Solomon's Sword: Two Families And The Children The State Took Away

by Michael Shapiro

In an era when headlines often seem dominated by horrific stories about abused children, Solomon's Sword weaves together the elements of two painful custody battles into a memorable book that no reader who cares about children will be able to put aside. In examining collisions between children, parents, and the law, Shapiro meets judges, lawyers, social workers, clergy, and therapists who must advocate a course of action in thousands of cases each year across America. Reading about these dedicated people, professionals in the vanguard of new approaches to the problem of mistreated children, will leave readers hopeful that we are finally learning how to ameliorate this enduring national disgrace. Solomon's Sword sheds new light on a dire social problem in a powerful book that will influence public policy for years to come.

Genres: Fostering, Nonfiction, Adoption

352 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1999

About the author

Michael Shapiro is the author of multiple non-fiction books. His work has appeared in such publications as The New Yorker, The New York Times, Sports Illustrated, New York, and Esquire. He is a tenured professor at the Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism.

Reviews

[Joänna · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book shed light on two important cases within the child welfare system, and asks some great questions about who should be parenting. It also raises some valuable points from experts about bonding timelines and trauma responses. However, the book itself was horribly constructed. The organization is a heap of facts in no semblance of order, the writing is chaotic, and it constantly deep dives into useless histories about random people. The author adds in their opinion frequently as opposed to reporting facts, and their opinion clearly impacted who they interviewed and what facts they chose to illuminate. We all know writers are going to be biased, but I'm unaccustomed to it jumping off the page so boldly. When I examine the massive list of sources for this book I get the feeling Mr. Shapiro got in over his head with research and didn't know how to tie it all together.

If you want an academic deep dive into the history of child welfare, instead read "From Poor Law to Welfare State" by Walter Trattner.

For a current examination of one family's experience within the child welfare system in New York, and an organized analysis of shortcomings, check out "Invisible Child" by Andrea Elliott.

[Sarah · Rating 1 out of 5]

Couldn't finished this - not even remotely. Some parts were very good, then it went into detail about the Judge...really, really unnecessary detail. Most parts were just too drawn out and the good parts were too short. Seems like it would be a good story, even though I was disappointed!

[Kristy · Rating 2 out of 5]

An ok book which brings up some good points/issues about the best interests of children and when the state should or should not intervene, but all in all not the greatest read. It's long winded and redundent. Could have been edited much better.

[LauraLee · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book helped me see a child and welfare services in a new way. One thing I will take from this is how important it is to look at the whole picture when considering foster care.

[Klaudyna Z. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another good book about foster care. I gave it 4 stars and not 5 because there was some college-like background reading in it which I don't enjoy reading.