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Gosnell: The Untold Story of America's Most Prolific Serial Killer
He is America’s most prolific serial killer. And yet Kermit Gosnell was no obvious criminal. The abortion doctor was a pillar of his community, an advocate for women’s “reproductive health,” and a respected member of Philadelphia’s professional elite. His Women’s Medical Society Clinic looked like admirable community outreach by a brave doctor committed to upholding women’s rights. Meanwhile, inside the filthy building, Gosnell was casually murdering born-alive infants, butchering women, and making a macabre collection of severed babies’ feet. His accomplices in crime were a staff of dropouts, drug addicts, and unlicensed medical professionals posing as doctors. But even more important to his decades-long crime spree were his enablers in the outside world—from the state bureaucrats who had copious evidence that Gosnell was breaking the law but did nothing to the politicians whose fervent support for abortion rights kept health inspectors away. The “pro-choice” political, bureaucratic, and media establishment smiled on Gosnell—and gave him carte blanche to kill. Even law enforcement seemed to not care. Philadelphia Police Homicide Unit received a complaint about Gosnell years before he was caught, gave it a cursory look, and ignored the evidence. Two women and hundreds of babies died after they closed the case. Luckily, Detective Jim Wood—a narcotics detective—opened a drug case against Gosnell. What he found when he served his warrant left even the most grizzled members of the police force stunned. Now Ann McElhinney and Phelim McAleer, the veteran investigative journalists and filmmakers behind FrackNation, dig into Gosnell’s crimes. A record-breaking crowdfunding campaign financed their Gosnell movie starring young Superman Dean Cain, but in the research for the film, McElhinney and McAleer uncovered fascinating and previously unreported revelations that couldn’t be included in the film. Gosnell: The Untold Story of America’s Most Prolific Serial Killer contains the full results of their investigation.
347 pages, Hardcover
First published January 26, 2016
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 350 reviews
February 26, 2017
Warning: this book and probably the review is all kinds of triggery. Be warned.
When I started reading this book (that one of the women I worked with loaned me) I thought it was just a pro-life story. I almost never picked it up. Because for one, I'm tired of politics being beat over my head. I educate myself and make my own opinions. Beating me over the head just tends to tick me off and make me ignore whatever it is that you are saying.
But this.
I don't give two craps about whether you are pro-life or pro-choice..so let's get that out of the way first. This stinking book is going to give me nightmares for years. I almost wish I had never read it. BUT the world should have taken notice when it was going on. They should still take notice. I honestly COULD NOT wrap my brain around the fact that this was a supposed true life crime story. I had to stop and research and then still am having a hard time believing this is true.
In 2013..take note of that date. Not 1913..but 2013. Police entered into a women's health clinic because of a prescription narcotic ring that they had been investigating.
This place right here...
Not only did they find that the doctor, Kermit Barron Gosnell was supplying an unlimited supply of narcotics out randomly for a small cash fee. They found that recently a woman had died due to the care that she had received here.
Filthy conditions, two flea invested cats that were entering procedure rooms, urine and blood soaked equipment, the stench....and then the body parts.
Gosnell and his untrained staff had been performing abortions. Not just abortions (Don't start with the whole legality/morality of this-I ain't up to it) but late term abortions.
Now I'm not one to decide for another woman what should be done with her body, and this book and the story behind it doesn't really do that so calm down. I'm trying to figure out how to somewhat put into words the horrors of this stuff.
Gosnell charged the women up front (in cash) so that he would do the procedure for them. He mostly dealt with minority, poor and/or immigrants. So what he was doing wasn't really paid very much attention. He had some complaints. They got ignored.
When police went in he had remains of aborted infants feet saved in drink containers, he had stopped up toilets because body parts just got flushed. They were put down the garbage disposal.
Teenage girls were brought into his clinic, not wanting the abortion. Their moms/grandmothers brought them in. He and his staff would hold them down and drug them and do the procedure anyways. (I'm not including all the horrors that happened in that clinic in my review because I want them out of my mind right now.)
I just can't. I'm a woman. I work in public health. I see ALL kinds of stuff but this??? Why was the media not all over this? Because it's a hot subject. Abortion is a topic that you don't want to shed bad light on if you are pro-choice. BUT damn, this was cold blooded murders. Multiple murders.
I'm not going to share the horrific images that the book says exist and that when I searched for I found. I gagged almost the whole time. I'm ashamed that this happened. I'm ashamed that no one stood up for these women.
I will share this one of where the patients were placed until they could be made to get the heck out of the clinic so the next woman could take their spot.
When I started reading this book (that one of the women I worked with loaned me) I thought it was just a pro-life story. I almost never picked it up. Because for one, I'm tired of politics being beat over my head. I educate myself and make my own opinions. Beating me over the head just tends to tick me off and make me ignore whatever it is that you are saying.
But this.
I don't give two craps about whether you are pro-life or pro-choice..so let's get that out of the way first. This stinking book is going to give me nightmares for years. I almost wish I had never read it. BUT the world should have taken notice when it was going on. They should still take notice. I honestly COULD NOT wrap my brain around the fact that this was a supposed true life crime story. I had to stop and research and then still am having a hard time believing this is true.
In 2013..take note of that date. Not 1913..but 2013. Police entered into a women's health clinic because of a prescription narcotic ring that they had been investigating.
This place right here...
Not only did they find that the doctor, Kermit Barron Gosnell was supplying an unlimited supply of narcotics out randomly for a small cash fee. They found that recently a woman had died due to the care that she had received here.
Filthy conditions, two flea invested cats that were entering procedure rooms, urine and blood soaked equipment, the stench....and then the body parts.
Gosnell and his untrained staff had been performing abortions. Not just abortions (Don't start with the whole legality/morality of this-I ain't up to it) but late term abortions.
Now I'm not one to decide for another woman what should be done with her body, and this book and the story behind it doesn't really do that so calm down. I'm trying to figure out how to somewhat put into words the horrors of this stuff.
Gosnell charged the women up front (in cash) so that he would do the procedure for them. He mostly dealt with minority, poor and/or immigrants. So what he was doing wasn't really paid very much attention. He had some complaints. They got ignored.
When police went in he had remains of aborted infants feet saved in drink containers, he had stopped up toilets because body parts just got flushed. They were put down the garbage disposal.
Teenage girls were brought into his clinic, not wanting the abortion. Their moms/grandmothers brought them in. He and his staff would hold them down and drug them and do the procedure anyways. (I'm not including all the horrors that happened in that clinic in my review because I want them out of my mind right now.)
I just can't. I'm a woman. I work in public health. I see ALL kinds of stuff but this??? Why was the media not all over this? Because it's a hot subject. Abortion is a topic that you don't want to shed bad light on if you are pro-choice. BUT damn, this was cold blooded murders. Multiple murders.
I'm not going to share the horrific images that the book says exist and that when I searched for I found. I gagged almost the whole time. I'm ashamed that this happened. I'm ashamed that no one stood up for these women.
I will share this one of where the patients were placed until they could be made to get the heck out of the clinic so the next woman could take their spot.
February 7, 2017
“Infant beheadings. Severed baby feet in jars. A child screaming after it was delivered alive during an abortion procedure. Haven’t heard about these sickening accusations? It’s not your fault. Since the murder trial of Pennsylvania abortion doctor Kermit Gosnell began March 18, there has been precious little coverage of the case that should be on every news show and front page.” Kirsten Powers, USA Today, April 11, 2013
That was almost 4 years ago. Still haven’t heard of Gosnell? Neither had my sister or my husband when I mentioned I was reading this book, although I expect quite a few more people will become familiar with the name soon as they start to publicize the upcoming movie*, once again bypassing mainstream news media. I remember reading about it because I’m a regular on those alternative news sites which follow stories our liberal press ignores. There wasn’t a lot back in 2010 when Gosnell was first arrested or even in 2013 during the trial because my sources tend not to sensationalize stories, but enough I could never forget him.
This story is gruesome on many counts, but does it in fact meet the criteria that McElhinney and McAleer claim, that of being ‘The Untold Story of America's Most Prolific Serial Killer’? Did Gosnell actually kill more people than say a Ted Bundy (admitted 30 but could have been more) or a John Wayne Gacy (33)? ‘Exactly how big a serial killer is Gosnell? We have plenty of evidence to support our claim that he is the biggest serial killer in American history. First, there was never any suggestion that the three babies Gosnell was convicted of murdering were unusual. The prosecutors simply selected the cases in which they believed they had the strongest likelihood of winning a conviction. But those babies died in a way that was standard practice at the Women’s Medical Society clinic. Gosnell’s modus operandi was to kill babies born alive by cutting their spinal cords. “Over the years, there were hundreds of ‘snippings,’” the grand jury concluded. Their report is filled with evidence from a multitude of witnesses saying that hundreds of babies were killed in this way. Tina Baldwin said she witnessed Gosnell snip babies’ necks “hundreds of times.”
And there were also (at least) two women who died under his care, not to mention countless others who were injured, often seriously, those who required surgery, even hysterectomies. If the stories about the way babies suffered don’t break your heart, the women’s testimonies will. It was only because most of these women were poor, lower class, minorities that more lawsuits weren’t filed. Government agencies were well aware of what happened at Gosnell’s. He was frequently written up back in the 80’s as his practice began to burgeon. The trouble was no one ever bothered to follow-up. Eventually those responsible for ensuring the safety of abortion providers just gave up on 3801 Lancaster Avenue.
When Narcotics detective Jim Wood (Woody) began his investigation of what he thought was illegal prescription drug trade, he never in his wildest dreams expected what he encountered the evening of February 18, 2010 when he walked into the Women’s Medical Society clinic.
Blood and filth everywhere, overpowering stench, cats running about in ‘procedure’ rooms, piles of trash, everything covered in cat hair, dead baby parts stored in plastic bags, milk bottles and various other containers throughout the place, including backing up the garbage disposal.
‘Equipment was outdated and rusty. Women recovering from their abortions sat on dirty recliners covered with bloodstained blankets that employees said they “tried” to have cleaned weekly. Unlicensed employees had sedated all of the women, long before Gosnell arrived. Staff members couldn’t say for certain which medications they had given or what dosages they had administered. Many of the medications that the agents and detectives found in inventory were well past their expiration dates. The pre-op and post-op areas shared the same space … Gosnell made no effort to protect his patients’ privacy or dignity.’
Oh, Detective Wood found plenty of drugs and evidence of illegal trade. Sadly, the drugs intended to kill the babies (relatively) painlessly in the womb were too expensive and therefore weren’t used for that purpose, which is why so many had to be murdered later outside their mothers using scissors and inflicting who knows what kind of pain.
How could such an atrocity happen here in America today? And even more, how could it escape the outrage of most of the nation? That is what McElhinney and McAleer explore so eloquently in their book. There are no easy answers. It’s not any one person or group’s fault; there is no quick fix any more than there is an easy answer to any other social problem currently pressing on our country—unless you want a spiritual one—which most people don’t. We like to look for scapegoats; that is convenient. And certainly Gosnell was a monster. But there was so much shared culpability too, especially at the governmental level. More laws will not fix this. People’s hearts have to change. We have to learn to value human babies more than dogs and cats.
