Abortion Books

Dr. Francis J. Beckwith's Defending Life is simply the best, most comprehensive, most logically sound examination of abortion & the meaning of personhood available in print today. Excellent summaries of the book are available elsewhere, so let me focus on some unique features.

First, Dr. Beckwith argues for a definition & moral value to humanity that provides a defense for innocent humans in a wide variety of circumstances, not just those who are tiny & preborn. The general philosophical arguments used here are helpful for evaluating human value among those in undeveloped, famine plagued regions of the world; among populations of hardened, committed career criminals; among those yet to be conceived several generations after our pollution-promoting public policies; & those who are physically and/or mentally disabled, etc.

Second, Dr. Beckwith treats abortion rights advocates with respect & honesty, not merely fairly representing their views & arguments, but even improving their arguments when he can & yet showing that even the best abortion rights arguments fatally undermine basic human rights based on the nature of humanity. A number of years ago, I role-played an abortion rights advocate in a public debate with Dr. Beckwith. He was concerned that his opponent be formidable & insightful, but he couldn't find an available true advocate he thought would do a credible enough job. I gave it my best shot (& Dr. Beckwith kindly said I was his toughest opponent to date), but Dr. Beckwith's arguments remained compelling & invincible. That generous respect & yet actual superiority is reflected in this book.

Third, Dr. Beckwith's sharp wit makes this book a serendipitous pleasure to read as well. Without demeaning his opponents or trivializing the issues, he is able to broach illustrations packed with humor & allude to cultural comedy to make telling points. As Dr. Beckwith's students will attest, he is nothing like the typical boring philosophy professor.

Fourth, this book provides such a wide spectrum of issues, arguments, & approaches that if you only have one book on the subject in your library, you should have this one -- even (or especially) if you are an abortion rights advocate.

Regardless of your familiarity with the subject or other volumes you might possess, you can't afford to miss getting & studying your own copy of Defending Life.

Beckwith's primary purpose is to provide a thorough defense of the pro-life position and its grounding in the "substance view" of human persons--a view he claims best explains human equality. He writes: "This book is, in a sense, then, not really a book about abortion, but rather, a book about human equality." Frank contends that the larger metaphysical question--who are we?--should be answered by enlarging our definition of the human family to include the unborn. His secondary purpose is to examine the relationship between abortion and law, politics, and public discourse.

The pro-life argument Frank defends can be outlined as follows:

1. The unborn entity, from the moment of conception, is a full-fledged member of the human community.
2. It is prima facie morally wrong to kill any member of that community.
3. Every successful abortion kills an unborn entity, a full-fledged member of the human community.
4. Therefore, every successful abortion is prima facie morally wrong.

The book is divided into three parts. Part 1 deals with moral reasoning, the law, and politics. Part 2 is the core of Frank's case for the pro-life view, which includes both the scientific and philosophic considerations. Part 3 takes on cloning and embryonic stem-cell research.

The thrust of the text is philosophical and jurisprudential rather than religious. In each case, the arguments presented pass the test of public reason. That's not because he thinks theology doesn't count as real knowledge (indeed, he argues elsewhere it does). Rather, he's cutting-off secular critics who unjustly dismiss pro-life arguments with the wand of "faith"--which they define as non-rational and subjective.

Frank sums up the current controversy this way: "At the end of the day, the abortion debate is about who and what we are and whether we can know it."

We live in an age of paradox. On the one hand, scientific concepts are confidently and systematically understood, and our control of the physical world continues to expand through our employ of thorough, rigorous scientific method. On the other hand, the poverty of moral discourse is such that, in the words of J. Budziszewski, "it is...like a great smoke which fills our houses and dulls our minds and makes it difficult to complete any thoughts." Trying to discuss moral issues such as abortion in my experience does not lead to reasoned discussion; instead it is waved off as uninteresting or intractable, or the "right to choose" mantra is immediately invoked.

Francis Beckwith, however, notes that the climate has changed a bit in recent years. People are not so sure of moral relativism in the post-9/11 West. As stem cell research and the spectre of cloning bring to light alarming technological possibilities, we are forced to confront issues of what it means to be human. The thrust of Beckwith's argument, then, is to at the same time clarify the abortion debate and also advance the prolife position, by blowing away the smoke of confusion and appealing to our basic moral intuitions.

