells her family that a test has shown she does not have the gene in question only to be greeted with anger by her cousin’s obviously envious husband.
The descriptions of the scientific research, controversies, and discoveries were equally compelling. For a layperson like me, the heat of the disputes between the scientists who were pursuing genetic connections to cancer and those who were certain the cancers were caused by viruses was fascinating and eye-opening. I learned quite a bit about the subject, which was presented in a way that readers unfamiliar with this field of biology can understand, but I did not feel, as I often do, that the author was talking down to me. It made me smile and admire the researchers even more to read about their gathering of data like family histories in the years before the internet and largescale computers simplified such pursuits to such a degree that we tend today to take it for granted. Also impressive was the cost of such research, e.g., Warner Lambert pledged FORTY million dollars to help pay for simply the last phase of clinical trials for a test of a new drug.
Having a family member develop cancer is difficult for any family. The distress caused when multiple members suffer and often die from cancer is hard to imagine, especially when the cancer develops in young children, as it often does in Li-Fraumeni syndrome. I thank the author for sharing his family’s story and for educating readers like me on the connection between genes and cancer.
I received an advance review copy of A Fatal Inheritance from NetGalley and Henry Holt and Company.
May 9, 2024
There are many reviews of this book that will be better than this one - if you are looking for a comprehensive break down of this magnificent book, those will be perfect for you [and I encourage you to seek them out]. THIS review is written, quite simply, from pure emotion.
My heart immediately broke for the author - I cannot even imagine losing almost all of my family over the years [starting with his Mom when he was 10 {I believe} ], and his story alone is devastating and heartbreaking.
THEN, he takes you down the rabbit hole of the discovery of genetic cancer [Li-Fraumeni Syndrome] and the endless [and often seemingly hopeless] work those men [Dr. Frederick Pei Li and Dr. Joseph Fraumeni Jr., whom the syndrome is named after] and ALL the amazing Dr.s that have come [and continue to come] since, in search of a cure [and a why].
We also meet the families afflicted with this syndrome [especially "Family A", who are essentially ground zero in this story], and on the emotions that flowed then. The amount of cancer and death amongst these families is unfathomable, and by the end of the book, you will be as dry as a desert from all the tears you have shed. And them you read the final chapter and just when you think you cannot cry one more year the ending will completely wreck you and you will never look at your family and those around you that you love the same way again.
I was privileged to receive an audiobook ARC and I am so glad I did - the narrator [now one of my favorites] did an excellent job and even his voice broke at times at the sorrow being played out in these pages. His own humanity added to the story and made it that much better.
I must also compliment the narrator's ability to whip off all the medical terms correctly, even in the emotional parts. Some of the tests [and research] and cancer names are tongue -twisting on a good day, and Mr. Wayne handled them with dexterity and perfection. Very well done.
#fightlikecharlie
Thank you to NetGalley, Lawrence Ingrassia, Roger Wayne - Narrator, Henry Holt & Company, and Macmillan Audio for providing the eBook and audiobook ARC's in exchange for an honest review.
My heart immediately broke for the author - I cannot even imagine losing almost all of my family over the years [starting with his Mom when he was 10 {I believe} ], and his story alone is devastating and heartbreaking.
THEN, he takes you down the rabbit hole of the discovery of genetic cancer [Li-Fraumeni Syndrome] and the endless [and often seemingly hopeless] work those men [Dr. Frederick Pei Li and Dr. Joseph Fraumeni Jr., whom the syndrome is named after] and ALL the amazing Dr.s that have come [and continue to come] since, in search of a cure [and a why].
We also meet the families afflicted with this syndrome [especially "Family A", who are essentially ground zero in this story], and on the emotions that flowed then. The amount of cancer and death amongst these families is unfathomable, and by the end of the book, you will be as dry as a desert from all the tears you have shed. And them you read the final chapter and just when you think you cannot cry one more year the ending will completely wreck you and you will never look at your family and those around you that you love the same way again.
I was privileged to receive an audiobook ARC and I am so glad I did - the narrator [now one of my favorites] did an excellent job and even his voice broke at times at the sorrow being played out in these pages. His own humanity added to the story and made it that much better.
I must also compliment the narrator's ability to whip off all the medical terms correctly, even in the emotional parts. Some of the tests [and research] and cancer names are tongue -twisting on a good day, and Mr. Wayne handled them with dexterity and perfection. Very well done.
