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The Hand of God: A Journey from Death to Life by the Abortion Doctor Who Changed His Mind
?A passionate account of the author’s transition from pioneer of abortion rights to champion of the pro-life cause.? This concrete and powerful contribution will be required reading for all involved in the abortion debate.” ?KIRKUS REVIEWS
?A wrenchingly honest book about taking the hard way to the truth. Bernard Nathanson provides a chilling tour of the moral squalor of the ?culture of death,’ and a compelling testimony to the possibility of beginning anew.” ?RICHARD JOHN NEUHAUS, Editor-in-Chief, First Things
?In The Hand of God , Dr. Nathanson gives outstanding personal witness to the ?Gospel of Life.’ Amen to the Gospel; and Amen to this witness. I am personally privileged to have observed his journey and have been thrilled by every step along the way.” ? JOHN CARDINAL O’CONNOR
?When Bernard Nathanson exposes the abortion culture we listen, because Bernard Nathanson has been there. He was not only there, he led it. Now begins the long road back, led by The Hand of God .” ?JOSEPH M. SCHEIDLER, Director, Pro-Life Action League
?A wrenchingly honest book about taking the hard way to the truth. Bernard Nathanson provides a chilling tour of the moral squalor of the ?culture of death,’ and a compelling testimony to the possibility of beginning anew.” ?RICHARD JOHN NEUHAUS, Editor-in-Chief, First Things
?In The Hand of God , Dr. Nathanson gives outstanding personal witness to the ?Gospel of Life.’ Amen to the Gospel; and Amen to this witness. I am personally privileged to have observed his journey and have been thrilled by every step along the way.” ? JOHN CARDINAL O’CONNOR
?When Bernard Nathanson exposes the abortion culture we listen, because Bernard Nathanson has been there. He was not only there, he led it. Now begins the long road back, led by The Hand of God .” ?JOSEPH M. SCHEIDLER, Director, Pro-Life Action League
206 pages, Paperback
First published April 1, 1996
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About the author
Bernard Nathanson
6 books8 followersBernard N. Nathanson (July 31, 1926 – February 21, 2011) was an American medical doctor from New York who helped to found the National Association for the Repeal of Abortion Laws, but later became a pro-life activist. He was the narrator for the controversial 1984 anti-abortion film The Silent Scream.
Nathanson was born in New York City. His father was an obstetrician/gynecologist, the same career that Nathanson held in his professional life. Nathanson graduated in 1949 from McGill University Faculty of Medicine in Montreal.
He was licensed to practice in New York state since 1952 and became board-certified in obstetrics and gynecology in 1960. He was for a time the director of the Center for Reproductive and Sexual Health (CRASH), then the largest freestanding abortion facility in the world. In 1974 Nathanson wrote: “I am deeply troubled by my own increasing certainty that I had in fact presided over 60,000 deaths.” He also wrote that he performed an abortion on a woman whom he had impregnated.
Originally a pro-choice activist, Nathanson gained national attention by then becoming one of the founding members of the National Association for the Repeal of Abortion Laws (later renamed the National Abortion Rights Action League, and now known as NARAL Pro-Choice America). He worked with Betty Friedan and others for the legalization of abortion in the United States. Their efforts essentially succeeded with the Roe v Wade decision.
With the development of ultrasound in the 1970s, he had the chance to observe a real-time abortion. This led him to reconsider his views on abortion. He is often quoted as saying abortion is "the most atrocious holocaust in the history of the United States". He wrote the book Aborting America where he first exposed what he called "the dishonest beginnings of the abortion movement". In 1984, he directed and narrated a film titled The Silent Scream, in cooperation with the National Right to Life Committee, regarding abortion. His second documentary Eclipse of Reason dealt with late-term abortions. He stated that the numbers he once cited for NARAL concerning the number of deaths linked to illegal abortions were "false figures".
Referring to his previous work as an abortion provider and abortion rights activist, he wrote in his 1996 autobiography Hand of God, "I am one of those who helped usher in this barbaric age." Nathanson developed what he called the "vector theory of life", which states that from the moment of conception, there exists "a self-directed force of life that, if not interrupted, will lead to the birth of a human baby."
Nathanson grew up Jewish and for more than ten years after he became pro-life he described himself as a "Jewish atheist". In 1996 he converted to Catholicism through the efforts of an Opus Dei priest, the Rev. C. John McCloskey. In December 1996, Nathanson was baptized by Cardinal John O'Connor in a private Mass with a group of friends in New York’s St. Patrick’s Cathedral. He also received Confirmation and first Communion from the cardinal. He stated that "no religion matches the special role for forgiveness that is afforded by the Catholic Church" when asked why he converted to Roman Catholicism.