On January 22, 1973, Roe v. Wade was issued, and with its companion decision, Doe v. Bolton, it effectively legalized abortion on demand for all nine months of pregnancy. However, the reasoning used by Justice Harry Blackmun, who authored Roe, was flawed. To build his case, he had to overcome two legal impediments. The first was regarding the purpose of the anti-abortion laws that many states had enacted beginning in the nineteenth century. The reason, he said, these laws existed was not to protect prenatal life but rather to protect women from dangerous medical procedures. Since abortion was now a relatively safe procedure, there was no longer a need to prohibit it. Going back into common law prior to the nineteenth century Blackmun claimed that abortion was "a fundamental liberty, found in our nation's traditions and history." Therefore, given the right to privacy which the Supreme Court manufactured in the 1965 Griswold v. Connecticut decision (but which Blackmun said was older than the Bill of Rights), abortion was declared a constitutional right. Beckwith points out that "since 1973 the overwhelming consensus of scholarship has shown that the court's history...is almost entirely mistaken." It is clear that the primary purpose of the state laws was in fact to protect the unborn from harm.

The second flaw in the court's reasoning in Roe involves the Fourteenth Amendment which protects U.S. citizens from having their rights violated by the government, and whether the unborn are persons protected by it. Blackmun argued that since the court cannot resolve the difficult question about when life begins, the state ought to remain neutral and not prefer one theory of life over another, and therefore not rule against abortion. But in practice he really is taking a position: by legalizing abortion the state is saying that the unborn is the kind of thing that should not be protected by the state and is thus outside of membership in the human community. His argument actually provides a compelling reason to prohibit abortion, since it admits that abortion may result in the death of a human entity who has a full right to life (but we just don't know for sure).

Under scrutiny, these pillars no longer seem to be able to support Roe, so one would think that when the opportunity arose it would be reversed. Such an opportunity was the 1992 case, Planned Parenthood v. Casey which unfortunately upheld Roe in a narrow 5-4 decision. What is interesting is that since the original discredited reasoning could not be sustained, all the court could do was to base its decision on stare decisis, the principle that the court respect precedent. Chief Justice Rehnquist, in his dissent in Casey said that "Roe continues to exist, but only in the way a storefront on a western movie set exists: a mere facade to give the illusion of reality." The language of Casey indicated that the court had shifted the basis of abortion from the right to privacy to a new right that they found in the Fourteenth Amendment: the right to personal autonomy. It would seem that the right to abortion was derived not so much from sound legal reasoning as from the sheer force of judicial will.

It is claimed that the prochoice position should enjoy a privileged standing in our legal framework because the prolife position is religious. Beckwith argues that this is false: both positions presuppose some metaphysical point of view. If one is a materialist (believing that the physical world is all there is) one will reject the idea of a unifying human nature. A human being, then, is not a substance ontologically, but is something that comes into being only when sufficient parts or attributes are in place, whether these are brain waves or self-awareness or whatever criteria one chooses. In this view the whole is equal to the sum of its parts, much like an automobile or a table. Many prolifers, on the other hand, argue, as does Beckwith, that the human being is ontologically prior to its parts. From conception it has a human nature that defines and maintains its identity as long as it exists. Personhood is not achieved after a minimum number of attributes are evident, but exists immediately as an integral part of our human nature. The point is that both the prolife and the prochoice positions are in a sense religious; there is no metaphysical neutral ground.

Beckwith deals extensively with popular arguments for abortion choice, and the common denominator seems to be that they all beg the question as to the humanity of the fetus. That is to say, the arguments only work if one assumes from the outset that the unborn is not a human person, but this is the very point in dispute. For example, the argument that abortion on demand would reduce the number of unwanted children and child abuse begs the question, and this can be shown by extending the principle of the argument to post natal persons: would the killing of three-year-olds be acceptable if it would eliminate the abuse of five-year-olds? Obviously not. So the primary issue is whether or not the unborn are human persons or not. Furthermore, making wantedness a criteria for the relationship between a parent and a child is destructive for family life; it gives the parents far too much power if the value of the child is defined by the parent's feelings. Surely wantedness has bearing on value only with things, not people.

There are academic abortion choice advocates, such as Eileen McDonagh, who will grant that the unborn is a human person, but that we should be able to kill it anyway because of what it does to a woman's body. The fetus is regarded as an intruder who actually is causing the pregnancy, doing violence to the woman's body without her consent, comparable to the actions of a rapist. The woman may have consented to sex, but she did not at the same time consent to pregnancy, so she should have the right to expell this unwelcome intruder from her person. But this seems to be grossly counter-intuitive on a number of levels. The nature of the sexual organs, of sperm and ova, as being intrinsically directed toward procreation, suggests that the purpose of sex is pregnancy and for many people a radical separation of the two goes against the grain of their moral intuitions. Second, to assume moral volunteerism is to distort what we know instinctively about parental obligations. And if we applied this standard to the father there would be no moral reason to demand child support from him, for he could just say that he had consented to sex but not to fatherhood.

