Award-winning journalist Liza Mundy captures the human narratives, as well as the science, behind the controversial, multibillion-dollar fertility ...
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Feb 19, 2008
Rachel
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The desire to reproduce is out of control. Women and their partners are paying billions of dollars annually with the hopes of creating new life (as if there isn't enough life for this planet to support). Well researched and non-judgemental, Everything Conceivable challenges reproductive technologies today as well as the concepts of mother and fatherhood, brother and sister and what it means to be pregnant.
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Sep 08, 2010
Elise
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I'm not usually a huge non-fiction person (in fact, I'm pretty sure this is the first non-fiction book I've ever read outside of school for pleasure reading), but I saw this at the library and was intrigued. It's a pretty big read--almost 400 pages of material, but it kept me interested the entire time.
The book explores all aspects of Assisted Reproduction and many of the moral ramifications that have come about because of it. Mundy discusses everything from stem cell research, incr More...
The book explores all aspects of Assisted Reproduction and many of the moral ramifications that have come about because of it. Mundy discusses everything from stem cell research, incr More...
Feb 05, 2009
Liza Mundy, an award-winning feature writer for the Washington Post, delivers a dispassionate, comprehensive view of assisted reproduction in the 21st century. She has clearly done her research, building the project from an initial assignment to look at infertility among minorities to a book that examines the manifold ramifications of our newfound ability to circumvent evolution. Her clear-eyed look at the world strikes a few reviewers as a bit too removed, and her interviews and case studies so
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Aug 02, 2011
Catherine
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Everything Conceivable does what I would not have imagined possible - examines the complicated ins and outs of assisted reproductive technology (and all the associated social consequences) without losing compassion for those seeking to have children, or minimizing the related scientific, social, and individual risks.
There's a great deal here to give heart to those trying to deal with infertility - male sterility is all but vanquished in the United States, for example, thanks to new w More...
There's a great deal here to give heart to those trying to deal with infertility - male sterility is all but vanquished in the United States, for example, thanks to new w More...
Jun 05, 2009
Maggie
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I heard this author speaking on NPR (regarding Octo-mom) and knew I had to track down the book and read it. I'm glad I did. Everything Conceivable is so interesting and enjoyable. There is much depth to this reproductive "industry;" couples are faced with many challenges and ethical dilemmas. This author does a heroic job of organizing the vast array of information. Most of the content is told through incredible stories.
some of the topics covered:
-surrogacy
-fe More...
some of the topics covered:
-surrogacy
-fe More...
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Jan 09, 2011
Christina
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Do you want to feel depressed and cry with the waning of your fertility? Come to grips with scientific reality. Twins, IVF, male contribution to infertility, the role of diet and pesticides in impeding fertility, the tragic lack of grip with consequence that women have in deciding against fetal reduction -- there's so much to think through. This book covers it all and kind of makes your head spin in the process.
Mar 09, 2010
Andi
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A compelling look into all aspects of infertility treatments. Sometimes it left my head spinning with the complexity of choices we have created for ourselves. Infertility will make you see things in a different light, and this book dives into anything and everything possible.
I'd recommend this book for anyone who has infertility issues in their family. My husband is especially glad I finally finished this book so we don't have discuss it each night. :)
I'd recommend this book for anyone who has infertility issues in their family. My husband is especially glad I finally finished this book so we don't have discuss it each night. :)
Sep 21, 2011
Eleanor
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¨After taking fertility drugs, the woman with the forearm graft noted that a patch of her forearm was hard and spikey. That´s because her arm was ovulating.¨
May 06, 2008
Sierra
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Fascinating expose on the world of assisted reproductive technologies. This book looked into every possible facet, and put a very human face on a very personal and painful issue for couples. The author was incredibly respectful to the subject matter, and was pretty accurate in her description of technologies, costs, options, etc. As an academic who worked on infertility studies, I appreciated the human face she gave to a complex issue. This book should definitely be read by anyone struggling to
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Mar 01, 2009
Nancy
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A very readable book covering issues related to assisted reproduction. Liza Mundy covers the human interest and the scientific and health issues equally well.
Oct 16, 2008
ConfectionQueen
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I found this book to be incredibly informative and gave a great deal of insight on Modern Reproduction. It scored extra points because she(the author, Liza Mundy) did not go for the panic angle, as I had originally worried at the beginning. She does come back to how little we know about the assisted reproduction and the full effects it has on children (and the future offspring of them), but not gratingly. As well, she gives many examples on the effect it has socially(family dynamics).
