Customer Reviews

The Abortionist: A Woman against the Law

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I found "The Abortionist" to be oddly biased in the extreme. The book is very well-researched with regard to the history of illegal, and therefore clandestine, abortions in America, pre-Roe vs. Wade. However, the author seems to rank the various reigning members of the abortion subculture of the time period in what, to me, was a highly strange manner. For example, Ruth, a chiropractor/abortionist wielding a metal instrument, is almost held up as an altruistic folk hero in the book, whereas a businessman named Rankin, who attempted to find trained and licensed MEDICAL DOCTORS to perform abortions, rather than chiropractors like Ruth, is depicted in an exaggeratedly harsh and derogatory manner. Since Ruth managed to earn several million dollars from her illegal abortion fees, I personally fail to see how a non-medical chiropractor like her could be considered a "better person" or more in tune with the needs of desperate pregnant women than a man who tried to get medical personnel involved. Had I been around then and in need of such a service, I'd have wanted to see a real doctor - not some fake one. All of this made for a very disconcerting read.

This book chronicles the life and work of a woman flying just below the radar of the legal system of the time. It's a difficult subject, and the book addresses it in a straightforward way. Some readers may find the treatment too frank. But it's well written, and if you can manage the subject matter, a riveting story.

This book was phenomenal. Before I read it, I had no idea this story was so close to home, either (set in Portland, Oregon.) This book gives a very clear look at what life was like for women before Roe v Wade, and before women were allowed to have control over their reproduction. For anyone who wants to make abortion illegal on either a federal or a state level, all they have to do is read this book. Those laws hurt women more than they help. I encourage anyone to read this.