Nathanson married four times; his first three marriages ended in divorce.[1] He died of cancer in New York on February 21, 2011 at the age of 84. He was survived by his fourth wife, Christine, and a son, Joseph, from a previous union, who resides in New Jersey.
Source (4th October 2014):
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bernard_...
Nathanson was born in New York City. His father was an obstetrician/gynecologist, the same career that Nathanson held in his professional life. Nathanson graduated in 1949 from McGill University Faculty of Medicine in Montreal.
He was licensed to practice in New York state since 1952 and became board-certified in obstetrics and gynecology in 1960. He was for a time the director of the Center for Reproductive and Sexual Health (CRASH), then the largest freestanding abortion facility in the world. In 1974 Nathanson wrote: “I am deeply troubled by my own increasing certainty that I had in fact presided over 60,000 deaths.” He also wrote that he performed an abortion on a woman whom he had impregnated.
Originally a pro-choice activist, Nathanson gained national attention by then becoming one of the founding members of the National Association for the Repeal of Abortion Laws (later renamed the National Abortion Rights Action League, and now known as NARAL Pro-Choice America). He worked with Betty Friedan and others for the legalization of abortion in the United States. Their efforts essentially succeeded with the Roe v Wade decision.
With the development of ultrasound in the 1970s, he had the chance to observe a real-time abortion. This led him to reconsider his views on abortion. He is often quoted as saying abortion is "the most atrocious holocaust in the history of the United States". He wrote the book Aborting America where he first exposed what he called "the dishonest beginnings of the abortion movement". In 1984, he directed and narrated a film titled The Silent Scream, in cooperation with the National Right to Life Committee, regarding abortion. His second documentary Eclipse of Reason dealt with late-term abortions. He stated that the numbers he once cited for NARAL concerning the number of deaths linked to illegal abortions were "false figures".
Referring to his previous work as an abortion provider and abortion rights activist, he wrote in his 1996 autobiography Hand of God, "I am one of those who helped usher in this barbaric age." Nathanson developed what he called the "vector theory of life", which states that from the moment of conception, there exists "a self-directed force of life that, if not interrupted, will lead to the birth of a human baby."
Nathanson grew up Jewish and for more than ten years after he became pro-life he described himself as a "Jewish atheist". In 1996 he converted to Catholicism through the efforts of an Opus Dei priest, the Rev. C. John McCloskey. In December 1996, Nathanson was baptized by Cardinal John O'Connor in a private Mass with a group of friends in New York’s St. Patrick’s Cathedral. He also received Confirmation and first Communion from the cardinal. He stated that "no religion matches the special role for forgiveness that is afforded by the Catholic Church" when asked why he converted to Roman Catholicism.
Nathanson married four times; his first three marriages ended in divorce.[1] He died of cancer in New York on February 21, 2011 at the age of 84. He was survived by his fourth wife, Christine, and a son, Joseph, from a previous union, who resides in New Jersey.
Source (4th October 2014):
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bernard_...
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June 19, 2017
If you know even a little about the history of abortion in the USA, you have heard the name Dr. Bernard Nathanson. I stumbled upon his book at a local thrift store: The Hand of God, A Journey from Death to Life by the Abortion Doctor Who Changed His Mind. (Regnery Publishing, 1996). I could hardly put this book down once I began reading it! I highly recommend it.
Sometimes book reviews are hard for me to write because the book “overwhelms” me in a good type of way, and this is one of those books. It gave me so much to ponder, that I hardly know what to say except: read the book yourself! In fact, I thought about not writing a review because I did not think it would do the book justice. But I must try, because people need to read this book.
It is partly autobiographical about Nathanson’s personal life and partly a history of abortion – directly related to his involvement with it. Of course, his personal life and abortion life interconnect – helping explain how he ended up where he did in life. Nathanson grew up in the Jewish culture, but would later identify as atheist – a fairly common thing among Jews. There was much tension in his family growing up, as there was ill-will between his father and his mother’s family. His dad was a difficult man whom he describes as “a deeply confused, fragile, driven man with no point to his life” (page 33). His father was an obstetrician/gynecologist, and Nathanson followed him into this career. Nathanson’s personal life was troubled, and he had several failed marriages. He expressed regret about the neglect of his son – being consumed with his career, he was rarely home.
