| Title | : | The Story of Abortion in America: A Street-Level History, 1652–2022 |
| Author | : | |
| Rating | : | |
| ISBN | : | 1433580446 |
| ISBN-10 | : | 9781433580444 |
| Language | : | English |
| Format Type | : | Hardcover |
| Number of Pages | : | 512 |
| Publication | : | First published January 3, 2023 |
The Story of Abortion in America: A Street-Level History, 1652–2022 Reviews
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This is an incredibly well-researched historical account of abortion’s development in America. It’s treatment was thorough with the notable exception of Margaret Sanger and the evolution of Planned Parenthood; Sanger was mentioned a couple of times in passing, but I was surprised that there was not more discussion about her, especially since other women significantly involved in abortion’s history (like Madame Restelle and Inez Brown Burns) were given quite a bit of treatment.
I learned a great deal from this book—from contraception and its relationship to abortion to religious sentiment to the effects of technology to the various things that made anti-abortion enforcement difficult. I really enjoyed the last section of the book and its description of the growth in ultrasound technology and pregnancy care centers. As I read the unfinished ARC, I unfortunately did not get to read the last chapter or the epilogue, which I’m sure address the overturning of Roe.
Some content is highly sensitive (a few parts describe abortion procedures in a fair amount of detail), and I would suggest caution when reading.
I’m giving it 4 stars because of the readability: it read very much like a dissertation or academic paper, and the copious amount of quotations and footnotes prevented a smooth read. However, I appreciate the level of depth in research!
Thank you to Crossway for allowing me to read the ARC of this book, which I received via NetGalley! -
This book was phenomenal. I cannot imagine the amount of hours it took to do such extensive research, and I really appreciate how readable it is. It would be very easy for a book like this to be complicated and confusing, but that is not the case because the authors are so skilled at their craft.
Honestly, there were times I had to stop reading, and I couldn’t read this before bed (though I did many times anyway). The stories are graphic and the details are often shocking. I had to pause regularly to let the weight of the stories sink in. Many of them are so wicked that they seem unreal, though Olasky’s hundreds of footnotes prove they are true.
This book proves that the central question of the abortion debate in America has always been about the humanity of the unborn child. It’s fascinating and heartbreaking that, even through greater understanding of fetal development, these debates are still happening.
The book also spends significant time discussing the supply and demand of abortion, how fetal development has been understood throughout American history, and the ever-changing laws and court decisions surrounding abortion.
One of my favorite things about this book is that it can be read by people on either side of the issue. Though Olasky and Savas are pro-life, they have sought to provide the *facts* of both sides, and they are not shy about the ways the pro-life movement has gotten it wrong before. That being said, their hope and love for the mother and her unborn child are very clear. I sincerely hope this book will be read far and wide by Americans, and that it leads to deep thinking, discussion, and changed hearts. -
On January 22, 1973, the U.S. Supreme Court handed down its decision in
Roe v. Wade. The court declared that the Constitution confers a right to abortion through the Due Process Clause of the
Fourteenth Amendment. That decision governed American abortion law at the federal and state levels for nearly 50 years.
And then it didn’t.
On June 24, 2022, the U.S. Supreme Court handed down its decision in
Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Center. “Roe was egregiously wrong from the start,” declared Associate Justice Samuel Alito in the majority opinion. “Its reasoning was exceptionally weak, and the decision has had damaging consequences. And far from bringing about a national settlement of the abortion issue, Roe and [Planned Parenthood v.]
Casey have enflamed debate and deepened division.”
Both Roe and Dobbs appealed to history to buttress their arguments. But those decisions’ historical perspectives viewed abortion from “‘suite level,’ as a law journal might,” as Marvin Olasky and Leah Savas put it. The authors’ new book, The Story of Abortion in America, narrates history at “‘street level,’ where human beings make life-or death decisions.” It is engrossing reading.
The story begins in 1652 in Maryland, when Captain William Mitchell forced Susan Warren, his paramour, to ingest a homemade abortifacient. He had promised to marry her, but reneged when she became pregnant. Warren suffered severe side effects from the abortifacient but lived. The couples’ baby died.
