Articles of Faith: A Frontline History of the Abortion Wars [Paperback]

Cynthia Gorney (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 5, 2000

Nominated for the Los Angeles Times Book Prize, Articles of Faith is a powerful exploration of one of the most divisive issues in our recent political history, and the only book to portray the passion of both sides of the abortion conflict.

Drawing from more than five hundred interviews as well as previously unseen archival material, Cynthia Gorney has written a compelling narrative that explores the years between Roe v. Wade (1973) and William L. Webster v. Reproductive Health Services (1989), the first case to challenge the Roe decision before an anti-Roe court.

Meet Judith Widdicombe, the registered nurse who runs the abortion underground in 1960s St. Louis and then the first legal clinic after Roe v. Wade. And meet Samuel Lee, a young pacifist and would-be seminarian whose provocative abortion bill becomes the centerpiece of William L. Webster v. Reproductive Health Services. The Supreme Court case brings the two advocates head-to-head.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

If you weren't around in the years before the American Supreme Court legalized a woman's right to choose abortion--in consultation, always, with her doctor--you may not understand how liberating the 1973 ruling was for women who wanted that choice, and how outrageously vile it seemed to people who believed abortion was murder, plain and simple. In the 25 years since, a battle royal has been fought in America, state by state. One side works feverishly to tie up abortion by any means possible; the other struggles to undo the knots. The combatants are bitter and entrenched, not above slinging mud and, sadly, much more violent acts. By anchoring Articles of Faith in Missouri and colorfully crafting it around a handful of people who fought hard for contradictory visions, journalist Cynthia Gorney forcefully illustrates the missionary zeal abortion inspires--even if her fluid prose occasionally bogs down in minutiae that's mainly of interest to court watchers or those who were at the scene. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Library Journal

Gorney's journalistic training comes through in this anecdotal account of the "abortion wars" from pre-Row v. Wade until the 1990s. Gorney, formerly a reporter for the Washington Post, looks at the issue of abortion from the perspectives of medical ethics, religion, legislation, and personal experiences. The narration focuses on the state of Missouri and relates the case study to the events of the time. Gorney traces the legal and political battles in public policy and court decisions on abortion at both the state and federal levels. Her strengths lie in an attention to legal reforms and court decisions, particularly of the Supreme Court. Publication of this book coincides with the 25th anniversary of Roe and offers an opportunity for reflection on the state of debate on abortion issues. The possibilities for clarifying the debate are limited, however, by the length and convoluted format. An optional purchase.
-?Tricia Gray, Miami Univ.
Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 576 pages
• Publisher: Simon & Schuster; 1st Touchstone Ed edition (January 5, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0684867478
• ISBN-13: 978-0684867472
• Product Dimensions: 1.5 x 6.2 x 9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #446,223 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars both fair and fun, March 24, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: ARTICLES OF FAITH: A Frontline History of the Abortion Wars (Hardcover)

As an adult convert to Catholicism struggling for now five years with infertility, a non-American and the daughter of a founder of my hometown's Family Planning Association, I ordered this book wondering if it would help me sort out my mixed feelings about abortion. When it arrived my heart sank: though I had been interested in the topic, it looked long enough to remind me of the first-grader's book report, ``This told me more than I wanted to know about penguins.'' But it's so well-written, well-peopled and thoughtful it's a joy to read. When Cynthia Gorney describes a pro-choice activist she does it so carefully you feel certain she's pro-choice, and certain you must be. But when she describes a pro-life activist, you realize she might be pro-life -- and so might you be. If we were all be so generous and balanced, so readily able to enter into the subtleties of other people's positions, abortion might never have become a ``war.''

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Eye-opening, honest, educational, March 19, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: ARTICLES OF FAITH: A Frontline History of the Abortion Wars (Hardcover)

Once in a while, there's a rare book that'll smack you in the noggin, grab you by the lapels and scream, "This is how it really is! Now learn something!"

Articles of Faith is one of those books. You'll learn abortion is never nearly so clear cut as "either side" would have you believe; you'll see how each side's arguments, legal status, movements and, later, extremism are developed. But most importantly, you get the honest truth about what it's all really about, or not about. Despite the serious of the issue, I was never even able to get a glimmer of what Gorney's own view is of abortion. It's not simply objective; it never fails to delve into the details of each side, while coming up with an occasional fresh insight.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Fabulous must read, September 1, 2005

By 

D. Kitt - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Articles of Faith: A Frontline History of the Abortion Wars (Paperback)

This book was wonderful. Though on first glance it seems very long and likely dense and dry, it is anything but. Gorney does a fabulous job of presenting both sides of abortion evenly and without bias. And she ties in the thoughts and feelings of the players with the actual battles of the day so smoothly that the book ends up being an easy and very enjoyable read. It should be mandatory reading for anyone involved in, interested in or having an opinion about abortion.