#fightlikecharlie
Thank you to NetGalley, Lawrence Ingrassia, Roger Wayne - Narrator, Henry Holt & Company, and Macmillan Audio for providing the eBook and audiobook ARC's in exchange for an honest review.
April 29, 2024
A fascinating and extremely well researched book about the work to discover the link between genetic abnormalities and cancer. The author's own family was tragically impacted by cancer with a genetic link and the way he weaves his own story into the narrative works well. The author spent decades as a journalist and editor, and it shows in the quality of the research and the flow of the story. Fans of The Best Minds and Hidden Valley Road will enjoy this as well. Thank you to the publishers and NetGalley for the ARC.
January 11, 2024
"A Fatal Inheritance: How a Family Misfortune Revealed a Deadly Medical Mystery" by Lawrence Ingrassia is a compelling and thought-provoking exploration of a family's medical mystery, intertwining personal narratives with the broader implications of genetic research. The book stands out for its meticulous research, the author's empathetic storytelling, and the ethical questions raised by the intersection of medicine and personal privacy.
One commendable aspect of the book is Lawrence Ingrassia's dedication to unraveling the medical mystery that affected generations of a single family. The author's thorough research and investigative journalism bring to light the complexities of genetic disorders and the challenges faced by individuals grappling with the unknown. The narrative skillfully weaves together personal stories with scientific discoveries, creating a compelling and informative account.
Ingrassia's writing style is engaging and accessible, allowing readers to connect with the individuals at the center of the medical mystery. The author navigates the delicate balance between scientific explanations and the emotional impact on the family, ensuring that the narrative remains relatable and compelling. The inclusion of ethical considerations adds depth to the exploration, prompting readers to contemplate the implications of genetic research on personal privacy and medical advancements.
However, some readers may find the scientific details and medical terminology challenging to follow, especially if they lack a background in genetics or medicine. While the author strives to make the information accessible, individuals seeking a more straightforward narrative may find certain sections of the book demanding.
In conclusion, "A Fatal Inheritance" is a thought-provoking and meticulously researched exploration of a family's medical journey. Lawrence Ingrassia's empathetic storytelling and ethical considerations elevate the book beyond a mere medical mystery, creating a narrative that resonates with broader implications for genetic research and personal privacy. While the scientific details may be intricate, the overall impact of the book lies in its ability to blend human stories with the complexities of modern medicine.
One commendable aspect of the book is Lawrence Ingrassia's dedication to unraveling the medical mystery that affected generations of a single family. The author's thorough research and investigative journalism bring to light the complexities of genetic disorders and the challenges faced by individuals grappling with the unknown. The narrative skillfully weaves together personal stories with scientific discoveries, creating a compelling and informative account.
Ingrassia's writing style is engaging and accessible, allowing readers to connect with the individuals at the center of the medical mystery. The author navigates the delicate balance between scientific explanations and the emotional impact on the family, ensuring that the narrative remains relatable and compelling. The inclusion of ethical considerations adds depth to the exploration, prompting readers to contemplate the implications of genetic research on personal privacy and medical advancements.
However, some readers may find the scientific details and medical terminology challenging to follow, especially if they lack a background in genetics or medicine. While the author strives to make the information accessible, individuals seeking a more straightforward narrative may find certain sections of the book demanding.
In conclusion, "A Fatal Inheritance" is a thought-provoking and meticulously researched exploration of a family's medical journey. Lawrence Ingrassia's empathetic storytelling and ethical considerations elevate the book beyond a mere medical mystery, creating a narrative that resonates with broader implications for genetic research and personal privacy. While the scientific details may be intricate, the overall impact of the book lies in its ability to blend human stories with the complexities of modern medicine.
October 28, 2023
An excellent book on the history of the discovery of different genes with mutations linked to hereditary cancer risks. A person who inherits a genetic mutation from their parent will have a higher lifetime risk for certain types of cancer. A family with hereditary cancer may have many family members who have been diagnosed. The author tells the story of his family, which is heartbreaking, while also shows the tremendous courage and spirit his family members had. This story weaves his and others who have suffered similar losses along with the research and dedication of so many dedicated to ending this dreadful disease without it being dry at all. A must read for any who has suffered any loss in their family. Thank you to NetGalley, the author and publisher for an advanced copy in exchange for my honest opinion.
March 4, 2024
Highly recommended. Ingrassia has produced an easy-to-read history of cancer as an hereditary illness. Bravo!!
