This Common Secret: My Journey as an Abortion Doctor
by Susan Wicklund
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Read in January, 2008
recommends it for:
anyone interested in women's rights
I read this book in one day; it was engaging and informative and I highly recommend it. I have always considered myself a feminist and prochoice, but those beliefs have strengthened very much since this fall, when Planned Parenthood opened a new clinic in my home town. All the antichoice crazies came out, and brought me face to face with sheer ignorance on both the abprtion issue and on women's rights in general. Susan Wicklund is a courageous woman to write this book and to have told her sto...more
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Read in January, 2008
This story exposes all the grays.
I'm so happy this book was written, yet am sad that it had to be. Whether we like it or not, abortions have always been around.
This is the story of one abortion provider. She treats women in the midwest and west, areas of the country that face challenges to abortion that I'm not used to thinking about, living here in NY.
I am a pro-choice, feminist activist, just to lay that out on the line. I was actually a little put off by some of the boundaries ...more
I'm so happy this book was written, yet am sad that it had to be. Whether we like it or not, abortions have always been around.
This is the story of one abortion provider. She treats women in the midwest and west, areas of the country that face challenges to abortion that I'm not used to thinking about, living here in NY.
I am a pro-choice, feminist activist, just to lay that out on the line. I was actually a little put off by some of the boundaries ...more
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Read in February, 2008
recommends it for:
Everyone!
I bought an autographed copy of this book at a pro-choice coalition event where Dr. Susan Wicklund was the speaker. Dr. Wicklund is neither an amazing speaker nor an amazing writer, but the stories she has to tell are harrowing and profoundly important testimonials of an abortion doctor's experiences of working in a job made difficult by anti-choice activists whose disruptive efforts lie closer to terrorism than to harassment. We've all heard about harassment at abortion clinics, we've heard a...more
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recommends it for:
americans... humans...
i really didn't know what i was getting into with this book. was it going to be familiar propaganda? will it matter that i read it if i am already pro-choice? the fact that i read it in one sitting speaks to the book's straightforward and compelling tone. the deep emotion that these stories conjured in me was surprising. susan wicklund tells her story fairly and with great compassion and gratitude for her patients, her co-workers and colleagues, and for the community that arose to protect h...more
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Read in April, 2008
this book is both illuminating and all-too-familiar. when i lived in central wisconsin, i would stand up for choice at anti-choice rallies. having been at the brunt of anti-choice crazies (the missionaries to the pre-born), i have a tiny taste of the harassment and intimidation directed towards clinics. the measures taken by the author (disguises, being smuggled into the clinic, arriving at sporadic times) are necessary, if ridiculous. they should simply not have to be faced by a doctor per...more
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My review from thinkgirl.net:
Wicklund’s honest, impassioned memoir of her life as an abortion doctor provides a much-needed public record. Her stories show the variety of life circumstances that lead women to choose an abortion. Even more so, they document the oft-hidden sacrifices of doctors—of safety, time, and family—in an era of dwindling abortion options and providers. In 2006, 87% of counties had no abortion provider. As of 2004, 60% of doctors were over age 50.
In response to...more
Wicklund’s honest, impassioned memoir of her life as an abortion doctor provides a much-needed public record. Her stories show the variety of life circumstances that lead women to choose an abortion. Even more so, they document the oft-hidden sacrifices of doctors—of safety, time, and family—in an era of dwindling abortion options and providers. In 2006, 87% of counties had no abortion provider. As of 2004, 60% of doctors were over age 50.
In response to...more
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Read in February, 2008
recommends it for:
EVERYONE.
You should read this if you are a woman, if you are pro-life or if you are pro-choice. You should read this if you are passive about the survival of the right to choose. You should read this if you are alive, if you believe in the right to the pursuit of happiness.