The synopsis of the prosecuting attorney, Cameron’s summation, is worth reading the book alone. I couldn't do anything else once I started reading this. It has made me so very very sad. Beyond words. I do not think I will read a more important book this year.
*There seems to be as much reluctance in Hollywood to allow a movie about Gosnell as there was by the media to report on him.
That was almost 4 years ago. Still haven’t heard of Gosnell? Neither had my sister or my husband when I mentioned I was reading this book, although I expect quite a few more people will become familiar with the name soon as they start to publicize the upcoming movie*, once again bypassing mainstream news media. I remember reading about it because I’m a regular on those alternative news sites which follow stories our liberal press ignores. There wasn’t a lot back in 2010 when Gosnell was first arrested or even in 2013 during the trial because my sources tend not to sensationalize stories, but enough I could never forget him.
This story is gruesome on many counts, but does it in fact meet the criteria that McElhinney and McAleer claim, that of being ‘The Untold Story of America's Most Prolific Serial Killer’? Did Gosnell actually kill more people than say a Ted Bundy (admitted 30 but could have been more) or a John Wayne Gacy (33)? ‘Exactly how big a serial killer is Gosnell? We have plenty of evidence to support our claim that he is the biggest serial killer in American history. First, there was never any suggestion that the three babies Gosnell was convicted of murdering were unusual. The prosecutors simply selected the cases in which they believed they had the strongest likelihood of winning a conviction. But those babies died in a way that was standard practice at the Women’s Medical Society clinic. Gosnell’s modus operandi was to kill babies born alive by cutting their spinal cords. “Over the years, there were hundreds of ‘snippings,’” the grand jury concluded. Their report is filled with evidence from a multitude of witnesses saying that hundreds of babies were killed in this way. Tina Baldwin said she witnessed Gosnell snip babies’ necks “hundreds of times.”
And there were also (at least) two women who died under his care, not to mention countless others who were injured, often seriously, those who required surgery, even hysterectomies. If the stories about the way babies suffered don’t break your heart, the women’s testimonies will. It was only because most of these women were poor, lower class, minorities that more lawsuits weren’t filed. Government agencies were well aware of what happened at Gosnell’s. He was frequently written up back in the 80’s as his practice began to burgeon. The trouble was no one ever bothered to follow-up. Eventually those responsible for ensuring the safety of abortion providers just gave up on 3801 Lancaster Avenue.
When Narcotics detective Jim Wood (Woody) began his investigation of what he thought was illegal prescription drug trade, he never in his wildest dreams expected what he encountered the evening of February 18, 2010 when he walked into the Women’s Medical Society clinic.
Blood and filth everywhere, overpowering stench, cats running about in ‘procedure’ rooms, piles of trash, everything covered in cat hair, dead baby parts stored in plastic bags, milk bottles and various other containers throughout the place, including backing up the garbage disposal.
‘Equipment was outdated and rusty. Women recovering from their abortions sat on dirty recliners covered with bloodstained blankets that employees said they “tried” to have cleaned weekly. Unlicensed employees had sedated all of the women, long before Gosnell arrived. Staff members couldn’t say for certain which medications they had given or what dosages they had administered. Many of the medications that the agents and detectives found in inventory were well past their expiration dates. The pre-op and post-op areas shared the same space … Gosnell made no effort to protect his patients’ privacy or dignity.’
Oh, Detective Wood found plenty of drugs and evidence of illegal trade. Sadly, the drugs intended to kill the babies (relatively) painlessly in the womb were too expensive and therefore weren’t used for that purpose, which is why so many had to be murdered later outside their mothers using scissors and inflicting who knows what kind of pain.
How could such an atrocity happen here in America today? And even more, how could it escape the outrage of most of the nation? That is what McElhinney and McAleer explore so eloquently in their book. There are no easy answers. It’s not any one person or group’s fault; there is no quick fix any more than there is an easy answer to any other social problem currently pressing on our country—unless you want a spiritual one—which most people don’t. We like to look for scapegoats; that is convenient. And certainly Gosnell was a monster. But there was so much shared culpability too, especially at the governmental level. More laws will not fix this. People’s hearts have to change. We have to learn to value human babies more than dogs and cats.
The synopsis of the prosecuting attorney, Cameron’s summation, is worth reading the book alone. I couldn't do anything else once I started reading this. It has made me so very very sad. Beyond words. I do not think I will read a more important book this year.
*There seems to be as much reluctance in Hollywood to allow a movie about Gosnell as there was by the media to report on him.
April 26, 2019
What I expected: a book about an awful crime I'm fascinated by.
What I got: a book about that crime with a strong undercurrent of microaggressions, false information, and a clear agenda pushed by the authors- abortions are murder.
This was an opinion piece falsely marketed as true crime. The story of the victims here were drowned out by these callous authors', who couldn't FOR ONE PAGE, keep their shitty opinions to themselves.
I've never been so mad at a book.
I'm planning on making a video reviewing this in more detail. I'll leave the link for that here once it's up, if anyone is interested.
What I got: a book about that crime with a strong undercurrent of microaggressions, false information, and a clear agenda pushed by the authors- abortions are murder.
This was an opinion piece falsely marketed as true crime. The story of the victims here were drowned out by these callous authors', who couldn't FOR ONE PAGE, keep their shitty opinions to themselves.
I've never been so mad at a book.
I'm planning on making a video reviewing this in more detail. I'll leave the link for that here once it's up, if anyone is interested.
February 10, 2017
Horror beyond my imagination
This book made me want to scream at times, cry a lot, want to vomit. It should be read by pro-life advocates and pro- choice advocates. That this man was able to kill so many, defenseless babies is beyond my comprehension. That this could be allowed to happen in this clinic for so long, makes me wonder in how many other clinics it is happening. It's not about abortion. It's about murder!
This book made me want to scream at times, cry a lot, want to vomit. It should be read by pro-life advocates and pro- choice advocates. That this man was able to kill so many, defenseless babies is beyond my comprehension. That this could be allowed to happen in this clinic for so long, makes me wonder in how many other clinics it is happening. It's not about abortion. It's about murder!
March 23, 2024
This is an “okay” account of Gosnell’s abhorrent medical malpractices and countless illegal abortions done on desperate woman. But I wouldn’t call this a great example of true crime writing. For one it lacks important detail, then it is unnecessarily emotional, and perhaps most unfortunately, the writer uses misplaced comparisons between abortion clients and death camp inmates. It should go without saying how fallacious and ignorant it is to make such an analogy. After all, I have not heard of a single case where the victims of Nazi brutality went to the concentration camps willingly. Talking about slippery analogies falling on their backside, painfully.
Even, part of the very long title of book could be viewed as slightly problematic “most prolific serial killer”. Some may, and rightfully so, question the accuracy of that nomenclature as it is applied to Dr. Gosnell by the author. Now, don’t get me wrong, I wholeheartedly agree that Dr. Gosnell was a killer and a quite prolific at that, but the word serial killer strikes me as technically erroneous.
In the end, the book is certainly readable but I’m convinced if Greg Ohlsen had written on Gosnell, he would have managed a much more detailed and objective account while remaining technically correct. All in all, this is still a read to recommend.
Even, part of the very long title of book could be viewed as slightly problematic “most prolific serial killer”. Some may, and rightfully so, question the accuracy of that nomenclature as it is applied to Dr. Gosnell by the author. Now, don’t get me wrong, I wholeheartedly agree that Dr. Gosnell was a killer and a quite prolific at that, but the word serial killer strikes me as technically erroneous.
In the end, the book is certainly readable but I’m convinced if Greg Ohlsen had written on Gosnell, he would have managed a much more detailed and objective account while remaining technically correct. All in all, this is still a read to recommend.
February 2, 2017
It is the silence of others, despite the grotesque nature of the crimes committed, that continues to bewilder me as I read this startling book. Thankfully, filmmakers Ann McElhinney and Phelim McAleer refused to avert their investigative glare from the inhumane travesty conducted in Philadelphia—the mutilated, mass killing of born-alive infants within the seedy walls of the Women’s Medical Society Clinic by a certain Doctor Kermit Gosnell. This ‘Doctor’ eschewed the Hippocratic oath and human decency. Instead, Kermit Gosnell chose a bleak path nearer to that of Josef ‘The Angel of Death’ Mengele. Mengele did not act alone. His grizzly deeds in Auschwitz were government sanctioned.
Nor did Kermit Gosnell act in isolation. The complicit role activist media, social radicals, medical colleagues, and incompetent (politicized) government played in perpetuating his crimes is an indictment of the moral wasteland we’re becoming. This is not about equating Gosnell’s crime to the horrific actions of Mengele, except to illustrate contemporary society’s refusal to learn from the past. If we did care, these blood-curdling crimes against babies would have ended earlier. If we did care, a caring nation would collectively march in the streets demanding answers. Instead, there’s muted silence and politicized obfuscation.
For me, this telling of the Gosnell nightmare is the first salvo in the fight for our very souls, and a diminishing chance to avoid us being judged barbaric. It is not okay to set aside fundamental moral principles (by either omission or commission) in the pursuit of blindly furthering an ideology. And, it’s never acceptable to contrive distorted truths and false claims (rationalized that it’s ‘for the greater good’) as a justification for the darkest of human behavior.
In that sense, this book provoked in me a reaction well beyond the Pro-Choice/Pro-Life debate. It touched the core of what it truly means to be an empathetic, civilized society; and how the reprehensible conduct of some bad actors destroys it for all of us. As such, authors McElhinney and McAleer have my thanks. I regard them as ‘canaries in the coalmine’ alerting us, American society, to the consequences of turning a blind eye to the inhumane deeds of a select few. If we continue to get this wrong and allow enablers to disassemble facts in order to cover up crimes against the feeblest among us, history will judge us all harshly.
“Gosnell” is a tough read, but a civilized society has the responsibility to pursue the truth wherever it may take us. There should be zero tolerance for cover-ups or dubious rationales, no matter where one resides on the ideological spectrum. In that spirit, I recommend “Gosnell” as required reading in all institutions dedicated to social sciences, moral ethics, governance, and medicine.
Nor did Kermit Gosnell act in isolation. The complicit role activist media, social radicals, medical colleagues, and incompetent (politicized) government played in perpetuating his crimes is an indictment of the moral wasteland we’re becoming. This is not about equating Gosnell’s crime to the horrific actions of Mengele, except to illustrate contemporary society’s refusal to learn from the past. If we did care, these blood-curdling crimes against babies would have ended earlier. If we did care, a caring nation would collectively march in the streets demanding answers. Instead, there’s muted silence and politicized obfuscation.
For me, this telling of the Gosnell nightmare is the first salvo in the fight for our very souls, and a diminishing chance to avoid us being judged barbaric. It is not okay to set aside fundamental moral principles (by either omission or commission) in the pursuit of blindly furthering an ideology. And, it’s never acceptable to contrive distorted truths and false claims (rationalized that it’s ‘for the greater good’) as a justification for the darkest of human behavior.