May 20, 2024
Lawrence Ingrassia is a retired journalist for the Wall Street Journal. His older brother, Paul, was at the WSJ before him and retired in his 60’s after a long career. It’s important to know Larry Ingressia’s occupation because it helps to explain his beautiful and cogent writing. You need to know about Paul’s life and death, because this book, “A Fatal Inheritance: How a Family Misfortune Revealed a Deadly Medical Mystery” is about his and his family’s many years of fights with cancer.
The Ingressia brothers also had two younger sisters. By 1990, both younger sisters and their mother had died of cancer. By 2020, Paul and his 39 year old son were also dead from cancer. This is not a plot reveal; their deaths and those of many others are the reason the book written.
The Ingrassia family had been hard hit by cancer since the 1940’s. All ages and all types of cancers hit this poor family. Soon, here and there, doctors and medical researchers set out to track these deaths and a term “Li-Fraumeni” after 2 doctors who put parts of the medical mystery together. But other scientists in the US, Canada, and France were looking at hereditary causes of cancer.
The Ingressia brothers also had two younger sisters. By 1990, both younger sisters and their mother had died of cancer. By 2020, Paul and his 39 year old son were also dead from cancer. This is not a plot reveal; their deaths and those of many others are the reason the book written.
The Ingrassia family had been hard hit by cancer since the 1940’s. All ages and all types of cancers hit this poor family. Soon, here and there, doctors and medical researchers set out to track these deaths and a term “Li-Fraumeni” after 2 doctors who put parts of the medical mystery together. But other scientists in the US, Canada, and France were looking at hereditary causes of cancer.
May 16, 2024
Story and Content: A
Writing: A
Narration: A
Best Aspect: Very interesting personal stories and facts about cancer and genetics.
Worst Aspect: There is no way to have a book with this many terminal illnesses can be uplifting.
Recommend: Yes.
May 20, 2024
While this book is classified as a memoir, it is so much more than that. Lawrence Ingrassia, the author, comes from a family with an unusually high rate of cancer, leading to significantly reduced life spans. As a journalist, he naturally began to investigate and the result is this impressive book. The author delves into many aspects of cancer, including discovery of why his family and many others have such high rates of cancer. He explores the research that is done in labs around the world looking for answers to prevention and cures of cancers. He also explores the heartbreak and grief of loss that cancer brings to families. This book is a must read if you are interested in cancer research or if you loved "The Emperor of All Maladies."
May 13, 2024
This book follows a family starting in the 1960's. The mother of this family dies of breast cancer. The only problem is it doesn't stop with her. Her 2 daughters and oldest son are also diagnosed years later. What they did not know, at the time, is the cause was in their DNA. Lawrence Ingrassia tells his family's story. It's a sad one. He's also telling the story of the discovery of the p38 gene and the role it plays in the prevention of cancer. In his family the p38 gene is defective. This causes cancer to be prominent in his family. He tells of the journey to find a cure not only for Li-Fraumeni syndrome, but for cancer itself. As a nurse, this book was fascinating. It's amazing to think about what we don't know yet and the discoveries to be made in the future. However, if you don't have an interest in science or medicine, this might not be the book for you. I will say Lawrence Ingrassia does put it in laymans terms. Cancer touches everyone's life at some point. It's a devastating illness. But a hopeful one. I'm hopeful one day there will be a cure and this book shows that it is possible.
Thank you to NetGalley, Lawrence Ingrassia and MacMillan audio for the opportunity to listen to this book.
Thank you to NetGalley, Lawrence Ingrassia and MacMillan audio for the opportunity to listen to this book.
May 20, 2024
Medical schools love teaching inherited cancer syndromes to first year med students. They teach the necessity of taking a good family history and listening to the patient. But these syndromes also bring up issues of medical ethics and testing of family members.
Ingrassia demonstrates in real time how a familial cancer syndrome affects families, physicians, and scientists. He examines the early beginnings of genetics and genetic testing and takes us to the modern age.
This book is heartbreaking and moving. It offers a glimpse into the future of genetic medicine.
Ingrassia demonstrates in real time how a familial cancer syndrome affects families, physicians, and scientists. He examines the early beginnings of genetics and genetic testing and takes us to the modern age.
This book is heartbreaking and moving. It offers a glimpse into the future of genetic medicine.
March 23, 2024
Listened to the audiobook.
I received a free Advanced Reading Copy via NetGalley in exchange for a complete and honest review.
