Better for All the World: The Secret History of Forced Sterilization and America's Quest for Racial Purity Reprint Edition

by Harry Bruinius (Author)

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ISBN-13: 978-0375713057

ISBN-10: 9780375713057

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A timely and gripping history of the controversial eugenics movement in America–and the scientists, social reformers and progressives who supported it.In Better for All the World, Harry Bruinius charts the little known history of eugenics in America–a movement that began in the early twentieth century and resulted in the forced sterilization of more than 65,000 people. Bruinius tells the stories of Emma and Carrie Buck, two women trapped in poverty who became the test case in the 1927 supreme court decision allowing forced sterilization for those deemed unfit to procreate. From the reformers who turned local charities into government-run welfare systems promoting social and moral purity, to the influence the American policies had on Nazi Germany’s development of “racial hygiene,” Bruinius masterfully exposes the players and legislation behind one of America’s darkest secrets.

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Editorial Reviews

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“A powerful and engrossing read, as well as a poignant argument for humility, a plea that resonates in these hubristic times.” —San Francisco Chronicle“Remarkable. . . . A model of the best sort of journalism of ideas, being an impressively researched and well-thought-out cultural history of the horrible crimes committed in the name of an idea–eugenics–that fraudulently posed as a science.” —Ron Rosenbaum, The New York Observer“A comprehensive new history of the American eugenics movement . . . Compelling.” —Salon “Bruinius takes us into the minds of the thought leaders of the time, showing us how otherwise well-respected people could countenance the now-unthinkable act of forced sterilization. . . . Chilling.” —The Christian Science Monitor

About the Author

Harry Bruinius was born in Chicago and attended Yale University, where he studied theology, and Columbia University, where he studied journalism. He is a frequent contributor to The Christian Science Monitor, a professor of journalism at Hunter College and is the founder of The Village Quill, a work space for writers in TriBeCa. He lives in Manhattan.

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Product details

Paperback: 416 pages
Publisher: Vintage; Reprint edition (April 10, 2007)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 9780375713057
ISBN-13: 978-0375713057
ASIN: 0375713050
Product Dimensions: 5.2 x 0.9 x 8 inches
Shipping Weight: 10.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
Average Customer Review: 23 customer reviews
Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,121,713 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #1305 in Books > Medical Books > Basic Sciences > Genetics
- #4824 in Books > Politics & Social Sciences > Sociology > Race Relations > Discrimination & Racism
- #5790 in Books > Science & Math > History & Philosophy

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Barbara D.

"Better for All the World : The Secret History of Forced Sterilization ...

June 21, 2009

Format: HardcoverVerified Purchase

I was unaware of these disturbing historical events until quite recently, which is why i sought out this book. It seems well written and documented. I have not finished reading this yet and plan on sharing it with friends.