Mitchell was charged with murder, though not convicted. The prosecution simply couldn’t prove that the abortifacient had killed the baby. “It was a great Sin to get it,” Warren said of her extramarital pregnancy, “but a greater to make it [go] away.”
Warren’s abortion was not the first in the American colonies, but it was the first to leave good documentation. It illustrates several themes that recur over the following centuries: promises of marriage in exchange for sex; pressure to abort an unwanted pregnancy; the danger of abortion to both mother and child; the difficulty of prosecuting abortionists; and the interplay between religious mores and individual choices.
Olasky and Savas organize their street-level narrative in five sections:
1. From 1652–1842, abortion was “unsafe, illegal, and rare.”
2. From 1838–1878, “specialization begins”; knowledge of prenatal development became more detailed, but abortion businesses and pro-abortion ideologies became more common.
3. From 1871–1940, abortion opponents addressed the problem of abortion from both “supply side” (via legislation) and “demand side” (via compassion organizations). Meanwhile, abortionists used medical advances such as antiseptic practices to reduce harm to women.
4. From 1930–1995, abortion progressed from “anathema” to “triumph,” with inadvertent help from the missteps of radical pro-life advocates, such as clinic shootings. Doctors began to specialize in abortion, and antibiotics “virtually eliminated maternal danger.”
5. From 1995–2022, the debate over abortion was “still unsettled.” Ultrasound technology showed many the humanity of children in the womb. Activists crafted laws either to reinforce Roe or limit its reach. And everyone wondered whether new appointments to the Supreme Court would uphold or overturn that 1973 decision.
Olasky and Savas illustrate these historical trajectories by telling individual stories. The authors are journalists, so media coverage of newsworthy cases plays a prominent role in their narrative. They highlight abortion providers, ideologues, and politicians, as well as the pro-life doctors, social workers, and legislators who worked against them. They often cite the stories of ordinary women faced with the decision to keep or abort their children.
As already noted, the Dobbs court repudiated Roe, returning America’s four-centuries long debate about abortion to the states. Some states criminalized elective abortion, others expanded the right to abortion, still others adopted mediating legislation. On Roe’s fiftieth anniversary, activists on both sides were plotting their next moves.
In the Epilogue, the authors — who are pro-life Christians — identify a number of historical lessons that like-minded believers should keep in mind in the coming years:
* “Some men with hearts full of passion, jealousy, and hate will pressure women to abort. Some pregnant women will take desperate measures in a case of do or die.”
“… the need for compassionate help amid crisis pregnancies will remain.”
* “Big media, as in the past, will be crucial, and street-level reporting will have more of an impact than suite-level pontificating.”
* “Even when public opinion concerning abortion was more negative than it is now, enforcement of abortion bans was difficult.”
* “… arresting woman [for seeking an abortion] is a sure way to arrest the progress of pro-life ideas in the twenty-first century.”
* “When abortion pressure grows, the only fundamental thing stronger than that is love.”
* “Laws can reduce the supply of abortionists and affect beliefs about right and wrong. … Child-friendly public policies and corporate practices can also help.”
I recommend The Story of Abortion in America to interested readers, especially pro-life Christians. Americans often conduct suite-level debates about the morality and legality of abortion, which are both necessary and appropriate. But it is on the street, where individual women are faced with unexpected pregnancies, that the abortion debate will be decided case by case.
Understanding the history of abortion in America offers valuable insights about what steps should be taken next.
Book Reviewed
Marvin Olasky and Leah Savas, The Story of Abortion in America: A Street-Level History, 1652–2022 (Wheaton, IL: Crossway, 2023).
P.S. If you like my review, please click "Helpful" on my
Amazon review page.
P.P.S. I wrote this review for
InfluenceMagazine.com. It is posted here by permission. -
Outstanding, captivating, graphic, and true. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.
The only place I had some quibbles was in the epilogue. -
A complex, dark, and gripping(especially on audio) history. Thankful for Crossway taking this project on and how uniquely timed it proved to be following Dobbs v Jackson. Early accounts were gruesome and barbaric, and abortion was frequently at the discretion of the baby’s father. Fascinating to follow the impact on abortion from changes in medicine, public perception, and policy/legislation over the course of American history. I pray the Lord will teach us how to shape this history going forward, especially on a “street-level.”