Nathanson was involved with abortion early – he was a key figure among those who began working towards the legalization of abortion in the 1960’s. Some of these individuals were literally obsessed with the legalization of abortion, and it consumed their life. He was one of the founding members of the National Association for the Repeal of Abortion Laws (later renamed the National Abortion Rights Action League). In the 1970’s Nathanson became known as “the abortion king” and presided over about 60,000 abortions.
What led the abortion king to renounce abortion and become a pro-life activist? The development of ultrasound. And ultrasound alone.
He was callous with the many abortions he performed, even aborting his own child – with no remorse or emotional difficulty. He offers some thoughtful analysis about this callousness and the ability to disconnect from what you are doing. It was not until he saw abortions performed as an ultrasound recorded it (a new technology at that time) – that everything changed.
Him and another colleague were stunned when they first observed ultrasound as an abortion was done. The doctor who did the abortion was “so affected that he never did another abortion” and Nathanson “was shaken to the very roots of my soul by what I saw” (page 41). Nathanson emphasizes that his “conversion” from pro-abortion to pro-life was a purely empirical event.
He came “to the conclusion that there was no reason for abortion at any time; this person in the womb is a living human being, and we could not continue to wage war against the most defenseless of human beings. Having looked at the ultrasound, I could no longer go on as before…To disrupt or abort a life at this point is intolerable – it is a crime. I don’t make any bones about using that word: Abortion is a crime” (page 128, 130).
Remember “The Silent Scream”? One of the tapes of an abortion being recorded by ultrasound was turned into this short film.
Nathanson, in detail, talks about how abortion doctors tend to be the dregs of the medical field. At one point he made sure he had competent and quality doctors at his clinic, but it could not be maintained. Are all abortion doctors incompetent? No. But he explains the various reasons that “lured the competent away from the abortion clinics, leaving the vacancies to the inexperienced and the losers” (page 121). At one point he refers to abortion doctors as “quacks and hacks” (page 123). Nathanson was not being flippant or insulting, only truthful, and he thoroughly explained why abortion tends to attract incompetent doctors.
In a word so prophetic it stunned me, Nathanson said that his own experience “leads me to the conclusion that the abortionist problem is inherent to abortion and likely to get worse, not better” (page 119).
The “abortionist problem” refers to abortion doctors tending to be incompetent, even dangerous. Note: there are incompetents in every field of medicine, but for abortion it seems inherent. Nathanson’s prediction was accurate. Think of the recent horror of Kermit Gosnell, among others.
The book also brought up the (then) new area of selling fetal body parts for supposed research – that was both fruitless and impractical. I’d never considered the total impracticality of fetal tissue, even if legitimate ways to use it were found. He states “The prospects of real benefits from fetal research or tissue therapy are sufficiently far-fetched to make one wonder about the motives of its advocates.” – Not much has changed since 1996, and the senseless horror continues.
Nathanson remained an atheist, even after he became involved in the pro-life movement. But he was gradually drawn to faith in God and ultimately to Roman Catholicism. He was deeply impacted by the moral witness of the Christian believers he encountered as he became involved with the cause. I wish Nathanson had shared more about his conversion to Christianity, as he only talked about it more broadly and in tidbits.
I highly recommend this book to you. It is a well written, honest memoir, with much to consider for anyone who cares even a little about the abortion issue in this country. That means you. Whether you identify as pro-life or pro-choice, there is much to ponder about the history and reality of abortion.
It is also a story of redemption. Through faith in Christ, there is hope for everyone and sin can be forgiven.
*This review was originally on my blog: https://lightenough.wordpress.com/201...
Sometimes book reviews are hard for me to write because the book “overwhelms” me in a good type of way, and this is one of those books. It gave me so much to ponder, that I hardly know what to say except: read the book yourself! In fact, I thought about not writing a review because I did not think it would do the book justice. But I must try, because people need to read this book.
It is partly autobiographical about Nathanson’s personal life and partly a history of abortion – directly related to his involvement with it. Of course, his personal life and abortion life interconnect – helping explain how he ended up where he did in life. Nathanson grew up in the Jewish culture, but would later identify as atheist – a fairly common thing among Jews. There was much tension in his family growing up, as there was ill-will between his father and his mother’s family. His dad was a difficult man whom he describes as “a deeply confused, fragile, driven man with no point to his life” (page 33). His father was an obstetrician/gynecologist, and Nathanson followed him into this career. Nathanson’s personal life was troubled, and he had several failed marriages. He expressed regret about the neglect of his son – being consumed with his career, he was rarely home.
