In 1960, the FDA approved the contraceptive commonly known as it offered women control over their bodies and their lives. From little-known account...
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reviews
May 09, 2010
Kellyobrien
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Elaine Tyler May was 12 years old when the pill was approved by the FDA in 1960 (50 years ago today, as I write this). Her own parents were reproductive choice advocates in Los Angeles, running Planned Parenthood clinics. Her father, Dr. Edward Tyler, ran clinical tests of the Pill and held up approval of the first pill, Enovid, because he was concerned about significant side effects that weren't being addressed by the manufacturers. Elaine knew more about birth control than most kids her age.
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Nov 11, 2010
Ashley
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Seeing as the Pill recently celebrated its 50th anniversary, I thought this was an apt time to read this; it was quite an interesting read. I feel that these micro-histories I've been reading lately are either too in-depth or not in-depth enough. This is one I wouldn't have minded some additional details and/or chapters. Interestingly, the author's father played a role in testing the safety of the Pill and actually angered many by holding up FDA approval until some safety improvements were made.
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Feb 09, 2012
Carrie
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This is a very interesting social history of "The Pill." While I was aware the "The Pill" was part of the sexual revolution of the 1960s, I was surprised to learn that some thought "The Pill" would end world poverty and world hunger. It was thought that "The Pill" would end unwanted pregnancies and the ripple effect would be felt throughout the world. "The Pill" didn't end poverty, but it did create a reliable birth control that is used by mil
Oct 30, 2010
Alexandra
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What a disappointment. There is very little new here, which is only part of why I was displeased. Her text doesn't have nearly the level of analysis or depth I expect from her (as I am a fan of her earlier work!). She glosses over major events in the history of the pill--such as the Catholic church's opposition and birth control commission and the fight to include possible side effect information. Yes, these events are mentioned, but only as much to say that they happened without fully explainin
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Jul 28, 2011
Overall this is a good book and I give it positive points for the history and sociology of the pill. But I often felt like something was lacking. Perhaps I wanted my history to go a bit more in depth, but this was a pretty shallow look at such a fascinating subject. I wanted the book to be longer and more detailed. However for anyone interested in women's/feminist history this is a good read.
Jan 21, 2012
Jane
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This book is somewhere between history, sociology and feminist folk tale. Although extensively researched, it retains a sense of being lightweight. Although it tries to include the experiences of women of colour, lesbians and other women who are not university educated liberals, it falls into the trap of trying to do too much with too little. Nonetheless, still recommended.
May 02, 2010
Interesting to me for it's extensive discussion of the roles played by Margaret Sanger and Katherine McCormick in spearheading and financing the research and development of the pill after Margaret Sanger's long public battle on the birth control and population control fronts...
Mar 04, 2011
Emily
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A quick overview of the intersection between feminism, society, politics, economics in regards to the pill. Good for people who want a summary of the key points rather than an in depth analysis. I had hoped there would be more discussion of the science and wished they had done more with the survey they conducted.
Mar 03, 2011
meredith ann
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not the most in-depth or comprehensive book but it's obviously written for a general audience, as opposed to a more specific american studies or women's studies one. this book prompted me to want to have discussions with the women i know in my life about birth control and our thoughts on it.
May 09, 2011
Lindsey
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This book is a really good primer on the interesting history of the pill and its marketing... until the last two chapters, in which a self-selected internet survey takes up the whole of the narrative.
Oct 21, 2011
Linda
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Good information, short and easy, moves fast, interesting anecdotes. Not particularly gripping, in the way really good non-fiction is, but a decent read. Kind of like a long article more than a book.
Aug 20, 2010
Leah
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A little slow to get going, but it picks up speed and delves into the social mores of the time and what the advent of the pill meant for women in every aspect of their lives.
Jul 27, 2010
Jason
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Useful for historical information, but when it comes to the interpretation of that information, it leaves much to be desired.
Nov 01, 2010
Alison
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This is a history of the pill, but I found it to be a little on the light side. I expected to hear more of the science -- how, exactly does it work? So if they started out with an extremely high dose by today's standards, how was that dropped down? Under duress by the pharmas, or suddenly, or gradually and willingly? If you want an easy read that's a little bit of the social issues and a little bit of the science, this is a good bet. But if you want something that really delves into either side,
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Feb 24, 2011
Tammy
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I was expecting something more substantial from Elaine Tyler May. While it did provide some new insights, it rehashed a lot of scholarship that I had read elsewhere. Wish she could have done more work with the Internet survey that she did - that could have been an interesting book.
Apr 20, 2011
Marti
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This book was far superior to the Nancy Gibbs book I read immediately before it. It really is interesting to see what an impact one medication, not even intended to "cure" or fix anything had on American society and the world's economy. I thought the author offered a fair and balanced approach throughout the book, offering first hand comments both pro and con from a relatively recent Internet survey as well as covering other birth control methods, including the Fertility Awareness Me
Apr 15, 2011
Miranda
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I had hoped for more. But some interesting info. A little disappointed with her reliance on the results of a self-selected internet survey. Some good vignettes, but a few crazies thrown in there. Not a whole lot of history or context, but a decent quick read.
Jul 13, 2010
Pancha
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A very quick read that doesn't hesitate to mention some of the more problematic elements with early connections to eugenics, the ethics of the early drug trials etc.
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