I couldn't believe everything I learned from reading this. There are so many facets to the issue that I never considered. Like the 24hour waiting period. I thought this was a good thing, that people should wait to make a decision...more
I couldn't believe everything I learned from reading this. There are so many facets to the issue that I never considered. Like the 24hour waiting period. I thought this was a good thing, that people should wait to make a decision...more
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Read in February, 2008
recommends it for:
everyone
This is a very powerful and interesting book. Wicklund really lays it all out there for the reader, including diary entries. For someone who mostly reads irony filled fiction, the sincerity of this book made me a bit uncomfortable at times. The focus is on abortion of course, but it was also really interesting for me to just read a story about a woman going through med school and building a career regardless of her speciality. I realized that we don't get to see that much - how a career path can...more
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Read in February, 2008
Beautifully written, with heart and intelligence -- the riveting tale of an incredibly dedicated doctor who risked everything to help others. Wicklund tells the harrowing story of what it was like for her and her family to be hounded by protesters every day of every month for years... She also shares stories of some of her patients. They were (are) certainly lucky to have her. The epilogue, which was written by her daughter, was especially moving. Since the daughter was a major character in the ...more
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Read in February, 2008
This is a really thoughtful, engaging book written by a very courageous, principled, hardworking woman. It is her personal story as well as a commentary on abortion politics, and a healthy dose of facts and myth-busting thrown in for good measure. For example: Abortion is the most common minor surgical procedure done today, even more common than wisdom teeth removal. About 40% of women will have an abortion in their lifetime. Abortion in this country should not continue to be the "secret...more
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Read in May, 2007
PublicAffairs, an imprint of Perseus, was brave enough to take on the publication of this very important book. Dr. Wicklund has a powerful voice, and aided by her co-author she tells her personal story of life on the battle lines of the abortion wars. She exposes the lies of the anti-abortion movement about abortion procedures, women who choose abortions, and the doctors who help them. She also shows how important it is that women have a choice and that doctors do their best to support them. Hig...more
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The content of this book was enthralling, I read it in three sittings. It showed that women do not have as much choice as one might believe. It made me want to write thank you notes to the abortion doctors in small town clinics. Sadly I am giving it three stars because I through it was not written very well.
Aside from that I would call it a must read.
Correction, from public editor T.J.:
Sadly, I think someone's comment about a book not being written well is not written well... :)
Aside from that I would call it a must read.
Correction, from public editor T.J.:
Sadly, I think someone's comment about a book not being written well is not written well... :)
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Read in April, 2008
recommends it for:
everybody!
It took me less than a day to read this book. While I didn't really "learn" anything I didn't already "know," having been very interested in women's rights, this book taught me so much and I am so glad to have read it. While I knew the facts and I knew about just how crazy the anti-choice crowd can be, having reads various books & many articles and pieces on the subject, this book was very straightforward and engaging, giving many human sides to what I already knew to b
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Read in March, 2008
This is a really interesting book. Dr. Wicklund puts a very personal perspective on the pro-choice movement. Unfortunately, it was not very well written. The narrative seemed choppy and superficial. One facet of note is how her life's work takes her away from her family (including her young daughter) more often than not. That aspect of her life is really thought provoking to me. Is there anything that I believe in so strongly that I would be willing to do that?
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Read in February, 2008
This is an excellent memoir of a doctor who committed her career and her life to women's medical care, particularly safe and legal abortions. She shares her personal story and what led her to this calling. She also includes harrowing reminiscences of protecting herself from aggressive anti-choice activists who threatened her life. This is not only an intimate portrait of one heroic doctor, but also a detailed history of abortion and reproductive rights.
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Read in February, 2008
recommends it for:
most women.
I have to admit, I came across this book at the library and mainly checked it out because the cover grabbed me. I was pleasantly surprised. I found it a great read that kind of just flew by. I think the author made some especially poignant arguments while not being overly bearing. I loved reading the stories about the women from all walks of life and I often found myself thinking what I would do in their situations.
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Read in February, 2008
This woman is one tough cookie and an admirable fighter in the controversial battle over a woman's right to choose, and I have great respect for the work that she has done. The world would be a better place with more people like Susan Wicklund.
The book, however, could be tighter. The narrative veers off at times and is sometimes clunky when she starts lecturing the reader.
The book, however, could be tighter. The narrative veers off at times and is sometimes clunky when she starts lecturing the reader.
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Read in February, 2008
this book was incredibly powerful as it told the story of how anti-abortion violence and protesting affected one provider and her family. the statistics are scary and the writing is good. i read it very quickly and was curious for more. i'm so glad there are many brave providers out there who are making the sacrifice to allow women to have access to this legal health service.
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incredibly interesting book about the life of an abortion doctor in contemporary america. she made a lot of incredible sacrifices beyond what you'd imagine, and reading her account really helped drive home exactly what being a provider in america entails. when i make it to 'dr. abortion md' i will give this book to my father to help him understand my choice.
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Read in February, 2008
This inspiring memoir portrays the life of Dr. Susan Wicklund, an abortion provider with over 20 years experience in women's reproductive health. Dr. Wicklund became a provider after seeing the struggle of women first hand and continued providing abortions despite death threats and resistance from antis.
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