Wow! Super interesting! I was reading this while working in my research lab, and I was even more motivated to do my work while reading! My one issue is that I thought the beginning was a little messy with the author setting up their connection to the family mentioned initially.
I received a free Advanced Reading Copy via NetGalley in exchange for a complete and honest review.
Wow! Super interesting! I was reading this while working in my research lab, and I was even more motivated to do my work while reading! My one issue is that I thought the beginning was a little messy with the author setting up their connection to the family mentioned initially.
May 18, 2024
So very interesting, so incredibly sad and heartbreaking as well. I cannot imagine how much these families had to endure, knowing it was more than likely futile putting themselves through it all. God bless them all
May 13, 2024
This book explains the story of unexplained cancer in multiple families. The way the author weaved in the story of these families, his own family, as well as the race to discover the “cancer gene”. This was super interesting and well-interwoven. I was gripped by every narrative and the author explained each of facet of discovery simply. I highly recommend this book for people who are interested in understanding the scientific research that brings cures, who are interested in genetics, as well as the general populous who couldn’t fathom the fear of not knowing what is affecting their family. I highly enjoyed this book and hope to read books like this in the future.
May 16, 2024
Such a heartbreaking book. Truly a love letter to his family. This book needs to be read at all the medical meetings when they are deciding what to spend money on. Genetic testing. Insurance needs to read this book. We need a change in the health system to help prevent so many deaths due to medical issues.
May 6, 2024
Macmillan Audio ALC
Part memoir and part research, this book was absolutely beautiful and heartbreaking and informative. I applaud the author and his vulnerability and sharing his family struggle with cancer and how he and his family coped as the member slowly died one by one from different cancer diagnoses. The book is not for those that are dealing with cancer at the moment or recently because there is a lot of cancer death present in his story. I found the parts about cancer research to be extremely informative and really answered some of my questions that I occasionally had floating around about cancer. The research was well done it covered a lot of bases from beginning theories of what researchers used to think caused cancer to now what they’re trying to figure out, especially when it comes to mutations with the P53 gene, which is what caused all of the cancers present in the authors family. This is a book that will stick with me long-term. I found it to be eye-opening and so very important.
Part memoir and part research, this book was absolutely beautiful and heartbreaking and informative. I applaud the author and his vulnerability and sharing his family struggle with cancer and how he and his family coped as the member slowly died one by one from different cancer diagnoses. The book is not for those that are dealing with cancer at the moment or recently because there is a lot of cancer death present in his story. I found the parts about cancer research to be extremely informative and really answered some of my questions that I occasionally had floating around about cancer. The research was well done it covered a lot of bases from beginning theories of what researchers used to think caused cancer to now what they’re trying to figure out, especially when it comes to mutations with the P53 gene, which is what caused all of the cancers present in the authors family. This is a book that will stick with me long-term. I found it to be eye-opening and so very important.
April 30, 2024
Many thanks to NetGalley and Henry Holt Publishers for the advance ebook copy of “A Fatal Inheritance” by Lawrence Ingrassia. Ingrassia interweaves his family’s tragic medical history, including the loss of his mother, his two sisters, his brother, and his nephew to cancer; with the scientific hunt for the causes of familial cancers. It was initially thought that familial cancers might be linked to viruses, environmental triggers; or a variety of other causes; but a team of determined researchers spent decades fighting professional disdain to unravel the DNA linkage that would expose the real cause of many familial cancers - mutations in DNA. This in turn would lead to the ability to test for these gene mutations, including the breast cancer genes BRAC1 and BRAC2. An incredibly compelling tale, I raced thru this book as one who - like millions of other Americans - has had family members affected by cancer: my husband and I lost 3 of our 4 parents to cancer. The chapters alternate between the scientific research, which might seem dense to the casual reader without a scientific or medical background, and the deeply affecting portions about Mr. ingrassia’s family. I would highly recommend to those with an interest in science and/or medicine as well as those with family’s affected by cancer
May 4, 2024
“The story of Li Fraumeni Syndrome (LFS) and more broadly of cancer research isn’t one story but two. It is both a heartbreaking story of family loss and an inspiring story of scientific achievement.” These are the stories Lawrence Ingrassia tells, weaving in his family’s own story as they were also impacted by LFS, a rare genetic mutation that causes a high occurrence of cancer.