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Very, very important book. Thankful that publishers are taking on subjects like this and addressing a broad audience. Authors are pro-life, but you do not have to be to benefit from this book. A few take aways:
-although, somehow, abortion has become a “women’s rights issue”, to this day and historically abortions have been pushed upon women by men.
-abortion is an industry that makes a lot of money! Abortion is a money making machine.
-despite all the technology and advancements, people are oblivious to what is happening in the womb. -
The Gospel Coalition asked me to write them a review and then got me a review copy. So you'll have to wait for my review there. I will say it was a fascinating read, kept my attention, and gave me an even bigger perspective on the subject. A must-read.
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Raw, heartbreaking, graphic, but so needed. Can’t recommend this book enough.
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This was one of the hardest books I’ve ever read. I can’t even begin to think of this topic without coming to tears, so you can only imagine how difficult it was to hear the many (gruesome) stories of abortion through the 1600s to today. I’m left feeling more solidified in my beliefs (expected) and zealous to be more proactive. The audio book played on my iTunes, so my worship playlist inadvertently (~providentially) played at the end of every chapter, which was the encouragement I needed to get through this book.
On a literary level, the ‘street-level’ (case study based) history reads like true crime. It was at times too gory for me, but I think it reflects the horrors of abortion that pro-choicers and those considering abortions should hear. -
I appreciated that this book spent most of its times on little-known American women from as early as the 1600s, rather than "suite-level" debates about law. The vignettes help illustrate how abortions have impacted Americans over the centuries. What I found most interesting was how early laws in some communities benefited the mothers of unplanned pregnancies in making the man responsible for marrying the mother and/or taking care of the child. Even though it was generally shameful to be caught in such a situation, it was more shameful for the man to not own up to his responsibility. The community was quick to support the mother. By the end of the book, you realize how much the mores of American society have changed, even to the point that adoption is shamed and women are encouraged to "shout your abortion."
There were also several stories of how powerful/wealthy men benefited from secret abortions and were willing to pay handsomely to solve their "problem." Abortionists were often made rich by their deadly business and more than one hid the bodies of women they accidentally killed. One of the dirty little secrets about abortion is that it enjoys support from promiscuous, irresponsible men and the most well-off in society who have their own interests to protect. Though the authors don't hide their Christian biases, the book also doesn't shy away from portraying stories that illustrate how complicated the issue can be. -
While writing in a completely unbiased manner may supersede the human species’ relational and biological design framework, Olasky and Savas’s comprehensive tome on the history of abortion in America comes about as close to objectivity as anyone may reasonably hope for—despite the authors’ personal prolife views. These erudite and yet entirely accessible authors transcribe literally over 400 pages of direct quotes from press articles going as far back as colonial times right up until the present. Indeed, anyone interested in the subject will not walk away disappointed or ill-informed. Besides, the personal stories narrated are quite engaging! While I remain passionately pro-life, my knowledge of the struggles and challenges that Americans have faced over the years both for and against the practice of abortion has been greatly augmented. I highly recommend this book to anyone on either side of the issue, who would like to more fully understand the complexity of this human, ethical, and deeply divisive American issue; and as this issue concerns profound societal and moral questions relating to wellbeing, health, justice, law, and life or death, it deserves ponderous consideration.
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This book was extensively researched and well written. It was a very hard book to read and I’ve never read one quite like it. The very personal level of this historical volume on abortion brought a few realizations to me. Americans have been committing prenatal genocide for much longer than we realize. Centuries longer in fact. The tales of women in dire circumstances whose lives ended because they were pressured into pursuing abortions or came purely out of the results of their own sinful desires are heartbreaking but bring a new light to the need for heart changes through the gospel and practical assistance to those in need. Excellent chronicle of a people’s history of abortion in the nation.
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Absolutely fascinating and excellently written. Olasky and Savas have provided an invaluable resource for the pro-life movement.
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Difficult. Challenging. Insightful. Illuminating.