In that sense, this book provoked in me a reaction well beyond the Pro-Choice/Pro-Life debate. It touched the core of what it truly means to be an empathetic, civilized society; and how the reprehensible conduct of some bad actors destroys it for all of us. As such, authors McElhinney and McAleer have my thanks. I regard them as ‘canaries in the coalmine’ alerting us, American society, to the consequences of turning a blind eye to the inhumane deeds of a select few. If we continue to get this wrong and allow enablers to disassemble facts in order to cover up crimes against the feeblest among us, history will judge us all harshly.
“Gosnell” is a tough read, but a civilized society has the responsibility to pursue the truth wherever it may take us. There should be zero tolerance for cover-ups or dubious rationales, no matter where one resides on the ideological spectrum. In that spirit, I recommend “Gosnell” as required reading in all institutions dedicated to social sciences, moral ethics, governance, and medicine.
February 5, 2017
I read the book in one sitting. I typically dislike "true crime" because it often makes violence and evil seem attractive. This book, however, gave what went on at 3801 Lancaster Dr. an accurate feel of absolute disgustingness. It's told in a journalistic fashion rather than an Ann Rule-type story, taking away a lot of the emotion and sticking with the facts.
And the facts are beyond comprehension.
Whether you are pro-abortion or pro-life, you need to read this book. Women died, women were injured, women were treated worse than animals, women of color were given inferior medical advice while white women had it better and cleaner. And unless we stay vigilant and recognize the signs of future Gosnells, it will absolutely happen again in abortion clinics across the nation.
Don't hide your eyes. Don't be ignorant. Be a fighter for justice. Make a start by reading this book.
And the facts are beyond comprehension.
Whether you are pro-abortion or pro-life, you need to read this book. Women died, women were injured, women were treated worse than animals, women of color were given inferior medical advice while white women had it better and cleaner. And unless we stay vigilant and recognize the signs of future Gosnells, it will absolutely happen again in abortion clinics across the nation.
Don't hide your eyes. Don't be ignorant. Be a fighter for justice. Make a start by reading this book.
July 16, 2019
While the topic was horrifying I was very frustrated with the authors bias that at times was aggravating. "Pro abortion" isn't really a thing. You can be pro choice, but really no one is like "oh boy abortion yeah I think everyone should have one" Seriously the use of phrases like pro abortion just highlight how the lack of regard Gosnell had was able to go unanswered as long as it did. The reason no one stopped him despite not having a licence, and is many women being mutilated is because they were viewed as deserving victim who had it coming for trying to have an abortion. Regardless of your stance on abortion, this man was a monster and the fact that the authors couldn't make that point without moralizing about that topic of abortion was pathetic. This is less true crime and more right wing moral propaganda. The only positive I can give it is the descriptions are very vivid.
February 11, 2019
I'd have rated it higher, but this book has a political agenda, which wasn't what I was looking for. I wanted a story about what happened, not an argument. I think that the attempt to persuade the reader to come around to certain way of thinking detracted from my ability to believe that the story was told in an unbiased manner.
March 24, 2017
Boring
A newspaper article covering this story would have been a more interesting read. The authors biases were evident throughout. A horrific story, but an extremely boring book.
A newspaper article covering this story would have been a more interesting read. The authors biases were evident throughout. A horrific story, but an extremely boring book.
February 6, 2017
I have read many books which changed my life (the Bible being the most important one), but this book altered me beyond what words can express.
“Gosnell: The Untold Story of America’s Most Prolific Serial Killer” details the grisly and heart-wrenching case of the “House of Horrors” abortion clinic of Kermit Gosnell. The first chapter of the book reminded me why the pro-life groups are “fanatics”.
The “normal” abortion descriptions are difficult enough to read, but what gripped my heart was reading the account of the babies murdered post-birth. Babies can comprehend love, pain, and joy, so the thought of a baby needing love, but instead receiving cold mercilessness treatment was more than my tender heart could bear. Hearing a baby cry breaks my heart anyway, so knowing that those babies needed love, touched my maternal heart like none other. I wept sore as I read how tiny humans received treatment like disposable garbage. Other than the grisly murder descriptions, we read how the baby remains were throw in the trash, flushed down toilets, and perhaps the worst of all, chopped in the garbage disposal. You cannot read those details without realizing the pure evil that was practiced behind those walls.
For many years, I have been pro-life and have known that abortion is murder. My heart broke when I would see the horrific photos of aborted babies and have been a staunch advocate for the rights that babies *should* have in the womb. Until yesterday, however, the reality of abortion had not gripped my heart as it should. I wept as I read the murder descriptions of countless babies. One quote that got me was, “Even if it’s done right, it’s barbaric.”
I want to make it clear that being pro-life has nothing to do with being a “radical Christian” or a party platform. Being pro-life means that you are an individual who cares for the lives of fellow humans…no matter how small.
As difficult as it was to read these horrific details, I think it served a positive purpose. I fervently pray for the unborn and for their parents considering abortion, the abortion doctors, and for families altered by abortion (physically and mentally).
Ann and Phelim, thank you for writing this book. Thank you for sharing the victims’ stories and for being a voice for the voiceless.
“Gosnell: The Untold Story of America’s Most Prolific Serial Killer” details the grisly and heart-wrenching case of the “House of Horrors” abortion clinic of Kermit Gosnell. The first chapter of the book reminded me why the pro-life groups are “fanatics”.
The “normal” abortion descriptions are difficult enough to read, but what gripped my heart was reading the account of the babies murdered post-birth. Babies can comprehend love, pain, and joy, so the thought of a baby needing love, but instead receiving cold mercilessness treatment was more than my tender heart could bear. Hearing a baby cry breaks my heart anyway, so knowing that those babies needed love, touched my maternal heart like none other. I wept sore as I read how tiny humans received treatment like disposable garbage. Other than the grisly murder descriptions, we read how the baby remains were throw in the trash, flushed down toilets, and perhaps the worst of all, chopped in the garbage disposal. You cannot read those details without realizing the pure evil that was practiced behind those walls.
For many years, I have been pro-life and have known that abortion is murder. My heart broke when I would see the horrific photos of aborted babies and have been a staunch advocate for the rights that babies *should* have in the womb. Until yesterday, however, the reality of abortion had not gripped my heart as it should. I wept as I read the murder descriptions of countless babies. One quote that got me was, “Even if it’s done right, it’s barbaric.”
I want to make it clear that being pro-life has nothing to do with being a “radical Christian” or a party platform. Being pro-life means that you are an individual who cares for the lives of fellow humans…no matter how small.
As difficult as it was to read these horrific details, I think it served a positive purpose. I fervently pray for the unborn and for their parents considering abortion, the abortion doctors, and for families altered by abortion (physically and mentally).
Ann and Phelim, thank you for writing this book. Thank you for sharing the victims’ stories and for being a voice for the voiceless.
June 8, 2018
Audio # 63
This was a very bad doctor man
This goes way beyond whether one is pro life. It's just ghastly.
Listening to this is like driving by that horrendous car pile up on the interstate. I can't look away. This is just unbelievable
The longer one listens to this the more one notices lots of repetition
This was a very bad doctor man
This goes way beyond whether one is pro life. It's just ghastly.
Listening to this is like driving by that horrendous car pile up on the interstate. I can't look away. This is just unbelievable
The longer one listens to this the more one notices lots of repetition
July 15, 2019
It was skim read after about page 220- somewhere in Gosnell's trial. I just couldn't take the grotesque details any longer to a slow, penetrating read. Some of the quotes are as chilling as the visions of the photos others who reviewed this have included. I saw some and they are merely the least horrific.
Filthy place, criminal business, atrocious people (bringing your 15 year old daughter to work there?- she should have gotten a harder sentence for that crime).
Others have said it better in the content for this book- and in their reactions/ their reviews. Pennsylvania is not the only place that turns a blind eye on wider occasion because of the strength of the Choice movement now, either. This is REAL hell- this practice and particular building. Filthy, torturous, and not at all singular in "neighborhood" placement either. Because the law is wider in most states and countries, do not mistake that law for standards in the "current" practice of all abortion in general-that it is being humane, medical or psychological "health" care anything. Dilation and C. and suction methods as practiced up to 20 or 22 weeks are often violent and traumatic procedures. Gosnell's scissors technique isn't at all outlier. His grotesque and filthy practices were.
Some of the quotes in this book were 5 star. This is not about being pro-life or for "choice". This is about the reality. And how several, no many, forms of illegal, legal, or "praise" practiced abortion clinics- or "offices" are exhibiting pure violence within the practical applications. Gosnell's makes Dr. Mengele look like a novice in comparison.
It's written clearly and with witness and documentation for aftermath. That the state inspector and city health license visit ended in the repeated outcomes that it did! It DOES speak for how the social mores have reigned so powerful that they overcome any intelligent or organizational rational in the "regular" practicalities of processes.
That anyone could say this book was boring. Or give it 1 star? Do people have souls? Do they have eyes? And noses to smell what odors are described here?
This wasn't done just for money either. Don't get that wrong. Read all the reasons why and hear about the 40 or 50 jars of feet collections as a hobby. Or what other hobbies include needing 100's and 100's of empty milk, juice, or plastic containers of gallon or larger size with the tops cut out. Or how one can eat teriyaki Salmon with ripped bloody gloves on. Boring?
Within the next few years more and more states will be passing restrictions on performing abortions for the methods most commonly used presently. And will require that the heart of the fetus be stopped first with a lethal injection. You will understand why if you read this book.
Terrible people doing monstrous actions. That women would let themselves be used without asking questions or taking this kind of medicine from non-medical licensed or accredited people within such surroundings? With so much dirt, vomit, blood and broken filth everywhere? Why don't they get sterilized? Without such horrendous after effects and hospitalizations some of them for the 4th or 5th time? Sterilizations are easier. By far.
That the full press reported this in such a diminished way- and that the public heard so little (just base inditing criteria) about this situation is another whole atrocity, IMHO.
The Middle Ages practiced better medicine than Gosnell did. Similar outcomes though.
Lastly, and this is not only my opinion but mentioned several times in the book. The bodies must have proper disposal and not as presently dumped. Burial or cremation or biologic laws are needed in at least 1/2 of the states. Because what is going on in legal practices too- for these disposals are inhuman and just plain wrong. Pieces or not- Neanderthals did better and had more sense than the present status quo human body disposal. And that women do not ask these questions? Beyond any stupidity imaginable for present or future "health" for the woman herself (mentally as well as physically)- this disposal and aftermath should not be "unknowns".
Not the only good quotes but the few from beginning pages:
"I will give no sort of medicine to any pregnant woman, with a view to destroy the child."- The Original Hippocratic Oath
"The most merciful thing that a large family does to one of its infant members is to kill it."- Margaret Sanger, Woman and the New Race, 1920 (Highly praised and glorified Planned Parenthood "founder")
Filthy place, criminal business, atrocious people (bringing your 15 year old daughter to work there?- she should have gotten a harder sentence for that crime).
Others have said it better in the content for this book- and in their reactions/ their reviews. Pennsylvania is not the only place that turns a blind eye on wider occasion because of the strength of the Choice movement now, either. This is REAL hell- this practice and particular building. Filthy, torturous, and not at all singular in "neighborhood" placement either. Because the law is wider in most states and countries, do not mistake that law for standards in the "current" practice of all abortion in general-that it is being humane, medical or psychological "health" care anything. Dilation and C. and suction methods as practiced up to 20 or 22 weeks are often violent and traumatic procedures. Gosnell's scissors technique isn't at all outlier. His grotesque and filthy practices were.
