Customer Reviews

Back Rooms: Voices from the Illegal Abortion Era

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I bought this book many years ago while doing my never ending research about abortion and the law. This book presents the stories of real people who suffered through unwanted pregnancies because abortion wasn't a legal or safe option, those who had illegal, painful abortions, and even medical professionals who argued for the option of a choice for women. There were even stories of men who stood by the side of thier loved ones during those immpossible times. I think it is what I liked about this book. It was very personal and touching. But it really made me sad to think that there was a day when women had two choices when facing an unwanted pregnancy: death and/or mutilation or parenthood against thier will. This should be required reading in high school so that everyone is aware of how barbaric the US was and could be again if we don't assert the desire to treat women with dignity and respect.

Up until my early adulthood, I was very opposed to abortion for almost all circumstances. I attribute this to my upbringing. While I still have respect for my parents, I began to seriously rethink my stand on this issue (and others). I had decided to seriously study and try to understand "the other side" of this issue (and others), and this was one of the first books I read during my own independent research. I had checked it out from the library.

It was some very disturbing reading. The accounts of real people, ranging from the common working-class girls to high-profile celebrities, was suprising. I had been taught not to believe accounts of "back alley abortions," and to ignore the warnings of those old days (more by example than by direct command). From the proverbial coat-hangers to lysol lavages to sexual humiliation by providers, it kept going over and over again in my head, "I never wanted it to come to this. I just wanted to save a kid's life but I do not want it to come to this."

I also must state for the record that I was very embarassed by the behavior of those who, at that time, were supposed to be on "my side" with their crude comments they had written in this library book. >:(

While it did not immediately "convert" me to the other side, it was a first big step in softening my stand on the issue. I think what finally helped me reason through it and change my stand on this issue were the eloquent words by Sarah Weddington in her Roe v Wade arguments (and her book) along with a lesser-known book titled "Stalking the Wild Taboo." Plain old logic. But I digress.

This book is a real eye-opener for the complacent and brutally uninformed who need to see real stories of what actually happened in the past before abortion was legalized.

This book shows exactly what can happen if the religious right is successful in criminalizing abortion. The back alley and back room abortionists will be back in business and women will once again die. Abortion rights is something that no one can ignore. The banning of abortion can happen to us in the U.S. if we aren't paying attention and remaining active. Women will have abortions regardless of the laws. It is every woman's right to control her own body.

This book touched my heart and soul.
As a mother and a health care worker in a Feminist Health Center that provides abortions, I appreciate even more having CHOICE.
this book tells stories of women who sought out abortion when it was illegal and would do ANYTHING, even if it meant risking thier life. This book brought me to tears several times. I am more educated about what women REALLY went through before abortion was legal. I am only 22 and it is a shame that women my age don't appreciate the rights that they have.
This book was such an eye opener and should be offered in health and history class in high schools. I love the honestly and the raw feeling that women express in this book.
I work in an abortion clinic and I have had an abortion myself. I don't regret my choice and I am a BETTER mother because of it. My daughter and the baby I would have had would not have had the life that they both deserved had I had another child. I work with AMAZING compassionate women that are supportive of whatever choice a woman makes regarding her pregnancy. That is how it should be.
Pro-life is PROCHOICE

in general the book is good. i didnt like how quickly the stories were told...some in just 3 pages....most of them were hard to relate to and i work in womens health providing abortion referrals. i'll give my copy away