Customer Reviews

This Common Secret: My Journey as an Abortion Doctor

5 star:		(29)
4 star:		(3)
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1 star:		(2)

 

 

I just finished this book and I cried through half of it. Dr. Wicklund is extremely open about her life and what she's had to go through to provide women with the choice that is their legal right to make. Flying to 3 states every week. Spending 6 days a week away from her family. Death threats. Being surrounded and screamed at by angry protesters in the airport every-single-week for years. Having her house surrounded and her daughter targeted. She constantly fears for her life. Could you do this? Even if you really believed in what you were doing? I can only hope to be as strong as she is.

I will be interested in what reasonable pro-lifers think of this book. As written, Dr. Wicklund is the kind of doctor that they should look as kindly on as possible for them. She believes in real counseling. She sends patients home if she doesn't think they are sure about their choice - and she asks them if they are sure over and over and over. She only performs 1st semester abortions. She reports statutory rapes to Social Services. She's even honest about issues in women's clinics that aren't as well run and works to fix the problems. Does she really deserve the treatment she's subjected to?

Amazing, shocking, and educative piece of literature. Easy, impressive read. Describes what steps extremists are willing to take who seem to lack the ability to accept, or respect, people's opinions, if they are different from their own. The actions the extremists take border on or sometimes even cross into insanity.
The book offers excellent material for a movie that most likely would turn into a huge success, which may offer the possibility for people like Sue Wicklund to go about their jobs without fear for their lives, help people who are seeking Sue's services to not get harrassed for what they believe needs to be done.
I have the utmost respect for Sue Wicklund and other abortion doctors, as they do not give up, even in the face of danger.
Well done, Sue!!!! A++++++++++++++++

It is unfortunate and frustrating that women's healthcare and it's provision remains stigmatized in America. In this unique book, Susan Wicklund talks about how she decided to become an abortion provider, and the daily struggles which persevere to deliver the humane and compassionate care which are provided to all women.

Even at my most frustrating job position, I've never had to wear a disguise to slip in the front door. I've also never been stalked by zealous fanatics. This book unapologetically advocates a pro-choice perspective, but it also has a bit of wry humor mixed in. After getting herself worked up what her grandmother would think, Wicklund ultimately learned that relative also supported reproductive freedom, having had a friend who died from an illegal abortion.

The culling of journal entries for this book gives it an additional intimate feel. As a student of the body politic, I've read my share of conventional accounts. But this brings back the doctors voice themselves. Wicklund's is careful to delineate that a doctor (contrasting with the one who had performed her own abortion) must talk with the women about their decision. A truly feminist counseling model respects a woman's right to undergo an abortion procedure, while also making sure that they were not pressured to undergo an abortion. It is the woman themselves who has to decide what they want to do with their own bodies.

I was motivatd to read this book after hearing a brief interview with Dr. Wicklund on the radio. While I knew that some of the stories would be emotional and riveting, I really had no idea the depth that emotion would be until I read the book. This is a profoundly sensitive and moving book of the pain and angst of the patients involved in making a very difficult decision and Dr. Wicklund's dedication to supporting those patients in those decisions; it is a respectful and authentic memoir. The book is sensitive without being sappy; and factual while still holding onto emotion. I found this to be a fascinating book and read it in one day. It is one that I would recommend to all of my friends.

This is the voice of Dr. Susan Wicklund, telling stories from her practice as an abortion provider, and stories of the effect her career had on her life, her family, and the communities where she worked.

The prose is even-keeled and quietly eloquent, but her description of life under seige as anti-choice fanatics grew bolder and bolder in their violence and intimidation literally made my heart pound while I read some passages. I had to tell myself that her book is in my hands, so obviously she made it through alive. Even if you remember the news stories from those years, the immediacy of her account will give you fresh insight.

Dr. Wicklund is a hero in this book, and she's a hero to me. Still, I wondered occasionally what it would be like to hear someone else's side-- not an enemy, but maybe a colleage or family member whose perspective could broaden the view a little. However, she does talk about regrets and the price she paid for her choice of career, in time away from her family and the strain put on those who cared about her.

This is the first book in a long time that I've read straight through in one day. Powerful.

This book is should be required reading for anyone involved in the Choice movement. It is straightforward and honest. It is told in the first person; the reader feels all of the author's emotions and becomes part of her trials and tribulations. I have only one piece of advice to anyone who picks up this book to read it - have kleenex handy.

It is rarely heard of that an abortion doctor writes a book about the effect her profession had on her life and the trials and tribulations that she went through. Reading this novel gave a refreshing view on what the life of an abortion doctor is like. Whether you read this from a pro-life or a pro-choice aspect, this novel will open your eyes to a lifestyle that is not very well known or talked about.

Susan Wicklund focuses on the women that come in to procure abortions, her own personal opinion on abortion and the decisions that she had to make while she chose this profession. She mentions times in her life that she was threatened and the precautions she had to take to be safe and to keep her family safe.

This novel is written in a very easy to read format and very personal information about her life that allows the reader to identify with her and stay intrigued for 253 pages. She gives a lot of information about the abortion procedure and the types of situations that women are in when they go to get an abortion. I recommend this book to anyone who wants a different perspective on abortion issues whether you are pro-choice or pro-life.

This is a great book, easy to read and captivating emotionally with every page. I thought it was well written and would recommend for anyone, no matter your beliefs on abortion. Overall, an excellent book.

Susan Wicklund MD is a personal friend of mine. Reading this book was like talking with her. She is honest and shares her experiences and beliefs about abortion and women's rights. I did find the book very sad and scarey because of what some people consider their right to impose on others. Sue talked about having to carry a gun to work but I didn't know all the other impediments she went through. If you care about women you should read this book.
Katie Sundquist

Absolutely one of the most gripping, hair-raising, soul-wrenching and yet beautifully written personal accounts I've ever read. As a male I am only vaguely aware of how profoundly abortion affects women (and their significant others and families), but almost everyone knows at least one woman who has been sexually assaulted. And almost everyone knows a woman who has had (or will have) an abortion during her life. While this book will unfortunately be read primarily by those who are pro-choice and likely already agree with all that Susan has to say, it should be read by anyone and everyone who wants to have a greater understanding of abortion (pro-life and fence sitters as well).