Some of the quotes in this book were 5 star. This is not about being pro-life or for "choice". This is about the reality. And how several, no many, forms of illegal, legal, or "praise" practiced abortion clinics- or "offices" are exhibiting pure violence within the practical applications. Gosnell's makes Dr. Mengele look like a novice in comparison.
It's written clearly and with witness and documentation for aftermath. That the state inspector and city health license visit ended in the repeated outcomes that it did! It DOES speak for how the social mores have reigned so powerful that they overcome any intelligent or organizational rational in the "regular" practicalities of processes.
That anyone could say this book was boring. Or give it 1 star? Do people have souls? Do they have eyes? And noses to smell what odors are described here?
This wasn't done just for money either. Don't get that wrong. Read all the reasons why and hear about the 40 or 50 jars of feet collections as a hobby. Or what other hobbies include needing 100's and 100's of empty milk, juice, or plastic containers of gallon or larger size with the tops cut out. Or how one can eat teriyaki Salmon with ripped bloody gloves on. Boring?
Within the next few years more and more states will be passing restrictions on performing abortions for the methods most commonly used presently. And will require that the heart of the fetus be stopped first with a lethal injection. You will understand why if you read this book.
Terrible people doing monstrous actions. That women would let themselves be used without asking questions or taking this kind of medicine from non-medical licensed or accredited people within such surroundings? With so much dirt, vomit, blood and broken filth everywhere? Why don't they get sterilized? Without such horrendous after effects and hospitalizations some of them for the 4th or 5th time? Sterilizations are easier. By far.
That the full press reported this in such a diminished way- and that the public heard so little (just base inditing criteria) about this situation is another whole atrocity, IMHO.
The Middle Ages practiced better medicine than Gosnell did. Similar outcomes though.
Lastly, and this is not only my opinion but mentioned several times in the book. The bodies must have proper disposal and not as presently dumped. Burial or cremation or biologic laws are needed in at least 1/2 of the states. Because what is going on in legal practices too- for these disposals are inhuman and just plain wrong. Pieces or not- Neanderthals did better and had more sense than the present status quo human body disposal. And that women do not ask these questions? Beyond any stupidity imaginable for present or future "health" for the woman herself (mentally as well as physically)- this disposal and aftermath should not be "unknowns".
Not the only good quotes but the few from beginning pages:
"I will give no sort of medicine to any pregnant woman, with a view to destroy the child."- The Original Hippocratic Oath
"The most merciful thing that a large family does to one of its infant members is to kill it."- Margaret Sanger, Woman and the New Race, 1920 (Highly praised and glorified Planned Parenthood "founder")
September 24, 2019
This was one of the most disturbing true crime books I've read in awhile. The things Gosnell and his employees, which were not qualified to work in the positions they did, got away with for so long is
mindblowing
.
I'm pro-choice so I had an open mind reading this. Many things that happened in Gosnell's office were horrific. If it wasn't for the DEA raiding Gosnell and his office for running a pill mill, he may have gotten away with it still. I'm speechless that none of his employees never went to the police, ever. Throughout the doctor's office where Gosnell performed the abortions, the conditions were beyond comprehension and why no one ever took action to stop it will leave you baffled. While reading about the trail in the book, I've learned much about the media. How the media only want you to read, see, or hear what they want you to. The Gosnell case never got the media coverage that it should have because it was regarding a doctor who performed abortions. They wanted to keep it hush hush. This book left me feeling disgusted towards Gosnell. He is right where he belongs. Gosnell: The Untold Story of America's Most Prolific Serial Killer is hands down, no second thoughts, an absolute five star read for me. The authors, Ann McElhinney and Phelim McAleer, did a phenomenal job researching and writing the book. These to authors brought to light the true monster Gosnell is. I would highly recommend this book.
I'm pro-choice so I had an open mind reading this. Many things that happened in Gosnell's office were horrific. If it wasn't for the DEA raiding Gosnell and his office for running a pill mill, he may have gotten away with it still. I'm speechless that none of his employees never went to the police, ever. Throughout the doctor's office where Gosnell performed the abortions, the conditions were beyond comprehension and why no one ever took action to stop it will leave you baffled. While reading about the trail in the book, I've learned much about the media. How the media only want you to read, see, or hear what they want you to. The Gosnell case never got the media coverage that it should have because it was regarding a doctor who performed abortions. They wanted to keep it hush hush. This book left me feeling disgusted towards Gosnell. He is right where he belongs. Gosnell: The Untold Story of America's Most Prolific Serial Killer is hands down, no second thoughts, an absolute five star read for me. The authors, Ann McElhinney and Phelim McAleer, did a phenomenal job researching and writing the book. These to authors brought to light the true monster Gosnell is. I would highly recommend this book.
April 6, 2017
This is a book I didn't want to read, because it's easier to be in denial. It's also a book I wanted to read, because so few are willing to tell the truth about what is happening in the name of healthcare in this day and age. I think sometimes I lacked an appropriate reaction to the facts, probably because it felt like I was reading fiction.
I highly recommend this book for anyone who doesn't want to remain in naïveté about the culture we live in. I hope this story deepens our compassion for those who feel like they don't have a "choice," and for the living, breathing humans whose fates are being decided for them.
I highly recommend this book for anyone who doesn't want to remain in naïveté about the culture we live in. I hope this story deepens our compassion for those who feel like they don't have a "choice," and for the living, breathing humans whose fates are being decided for them.
February 15, 2019
This book is an important read for everyone, no matter where you stand on the topic of abortion. The atrocities against women committed by Kermit Gosnell, and the negligence of the governmental agencies who were supposed to be inspecting his clinic and responding to complaints against him, are unspeakable. The basic human rights of women, most in a very vulnerable position, were ignored. Women were injured and some died. The fact that he continued to operate his filthy, sub-standard clinic for decades, collecting his exorbitant fees in cash, while government regulators did nothing is appealing. Had it not been for his getting sloppy with his selling prescription drugs to dealers, the police may have never found out about the crimes being committed in his clinic.
I thought this book would be difficult to read, though it really was not. The facts are horrid and often gruesome. The writing is not exceptionally good, and, in my opinion, the entirety of chapter ten doesn't even belong in the book. While the authors' pro-life stance is evident throughout, they do a good job of laying out the facts of the case against Gosnell. One of the final chapters contains their notes and thoughts from interviewing Kermit Gosnell in prison. The man's words are chilling.
I thought this book would be difficult to read, though it really was not. The facts are horrid and often gruesome. The writing is not exceptionally good, and, in my opinion, the entirety of chapter ten doesn't even belong in the book. While the authors' pro-life stance is evident throughout, they do a good job of laying out the facts of the case against Gosnell. One of the final chapters contains their notes and thoughts from interviewing Kermit Gosnell in prison. The man's words are chilling.
February 7, 2017
Not for the faint of heart, nor for pro-choice/pro-abortion advocates who prefer to remain in denial.
Kermit Gosnell is clearly a despicable monster, as anyone with a scrap of humanity will agree.
The conditions described in which he "treated" women are incredibly disgusting.
The greed and deceit that characterized his abortion business and drug dealing are morally reprehensible.
His cavalier attitude toward snipping the necks of living, breathing, fully-delivered babies is disturbing.
The intentional disinterest of Pennsylvania state agencies in dealing with Gosnell's illegal practices is sadly not surprising.
The media blackout that has kept Gosnell's case as far as possible from public knowledge is infuriating.
Martin Luther once said that anger helped him to do more and better work. If that is the case, I should be very productive in the near future.
Highly recommended.
Kermit Gosnell is clearly a despicable monster, as anyone with a scrap of humanity will agree.
The conditions described in which he "treated" women are incredibly disgusting.
The greed and deceit that characterized his abortion business and drug dealing are morally reprehensible.
His cavalier attitude toward snipping the necks of living, breathing, fully-delivered babies is disturbing.
The intentional disinterest of Pennsylvania state agencies in dealing with Gosnell's illegal practices is sadly not surprising.
The media blackout that has kept Gosnell's case as far as possible from public knowledge is infuriating.
Martin Luther once said that anger helped him to do more and better work. If that is the case, I should be very productive in the near future.
Highly recommended.
September 17, 2017
The most stunning thing about this story is the incredible lack of media interest and coverage. I believe it is the media's goal to never tell any news that makes abortion look like the horror that it is and can be. I am stunned beyond belief that this can go on in today's society. And that those who claim to care about women would completely turn their backs and ignore the deplorable lack of care and dangerous conditions that put them all in danger. Government agencies who are supposed to monitor these clinics really dropped the ball here. I am wondering how widespread this situation is. Chilling.
March 29, 2018
The author's bias against abortion totally distorted the whole story. She must of used the term "America's Most Prolific Serial Killer" over 50 times. What he did was horrendous and the multiple agencies that did nothing against the abhorrent conditions is criminally negligent. This could of been a great crime story, without the Pro-life bias.
August 10, 2018
Wow!! Just Wow!! Everyone needs to read this book. I don't think I have ever been more disgusted than when I started reading about this case in the book. I didn't hear anything about Gosnell until I read this and is horryifing and disgusting.
June 6, 2018
Where do I begin?
Firstly, a warning. Gosnell: The Untold Story of America’s Most Prolific Serial Killer is a politically charged novel on abortion and thus, this will be a politically charged review. To quickly summarize if politics aren’t your thing: Gosnell suffers from poor and overly emotional writing, severe biases, poor pacing, and huge swaths of irrelevant information. Wikipedia is as effective without the bullshit. This is not the true crime novel to pick up if you’d like to learn anything extra about the case. Please don't waste your time.
Let’s start with expectations. When I crack open a true crime novel, I expect a few things from the genre, as you would have expectations when books are labeled things like ‘fantasy’ or ‘science fiction’. With true crime, I expect a certain level of professionalism and detachment within the writing, I expect all claims to be cited, I expect information that is not relevant to be absent, and I expect an organized discussion of the crime. Gosnell failed every single one of these points. This is not a true crime novel. This is a condemnation on abortion, using the Gosnell case as a vehicle to do so.
With the very first page, you are greeted by a myriad of pro-life quotes and support. The second page features a lengthy foreword from Alan Robertson, of Duck Dynasty fame. Yes, that fame. Not to be outdone, we are then subjected to another preface, now written by author Ann McElhinney, on how she switched from pro-choice to pro-life because of this case, how terrible it is, etc. “Pro-abortion advocates” is thrown – oh yes, we get started early.
Finally, we make it to the actual story. First page dives right in, describing to us how the police were originally attempting to bust a drug ring, and halfway down we are then introduced to Detective Jim Wood, the man heading the bust. We are then interrupted so we can read all about Jim Wood’s entire life story for five pages.
No, I’m not joking. We learn about his parents, his birth, childhood, moving to college life, marriage, subsequent children, family tragedy, and into his work as a detective. This is a theme, where random information is suddenly dumped on you, instead of interwoven through the narrative. At first, it’s jarring. After a while, it’s annoying.