The arguments for abortion choice may make great slogans, but upon analysis they all fail, whether they are the crude coat-hanger arguments or ones from academic philosophers. Beckwith helps us to see more clearly just what the unborn are, where they belong, and what our duties are toward them. If we are truly an honest and compassionate society, we will not suppress this knowledge because it is inconvenient. We will practice generosity and virtue toward the weakest and most vulnerable in the human community, and we ourselves will be enriched in the process.

This is certainly the newest pro-life work to appear, and arguably among the best. It not only lays out the legal, rational, moral and philosophical case against abortion choice, but it more broadly makes the case for human equality and the sanctity of life.

Beckwith is an American professor of law and philosophy who has written extensively on these issues previously. This volume brings together years of thinking and debating on this contentious issue. It is an invaluable resource for all those wishing to stand up for human life at all stages of development, and to counter the arguments of the pro-choice brigade.

The first third of the book paints with broad brush strokes, examining moral reasoning, legal considerations, and political dimensions of the abortion debate.

The second third of the book looks more closely at the abortion debate per se, looking at the science, the morality and the arguments involved in the debate about abortion.

The final third of the book extends these considerations to recent developments in bioethics, including cloning and stem cell research.

The second and longest section of this book does many things, including carefully dismantling the various arguments put forward by the pro-abortion camp. All the leading pro-abortion thinkers, such as Thompson, Boonin, Stretton, and Dworkin are taken on, with their positions carefully assessed and interacted with.

On the broader issue of human equality, Beckwith argues for the substance view which states that a human being "is intrinsically valuable because of the sort of thing it is and the human being remains that sort of thing as long as it exists". That is, an individual "maintains absolute identity through time while it grows, develops, and undergoes numerous changes".

Various functions and capacities, whether fully realised or utilised do not constitute a person. Thus a human being is never a potential person, but is always a person at different stages of development, whether potential properties and capacities are actualised or not.

This view stand in stark contrast to the utilitarian and functionalist views held by most pro-abortionists. They argue that personhood is not inherent or intrinsic, but based on certain capacities and functions, be it consciousness, sentience, self-awareness, the ability to reason, and so on.

As to the specifics of the abortion debate, Beckwith responds to the numerous objections raised by pro-abortionists over the years. For example, consider the argument often heard, involving the hard cases of rape and incest. These are certainly tragic events, but in no way can they be used to justify an abortion.

First, such cases are extremely rare, making up just a tiny fraction of all abortions. Second, to argue for the legalisation of abortion because of these extreme cases would be similar to arguing that we eliminate traffic laws because in some rare cases they need to be violated, as in rushing a loved one to hospital.

Third, it simply begs the question by assuming the unborn child is not fully human. Fifth, to justify abortion in these circumstances is to argue that it is acceptable to forfeit a life for the alleged benefit of another. But a basic ethical intuition argues that we may not kill one person to possibly save another. John may desperately need a vital organ of Mary to stay alive, but he has no right to demand it, especially if it entails killing her in the process.

The more recent, and difficult, cases of embryo research, human cloning and stem cell therapies are also examined, looking at the various justifications given for them, and their pro-life responses. Similar issues arise here concerning the nature of personhood and the inviolability of life.

Beckwith closes by laying out his case as it has been argued throughout: the unborn are full members of the human community; it is wrong to kill members of that community; abortion kills the unborn entity; therefore abortion is morally wrong.

The three hundred pages of tightly-knit argumentation and logical-constructed reasoning take on nearly all the major justifications for abortion. All are found wanting - morally, legally, and philosophically. Beckwith is to be praised for assembling in one volume some of the best pro-life argumentation around.

This book is simply incredible. Beckwith answers all the typical abortion-choice arguments, and builds an undeniable case for the personhood of the unborn. In particular, Beckwith spends a chapter answering the human being vs. human person objection, and a chapter answering the common bodily autonomy argument, the only two abortion-choice arguments that actually don't beg the question. This is, of course, after Beckwith builds the case for the humanity of the unborn. The book is extremely well researched, and each chapter contains extensive footnotes. Along with Life Giving Love by Kimberly Hahn, this is now my favorite book. A MUST for all pro-lifers, as well as those that support abortion who wish to know how the other side argues.

The author paints a unique portrait of Taiwan's spiritual underworld; thus, it is a wonderful resource for foreigners who wish to understand Chinese, specifically Taiwanese, culture. I just reread the book, and it was more "haunting" the second time.

this book really opened my eyes to the strange beliefs of some Taiwanese women. This book was a fun read and I recommend it to anybody who wants to learn more about Taiwan and the people there.