Nathanson was involved with abortion early – he was a key figure among those who began working towards the legalization of abortion in the 1960’s. Some of these individuals were literally obsessed with the legalization of abortion, and it consumed their life. He was one of the founding members of the National Association for the Repeal of Abortion Laws (later renamed the National Abortion Rights Action League). In the 1970’s Nathanson became known as “the abortion king” and presided over about 60,000 abortions.
What led the abortion king to renounce abortion and become a pro-life activist? The development of ultrasound. And ultrasound alone.
He was callous with the many abortions he performed, even aborting his own child – with no remorse or emotional difficulty. He offers some thoughtful analysis about this callousness and the ability to disconnect from what you are doing. It was not until he saw abortions performed as an ultrasound recorded it (a new technology at that time) – that everything changed.
Him and another colleague were stunned when they first observed ultrasound as an abortion was done. The doctor who did the abortion was “so affected that he never did another abortion” and Nathanson “was shaken to the very roots of my soul by what I saw” (page 41). Nathanson emphasizes that his “conversion” from pro-abortion to pro-life was a purely empirical event.
He came “to the conclusion that there was no reason for abortion at any time; this person in the womb is a living human being, and we could not continue to wage war against the most defenseless of human beings. Having looked at the ultrasound, I could no longer go on as before…To disrupt or abort a life at this point is intolerable – it is a crime. I don’t make any bones about using that word: Abortion is a crime” (page 128, 130).
Remember “The Silent Scream”? One of the tapes of an abortion being recorded by ultrasound was turned into this short film.
Nathanson, in detail, talks about how abortion doctors tend to be the dregs of the medical field. At one point he made sure he had competent and quality doctors at his clinic, but it could not be maintained. Are all abortion doctors incompetent? No. But he explains the various reasons that “lured the competent away from the abortion clinics, leaving the vacancies to the inexperienced and the losers” (page 121). At one point he refers to abortion doctors as “quacks and hacks” (page 123). Nathanson was not being flippant or insulting, only truthful, and he thoroughly explained why abortion tends to attract incompetent doctors.
In a word so prophetic it stunned me, Nathanson said that his own experience “leads me to the conclusion that the abortionist problem is inherent to abortion and likely to get worse, not better” (page 119).
The “abortionist problem” refers to abortion doctors tending to be incompetent, even dangerous. Note: there are incompetents in every field of medicine, but for abortion it seems inherent. Nathanson’s prediction was accurate. Think of the recent horror of Kermit Gosnell, among others.
The book also brought up the (then) new area of selling fetal body parts for supposed research – that was both fruitless and impractical. I’d never considered the total impracticality of fetal tissue, even if legitimate ways to use it were found. He states “The prospects of real benefits from fetal research or tissue therapy are sufficiently far-fetched to make one wonder about the motives of its advocates.” – Not much has changed since 1996, and the senseless horror continues.
Nathanson remained an atheist, even after he became involved in the pro-life movement. But he was gradually drawn to faith in God and ultimately to Roman Catholicism. He was deeply impacted by the moral witness of the Christian believers he encountered as he became involved with the cause. I wish Nathanson had shared more about his conversion to Christianity, as he only talked about it more broadly and in tidbits.
I highly recommend this book to you. It is a well written, honest memoir, with much to consider for anyone who cares even a little about the abortion issue in this country. That means you. Whether you identify as pro-life or pro-choice, there is much to ponder about the history and reality of abortion.
It is also a story of redemption. Through faith in Christ, there is hope for everyone and sin can be forgiven.
*This review was originally on my blog: https://lightenough.wordpress.com/201...
December 6, 2015
The Hand of God is a memoir from a former abortionist who was pivotal in legalizing abortion in America. Dr. Bernard Nathanson was a cofounder of NARAL, now the NARAL pro-choice America, formerly the national Association for the Repeal of Abortion Laws. Nathanson campaigned to make abortion legal and then ran one of the biggest abortion clinics in the country. After working at the clinic for many years, and supervising all the doctors, as well as performing many abortions himself, he became convinced that abortion was the taking of a life. Breakthroughs in fetal development research and embryology drove his conversion, which was not motivated by religious teachings. He became a famous pro-life activist, and produced the movie The Silent Scream, which showed an unborn baby being aborted in the womb, recorded on ultrasound. The film was very controversial and converted many peoples of the pro-life cause. It can still be found online in various places.