Did I mention this all starts within the very first pages? Whoops, I repeated myself. Don’t worry, that’s also a theme here, I’ll get to that.
The second snag that caught me was the section that discussed the oxytocin ring Gosnell ran. The authors made sure to let us know their thoughts and feelings on this; I quote,
A bit unnecessary, but okay, I’m not very far into this book. Further on, during the police raid on the doctor’s office, the patrons waiting were understandably upset at their presence, as you would be if you were there for a medical procedure and a freaking SWAT team burst in on the scene. Oh, but no, that’s not why they were really upset: “They were angry that law enforcement was interfering with their abortions.”
And it just got worse:
Where is the professionalism?
I highlighted 74 separate passages, words, or paragraphs that were problematic enough to be mentioned in this review, before I gave up. I could not turn a page without some type of angry, judgmental commentary mixed in with the discussion. If you were concerned about how the authors feel on any given situation or event, don’t worry – they will let you know.
Information is repeated, and repeated often, even within a few pages’ distance. I caught onto this during the aforementioned police raid, when we are introduced to Darlene Augustine and Elinor Barsony. These are two nurses sent from the Department of Health to assist with the raid, and woe betide you should you forget:
Literally two sentences later:
Two pages later this time:
Another page later:
Dude. We get it. This happens a few more times, but the most aggravating, the most irritating version of this is the authors' catchphrase: Gosnell, America’s biggest/most prolific serial killer™. Over and over again, as if we’ve forgotten the title of the book or whom the book refers to. At some points Gosnell’s name isn’t even used:
The organization of information is poor and often didn’t make much sense and/or wasn't relevant. You’ve already seen the mini novella of Detective Wood within the first few pages. For example(s), we learn about the grand jury system in Chapter Two, but Karnamaya Mongar’s murder isn’t even given appropriate space until Chapter Five.
In Chapter Ten, we get to experience a lengthy discussion on a Planned Parenthood scandal that has zero to do with Gosnell – but everything to do with abortion.
Chapter Eleven (titled America’s Biggest Serial Killer?, in case you forgot, of course) discusses a different serial killer in greater detail, because I totally came here to learn about other serial killers and their crimes.
Chapter Twelve is the first time we actually learn about Gosnell as a person, after we’ve read literally everything else there is to be told about the case. Throughout my whole… experience… reading this book, all I wanted to do was tear it in half and rearrange the pieces to concurrently fit.
What is even more frustrating, if possible, is the lack of information given when it is highly relevant. The first time we hear about Gosnell’s inclination for injuring women is in Chapter Three, in reference to the “Mother’s Day Massacre”. It is briefly mentioned, and then completely dropped until Chapter Seven. The whole freaking incident isn’t explained in greater detail until Chapter Twelve, when our authors must’ve finally realized learning about Gosnell and his history was, I don’t know, important?
Furthermore, there is one – ONE – mention of the “fertility clinic” Gosnell ran that took money in exchange for advice like drinking "baking soda and vinegar”. Here, again, we have this hugely pertinent piece of information that illustrates Gosnell’s historied manipulation of women’s fertility, and its treated like an freaking asterisk.
But it doesn’t stop there, oh no. Many pages were dedicated to the “baby feet”, one of Gosnell’s most horrid trophies. Our authors go into minute detail about them, spanning 44 different references throughout the novel. As they should be; it was a devastating and macabre find. However, that wasn’t all the trophies he took:
This was mentioned once. Never mind that this illustrated a pattern of abuse of vulnerable women as a whole. It had nothing to do with abortion, and so it was not discussed. This has the effect of making the women of his crimes as asides, footnotes, only mentioned when underlying how terrible abortion is.
What eats at me is the way his crimes are cherry-picked and commented on in this book. Why were they not allowed to stand on their own? Why did the authors feel the need to tell me – constantly – how terrible they were? Why was an abortion agenda pushed so thoroughly? I am a reader, I can certainly come to the conclusion that the abortion procedure is intense without a detailed description on how I should feel about it.
This book could’ve been so many things. It could’ve been a discussion on the concept of life, and how Gosnell violated that. It could’ve had talks on the lack of media presence, and how our news may be more censored than we realize without the wagging finger. It could’ve discussed abortion in the US, and how the push and pull of its legalization interplays with race, sex education and alternative birth control options. It could’ve touched on the actual women who were violated not just with the abortion procedures, but also with the pictures he took. Why did he take them? How did they know? Why did Gosnell prey on black patients, while maintaining a tidy office for white patients?
There are other, smaller, issues within this book that are also ridiculous. Like author Ann McElhinney showing up at a prison with an OVERSIZED hoodie on. To her ~utter surprise~ she had to take it off. Straight up admits this, after languishing us with a description of the lovely B&B they stayed at. (Oddly, they open this chapter with a description of the children’s prisons in Moldova. While I assume they were attempting to draw parallels of the children's treatment there to the humane treatment of Gosnell, it stands as another example of jarring information inserted into the narrative). They also tried to take out notes after the prison interview with Gosnell, and nearly got in hot water for it. You didn’t ask beforehand? You didn’t do any research on what to wear to a visitor’s center?
It’s smaller stuff like this that makes me both roll my eyes and question the integrity of research in Gosnell – if you can’t find out the clothing requirements for a prison visit, what other research are you lacking? Did your attitude presented in this book bleed into the requests for comments you made to other institutions?
In one word: Anger. Anger when I think of this book, and anger that Gosnell's crimes were used as a pro-life vehicle instead of standing on their own. Anger that important information was left out in exchange for an abortion micro-lens. This whole book is, to borrow the authors' inflammatory language, a dumpster fire. Don’t bother, unless you’re here for the obvious agenda. What an absolute waste of my fucking time.
Firstly, a warning. Gosnell: The Untold Story of America’s Most Prolific Serial Killer is a politically charged novel on abortion and thus, this will be a politically charged review. To quickly summarize if politics aren’t your thing: Gosnell suffers from poor and overly emotional writing, severe biases, poor pacing, and huge swaths of irrelevant information. Wikipedia is as effective without the bullshit. This is not the true crime novel to pick up if you’d like to learn anything extra about the case. Please don't waste your time.
Let’s start with expectations. When I crack open a true crime novel, I expect a few things from the genre, as you would have expectations when books are labeled things like ‘fantasy’ or ‘science fiction’. With true crime, I expect a certain level of professionalism and detachment within the writing, I expect all claims to be cited, I expect information that is not relevant to be absent, and I expect an organized discussion of the crime. Gosnell failed every single one of these points. This is not a true crime novel. This is a condemnation on abortion, using the Gosnell case as a vehicle to do so.
With the very first page, you are greeted by a myriad of pro-life quotes and support. The second page features a lengthy foreword from Alan Robertson, of Duck Dynasty fame. Yes, that fame. Not to be outdone, we are then subjected to another preface, now written by author Ann McElhinney, on how she switched from pro-choice to pro-life because of this case, how terrible it is, etc. “Pro-abortion advocates” is thrown – oh yes, we get started early.
Finally, we make it to the actual story. First page dives right in, describing to us how the police were originally attempting to bust a drug ring, and halfway down we are then introduced to Detective Jim Wood, the man heading the bust. We are then interrupted so we can read all about Jim Wood’s entire life story for five pages.
No, I’m not joking. We learn about his parents, his birth, childhood, moving to college life, marriage, subsequent children, family tragedy, and into his work as a detective. This is a theme, where random information is suddenly dumped on you, instead of interwoven through the narrative. At first, it’s jarring. After a while, it’s annoying.
Did I mention this all starts within the very first pages? Whoops, I repeated myself. Don’t worry, that’s also a theme here, I’ll get to that.
The second snag that caught me was the section that discussed the oxytocin ring Gosnell ran. The authors made sure to let us know their thoughts and feelings on this; I quote,
“He knew very well the horrific consequences of Oxy addition, he just didn’t care. He loved the power he got from supplying addicts, and he loved the money.”
A bit unnecessary, but okay, I’m not very far into this book. Further on, during the police raid on the doctor’s office, the patrons waiting were understandably upset at their presence, as you would be if you were there for a medical procedure and a freaking SWAT team burst in on the scene. Oh, but no, that’s not why they were really upset: “They were angry that law enforcement was interfering with their abortions.”
And it just got worse:
“Pro-abortion beliefs.”
“[In regard to McMahon, Gosnell’s lawyer, referring to abortions as treatments] Nice euphemism, ‘treatment’.”
“…liberal journalists with their highly attuned sense of social justice?”
“[In regard to Sherry West and Lynda Williams, two of Gosnell’s clinic workers] On top of this, they weren’t very bright.”
“It seems the medical establishment cared more about the principle of unfettered access to abortion than the safety of real-life women.”
“Gosnell’s just not that smart. He thinks he is, but he’s not.”
Where is the professionalism?
I highlighted 74 separate passages, words, or paragraphs that were problematic enough to be mentioned in this review, before I gave up. I could not turn a page without some type of angry, judgmental commentary mixed in with the discussion. If you were concerned about how the authors feel on any given situation or event, don’t worry – they will let you know.
Information is repeated, and repeated often, even within a few pages’ distance. I caught onto this during the aforementioned police raid, when we are introduced to Darlene Augustine and Elinor Barsony. These are two nurses sent from the Department of Health to assist with the raid, and woe betide you should you forget:
“The Department of Health sent two registered nurses, Darlene Augustine and Elinor Barsony.”
Literally two sentences later:
“Except for Darlene Augustine, one of the nurses from the Pennsylvania Department of Health.”
Two pages later this time:
“…shock and disgust to Darlene Augustine, the nurse who - though he didn’t know it at the time - was implicated in the Department of Health’s dereliction of duty…”
Another page later:
“Health Department nurse Darlene Augustine went into the basement…”
Dude. We get it. This happens a few more times, but the most aggravating, the most irritating version of this is the authors' catchphrase: Gosnell, America’s biggest/most prolific serial killer™. Over and over again, as if we’ve forgotten the title of the book or whom the book refers to. At some points Gosnell’s name isn’t even used:
“...courtesy of America’s biggest serial killer.”
“When the trial of American’s biggest serial killer began…”
“…to inspect and stop America’s biggest serial killer.”
The organization of information is poor and often didn’t make much sense and/or wasn't relevant. You’ve already seen the mini novella of Detective Wood within the first few pages. For example(s), we learn about the grand jury system in Chapter Two, but Karnamaya Mongar’s murder isn’t even given appropriate space until Chapter Five.
In Chapter Ten, we get to experience a lengthy discussion on a Planned Parenthood scandal that has zero to do with Gosnell – but everything to do with abortion.
Chapter Eleven (titled America’s Biggest Serial Killer?, in case you forgot, of course) discusses a different serial killer in greater detail, because I totally came here to learn about other serial killers and their crimes.
Chapter Twelve is the first time we actually learn about Gosnell as a person, after we’ve read literally everything else there is to be told about the case. Throughout my whole… experience… reading this book, all I wanted to do was tear it in half and rearrange the pieces to concurrently fit.