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May 25, 2010
Sarah
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Anyone who hopes to become a parent, or who is concerned about the societal impact of assisted reproductive technologies, should consider reading this book. Fascinating, and sobering.
Jul 05, 2007
Alexis
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this was one of the best non-fiction books i've read in a long time. it sheds much needed light on the issues, possibilities and questions of fertility and reproduction in our times. there are so many ethical conundrums that we need to start thinking about! liza mundy intertwines statistics, vignettes, social history and scientific background and her own thoughts in an engaging, but not overwhelming manner. read this book!
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Aug 02, 2011
Chase
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A must-read, especially for ALL women (and men) of reproductive age! I wish doctors of fertility clinics would make it required reading for their patients. This book reveals some shocking, fascinating and sometimes disturbing facts about the profound societal impact of assisted reproduction technologies. It includes the history of various technological advances as well as lots of moving anecdotes from couples who have struggled to start their own families.
Jan 09, 2008
Carol
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This was absolutely fascinating, and much better written than many of the nonfiction books on current topics that I tend to pick up at the library. I found myself constantly reading sentences aloud to my husband because it was so interesting. Admittedly, I'm a bit of a wannabe biology/medical geek, but I really recommend it to anyone with an interest in this subject.
Sep 09, 2007
Alison
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Very very very interesting and important. It's definitely something that will affect everyone in some way or another and I'm still up in the air on what I think about the topic at hand. Just to read the history part is worth buying the book, not to mention the chapter I just read on making paralyzed men ejaculate using some electro-wand up their backside, crazy.
Feb 25, 2008
Megan
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Devoured this book. Really fascinating and very salient to my life and career. If you're interested in reproductive health and rights -- you should definitely read this book. It's a side of my work that I needed more information about. Everytime I see a celebrity pregnant with twins now I wonder -- donated eggs? IVF? Will JLo's babies look like her? :)
Dec 03, 2011
Mary
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This is an amazingly comprehensive look at a topic that is much bigger and more complex than I'd ever imagined. Especially thought-provoking were the sections about the ethics of implanting multiple embryos and the consequences of higher-order multiple pregnancies. Mundy is skilled at narrative--I had trouble putting the book down.
Jun 26, 2007
Celeste
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This was a fascinating look at the ever-growing fertility industry, and the medical professionals and patients involved in it. For the most part, it is quite even-handed and thoroughly researched, and raises some compelling questions (even if they remain unanswered in this book) about the future of human reproduction.
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Jun 22, 2007
Darcy
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Again, part of my niche reading. Well-researched, objective yet sensitive book on the subject of infertility and artificial reproductive technology. It takes on the history, science, sociology, and ethics of this Industry (and it is an industry ... one I've had to deal with). A must-read on the subject.
Mar 24, 2008
Jill
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As a lesbian, I've got to be thinking of these things! If/when I decide to get pregnant, I want to know what's out there, and this book is a great primer not just on what technologies we have access to, but also what ethical dilemmas these technologies raise. It definitely got me thinking.
Dec 17, 2009
Melody
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Mundy's chatty tone coexists beautifully with the huge amount of technical and emotional detail presented in this riveting book. Deals with every aspect of assisted reproduction, including some I never thought of- and I was an infertility patient for 8 years. Very topical and completely engrossing.
Dec 17, 2009
Mary
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Another book I could not put down. There is a chapter on every aspect of fertility treatment and interviews with those who have undergone it, from donor eggs to surrogacy to selective reduction of multiple pregnancy. Fascinating and interesting.
Jul 15, 2008
Justine
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This is a fascinating book delving into ART (assisted reproductive technology) -- the author addresses ethical dilemnas and the very fact that creating a child has become essentially boundary-less. A very interesting and timely read.
May 05, 2008
Anna
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Covers all the issues currently coming up in the field, along with lots of juicy anecdote. I really enjoy thinking about reproduction, and this was just what I wanted-- feminist, science-y but still very readable, comprehensive.
Dec 17, 2009
Journalist's overview of the assisted reproduction revolution and the implications for everything from genetics to childhood development to what constitutes family. Fascinating, bizarre, sad and slightly creepy, but completely relevant!
Nov 12, 2007
Jamie
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I've been really lazy about reading lately, but this was a very interesting book. I'm usually not into reading statistics and factual information, but this was such a good book to provoke thought.