A thorough journey through the historical development of what is undoubtedly the most abhorrent evil of our time. -
The issue of abortion isn't one that's easy to politically resolve. It speaks directly to issues of religion and science, of freedom, of live and death, even of the nature of human existence itself. One assumes everyone has an opinion on the matter, and because these opinions go to the heart of such massive questions, it's fairly difficult for an argument (or indeed a law or Supreme Court ruling) to move anyone's opinion.
The authors of this book certainly have their own opinion. They take a pro-life position, and they're directly upfront about their own position or bias. However, the work they present is a remarkably well-researched history of the issue of abortion in the United States. Rather than focusing merely on the legislative or judicial history of the issue, they present what they call a "street level" history, focusing on the events and attitudes that have shaped the abortion debate throughout American history, beginning even before America was an independent nation, with stories stretching as far back as the early 1600s and as recent as 2022.
As one begins to read the book, it's admittedly difficult to find a common or unifying narrative thread connecting the various chapters, and it feels like one is reading a series of horrifying vignettes. And I use the word horrifying with intention. I've been a fan (and indeed, a writer) of horror fiction for decades. Included on my reading list are some of the most extreme works of (fictional) violence ever committed to print. And yet, though not a work of horror fiction, this book contains a few scenes that, surprisingly, were shocking even to me.
But at the same time, that's not to say this is a book merely intended to shock people into assuming a pro-life stance. Though the authors' pro-life position is clear and certainly colors some of the commentary they offer on historic events, they do a pretty good job of letting the history speak for itself and of giving their political opponents their argumentative due. The pro-abortion reader can still find plenty of value in such a book. He or she would recognize the author's perspectives as being on the other side but nevertheless find a true wealth of historic information in the book's pages. Indeed, the book is incredibly well-researched and well-documented throughout.
Some of us make take issue with certain omissions. Though the book is intended to provide that aforementioned "street level" history rather than a legislative history, it occasionally touches on changes in the law as they become relevant to the book's narrative. A bit more detail in that regard would have been useful, particularly as pertains to differing perspectives (both legal and "street level") across the several states. Similarly, certain important players and events are not given quite as much treatment as some of us would likely prefer. Little attention is paid to Planned Parenthood founder Margaret Sanger, for instance, and I didn't notice even a single mention of Norma McCorvey (the "Jane Roe" of Roe v Wade fame who later went on to become an anti-abortion activist before ultimately switching sides once again late in life). Perhaps the authors thought focus on these larger players in the debate would have detracted from their "street level" focus (and perhaps they might be correct), but I would argue that the stories of some of these individuals would have helped provide a more complete picture of the issue.
Readers looking for a detailed legal analysis will find hints of what they're seeking peppered throughout the book, but ultimately would be better served by a different sort of history. But if you're interested in tracing how public opinion concerning abortion has developed over the last few centuries, you'll find in these pages a wealth of valuable information.
Note: I received a free copy of this book for review. My opinions are my own. -
3.5 stars, rounded up.
This book explores the presence of abortion throughout American history in great and nuanced detail, bringing hidden histories to light, introducing colorful characters, and showing how people's attitudes and beliefs about abortion changed over time, shifting in different directions based on a variety of different influences and social forces. The authors write from a distinctly pro-life view, but because they are not preachy and do not demonize their opponents, readers who disagree with their beliefs may also appreciate the social history that this book offers. Although this book conveys arguments for protecting life in the womb, it is first and foremost a historical study.
This released a year ago, and my review is horribly overdue. The main reason why I didn't finish and review this book sooner is because 2023 was an extremely difficult year for me, and I rarely felt like I had the mental space to read more of this lengthy book on a heavy topic. However, I also struggled with the number of graphic and gruesome details that this book contains. Some chapters read like true crime, especially since parts of the book involve homicide cases where men murdered their pregnant girlfriends, as well as scenarios where abortionists destroyed and discarded women's bodies after botched abortions. The authors do not sensationalize anything, but they report heinous details that squeamish people will have a hard time reading about.
Marvin Olasky and Leah Savas share lots of important information that I had never heard before, and even though I am very knowledgeable about American history, there was so much here that filled in the blanks for me, with lots of sensitive details and aspects of women's history that don't make it into textbooks or typical historical publications. The authors' research is impressive, and they introduce lots of broad historical developments, illustrative stories, and histories of specific abortionists and anti-abortion advocates. One of this book's strengths is how it focuses on ordinary people and everyday life, with only some chapters getting into the weeds of legal and political topics.