What is even more frustrating, if possible, is the lack of information given when it is highly relevant. The first time we hear about Gosnell’s inclination for injuring women is in Chapter Three, in reference to the “Mother’s Day Massacre”. It is briefly mentioned, and then completely dropped until Chapter Seven. The whole freaking incident isn’t explained in greater detail until Chapter Twelve, when our authors must’ve finally realized learning about Gosnell and his history was, I don’t know, important?
Furthermore, there is one – ONE – mention of the “fertility clinic” Gosnell ran that took money in exchange for advice like drinking "baking soda and vinegar”. Here, again, we have this hugely pertinent piece of information that illustrates Gosnell’s historied manipulation of women’s fertility, and its treated like an freaking asterisk.
But it doesn’t stop there, oh no. Many pages were dedicated to the “baby feet”, one of Gosnell’s most horrid trophies. Our authors go into minute detail about them, spanning 44 different references throughout the novel. As they should be; it was a devastating and macabre find. However, that wasn’t all the trophies he took:
“Gosnell also collected pictures of women’s genitals. He snapped pictures when his patients were unconscious…”
This was mentioned once. Never mind that this illustrated a pattern of abuse of vulnerable women as a whole. It had nothing to do with abortion, and so it was not discussed. This has the effect of making the women of his crimes as asides, footnotes, only mentioned when underlying how terrible abortion is.
What eats at me is the way his crimes are cherry-picked and commented on in this book. Why were they not allowed to stand on their own? Why did the authors feel the need to tell me – constantly – how terrible they were? Why was an abortion agenda pushed so thoroughly? I am a reader, I can certainly come to the conclusion that the abortion procedure is intense without a detailed description on how I should feel about it.
This book could’ve been so many things. It could’ve been a discussion on the concept of life, and how Gosnell violated that. It could’ve had talks on the lack of media presence, and how our news may be more censored than we realize without the wagging finger. It could’ve discussed abortion in the US, and how the push and pull of its legalization interplays with race, sex education and alternative birth control options. It could’ve touched on the actual women who were violated not just with the abortion procedures, but also with the pictures he took. Why did he take them? How did they know? Why did Gosnell prey on black patients, while maintaining a tidy office for white patients?
There are other, smaller, issues within this book that are also ridiculous. Like author Ann McElhinney showing up at a prison with an OVERSIZED hoodie on. To her ~utter surprise~ she had to take it off. Straight up admits this, after languishing us with a description of the lovely B&B they stayed at. (Oddly, they open this chapter with a description of the children’s prisons in Moldova. While I assume they were attempting to draw parallels of the children's treatment there to the humane treatment of Gosnell, it stands as another example of jarring information inserted into the narrative). They also tried to take out notes after the prison interview with Gosnell, and nearly got in hot water for it. You didn’t ask beforehand? You didn’t do any research on what to wear to a visitor’s center?
It’s smaller stuff like this that makes me both roll my eyes and question the integrity of research in Gosnell – if you can’t find out the clothing requirements for a prison visit, what other research are you lacking? Did your attitude presented in this book bleed into the requests for comments you made to other institutions?
In one word: Anger. Anger when I think of this book, and anger that Gosnell's crimes were used as a pro-life vehicle instead of standing on their own. Anger that important information was left out in exchange for an abortion micro-lens. This whole book is, to borrow the authors' inflammatory language, a dumpster fire. Don’t bother, unless you’re here for the obvious agenda. What an absolute waste of my fucking time.
February 3, 2019
This book was quite difficult to read, because of the descriptions of what was found in the clinic and the testaments from the workers, so be warned. I will try not to include anything too graphic.
I had of course heard about Dr. Gosnell and had watched a documentary about him last year on Amazon. I decided that I wanted to read this book before the movie adaptation was released. I have since watched the movie and although it was also fairly difficult to watch, I don't think they did the best job with the movie adaptation. If you are interested in the case, I would recommend the book over the movie.
One of the most astonishing parts of this story, to me, is the fact that no one would have investigated Dr. Gosnell or his clinic, if it wasn't for the fact that he was writing illegal prescriptions for narcotics to drug dealers. Reading the descriptions of what they found in the clinic and the conditions of the clinic are nothing short of horrifying. Before I go on, I want to say that I am pro-life but I respect everyone's individual opinions on this topic and I do not mean for this review to start any arguments or make anyone feel bad. With that being said, the book was much more graphic compared to the documentary I had previously watched. It was extremely difficult to read about aborted babies shoved into juice containers in a fridge and finding a collection of aborted babies feet in the cabinet.
The conditions of the clinic were beyond anything I could have ever imagined. Regardless of your opinion on the topic of abortion, no woman deserves to ever be in a medical office that is filthy and unsafe. I can't imagine how the staff was even able to work in the conditions described. And the fact that the Department of Health just basically turned a blind eye, even after a complaint was made, is truly unbelievable to me. I simply can not understand how it is even possible that the conditions of that clinic were allowed to get that bad. And the fact that women died under his care and an investigation was never conducted is also quite unbelievable. Dr. Gosnell himself is also a very strange person and the descriptions of how he behaved throughout the book are unbelievable at certain points.
As difficult as it was for me to read this book at points, I am glad I read it. Again, I am pro-life meaning I am anti-abortion, anti-death penalty, anti-assisted suicide and anti-euthanasia. So the story of Dr. Gosnell and his clinic horrifies me on a variety of levels. But I have to imagine that even those who are pro-choice would be horrified by this book, as a woman should never, ever have to be exposed to these kind of conditions, regardless of what medical procedure she is receiving.
This is a hard book to review, as the topic at hand is an important one, but one that is hard to read about. If nothing else changes because of this book and the movie, I certainly hope that the Department of Health is much more careful with their inspections of any and all medical clinics in the future.
I had of course heard about Dr. Gosnell and had watched a documentary about him last year on Amazon. I decided that I wanted to read this book before the movie adaptation was released. I have since watched the movie and although it was also fairly difficult to watch, I don't think they did the best job with the movie adaptation. If you are interested in the case, I would recommend the book over the movie.
One of the most astonishing parts of this story, to me, is the fact that no one would have investigated Dr. Gosnell or his clinic, if it wasn't for the fact that he was writing illegal prescriptions for narcotics to drug dealers. Reading the descriptions of what they found in the clinic and the conditions of the clinic are nothing short of horrifying. Before I go on, I want to say that I am pro-life but I respect everyone's individual opinions on this topic and I do not mean for this review to start any arguments or make anyone feel bad. With that being said, the book was much more graphic compared to the documentary I had previously watched. It was extremely difficult to read about aborted babies shoved into juice containers in a fridge and finding a collection of aborted babies feet in the cabinet.
The conditions of the clinic were beyond anything I could have ever imagined. Regardless of your opinion on the topic of abortion, no woman deserves to ever be in a medical office that is filthy and unsafe. I can't imagine how the staff was even able to work in the conditions described. And the fact that the Department of Health just basically turned a blind eye, even after a complaint was made, is truly unbelievable to me. I simply can not understand how it is even possible that the conditions of that clinic were allowed to get that bad. And the fact that women died under his care and an investigation was never conducted is also quite unbelievable. Dr. Gosnell himself is also a very strange person and the descriptions of how he behaved throughout the book are unbelievable at certain points.
As difficult as it was for me to read this book at points, I am glad I read it. Again, I am pro-life meaning I am anti-abortion, anti-death penalty, anti-assisted suicide and anti-euthanasia. So the story of Dr. Gosnell and his clinic horrifies me on a variety of levels. But I have to imagine that even those who are pro-choice would be horrified by this book, as a woman should never, ever have to be exposed to these kind of conditions, regardless of what medical procedure she is receiving.
This is a hard book to review, as the topic at hand is an important one, but one that is hard to read about. If nothing else changes because of this book and the movie, I certainly hope that the Department of Health is much more careful with their inspections of any and all medical clinics in the future.
March 21, 2017
I don't know how anyone can be pro-abortion after reading this, or the grand jury's report. I've read both, obviously. It's harrowing and shocking. A political party that just loves regulation and government intervention conveniently decides that both are bad whenever it comes to abortion.
As someone who is for limited government, even I must admit that some regulations are necessary. The Gosnell murder case is an excellent example of that. Putting aside the morality of abortion for a minute, how could one possibly be okay with the notion that dirty, filthy clinics full of unqualified must be acceptable simply so that "access" to abortion isn't "denied"? Don't these women deserve to be treated properly? They don't go to these clinics to become permanently sterile, yet that's what happened when Gosnell "performed" abortions on these women.
The book covers pretty much every aspect of the investigation and trial. Even though I pretty much knew what happened, it was still a compelling read. You are left with no doubt that Gosnell was guilty and that he is precisely where he belongs.
I noticed some typos and misspellings in my copy...I've been noticing this in a lot of book releases lately. It's not something that cannot be corrected, and it does not detract from the story too much.
Every time I see that little family on the front of 3801 Lancaster, I get sad. The little icon is just so Orwellian. People don't go to these places to start a family. They go there to destroy them.
As someone who is for limited government, even I must admit that some regulations are necessary. The Gosnell murder case is an excellent example of that. Putting aside the morality of abortion for a minute, how could one possibly be okay with the notion that dirty, filthy clinics full of unqualified must be acceptable simply so that "access" to abortion isn't "denied"? Don't these women deserve to be treated properly? They don't go to these clinics to become permanently sterile, yet that's what happened when Gosnell "performed" abortions on these women.
The book covers pretty much every aspect of the investigation and trial. Even though I pretty much knew what happened, it was still a compelling read. You are left with no doubt that Gosnell was guilty and that he is precisely where he belongs.
I noticed some typos and misspellings in my copy...I've been noticing this in a lot of book releases lately. It's not something that cannot be corrected, and it does not detract from the story too much.
Every time I see that little family on the front of 3801 Lancaster, I get sad. The little icon is just so Orwellian. People don't go to these places to start a family. They go there to destroy them.
February 18, 2018
The facts of the trial are interesting to read, but gets annoying when the reporter’s personal feelings leak through.
For example, there are a lot of racial issues about this trial that the narrator dismisses. To be objective is to see both sides, say the merits and move on. That’s not what happens.
Also they really try hard to demonize gosnell, which is NOT necessarily because his arrogance and his crimes do enough. A lot of the time I found myself yelling I GET IT!
I’m the beginning this would have been a 5 star but I was expecting a cold retelling with just the facts, but it’s more like the diary of someone reacting to a murder case. Left me more annoyed with the narrator than anything.
Also the entire chapter about Twitter could been cut out, who cares about what some Joe Schmo tweeted about the trial??
For example, there are a lot of racial issues about this trial that the narrator dismisses. To be objective is to see both sides, say the merits and move on. That’s not what happens.
Also they really try hard to demonize gosnell, which is NOT necessarily because his arrogance and his crimes do enough. A lot of the time I found myself yelling I GET IT!
I’m the beginning this would have been a 5 star but I was expecting a cold retelling with just the facts, but it’s more like the diary of someone reacting to a murder case. Left me more annoyed with the narrator than anything.
Also the entire chapter about Twitter could been cut out, who cares about what some Joe Schmo tweeted about the trial??