In this book, Dr. Nathanson talks about his life, from his childhood to his adulthood. Since in another book, Aborting America, he chronicled his fight to legalize abortion and his work at the abortion clinic, he only brushes over that in this book. He talks more about his pro-life conversion and his pro-life activities. He discusses filming the silent scream, and describes what it was like being in the pro-life movement. It's more of a memoir than an actual pro-life book I thought, it is more of a biography or autobiography rather. Dr. Nathanson converted to Catholicism several years before he died. Therefore, he discusses his conversion in his book and gives his reasons for becoming a Catholic. He believes that God drew him into the Catholic fold, but the religious content of the book is not too overpowering. Therefore, it can be read by anyone – I am a non-Christian but I still feel I got a lot out of the book.
I recommend this book to anyone interested in the abortion debate, or anyone interested in Dr. Nathanson's life and the reasons why he he made the tremendous transitions that he did – first from vehemently pro-choice to pro-life, then for an atheist to a Catholic. The book captures his life very effectively.
In this book, Dr. Nathanson talks about his life, from his childhood to his adulthood. Since in another book, Aborting America, he chronicled his fight to legalize abortion and his work at the abortion clinic, he only brushes over that in this book. He talks more about his pro-life conversion and his pro-life activities. He discusses filming the silent scream, and describes what it was like being in the pro-life movement. It's more of a memoir than an actual pro-life book I thought, it is more of a biography or autobiography rather. Dr. Nathanson converted to Catholicism several years before he died. Therefore, he discusses his conversion in his book and gives his reasons for becoming a Catholic. He believes that God drew him into the Catholic fold, but the religious content of the book is not too overpowering. Therefore, it can be read by anyone – I am a non-Christian but I still feel I got a lot out of the book.
I recommend this book to anyone interested in the abortion debate, or anyone interested in Dr. Nathanson's life and the reasons why he he made the tremendous transitions that he did – first from vehemently pro-choice to pro-life, then for an atheist to a Catholic. The book captures his life very effectively.
March 21, 2009
Bernard is a Jewish doctor who practiced many abortions at one time but is now on the pro-life side. How did this happen? This story is also an amazing one of how he went from a harsh childhood raised in the Jewish rituals to a believer in Christ, the Maker of life.
Also in this book you’ll find out even more facts about the beginning of life and just what happens during an abortion. Shocking and yet, I was not able to feel angry at this man who had committed these horrible deeds. Instead I found forgiveness in my heart and thankfulness that he now understands and stands for the value of life.
Also in this book you’ll find out even more facts about the beginning of life and just what happens during an abortion. Shocking and yet, I was not able to feel angry at this man who had committed these horrible deeds. Instead I found forgiveness in my heart and thankfulness that he now understands and stands for the value of life.
January 21, 2022
Such an important book everyone should read this
December 22, 2008
*A journey from death to life by the abortion doctor who changed his mind* Dr. Nathanson tells his life story with unsparing honesty. You'll find out why the nation's most prominent abortionist (over 60,000 abortions!) renounced his profession to become a pro-life advocate and a Christian. Dramatic, informative, heart-wrenching.
Deeply personal memoir. Not for younger readers under 16.
Deeply personal memoir. Not for younger readers under 16.
January 30, 2025
I found this book helpful in seeing what the abortion conversation looked like before my time. I appreciated how Nathanson told about his life experiences, his values, and his career. It was amazing to see how God brought Nathanson to value pre-born life through the scientific development of the ultrasound and brought him into relationship with Himself.
September 22, 2022
Very impressive! I would definitely recommend this book to anyone.
I'm glad Mr. Nathanson came out about his role in all of this, and his strength of opinion was impressive. I did have to look up quite a few words. The man has a large vocabulary!
I will be reading more of this man.
I'm glad Mr. Nathanson came out about his role in all of this, and his strength of opinion was impressive. I did have to look up quite a few words. The man has a large vocabulary!
I will be reading more of this man.
December 20, 2020
4.5 stars
This is Nathanson's autobiography. He grew up in a nominally Jewish, dysfunctional family, and became an OB/GYN. Embracing the pro-choice movement, he personally presided over 75,000 abortions - even that of his own child.