Historical chapters show that even when abortion was illegal and considered scandalous, laws against it were rarely enforced, often due to abortionists paying off law enforcement and government officials. The chapters about the legalization of abortion and the aftermath of Roe v. Wade cover a lot of different themes, but these chapters often feel spotty. Since there is so much more available information to cover after that point, the book can only summarize some things, but I thought that these chapters were too anecdotal and skipped over a number of important developments and significant people. Also, the chapters about current events are journalistic deep-dives into specific people and topics, without enough breadth and broader perspective to fit with the historical elements.
The Story of Abortion in America: A Street-Level History, 1652–2022 is a powerful, thought-provoking book, and I would recommend it to other people who care about the subject. As I mentioned, there are elements that are graphic and difficult to read, but this book shares hidden histories in a unique and eye-opening way. Despite the weaknesses in its coverage of recent events, this book stands out for its nuanced, thoughtful portrayal of little-known dynamics and hidden realities from throughout American history.
I received a free copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. -
I stumbled on this book for reasons entirely unclear to me now. But what a thought provoking read it has been! Since I listened to it on Audible I can't pin point the quotation now.... but my first take away from the book was the realization that, as important as laws can be, we will never stem the tide of wrong with laws alone. Public opinion is so much more powerful than law.
And that was my second take away from the book... how powerfully the worldview of the times operates on us. The hours I spent discussing abortion with a friend from church didn't really lead me to any strong convictions... and, as I discovered a few years later after marriage and children there is SO MUCH PRESSURE on women to not have babies under this or that circumstance - even married women. Even in Christian circles.
It was an ultra-sound of our third child that finally convicted me and released me from that pressure of public opinion.
I had never heard of an ultra-sound when, in 1980, the Doctor showed me my perfectly formed baby. My stomach was flat and I wasn't even sure I was pregnant and yet, after one look at the ultra-sound, I knew that baby was no part of my body... that it was a separate and very vulnerable human being with a right to my protection.
And that brings me to my third take away from the book... it's easy to be overwhelmed by the enormity and extent of abortion practices. I have a tendency to think of it like wars and natural disasters in foreign parts. I don't really think of abortion as something I can do anything about.
But that isn't really true.
This book was a hard read - so much of human tragedy - but I think I need to read it again. -
First sentence from the foreword: Marvin Olasky and Leah Savas tell the story of abortion in America by telling the stories of abortion in America.
First sentence from chapter one: Journalists for centuries have wrestled with how much attention to pay to the creature in the womb.
The authors stress that this is a STREET history of abortion in America--as opposed to "suite" history. It is a history book spanning almost four hundred years. It doesn't have a solitary or sole focus or angle. The approach isn't solely (or strictly, or exclusively) from a moral/ethical perspective (or frame). It presents the story of abortion in America from MANY angles/perspectives. It is first and foremost a book chronicling facts, facts, facts, and more facts. It has a plethora of stories spanning CENTURIES. There are some voices/perspectives that are pro-choice. There are some voices/perspectives that are pro-life. It shows how people's perception of abortion has changed through the centuries.
I found this one fascinating AND heartbreaking AND sometimes astonishing. I was surprised by how early the [American] church betrayed the unborn. I always assumed that the church gave into pressure from society/culture. I didn't know that the church supported abortion years--if not decade(s) before it was legalized. That pastors had referral circles to abortionists. That they were actively encouraging women to get abortions if they found themselves in difficult situations. That was heartbreaking.
There are so many STORIES. This one was so well-researched. -
Some of the descriptions of abortion were very hard to get through. There were times where I thought I wasn't going to be able to finish, but I'm glad I did. I listened to this one on audio book.
One of the most heart wrenching and telling stories was of pregnant mothers who were glad to see the baby's heartbeat because, due to their state's heartbeat law, it meant that abortion was no longer an option. They were under so much external pressure (boyfriends, parents, etc..) to abort and were relieved to know they no longer had to fight that battle. Laws do matter, and can reduce both supply of and demand for abortion.