February 22, 2017
Note: This review will include graphic details.
Everyone, no matter where you stand on the abortion issue, whether you are pro-life or pro-choice or ambivalent, should take the time to read this book and educate yourself on the atrocities Gosnell committed over a span of decades. If this doctor got away with his crimes for so long, I am sure this is not the only case that has occurred or is occurring in America. I pray this is not the case, but Planned Parenthood officials have been caught selling fetal organs and tissue. As a pro-life woman, I believe babies are human and have rights at all stages of development. I am sure if more people read this book, minds and attitudes towards abortion can and will change.
This book ranks in the top most horrifying books I’ve ever read. Other books in this category include Nazi atrocities at concentration and death camps and serial killers the likes of Charles Manson and Gary Ridgway. Even though I was very familiar with this case, having followed it and having read the Grand Jury report immediately prior to reading this book, this was still an extremely difficult book to read. This husband-wife team of authors did an excellent job tackling this subject matter from all angles. They did not only focus on Gosnell but also on the failures of the state’s Department of Health and Department of State, clinic inspectors, clinic employees, and the media (regarding their blatant blackout of this case, except for a handful of reporters and citizens on Twitter).
Gosnell is no doubt the most prolific serial killer in American history, though some people will say it doesn't apply as he was doing abortions. The problem is that even under the law, he was doing illegal late-term abortions, and his employees have testified under oath that Gosnell killed at least 100 infants that were born alive by "snipping." These procedures were illegal because in the state of Pennsylvania, the cut-off limit for abortions is 23 weeks, 6 days. Gosnell manipulated the ultrasound images to show the older babies (some were between 28 and 32 weeks) to be only 24.5 weeks gestation. The irony of this is that Gosnell thought the manipulation to show 24.5-week gestation would be within the legal limit when he was mistaken about the law’s legal limit of abortion.
When babies were born alive after failed abortion procedures, Gosnell and other employees would perform “snippings.” This was the term the doctor used to refer to cutting the spinal cords of the babies that survived abortion procedures in order to "ensure fetal demise." There photographic evidence of this barbaric practice, and experts for the prosecution said there is no medical reason for this to have occurred.
One could argue that he was just ensuring successful abortions, what the women who came to him paid him to do. The issue with this is that it violates federal law, the Born-Alive Infant Protection Act of 2002. This law requires medical professionals to administer life-saving measures to infants born during abortions. Most, if not all, of the infants that had their spinal cords cut were past the age of viability, and witnesses testified that these babies were moving, breathing, and at times, making noise.
I think the most disturbing aspect of this case, other than the killings of the babies, was that Gosnell cut the feet off of many of the babies and kept them. It seems as though these were his *trophies. The authors, after the trial and Gosnell's sentencing, interviewed him, and say that he has a fetish for feet. Coincidence? I don't think so. Unbelievably, the judge threw out the charges of mutilating corpses, so he was never punished for cutting the feet off of these babies and keeping them in jars.
He also killed two women. The Grand Jury’s report dealt with the death of 22-year-old Semika Shaw. “On October 9, 2002, the Professional Underwriters Liability Insurance Company reported to the State Board of Medicine that it had paid a $400,000 settlement to the family of Semika Shaw, the 22-year-old mother of two who died following an abortion procedure at Gosnell’s clinic in March 2000.” She “died from infection and sepsis two days after Gosnell perforated her uterus and cervix during an abortion procedure,” according to the report. (Blackout: The Gosnell Grand Jury Report the Media Does Not Want You to Read).
It was not until the February 2010 drug raid on Gosnell's clinic when investigators became aware of the second woman's death. Forty-one-year-old Karnamaya Mongar suffered a fatal drug overdose during an abortion procedure. The drugs were administered by an unqualified employee, and witnesses testified that Gosnell did not attempt to revive the patient. Because of the clinics poor layout and locked doors, EMTs spent over 40 minutes trying to remove Mrs. Mongar from the clinic. She was later declared brain dead at a local hospital. Except for one employee, a physician's assistant, no one was qualified to assist in procedures, but this did not matter to Gosnell.
The clinic was disgustingly dirty, with dried blood all over, cats roaming, and bloody medical equipment that was reused, even one one-time use instrument that cost $1. This one fact spoke volumes to me as it showed Gosnell did not care about the women he “treated;” it was all about the money.
The true hero of this entire case is Detective Jim Wood (Woody) who orchestrated the drug raid (Gosnell was also illegally selling prescription drugs out of his clinic) on Gosnell’s clinic in February 2010 and looked deeper into the disturbing sights and smells he encountered in the clinic and the mention of Mrs. Mongar’s death. He did not let it go like so many other government officials did in the past.
He could not believe a health official allowed Gosnell to perform an abortion during the raid even in conditions that obviously violated the health code. This was after he saw Gosnell eating teriyaki salmon while wearing torn, bloody gloves. Another disturbing fact that stuck with me is that there was a lock on the outside of his 15-year-old daughter’s bedroom door when they searched his house after he was arrested and charged.
In the end, Gosnell was convicted of first-degree murder of three infants that were born alive. He was acquitted in a fourth baby's death, and found guilty of involuntary manslaughter in the overdose death of Mrs. Mongar. He agreed not to appeal his conviction in exchange for a life sentence without parole, escaping the death penalty.
The babies they found were buried secretly by Philadelphia officials, despite church officials petitioning. In the summer of 2015 a small group of people gathered to mourn the 47 babies. "How a person dies doesn't make anyone less human," said Catherine Glenn Foster at the memorial. "These children were not unclaimed...they were wanted, they were desired," said Rev Patrick Mahoney, referring to the fight to have a proper burial for the babies.
Everyone, no matter where you stand on the abortion issue, whether you are pro-life or pro-choice or ambivalent, should take the time to read this book and educate yourself on the atrocities Gosnell committed over a span of decades. If this doctor got away with his crimes for so long, I am sure this is not the only case that has occurred or is occurring in America. I pray this is not the case, but Planned Parenthood officials have been caught selling fetal organs and tissue. As a pro-life woman, I believe babies are human and have rights at all stages of development. I am sure if more people read this book, minds and attitudes towards abortion can and will change.
This book ranks in the top most horrifying books I’ve ever read. Other books in this category include Nazi atrocities at concentration and death camps and serial killers the likes of Charles Manson and Gary Ridgway. Even though I was very familiar with this case, having followed it and having read the Grand Jury report immediately prior to reading this book, this was still an extremely difficult book to read. This husband-wife team of authors did an excellent job tackling this subject matter from all angles. They did not only focus on Gosnell but also on the failures of the state’s Department of Health and Department of State, clinic inspectors, clinic employees, and the media (regarding their blatant blackout of this case, except for a handful of reporters and citizens on Twitter).
Gosnell is no doubt the most prolific serial killer in American history, though some people will say it doesn't apply as he was doing abortions. The problem is that even under the law, he was doing illegal late-term abortions, and his employees have testified under oath that Gosnell killed at least 100 infants that were born alive by "snipping." These procedures were illegal because in the state of Pennsylvania, the cut-off limit for abortions is 23 weeks, 6 days. Gosnell manipulated the ultrasound images to show the older babies (some were between 28 and 32 weeks) to be only 24.5 weeks gestation. The irony of this is that Gosnell thought the manipulation to show 24.5-week gestation would be within the legal limit when he was mistaken about the law’s legal limit of abortion.
When babies were born alive after failed abortion procedures, Gosnell and other employees would perform “snippings.” This was the term the doctor used to refer to cutting the spinal cords of the babies that survived abortion procedures in order to "ensure fetal demise." There photographic evidence of this barbaric practice, and experts for the prosecution said there is no medical reason for this to have occurred.
One could argue that he was just ensuring successful abortions, what the women who came to him paid him to do. The issue with this is that it violates federal law, the Born-Alive Infant Protection Act of 2002. This law requires medical professionals to administer life-saving measures to infants born during abortions. Most, if not all, of the infants that had their spinal cords cut were past the age of viability, and witnesses testified that these babies were moving, breathing, and at times, making noise.
I think the most disturbing aspect of this case, other than the killings of the babies, was that Gosnell cut the feet off of many of the babies and kept them. It seems as though these were his *trophies. The authors, after the trial and Gosnell's sentencing, interviewed him, and say that he has a fetish for feet. Coincidence? I don't think so. Unbelievably, the judge threw out the charges of mutilating corpses, so he was never punished for cutting the feet off of these babies and keeping them in jars.
He also killed two women. The Grand Jury’s report dealt with the death of 22-year-old Semika Shaw. “On October 9, 2002, the Professional Underwriters Liability Insurance Company reported to the State Board of Medicine that it had paid a $400,000 settlement to the family of Semika Shaw, the 22-year-old mother of two who died following an abortion procedure at Gosnell’s clinic in March 2000.” She “died from infection and sepsis two days after Gosnell perforated her uterus and cervix during an abortion procedure,” according to the report. (Blackout: The Gosnell Grand Jury Report the Media Does Not Want You to Read).
It was not until the February 2010 drug raid on Gosnell's clinic when investigators became aware of the second woman's death. Forty-one-year-old Karnamaya Mongar suffered a fatal drug overdose during an abortion procedure. The drugs were administered by an unqualified employee, and witnesses testified that Gosnell did not attempt to revive the patient. Because of the clinics poor layout and locked doors, EMTs spent over 40 minutes trying to remove Mrs. Mongar from the clinic. She was later declared brain dead at a local hospital. Except for one employee, a physician's assistant, no one was qualified to assist in procedures, but this did not matter to Gosnell.
The clinic was disgustingly dirty, with dried blood all over, cats roaming, and bloody medical equipment that was reused, even one one-time use instrument that cost $1. This one fact spoke volumes to me as it showed Gosnell did not care about the women he “treated;” it was all about the money.
The true hero of this entire case is Detective Jim Wood (Woody) who orchestrated the drug raid (Gosnell was also illegally selling prescription drugs out of his clinic) on Gosnell’s clinic in February 2010 and looked deeper into the disturbing sights and smells he encountered in the clinic and the mention of Mrs. Mongar’s death. He did not let it go like so many other government officials did in the past.
He could not believe a health official allowed Gosnell to perform an abortion during the raid even in conditions that obviously violated the health code. This was after he saw Gosnell eating teriyaki salmon while wearing torn, bloody gloves. Another disturbing fact that stuck with me is that there was a lock on the outside of his 15-year-old daughter’s bedroom door when they searched his house after he was arrested and charged.
In the end, Gosnell was convicted of first-degree murder of three infants that were born alive. He was acquitted in a fourth baby's death, and found guilty of involuntary manslaughter in the overdose death of Mrs. Mongar. He agreed not to appeal his conviction in exchange for a life sentence without parole, escaping the death penalty.
The babies they found were buried secretly by Philadelphia officials, despite church officials petitioning. In the summer of 2015 a small group of people gathered to mourn the 47 babies. "How a person dies doesn't make anyone less human," said Catherine Glenn Foster at the memorial. "These children were not unclaimed...they were wanted, they were desired," said Rev Patrick Mahoney, referring to the fight to have a proper burial for the babies.
August 30, 2017
I've been hesitating writing this review because I needed to gather my thoughts about the book.