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Dalton C. Rocha

Eugenics was a protestant, jewish, left & feminist's business

July 9, 2007

Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase

I read this book, here in Brazil.This book is easy to read.Compared to "War against the weak" by Edwin Black, this book is smaller and a little better.
To example, while "War against the weak" didn't told that the famous american eugenicist Charles B. Davenport hadn't any grandson, this book shows that even having two daughters, both of his daughters had no child.
Even so, this book repeats many of the same mistakes made by Edwin Black's book "War against the weak".Some examples of these same mistakes are:
1-Even showing , about eugenics,the right way of catholics and the wrong way by protestants and jews, this book doesn't tells why among eugenics, religion decided so many.Support of eugenics was almost universal among famous jews and protestants in USA; at least until when Hitler came to power, in 1933.At the same times, Roman Catholic Church was eugenics' number one foe in USA.This book didn't tells that while Roman Catholicism had (and has) a Pope, protestants and jews were "following the bible", when they supported the eugenics.Such as happened during witch-hunting and slavery's times, many famous and powerfull people found on bible, support for eugenics.At the same times, there was not just one eugenics, even in USA there was hundreds of eugenics, while having tens of judaisms and hundreds of protestantisms.Jews and protestants saw on eugenics, such as a a mirror of his own religious believes.Only the opposition from Pope, priests and bishops didn't explained why eugenics was ever a failure, among catholic countries.Divorce existed in France and Italy, since XIX Century (both more than 90% catholics at eugenics's time).Eugenics was a godless religion, having many sects, even in USA.
2-Such as on Edwin Black's book, this book has too many space, about both Dr. Laughlin and Charles B. Davenport.They were both neurothic and crooks, but they were following orders from rich and powerfull americans; many of them jews.When in Hitler's times(1933-1945), they became useless both went to fame to nothing in a few years.About Laughlin's family, on page 180, this book writes:"Kirksville was the home of Andrew Taylor Still the visionary healer whose eccentric treatment methods physical manipulations to improve the body's natural functions." on same page 180:"Earl attended the osteopathic college".Well, osteopathy wasn't a type of medicine , but only quackery.Harry Laughlin's family was linked to quackery, but this book forgets this thing.
3-Too many american doctors of both sexes, were among eugenics's leaders.This same happended in every country where eugenics existed.Well, why this happened in USA and all the world?Because medicine was next to useless in eugenics' times.Even so, some decades before eugenics' creation, the doctors had replaced the pastors and religious leaders as God's preachers among people's minds.They were maily useless, but the people wanted something to believe.Having no medicine for the desiases, they told that eugenics was the solution, for medical and social problems in USA and many other protestants countries.
4-The same rich and powerfull americans who gave money, to Lenin, Russian Revolution and Hitler were also famous eugenicists.This book forgets this fact.
5-Feminism in America was deeply linked to eugenics.There's almost nothing about feminism in this book.
6-After World War II, eugneics became "population control" or neo-malthusianism in USA.Just one line of this book is about this very important fact.

This book is better than "War Against the weak" , but it remains a little weak many times.

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Jeremy Tarbush

Very good treatment of eugenics in America

September 12, 2012

Format: Hardcover

This book did not handle foreign eugenics, such as in Nazi Germany, except in passing. Its corpus was on the eugenics dealt against the mentally ill and handicapped, but also dealing with those thought "useless" by society through morals that were not with the will of the rich. Many were force sterilized while many were released from mental institutions for a signature that would allow their sterilization. It focuses on Carrie Buck and her story.

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Ronald H. Clark

The History of American Eugenics

March 13, 2006

Format: Hardcover

I found this to be an exemplary treatment of a fascinating topic--the American eugenics movement and compulsory sterilization. The author has certainly done his research and his command of the material is superb. He begins his discussion with the Carrie Buck case (1927), that legitimated state compulsory sterilization laws, which he examines in depth. This Supreme Court opinion, by Justice Holmes, forever is associated with his statement: "Three generations of imbeciles are enough." Strangely, after spending many pages probing the facts, the author really does not spend much time analyzing Holmes' opinion and his rationale. For that, one needs to check Ted White's biography of the Justice.

Next, the author moves into a history of the eugenics movement (including its British antecedents), both prior to and after the Buck case. The leading figures in the movement, including Charles Davenport and Harry Laughlin, are all profiled in depth and their activities documented over much of the first half of the 20th century. The role of the Carnegie and Rockefeller Foundations in funding eugenics research is also examined. The relationship between eugenics supporters and the infamous Immigration Act of 1924 also is discussed. The development of the compulsory sterilization device is as well studied and placed in perspective. One of the most interesting facets of the book is how closely the Nazis based their eugenics and race laws upon American examples, a somewhat embarassing fact that emerged from the Nuremberg trials. The last couple of chapters on several extended case studies struck me as repetitive and unnecessary, though they do add more of the poignant human dimension.

The author has included helpful illustrations and extensive notes. The writing is clear and moves along, although at 365 pages (not counting notes) the treatment certainly is not lean. Knopf continues its reputation for producing quality books that are a pleasure to hold and read--this being another example of the fine work of Berryville Graphics in Virginia.

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Alexis Acosta

A Very Interesting Read

April 10, 2007

Format: Paperback

From the first page of Bruinius' book you are transported into the past, to the chilly halls where history was made. The book is a great read. It goes beyond what many books on this subject does...it does not just tell the history but makes you feel it. The story of Lucille touches your heart and shows you just how deeply forced sterilization affected those who lived through it. It also gives you a haunting and fascinating insight into those who pushed for sterilization in order to create a "superior race" and the ironies and difficulties of their own lives. It delves deep into the history of this issue and with a compelling narrative, makes Better For All The World one of the best books on the subject.

I highly recommend it.

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