After ultrasound technology came onto the scene, Nathanson began to doubt his actions as abortionist, then made a determinate leap to the pro-life "side." It's so interesting to me that he was a prominent pro-life advocate and speaker before wanting to have anything to do with religion. (He eventually joined the Catholic church.)
In addition to abortion and faith, he discusses contraception, and fetal tissue transplants. I especially liked a chapter titled, "Nothing Wasted," in which he shows what sorts of things society will be facing if the abortion mentality continues.
I appreciated his blunt communication style, and matter-of-fact, rational personality.
This is Nathanson's autobiography. He grew up in a nominally Jewish, dysfunctional family, and became an OB/GYN. Embracing the pro-choice movement, he personally presided over 75,000 abortions - even that of his own child.
After ultrasound technology came onto the scene, Nathanson began to doubt his actions as abortionist, then made a determinate leap to the pro-life "side." It's so interesting to me that he was a prominent pro-life advocate and speaker before wanting to have anything to do with religion. (He eventually joined the Catholic church.)
In addition to abortion and faith, he discusses contraception, and fetal tissue transplants. I especially liked a chapter titled, "Nothing Wasted," in which he shows what sorts of things society will be facing if the abortion mentality continues.
I appreciated his blunt communication style, and matter-of-fact, rational personality.
September 11, 2010
I am glad I read this book, but it was not as good as Dr. Nathanson's other book, Aborting America. This book restated much of Dr. Nathanson's life leading up to and including his years as an abortionist. It did not give as much detail as the other work, but was interesting nonetheless. The second half of the book was very interesting as it contained a more updated pro-life opinion of Dr, Nathanson. This book is a must read for anyone interested in the abortion debate.
June 12, 2008
This book was so honest and so blunt. At times even made my stomach roll, it really gave me a better awareness of where our society is at with this issue.
December 11, 2024
I don't regret reading this book at all but I give it a three star review because for my IQ level 😉, I found the book to be a bit of a difficult read. I definitely read many new words and honestly don't know what a lot of them mean. But this book does give a window into one man's journey and I always find that worthwhile to read. At the time of this publication, he is a very recent convert to Catholicism. I would enjoy hearing his story again but told 10 years later to continue to hear the journey he went on with God.
This book also offers a very helpful perspective on the beginnings of the abortion story in the US.
This book also offers a very helpful perspective on the beginnings of the abortion story in the US.
August 4, 2009
I was too young in the seventies to remember the cultural turmoil that was raging (let alone the period that led to it) so this book was helpful in understanding what happened, this time from the standpoint of the highly educated sphere (the cultural engineers). It also confirms what other pro-life "converts" have said about the total lack of feelings they had when doing or witnessing the horrendous "procedure" and how the glow of love and selflessness from believers can strike the most hardened. Dr. Nathanson produced "The Silent Scream" after the advent of 3D technology revealed to him the life in the womb. Informed choice can help make a 180 degree turn.
April 21, 2014
I needed my dictionary by my side as I read the sad life of this brilliant man on the verge of conversion to Catholicism. It took me only one day to read. While now dated and pre-Obama and stem cells it is still a fascinating and alarming book. At times it is not easy reading
especially given the graphic descriptions of abortion but one knows that these accounts are not gratuitous but merely serve to show how people can allow themselves to be in the wrong even in face of all empirical data to the contrary.
Lord have mercy on his soul
especially given the graphic descriptions of abortion but one knows that these accounts are not gratuitous but merely serve to show how people can allow themselves to be in the wrong even in face of all empirical data to the contrary.
Lord have mercy on his soul
March 11, 2020
For anyone who is interested in how Roe V Wade came to be and the tactics used (lying about the number of deaths from "back-alley" abortions for example), this is a book which will tell you some of that history. Dr Nathanson was an atheist who also helped the feminists promote the "woman's right to choose" and push this notion on the public. Thank God he saw the Humanity of the unborn person. This was when he witnessed, through ultrasound, a live abortion performed. A video was made of this: The Silent Scream. Not light reading.
January 24, 2013
Nathan son gives an honest account of his past and present, and the circumstances which lead him to his current beliefs and opinions. It takes courage and humility to publicly share ones thought failings.
April 21, 2014
This book outlines the ethical and spiritual journey of atheist/abortionist Bernard Nathanson who became a pro-life advocate before coming to Christ. I read his book _Aborting America_ many years ago. This book is captivating. I finished it in four days.
October 10, 2019
The middle part of this book was especially riveting. The end got a bit academic. All in all, a very important read about how the co- founder of NARAL became pro- life!