It took me about 4 months to read this book. Not because of the difficult subject matter, but rather because of the writing. I think there is an incredible story here. It's the story of an abortion doctor, Kermit Gosnell. (Let me state right here that this review has nothing to do with the subject of abortion: that's a topic I don't discuss with even with those closest to me.) But the authors missed the opportunity to tell an important story because of bias and cliches.
The authors are calling Gosnell America's most prolific serial killer. In the book they touch on some of the most common misconceptions, or myths, of serial killers. Gosnell may well have been a serial killer, but their comparisons to other serial killers is incredibly weak. I don't know how to explain it, but it was as if they were picking and choosing serial killer traits just so they could lamely and weakly have something to compare Gosnell to.
I have read my share of true-crime books, and I am particulary drawn to the stories of serial killers. It's the psyche behind the criminal that I find fascinating. Kermit Gosnell was an abortionist who delivered, or aborted, late-term pregnancy babies/fetuses. The book focuses on what he did to the babies who were born alive. (I won't go into detail here because I don't want to have to claim spoiler alert.) But I was only about 50-60 pages into the book before the entire story was told. The authors did not build the story. They did not lay out Gosnell's history, how he came to be an abortionist, or even his background. They jumped right into Gosnell's crimes, and then proceeded to throw their own feelings and biases into this book. It was shamelessly obvious where the authors stood in relation to anyone who failed these infants. Government officials and state health care officials were targeted. Their failures certainly did play a part in the case, but the authors made a clear point to integrate their own feelings toward these officials. Toward the end of the book the authors even went on a quasi-political bent.
When I read a non-fiction book, specifically a true-crime book, I like to know the background. I understand that every writer has his or her own style. But these authors shamelessly promoted their film that is based on this case throughout the book. And toward the end of the book, when they were interviewing Gosnell in prison, McElhinney goes on about how creeped out she was by Gosnell, but then continued to spend several hours with him.
I can't even expand. I was entirely disappointed by this book. The only reason I gave it two stars is because it had the potential to be an interesting read.
It took me about 4 months to read this book. Not because of the difficult subject matter, but rather because of the writing. I think there is an incredible story here. It's the story of an abortion doctor, Kermit Gosnell. (Let me state right here that this review has nothing to do with the subject of abortion: that's a topic I don't discuss with even with those closest to me.) But the authors missed the opportunity to tell an important story because of bias and cliches.
The authors are calling Gosnell America's most prolific serial killer. In the book they touch on some of the most common misconceptions, or myths, of serial killers. Gosnell may well have been a serial killer, but their comparisons to other serial killers is incredibly weak. I don't know how to explain it, but it was as if they were picking and choosing serial killer traits just so they could lamely and weakly have something to compare Gosnell to.
I have read my share of true-crime books, and I am particulary drawn to the stories of serial killers. It's the psyche behind the criminal that I find fascinating. Kermit Gosnell was an abortionist who delivered, or aborted, late-term pregnancy babies/fetuses. The book focuses on what he did to the babies who were born alive. (I won't go into detail here because I don't want to have to claim spoiler alert.) But I was only about 50-60 pages into the book before the entire story was told. The authors did not build the story. They did not lay out Gosnell's history, how he came to be an abortionist, or even his background. They jumped right into Gosnell's crimes, and then proceeded to throw their own feelings and biases into this book. It was shamelessly obvious where the authors stood in relation to anyone who failed these infants. Government officials and state health care officials were targeted. Their failures certainly did play a part in the case, but the authors made a clear point to integrate their own feelings toward these officials. Toward the end of the book the authors even went on a quasi-political bent.
When I read a non-fiction book, specifically a true-crime book, I like to know the background. I understand that every writer has his or her own style. But these authors shamelessly promoted their film that is based on this case throughout the book. And toward the end of the book, when they were interviewing Gosnell in prison, McElhinney goes on about how creeped out she was by Gosnell, but then continued to spend several hours with him.
I can't even expand. I was entirely disappointed by this book. The only reason I gave it two stars is because it had the potential to be an interesting read.
January 30, 2020
The agenda is clear from the start. The organized (or at the very least, incited) efforts to skew the ratings of this book on Goodreads and elsewhere is just as clear. But here's a newsflash to all the bible-thumping automatons acting like this is good on a literary level, and unbiased on a factual level - this kind of fiendish evil is made possible by the incessant tidal waves of pro-birth tantrums thrown around every level of society. If you don't want an abortion, don't have one, but the constant vitriol against women's rights forces a mindset of stand-off-ness around the whole topic for those actually willing to respect women and their choices. That mindset allows evildoers to work in shadows that wouldn't exist had the topic been embraced universally. Much like uber-prudes' attitudes and tirades against sex workers leading to sex work being unspeakably dangerous in ways it never has to be, uber-thumpers' attitudes and tirades against women's choices leads to stories like this.
One last newsflash: abortion is endorsed in the bible, and in more than one place. If you don't believe me, you haven't read your bible.
The writers of this doubly-twisted tale of a twisted killer should be ashamed that they used his victims' suffering for their own unjustified and theocratic agenda. The reviewers of this doubly-twisted tale of a twisted killer should also be ashamed that they're participating in a false bolstering of what barely even be considered non-fiction once one takes into account the manipulative and only thinly-veiled distortions on those pages... and even on any level, is a poorly written book.
Don't waste your time. Though, maybe you should, so you can see how the majority of these reviews are the products of mass delusion and this book deserves only one star - only because you can't give it none.
One last newsflash: abortion is endorsed in the bible, and in more than one place. If you don't believe me, you haven't read your bible.
The writers of this doubly-twisted tale of a twisted killer should be ashamed that they used his victims' suffering for their own unjustified and theocratic agenda. The reviewers of this doubly-twisted tale of a twisted killer should also be ashamed that they're participating in a false bolstering of what barely even be considered non-fiction once one takes into account the manipulative and only thinly-veiled distortions on those pages... and even on any level, is a poorly written book.
Don't waste your time. Though, maybe you should, so you can see how the majority of these reviews are the products of mass delusion and this book deserves only one star - only because you can't give it none.
July 17, 2017
When it comes to books, sometimes there are books that you like to read and then there are books that are not necessarily enjoyable, but you must read. This falls into the second category. The content of the book was disturbing and horrifying; I would have considered some of the characters too over-the-top in terms of their attitudes toward blatant evil if this were a novel. But this was not a novel, this really happened.
That such an evil happened for so long is bad enough. That no one in authority did anything about it, even after reports of the situation, really makes this sickening. This book reveals the facts of this one abortionist and how he ran his business for years, allowing/causing women to die who were under his medical care and directly murdering babies that were born alive.
The subtitle referring to Gosnell as a serial killer is not just hyperbole for dramatic effect. The authors go through the definition of a serial killer and show how Gosnell fits the definition. And the number of his victims definitely puts him at the top of "America's most prolific serial killers."
While many photographs of Gosnell's abortion clinic were instrumental with the grand jury and the trial jury in securing his arrest and conviction, thankfully, no photographs are included in the book.
This book is not enjoyable in the traditional sense, but it is a story that needs to be told. This case did not get the media attention it deserved at the time, and I'm thankful for this book to bring the details to the public's attention.
That such an evil happened for so long is bad enough. That no one in authority did anything about it, even after reports of the situation, really makes this sickening. This book reveals the facts of this one abortionist and how he ran his business for years, allowing/causing women to die who were under his medical care and directly murdering babies that were born alive.
The subtitle referring to Gosnell as a serial killer is not just hyperbole for dramatic effect. The authors go through the definition of a serial killer and show how Gosnell fits the definition. And the number of his victims definitely puts him at the top of "America's most prolific serial killers."
While many photographs of Gosnell's abortion clinic were instrumental with the grand jury and the trial jury in securing his arrest and conviction, thankfully, no photographs are included in the book.
This book is not enjoyable in the traditional sense, but it is a story that needs to be told. This case did not get the media attention it deserved at the time, and I'm thankful for this book to bring the details to the public's attention.
February 25, 2019
Do NOT read this book if you have a sensitive stomach or are sensitive to the topic of abortion!!!
Although I knew about Gosnell and his horrific crimes, I wasn’t prepared for the absolute soul punch that this book delivered.
To say that Gosnell, his staff and the health board are utterly outrageous is the biggest understatement I can manage... although I can’t think of a word that accurately describes this monster and the horrific crimes that he got away with.
This is a heinously graphic book. It has to be. The violence and brutality of the man and his staff must be described so the reader can truly understand the evil nature of this man. Let it be said that I am pro-choice, so the topic of abortion isn’t something that inflamed me. What did inflame me was the way that Gosnell and his staff conducted the abortions and the fact that the authorities turned a blind eye to it repeatedly!!! The only reason he was stopped was because he was writing false scripts for drug addicts!!!!
I have read some heinous and disturbing books in my life and I really, really believe that this takes the pick as the most vile and depraved book I have read EVER. It was so disturbing that I actually had to put it down at times and come back to it. I’m curious to see what the film adaption will be like and I believe that more people need to know about this man and his crimes so that it is NEVER allowed to be repeated.
I don’t believe in heaven or hell but I sure believe in evil and it’s definition (amongst others), has Gosnell written right next to it.
Although I knew about Gosnell and his horrific crimes, I wasn’t prepared for the absolute soul punch that this book delivered.
To say that Gosnell, his staff and the health board are utterly outrageous is the biggest understatement I can manage... although I can’t think of a word that accurately describes this monster and the horrific crimes that he got away with.
This is a heinously graphic book. It has to be. The violence and brutality of the man and his staff must be described so the reader can truly understand the evil nature of this man. Let it be said that I am pro-choice, so the topic of abortion isn’t something that inflamed me. What did inflame me was the way that Gosnell and his staff conducted the abortions and the fact that the authorities turned a blind eye to it repeatedly!!! The only reason he was stopped was because he was writing false scripts for drug addicts!!!!
I have read some heinous and disturbing books in my life and I really, really believe that this takes the pick as the most vile and depraved book I have read EVER. It was so disturbing that I actually had to put it down at times and come back to it. I’m curious to see what the film adaption will be like and I believe that more people need to know about this man and his crimes so that it is NEVER allowed to be repeated.
I don’t believe in heaven or hell but I sure believe in evil and it’s definition (amongst others), has Gosnell written right next to it.
October 1, 2018
I'm puzzled by a few reviewers' complaints that the authors had a "political agenda," just because the tone of the book is at times impassioned as they painstakingly unpack the horrific events, noble and ignoble personalities, and outcomes of the Gosnell case. Whether one is for or against easy access to abortion, anyone with half a heart ought to be hugely impacted by this well-researched story, as a damning commentary on government corruption and the lure of greed, even in the medical profession where doctors take oaths to "do no harm." I'm wondering what political agenda the PRO-abortion judge had when she sentenced Gosnell to life in prison without parole for his crimes. Hmm, maybe her agenda was simply that the evidence against him was so overwhelming that, as an honest person, she could do no other. What other conclusion could she and the jury come to, ALL politics aside? This is about life and death and decency or the lack of it, not agendas. Worth reading, though emotionally very difficult.
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