“A Fatal Inheritance” is part memoir and part medical history told in a way that’s digestible for those of us outside of the scientific or medical communities. If you’re intrigued, I recommend the audiobook. The narrator is compassionate and articulate which greatly eased what I would have otherwise found to be a difficult book to get through. While this isn’t a genre I’d typically read, I very much liked Ingrassia’s memoir and the other family cancer stories he represented. I learned something new and have a greater appreciation for the medical pioneers and their cancer research.
Thank you to NetGalley for this ARC in return for my honest review.
“A Fatal Inheritance” is part memoir and part medical history told in a way that’s digestible for those of us outside of the scientific or medical communities. If you’re intrigued, I recommend the audiobook. The narrator is compassionate and articulate which greatly eased what I would have otherwise found to be a difficult book to get through. While this isn’t a genre I’d typically read, I very much liked Ingrassia’s memoir and the other family cancer stories he represented. I learned something new and have a greater appreciation for the medical pioneers and their cancer research.
Thank you to NetGalley for this ARC in return for my honest review.
May 4, 2024
This is the story of families who lack the gene that causes the body to fight off cancer. It is also the story of the doctors and researchers who discovered this genetic mutation and now identify these families and try to develop ways to help them. The author is a journalist who is also a member of one of those unfortunate families. He writes movingly about his losses and the losses of other families like his. I was also very interested in the history of cancer research in the book. Thank goodnes for the people who are willing to go against what "everyone knows" and look for answers in unexpected places.
I listened to an audio version and the narrator was good. Much of this book was sad, but very touching. It ended with a message of hope for the future.
I listened to an audio version and the narrator was good. Much of this book was sad, but very touching. It ended with a message of hope for the future.
April 15, 2024
Lawrence Ingrassia's A Fatal Inheritance mixes memoir and the history of cancer research for an engaging and heartbreaking tale. Ingrassia recounts the story of multiple families with generations of cancer ravaging large numbers of family members, often hitting quick young in life. And even if one survives one bout of cancer, it is often the case that they be hit with another (and potentially another) form of cancer. It is brutal to read about what these families have gone through. Because it's not something like breast cancer that scientists suspected may have a genetic link, this was potentially just seen as bad luck. Over time, Ingrassia lays out to the long search scientists went through and the final race to the finish line to identify a genetic mutation that causes this recurrent cancer. If someone has the gene, their children have a 50/50 chance of getting it. Ingrassia heartbreaking recounts being the lone child in his family not to have the gene. This is a deeply moving book on the personal front, and the medical mystery was fascinating. He also provides some complex ethical questions about the condition (should people test for it? should it be edited out of the gene?). This was great!
The format of this book reminds of While You Were Out, also written by a journalist (Meg Kissinger), which melded her family history of mental illness and reporting on how it has been treated and viewed by society.
I really enjoy a book that I can both learn something new wrapped up in the package of a memoir. Because I also work in the medical research field, this book was complete catnip to me.
Thank you to Henry Holt & Co. via NetGalley for the advance reader copy in exchange for honest review.
The format of this book reminds of While You Were Out, also written by a journalist (Meg Kissinger), which melded her family history of mental illness and reporting on how it has been treated and viewed by society.
I really enjoy a book that I can both learn something new wrapped up in the package of a memoir. Because I also work in the medical research field, this book was complete catnip to me.
Thank you to Henry Holt & Co. via NetGalley for the advance reader copy in exchange for honest review.
April 15, 2024
Familial love, heartbreaking sadness, and hope describe this narrative nonfiction about families with Li-Fraumeni Syndrome (LFS), an inherited cancer-causing genetic condition which has caused devastation in some families for generations. The author, Lawrence Ingrassia, experienced all the emotions as the only sibling of four to not inherit the faulty gene which caused cancer in his family and ultimately as the only survivor. Ingrassia shares his traumatic family story with readers as well as the history of other families as the mystery of genetic cancer unfolds. Ingrassia addresses the future as research advances give hope for detection and treatment for not only families with LFS, but other cancers as well. Exceptionally well-researched, this book was engaging from beginning to end.
Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for my copy of A Fatal Inheritance How a Family Misfortune Revealed a Deadly Medical Mystery by Lawrence Ingrassia, narrated by Roger Wayne in exchange for an honest review. It publishes May 14, 2024
Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for my copy of A Fatal Inheritance How a Family Misfortune Revealed a Deadly Medical Mystery by Lawrence Ingrassia, narrated by Roger Wayne in exchange for an honest review. It publishes May 14, 2024
April 14, 2024
Thank you to NetGalley and St. Henry Holt & Co. for an advanced reader copy. The opinions expressed are mine alone.