The book also demonstrates that laws alone can not completely eliminate abortion. Because of the inherent privacy of pregnancy and abortion, laws are tough to enforce and prosecution has been historically difficult. Providing support for pregnant mothers is a critical part of the solution. Women in desperate situations need to be given options besides abortion.
The coming years in a post-Roe environment will demonstrate how far we have to go in this battle. -
The author leans more pro-life, but definitely brings up pro-abortion stances throughout America's history. I have read so many books about abortion, woman that have gotten them, doctors that have performed them, etc. Even with all my reading I've learned so much from this book. The history of abortion in our country is not as cut and dry as it seems. Reading about how public sentiments have changed through the years, seeing how doctors knew in the 1800s that life began at conception, reading about abortion doctors making millions of dollars off murdering babies, the media bias through the years, the corruption of government officials, etc. has all been interesting! It is also a tough book to read though because the topic is so heavy. A lot of stories in the book have made me sad, angry, frustrated, etc. It's like a roller coaster of emotion. The history of abortion in America is deeper than it seems.
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This book is a "street-level" (instead of "suite-level") history of abortion in the United States from 1652 to 2022. The chapters are short, quick reads that tell the stories of mothers, journalists, politicians, husbands/boyfriends, doctors, activists, and babies - with the source material often being newspaper reports, diaries, and correspondence from that time. This book tells the stories of people more than it deals with ideas.
I recommend this book if you want historical facts about abortion in the US instead of propagandized fiction. The authors do a good job of dispelling myths about history by digging deep into the sources of the day.
I nearly knocked an entire star off (down to three) for my rating because the book strains itself in pushing the pernicious position that abortion-seeking mothers are victims. This is especially evident in the Epilogue.
Nevertheless, this book is informative, and I recommend it. -
Wow. in my 60+ year exposure to constant propaganda by main stream media, I really have had the privilege of reading chronological and somewhat unbiased reporting of facts and public perceptions such as this book does. This is such a good read. I learned so much. Obviously, this topic is very heavy, but it's weight matched my mood this year, and I just cannot say enough how grateful I am to have learned so much about myself and about the history of our nation in particular as it pertains to abortion. I had no idea of so many things. I hope that people on both sides of the abortion debate will take time to read this fascinating retelling of how main stream public people have thought about and reacted to abortion over the years.
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Everyone should read this. Well researched and filled with historical personal accounts as well as legal battles, court decisions and technological medical advancements, this book does a good job of clearing up waters that should never have been muddied to begin with. This is a wide ranging survey, covering most if not all aspects of the issue at hand. One thing I was reminded of here: sexual promiscuity is nothing new. And neither is what often comes with it; that being babies and financial and familial problems. The life of a human in the womb of his or her mother should be taken seriously and this book may help many do so.
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Very interesting read! Really enjoyed the historical overview— fascinating to read about how the issue was addressed in colonial times.
A bit graphic at times— a few stories literally made my stomach turn. However, I think it was important for the author to expose just how horrific this “safe” procedure really is— my heart was so broken for the women mentioned in the book, and for the millions of others not mentioned.
The overturn of Roe was a huge step in the right direction - but the work isn’t done. -
So much historical research went into this book, and it was honest and compelling in its storytelling. Bumper sticker quotes about abortion or the history of abortion would be much better informed through these pages.
These are heavy and complex issues, and the authors refrain from deep analysis through most of the book, allowing readers to draw their own conclusions. But the epilogue from Olasky was really compelling, in my opinion. -
A beautiful love letter to the Alito decision handed down in the Dobbs case. A fitting memorial to the thousands, and more likely millions who have lost their lives before they even had a chance to live them.
It is frequently gut wrenching, but worth reading to ponder on what works and what doesn't in the fight against the evil of our age. -
Read this book as a recommendation from a professor and it did not disappoint. It’s been a while since I’ve read on a historical topic, so this was quite refreshing but very sad. A thing that stuck out immediately was the sheer quantity of research that was put into writing (30 page bibliography👀).
This book was eye-opening for sure and grateful that I read it. -
It was a little slow but it did have some very interesting history. The graphic details of some of the accounts are horrifying. I would think it would be a difficult job to have! I really like how the book tried to keep to the facts and not be judgmental toward either side.
