Blood is more than a fluid solution of cells, platelets and plasma. Blood is a symbol for the most basic of human concerns; life, death and family find expression in rituals surrounding everything from menstruation to human sacrifice. From ancient cave paintings to modern research into the coevolution of genes and culture, Melissa Meyer traces the development of blood culture from pre-historic times to the present day. Comprehensive in its scope and provocative in its argument, the book examines beliefs and rituals about blood in a range of regional and religious contexts throughout human history. Meyer reveals the origins of a wide range of blood rituals, from the earliest surviving human symbolism of the hunt and fertility to the Jewish bris and clitoridectomy in parts of Africa today; from ideas about the role of blood in conception to human sacrifice among Mesoamericans. The book also explores how cultural practices influence gene selection as "epigenetic rules" channel physical, cognitive or behavioral traits in particular directions. Meyer also makes a connection with the natural sciences as she explores how color perception influences the human proclivity to create blood symbols and rituals. Thicker Than Water will fascinate as it fills a large gap in literature on aspects of the human body.

Blood is more than a fluid solution of cells, platelets and plasma. Blood is a symbol for the most basic of human concerns; life, death and family find expression in rituals surrounding everything from menstruation to human sacrifice. From ancient cave paintings to modern research into the coevolution of genes and culture, Melissa Meyer traces the development of blood culture from pre-historic times to the present day. Comprehensive in its scope and provocative in its argument, the book examines beliefs and rituals about blood in a range of regional and religious contexts throughout human history. Meyer reveals the origins of a wide range of blood rituals, from the earliest surviving human symbolism of the hunt and fertility to the Jewish bris and clitoridectomy in parts of Africa today; from ideas about the role of blood in conception to human sacrifice among Mesoamericans. The book also explores how cultural practices influence gene selection as "epigenetic rules" channel physical, cognitive or behavioral traits in particular directions. Meyer also makes a connection with the natural sciences as she explores how color perception influences the human proclivity to create blood symbols and rituals. Thicker Than Water will fascinate as it fills a large gap in literature on aspects of the human body.

Successive South African governments have had controversial views on HIV and AIDS which have led to allegations that South Africa is in a state of denial about the AIDS epidemic. This book attempts to determine the validity of such claims of government denial by formulating and testing a denial hypothesis. The hypothesis is contextualized with an overview of the South African epidemic as well as a review of allegations of government denial. It reveals possible political factors that may motivate policy-makers to resort to official denial and tentatively concludes with a confirmation of the allegations contained in the denial hypothesis. However, this is done within the broader notion that denial is inherently vague and couched in language (rarely in writing) and therefore difficult to test with certainty and as such this book's real value lies in the insights gained into the complex politics of denial. By exploring the dynamics of denial and denialism and applying this to the South African AIDS epidemic, this study provides a comprehensive analysis.