Very interesting read. The author did a good job of thoroughly describing the scientific history of the area of cancer genetics and how it related to his own family’s experience. The dense science focused chapters were followed by a chapter or two focusing on the author’s family history which helped reinforce the topic’s relevance. I already had an interest in genetics due to my own medical history, but this was fascinating. It also highlighted how complex the human genome is and how long discoveries can take. The author also explored some of the ethical implications and dilemmas from said discoveries (and technologies) which some may not have initially thought about. Highly recommend for anyone interested in learning more about genetics and the role they play in disease development, medical research, etc.
Very interesting read. The author did a good job of thoroughly describing the scientific history of the area of cancer genetics and how it related to his own family’s experience. The dense science focused chapters were followed by a chapter or two focusing on the author’s family history which helped reinforce the topic’s relevance. I already had an interest in genetics due to my own medical history, but this was fascinating. It also highlighted how complex the human genome is and how long discoveries can take. The author also explored some of the ethical implications and dilemmas from said discoveries (and technologies) which some may not have initially thought about. Highly recommend for anyone interested in learning more about genetics and the role they play in disease development, medical research, etc.
May 14, 2024
Horribly fascinating and compulsively readable, A Fatal Inheritance weaves scientific research with the tragic stories of families coping with unbearable loss. In the late 1960s, when Dr. Frederick Pei Li began his research, multiple cancers in one family were considered bad luck. Dr. Li’s research led him to a family where almost every member had died of a different kind of cancer at an early age. Dr. Li suspected a genetic link. Through his work he met Dr. Joseph Fraumeni and in the following years the two discovered Li-Fraumeni syndrome, defined by a mutation in the p53 gene. This mutation meant the carrier would likely develop cancer and their descendants had a fifty-fifty chance of inheriting the defective gene. And there is, as yet, no cure. Until the gene can be modified, all those who have inherited it can do is undergo frequent testing.
Author Lawrence Ingrassia understands the effect of a defective gene. After ten years of fighting cancer, his mother died at age 42. His sister Angela died at 24, sister Gina at 32, his nephew Charlie at 39 and finally his brother Paul at 69. Lawrence Ingrassia does not have the gene mutation. He chronicles the horror his family experiences. It is particularly heart-breaking to read how, after Angela’s death, Gina adopted a healthy lifestyle with diet and exercise to ward off cancer. Charlie, disfigured by cancer in childhood, tried desperately to have a normal life.
A Fatal Inheritance has details not only of the Li-Fraumeni research but that of the many scientists studying the role genes play in cancer. It is an upsetting, informative book that at times, reads like fiction. I wish it were. 5 stars.
Thank you to NetGalley, Henry Holt & Company and Lawrence Ingrassia for this ARC.
Author Lawrence Ingrassia understands the effect of a defective gene. After ten years of fighting cancer, his mother died at age 42. His sister Angela died at 24, sister Gina at 32, his nephew Charlie at 39 and finally his brother Paul at 69. Lawrence Ingrassia does not have the gene mutation. He chronicles the horror his family experiences. It is particularly heart-breaking to read how, after Angela’s death, Gina adopted a healthy lifestyle with diet and exercise to ward off cancer. Charlie, disfigured by cancer in childhood, tried desperately to have a normal life.
A Fatal Inheritance has details not only of the Li-Fraumeni research but that of the many scientists studying the role genes play in cancer. It is an upsetting, informative book that at times, reads like fiction. I wish it were. 5 stars.
Thank you to NetGalley, Henry Holt & Company and Lawrence Ingrassia for this ARC.
January 22, 2024
Books that reveal medical research and information through families are interesting, informative, and heartbreaking at the same time. A Fatal Inheritance is no exception. We learn about the research of Dr. Frederick Pei Li and Dr. Joseph Fraumeni, beginning in the 1960s when cancer was considered to be caused by very bad luck but very little was known about real causes. Through their research, the doctors discovered Li-Fraumeni syndrome, an alteration in the TP53 gene. This gene provides instructions to make tumor protein 53, which when properly functioning acts to suppress tumors. The author, Lawrence Ingrassia experienced things in a much more personal way. Cancer killed his mother, brother, and sisters, in terrible and tragic ways. Many of the family members had multiple types of cancer, with some of them beginning at very young ages. After genetic testing, the author was found to be one of the few members of his family that did not have the abnormal gene. When Ingrassia's brother Paul (also a fellow journalist) died after having lung, prostate, and pancreatic cancer, Lawrence felt compelled to tell their family's painful story in parallel with that of Drs. Li and Fraumeni.