October 10, 2023
There are so many factors about this story that make it unimaginable. The transformation from a prolific abortionist and activist to that of an anti-abortion defender of life is too impossible and could not be the work of man but was orchestrated by the hand of an all-powerful God. Dr. Bernard N. Nathanson was an OB/Gyn in New York who helped to found the National Association for the Repeal of Abortion Laws, and became a pro-life activist. He was the narrator for the controversial 1984 anti-abortion film "The Silent Scream".
He was for a time the director of the Center for Reproductive and Sexual Health (CRASH), then the largest freestanding abortion facility in the world. In 1974 Nathanson wrote: “I am deeply troubled by my own increasing certainty that I had in fact presided over 60,000 deaths.” One of the abortions he performed was that of his own child. He explained that he did so with absolute emotional numbness, even as he pulled the tiny body parts from the mesh bag in which they were suctioned out of the womb. Then piece-by-piece he accounts for each part of his own child's tiny body to insure he had successfully removed the entire fetus, leaving nothing behind to reduce the risk of serious infection and even sepsis.
Though the book was published over 25 years ago, it details and outlines the history of abortion in the 20th century. Most Americans are totally clueless of how abortion first became acceptable, then legal until finally ballooned into a massive money making industry. Dr. Nathanson worked with Betty Friedan and others for the legalization of abortion in the United States. Their efforts essentially succeeded with the Roe v Wade decision. He states in the book, "I am one of those who helped usher in this barbaric age."
As ultrasound technology was being deveoped in the 1970s, Nathanson had the chance to observe an ultrasound guided abortion. This shocking experience caused him to reconsider his views. He is often quoted as saying abortion is "the most atrocious holocaust in the history of the United States". His ethical journey from abortionist to pro-life advocate happened even before coming to Christ. His eyes were simply opened to the reality of human life beginning at conception. He could not deny that abortion is the murder of a human being, no matter the size or developmental age.
I recommend this book to those who are willing to look honestly at this horror we have come to accept and even call healthcare. How have we arrived here? Nathanson helps us see.
He was for a time the director of the Center for Reproductive and Sexual Health (CRASH), then the largest freestanding abortion facility in the world. In 1974 Nathanson wrote: “I am deeply troubled by my own increasing certainty that I had in fact presided over 60,000 deaths.” One of the abortions he performed was that of his own child. He explained that he did so with absolute emotional numbness, even as he pulled the tiny body parts from the mesh bag in which they were suctioned out of the womb. Then piece-by-piece he accounts for each part of his own child's tiny body to insure he had successfully removed the entire fetus, leaving nothing behind to reduce the risk of serious infection and even sepsis.
Though the book was published over 25 years ago, it details and outlines the history of abortion in the 20th century. Most Americans are totally clueless of how abortion first became acceptable, then legal until finally ballooned into a massive money making industry. Dr. Nathanson worked with Betty Friedan and others for the legalization of abortion in the United States. Their efforts essentially succeeded with the Roe v Wade decision. He states in the book, "I am one of those who helped usher in this barbaric age."
As ultrasound technology was being deveoped in the 1970s, Nathanson had the chance to observe an ultrasound guided abortion. This shocking experience caused him to reconsider his views. He is often quoted as saying abortion is "the most atrocious holocaust in the history of the United States". His ethical journey from abortionist to pro-life advocate happened even before coming to Christ. His eyes were simply opened to the reality of human life beginning at conception. He could not deny that abortion is the murder of a human being, no matter the size or developmental age.
I recommend this book to those who are willing to look honestly at this horror we have come to accept and even call healthcare. How have we arrived here? Nathanson helps us see.
November 2, 2024
Wow! I had this book on my list to read for quite a while. Even though it was published over 20 years ago his story and the points he makes throughout the book are still very relevant today as we think about and ponder abortion, the supposedly right to choose argument versus the right to live for the unborn. His writing is so detailed yet so eloquent as he describes in great detail his journey growing up with an insufferable father, his Jewish roots, and then his life as a medical student and then "successful" abortionist. I thought it was amazing that it was the coming of age of the ultrasound that actually turned him initially against the abortion process and procedure. In many parts it is hard to read as he goes into great detail what happens during the abortion. I found it surprising that he dealt with other topics besides his childhood including fetal tissue research, the pro-life demonstrations and movement, political atmosphere mentioning Clinton, the pro-choice lobby and strongarm tactics all motivated (for the most part) by greed and money. As he states, his way back to the church and belief in God and His Son was backwards in that he walked away from abortion before walking into faith after struggling mightily with the despair and thoughts of suicide carrying the burden of having killed thousands including in his own child.
