Roe v. Wade

by Marian Faux

From the back-alley clinics of illegal abortionists to the behind-the scene deliberations of the Supreme Court justices, Roe v. Wade is a riveting history of the thorniest ethical debate ever brought before the Supreme Court. this is the bull story behind the struggle of two lawyers, Sarah Weddington and Linda Coffee and their unwed, unemployed, pregnant client Norma McCorvey.

In this updated edition Faux details recent challengesand erosions to the decision―including parental consent laws and bans on partial-birth abortions―and illuminates how the ruling has impacted public attitudes and policy.

Genres: Politics, Nonfiction, History, Feminism

402 pages, Paperback

First published June 6, 1989

Reviews

[Sarah]

The story of Roe V Wade, the court case, told from a pro-choice perspective. I was struck by how unprepared those arguing against legal abortion were – the first time Roe was argued before the Supreme Court, assistant prosecutor Floyd made a stupid, sexist joke aimed at the two women lawyers. He then failed to answer any of the court's questions about fetal development or statistics on abortion. Flowers, who argued in the second court appearance, was even worse – according to the book, he didn't even prepare an outline for what he was going to say in his opening statements. He didn't know the date that abortion was made illegal in Texas, he knew nothing about fetal development, and he stumbled through his arguments. It is sad that the state in such a poor job in countering the arguments Weddington and Coffee put forth. Even though the judges have probably made up their minds before the court case even happened, I can't help but wonder if better counsel would've led to a different outcome. The court transcripts are painful to read.

[Scott]

This book changed my mind on the issue, solidifying my previous lukewarm support of choice into a full-blown hardcore choice supporter. In America, it boils down to a legal matter of privacy and fundamental rights, not a moral philosophical issue of life and death. Read the book and try to change my mind.

[Sashi]

Rereading this book to remind myself of the case law and history behind this pivotal event.

[Ernest]

Detailed history of the Roe v Wade case. The book is written from a pro choice viewpoint. In depth discussions on the legal, historical, political, and ethical issues regarding abortion. A core concept is the debate regarding women making an independent morally responsible decision regarding their pregnancy.

[Paul]

A lot of information that I did not know, fascinating, if a bit dry and legal. Would love to see an updated chapter on this added.