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The Black Stork: Eugenics and the Death of "Defective" Babies in American Medicine and Motion Pictures since 1915 1st Edition

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Martin S. Pernick (Author)
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Martin S. Pernick (Author)
4.7 out of 5 stars 6 customer reviews
ISBN-13: 978-0195135398
ISBN-10: 0195135393
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  • The Black Stork: Eugenics and the Death of "Defective" Babies in American Medicine and Motion Pictures since 1915
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Product Details

  • Paperback: 328 pages
  • Publisher: Oxford University Press; 1 edition (July 22, 1999)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 0195135393
  • ISBN-13: 978-0195135398
  • Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 1 x 6 inches
  • Shipping Weight: 1.3 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
  • Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
  • Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #147,741 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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5.0 out of 5 starsRemarkable book on an early eugenics/euthanasia physician
By K. L Sadler VINE VOICE on May 13, 2001
Format: Hardcover Verified Purchase
This is one of those extraordinary book finds that comes about through sheer serendipity. This book was not recommended, was not widely read, but had been listed as a reference in another book in my readings about the historical context of the medical holocaust which happened here in the United States prior to Nazi Germany's excursion into hell. The title and slight mention given in a bibliography made me stop what I was doing and head for Amazon.com to find out what the book was about. The slight blurb was enough to pique my interest and I sent for the book.
This book is one of the most unique stories I have read in the onslaught of material on the eugenicists and their prejudicial science. Pernick is a historical biographer of medical practicioners and of the early films produced promoting eugenic ideals. During the early 1900's an American physician, Haiselden, very publicly 'allowed' a new-born infant with disabilities to die through withholding food, water, and surgical treatment. This occurrence was not an unusual one for physicians in general. Infanticide had occurred on one level or another, by physicians, midwives, and parents for years especially when infants were disabled and the families were poor. The difference lay in how this particular physican handled the media attention he received. This man courted the media to promote his views on physician assisted killing when children were born with disabilities or deformities. He went even farther and 'starred' in a film which portrayed the situation and the accompanying ethics as held by eugenicists and those who proposed euthanasia for the unwanted in the United States.
The history of early film-making coincides with the major years of influence of American eugenicists.Read more ›
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5.0 out of 5 starsPowerful Insights Into American Culture
By Kurt on April 9, 2008
Format: Paperback
This is a very well written and fascinating book that exposes a side of American history that is little remembered today, but was a dominant strain in American culture in the teens and twenties, and exerted a shadow influence on American public policy for decades thereafter, if not until the present day. I discovered this book in the course of doing research for a writing project in my third year of law school -- it was not entirely on-point, but so engaging I couldn't put it down! Has some very helpful illustrations, too. Highly recommended.

P.S. I don't understand the Amazon reviewer who criticized this book for its supposedly poor writing style. I am, alas, all too familiar with poor academic writing. Pernick, the author of this book, is first-rate, though admittedly, this is not a book for children.
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4.0 out of 5 starsThought provoking.
By J. Montoto on February 10, 2013
Format: Paperback Verified Purchase
Excellent expansion upon a a limited number of incidents to the overall issue in general. Plus the history of using the motion picture to educate the public (veracity of the education notwithstanding) on controversial or taboo subjects is interesting in and of itself.
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