June 1, 2023
I thought that the book was very engaging in the beginning - I loved the way that he wrote about his father and his childhood. Some chapters were a bit slow, especially as he got into the nitty gritty details that felt a bit unnecessary. However, I think that he rebounded well by having some chapters that were highly engaging.
Ultimately, the slow chapters were hella slow but the good chapters were hella good. So very neutral. But he also wrote in a strange way - connecting things in places that would have made more sense elsewhere. Kind of like this review LOL
I think that he did good at making an objective argument without using too much language and I also liked how he spoke on medical ethics and the oath that doctors swear. My 2 cents.
Ultimately, the slow chapters were hella slow but the good chapters were hella good. So very neutral. But he also wrote in a strange way - connecting things in places that would have made more sense elsewhere. Kind of like this review LOL
I think that he did good at making an objective argument without using too much language and I also liked how he spoke on medical ethics and the oath that doctors swear. My 2 cents.
January 10, 2025
A first hand account of the rise of abortion in America and his personal role in it. He discusses factors that led to this rise to include decline of religion and a general decline of regard for human life. He discusses selling of fetal tissue, euthanasia: I found these discussions highly relevant to what is going on today. As a young doctor, I was not taught this history. I was taught that abortion is a “woman’s rights issue”. My eyes have been opened to the truth thanks to many firsthand accounts of people who were brave enough to speak out against the multibillion dollar abortion industry.
Overall, one doctor’s journey from being one of the most prominent abortion providers to being opposed to all abortion.
Overall, one doctor’s journey from being one of the most prominent abortion providers to being opposed to all abortion.
September 24, 2017
This book is well written with good grammar and correct punctuation. I don’t have a problem with the riding at all. Yet I spent most of 2/3 of the book feeling angry and disgusted. I suppose that’s with the author intended since he described himself as a very callous person and went into detail about how he performed abortions. I rejoiced his turning around, of his coming to know Christ and his change of heart toward the unborn. I’m glad I stuck with the book, not putting it down when I felt like it. This man did so many things in the last 25 years of his life that showed me he was changing from the inside out. The fruit of the spirit was abundantly sweet.
June 9, 2017
Excellent read on the importance of such an immensely devastating crime in the United States. Though some of the passages were a bit graphic and upsetting, it was a great read to understand the true reasons for the initial legalization of abortion and the unfortunate effect it has had on our society today. It was a great experience to read something including both the morality and scientific evidence behind such an important issue today. Would recommend.
May 31, 2022
This is an excellent book to read if you want to get familiar with the abortion movement from the beginning. It is easy to read fairly quickly although emotionally challenging in some parts.
Bernard Nathanson tells his story alongside that of abortion in this memoir. We see him change from cold abortionist to pro-life activist to Christian.
Worth reading if you’re wanting to arm yourself with the truth surrounding abortion.
Bernard Nathanson tells his story alongside that of abortion in this memoir. We see him change from cold abortionist to pro-life activist to Christian.
Worth reading if you’re wanting to arm yourself with the truth surrounding abortion.
April 17, 2023
Fascinating story, from Nathanson being one of the most vocal, active abortion activists to becoming a leader in the pro-life movement (after the advent of ultrasound). I wish I had gotten more detail of the process of conversion, the whole thing took about a page.
Also. Put down the thesaurus for the love of all things holy.
Also. Put down the thesaurus for the love of all things holy.
January 31, 2021
One of the best biographies I have ever read. The honesty and reality of his life is hard to comprehend. No such conversion could’ve happened without the help of God. I thank God for giving him the strength and courage to share his life experience with everyone.
March 21, 2021
Couldn't put it down. Except I had to because he uses a lot of BIG words...lol. This book will not only improve your vocabulary and give you insights into a very dark practice but make you reflect on your values and morals. Which is always a good thing, right?
October 5, 2022
Extremely sobering and at times, hard to read. He talks in detail about how abortions were performed, the treatment many of the women received, and the callous attitudes of "health professionals" who received massive amounts of money on the side for performing abortions.
March 16, 2019
Awesome story from a former abortionist and pro abortion advocate.
October 8, 2019
I had hoped to learn more of his journey into the Catholic Church than what he gave. A bit disappointed.
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