In The Gift Relationship, Professor Titmuss has produced a deeply absorbing sociological study. To throw some light on the complex relationships of human beings in a mass society, the author has chosen to investigate one particular aspect of social interaction – blood donor ship and transfusion services.

This fascinating analysis, based on research conducted in Britain, the United States, Russia, South Africa and Japan, attempts to discover who the donors are in each area and why they give, lend or sell their blood.