This Common Secret: My Journey as an Abortion Doctor

published	December 31st 2008 by PublicAffairs
binding	Hardcover
isbn	158648480X (isbn13: 9781586484804)
ebook
pages	336
description	One doctor's raw and riveting memoir, contrasting the headline-grabbing political rhetoric with the contours of her life, and the lives of her patient...more [close] One doctor's raw and riveting memoir, contrasting the headline-grabbing political rhetoric with the contours of her life, and the lives of her patients. In This Common Secret Dr. Susan Wicklund chronicles her emotional and dramatic twenty-year career on the front lines of the abortion war. Growing up in working class, rural Wisconsin, Wicklund had her own painful abortion at a young age. It was not until she became a doctor that she realized how many women shared her ordeal of an unwanted pregnancy--and how hidden this common experience remains. This is the story of Susan's love for a profession that means listening to women and helping them through one of the most pivotal and controversial events in their lives. Hers is also a calling that means sleeping on planes and commuting between clinics in different states--and that requires her to wear a bulletproof vest and to carry a .38 caliber revolver. This is also the story of the women whom Susan serves, women whose options are increasingly limited. Through these intimate, complicated, and inspiring accounts, Wicklund reveals the truth about the women's clinics that anti-abortion activists portray as little more than slaughterhouses for the unborn. Aswe enter the most fevered political fight over abortion America has ever seen, this raw and powerful memoir shows us what is at stake. [close]
date added	06-12-07 edit book

find at: Amazon | Half.com | Barnes & Noble | Abebooks | more...

discuss this book

There are no discussion topics on this book yet. Be the first to start one »

groups with this book

friend reviews (0)

To see what your friends thought of this book, please sign up.

lists with this book

Where's the love? Add this book to your favorite list.

other reviews (showing 1-20 of 304)

Mazola1 rated it:

07/06/08

Dr. Susan Wicklund worked in women's reproductive health for over twenty years. In that capacity, she was often the only doctor who would perform abortions in many areas of midwestern or rural states, such as Montana and Minnesota. Dr. Wicklund's memoir is written in a clear and almost matter of fact manner, but the story it tells is anything but dry and academic. Her book puts a human face on the issue of abortion in America today. The book provides unforgettable portraits of the women who get ...more Dr. Susan Wicklund worked in women's reproductive health for over twenty years. In that capacity, she was often the only doctor who would perform abortions in many areas of midwestern or rural states, such as Montana and Minnesota. Dr. Wicklund's memoir is written in a clear and almost matter of fact manner, but the story it tells is anything but dry and academic. Her book puts a human face on the issue of abortion in America today. The book provides unforgettable portraits of the women who get abortions, the providers and even the protesters.

In a note at the end of the book, Dr. Wicklund's co-author writes about himself and his wife that "like most people, we thought we knew the issues and the politics," but adds that it turned out that "in fact, we had no idea." He surely speaks for many readers of this book when he says that "many will turn the first page thinking they understand the parameters of the abortion issue in America. They will be floored."

"This Common Secret" can be seen as a reference to the veil of secrecy that surrounds abortion, despite the fact that a large percentage of people have either had an abortion or know someone close to them who has had one. But it can also refer to the little known reality of how difficult it is for many womean to get an abortion, despite the fact that it has been legal in America for over 30 years, and the Supreme Court has recognized it as a constitutional right. Many people have heard of the abortion protesters, but few perhaps realize the hatred and fanaticism with which this movement has terrorized, stalked, and harrassed abortion providers and how successful it has been in getting legislation passed which makes it difficult for women who want abortions in many parts of the country to get them. The reality is that even without making abortion illegal, it is all but impossible to get it in many rural areas.

And without doctors with the courage of Dr. Wicklund it would be even harder. Dr. Wicklund saw her face on "wanted" posters, she had her driveway blocked by cement barriers, she received a constant barrage of hate mail, threatening her and her family. She had to be escorted to and from her clinic by a security guard. She went to work armed with a handgun. Sadly, all of this was made necessary by the terroristic tactics of those very religious people who believe abortion is murder, and will stop at nothing, including murder, to impose their viewpoint on everyone else. Sadly, these tactics have also reduced the number of doctors willing to perform abortions. Dr. Wicklund's book is a must read for anyone interested in the issue of women's reproductive rights. ...less

Like this review? yes (1 person liked it)

title link
avg rating
small image
med image
large image

This Common Secret: My Journey as an Abortion Doctor

discuss this book

groups with this book

friend reviews (0)

lists with this book

other reviews (showing 1-20 of 304)

book data (includes all editions)

blog this book

popular shelves

other editions