This is a difficult book to read, mainly because of the incredibly painful family history of the Ingrassia family. But it may also be the best way to learn about genes and cancer so we can always remember that there are real people behind genetic research.
Thank you to Henry Holt and Co. and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this book. A Fatal Inheritance will be published on May 14, 2024.
This is a difficult book to read, mainly because of the incredibly painful family history of the Ingrassia family. But it may also be the best way to learn about genes and cancer so we can always remember that there are real people behind genetic research.
Thank you to Henry Holt and Co. and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this book. A Fatal Inheritance will be published on May 14, 2024.
April 18, 2024
Thanks to NetGalley for an advanced copy of this autdiobook!
I was fascinated and heartbroken by this story. The author did an excellent job of weaving personal family accounts in with the medical and scientific history. I appreciated that the science was explained in layman's terms for those of us who don't have a medical background. I'm glad the author included some discussion of the slippery slope of genetic modification along with the possible benefits. The bravery of those fighting cancer day in and day out is amazing!
I was fascinated and heartbroken by this story. The author did an excellent job of weaving personal family accounts in with the medical and scientific history. I appreciated that the science was explained in layman's terms for those of us who don't have a medical background. I'm glad the author included some discussion of the slippery slope of genetic modification along with the possible benefits. The bravery of those fighting cancer day in and day out is amazing!
March 19, 2024
A Fatal Inheritance is a really powerful combination of the scientific advancement of genetically inherited cancer risk and reflection of the personal impact it has had on the author’s family. More narrow in focus than The Emperor of All Maladies, this book focuses specifically on Li-Fraumeni Syndrome and mutations on the P53 gene that are genetically inherited and result in dramatically higher rates of cancer and at younger ages for many people that inherit it. The book charts the history from when Li and Fraumeni first suspected that cancer risk could be genetically inherited, through the advancement of knowledge, preventative testing and treatment, to the latest advancements that may someday help eliminate or manage the P53 gene. The book is both helpful and devastating. As someone who lost her mother at a relatively young age there were moments in this book where I wanted to cry and throw up all at the same time. For the loss of my mother, and for my fears for myself, despite no indication of genetic risk in my family. If you have personally been impacted by the loss of a loved one this could be a really difficult read for you. If you have a history of cancer in your family it might be enlightening and scary. No matter what, it’s really well done and written so that a reader that is not versed in medical language understands the science and story Ingrassia shares. A complimentary copy of this book was provided by the publisher. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
February 14, 2024
Thank you NetGalley and Henry Holt & Co for this advanced reader’s copy. Although they can sometimes be heartbreaking, I love reading memoirs on the history of scientific research and breakthroughs. The memoir aspect in telling about the science gives the reader real feeling and connection to the subject. I especially related to this book as a nurse who spent a couple years caring for cancer patients and giving chemotherapy. It was fascinating (and also heartbreaking) to hear about the discovery of the p53 gene mutation and Li-Fraumeni Syndrome and how this affects a person’s hereditary risk for developing early onset cancer. Genetic testing is amazing to be able find out your risk based your family history or remove it all together if you choose. And now there are some immunotherapy treatments for certain mutations as well, which I have given. We have come so far and are continuing to make strides. I greatly enjoyed reading this author’s story about his family and I’m glad he doesn’t have the mutated gene, but I’m sorry for all the loss he has endured. Thank you so much for sharing your family’s story with us.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 20, 2023
This is not only memoir but an extensively and deeply researched and compassionate journey into the history of cancer research. More specifically this memoir explains how scientists came to identify what causes this rare and horrible quirk in some families' histories, and what that research means for individuals, and families, affected by cancer. As one such family, I found it hit home in the most poignant parts, while at the same time giving me those 'ah ha' moments.
This is a must read for anyone affected by this terrible disease and, at times reads more like a medical thriller than a memoir. It is an emotional read but that is in keeping given the subject matter.
This is a must read for anyone affected by this terrible disease and, at times reads more like a medical thriller than a memoir. It is an emotional read but that is in keeping given the subject matter.
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