Moscowitz has done an excellent job of taking an incredibly complicated subject and made it accessible to a wide range of audiences without sacrificing any of the content. The topic itself is fascinating and will most likely prove to be a seminal work in understanding how ancient cultures adapt to modern life. I can think of no topic better suited than abortion and the haunting fetus to highlight the conflicts and contradictions inherent in this process. I would recommend this book to anyone interested in understanding the metamorphosis of traditional Chinese culture as it moves into the new millenium.

In this highly readable yet intellectually engaging
work, Moskowitz delivers a remarkable account of the
practice of fetus worship in contemporary Taiwan.
Integral to this account is a compelling discussion
of the cultural and emotional struggles Taiwanese women
experience in their decision to undergo an abortion,
and in their consequent attempts at finding psychological
and spiritual resolution.

Moskowitz's analysis is also noteworthy in its ability
to situate the psychological implications of these practices
in a complex religious and historical context. The result is
a truly fascinating work and an important contribution toward the
understanding of sexuality and spirtual life in Taiwan.

I read this book in its unedited form, so it may have changed a bit since then, but I loved it. The picture it paints of life in Taiwan is moving and explicit, and the language and situations range from compassionate to humorous. The topic is academic but the langauge isn't, so it's appropriate for the general public as well as academians. I especially loved the section on the noodle vendor who ran an appeasement sideline. I recommend this book to anyone who has an interest, however passing, in Asian culture.

IRH is about the back-tory behind the Skinner case and very informative about the Eugenics Movement in America in general. Interesting and well written, IRH was very worth while from both a legal and a historical perspective.

Recommended.

I picked this up hoping for a clearer understanding of why SKINNER did not overturn BUCK v. BELL. My interest is in the eugenics movement in the U.S., and--more specifically--in what cautionary tales we should learn from our own dark history that might deter us from over-zealous embrace of genetic technologies to cure social ills.

Nourse certainly provided me with an explanation of why SKINNER did not overturn BUCK v. BELL, and she also provided valuable insights into the larger social factors that held eugenics in place--the Depression and fear of crime, as well as the more familiar anti-immigrant fervor that arouse with industrialization--and began to weaken its hold (no, it was not JUST horror at the Nazi experience).

The book is of potential interest and value to people with a wide variety of interests and competences. For a book that delves as far as it does into technical judicial interpretation, it is quite accessible. I am contemplating using it for a Science and Values course, and look forward to seeing how students respond to it. Meanwhile, I am sending it as a holiday present to several friends, and recommend that course of action.

I didn't think there were too many bits of Oklahoma history that I hadn't at least heard of . . . until I ran across a blurb about the German atrocities in World War II and except for a Supreme Court case in Oklahoma similar events "could" have taken place in the U.S. I was fascinated and shocked when I read this book to realize how close we were walking a similar path, maybe not for the same reasons but so many were convinced that eugenics, or at least the form of denying "undesirables" to procreate, was the answer to the decline of the world. Although many states had laws or guidelines for unwanted sterilization Oklahoma became the battleground for stopping it when some prisoners at McAlester and some local lawyers took their case all the way to the Supreme Court. I also discovered that Jack Skinner, the prisoner who was the focus of the lawsuit, even went to the same high school I did (although quite a few years before!) The book is excellent although a little tedious is spots for this reader because of the legalistic terms but it's something that's necessary. A must read for any Oklahoma history student or anyone else that appreciates the social development of this country.

This book on such a monumental, but to the lay person, unfamiliar, case was wonderfully written. Starting it Sunday afternoon was not a wise decision since it made closing the pages for sleep Sunday night very difficult. Fortunately I had time today to finish.

There is great attention to detail, dedication to making "legalese" easily understood by all, and an unassuming tone of writing.

This book is a history of the Supreme Court case of Skinner v. Oklahoma (1942), in which the Court threw out the state's law authorizing mandatory sterilization of "habitual criminals." The author does a solid job outlining the history of the Oklahoma statute, the legal proceedings before the case reached the Court, and the legal strategies employed by the state and Skinner. Along the way the reader learns quite a lot about the eugenics movement in this country in the early to mid 20th century, and how this concept had made its appearance in other countries, such as Nazi Germany for example. The author, a law professor at the University of Wisconsin and Emory, also discusses Holmes' famous decision in the earlier case of Buck v. Bell (1927) involving the mandatory sterilization of mentally defective individuals. The author is very good in explaining concepts to the general reader, one mark of an effective case history. What is quite striking, in addition, is the author's extensive attention to contemporary press material, law review articles, and other secondary sources. As she explains in her "Acknowledgements and Method," she practices "dirty history," i.e., devoting much time (and substantial effort) to examining local archives in conjunction with her more traditional legal analysis. The combination of the two approaches proves quite effective. All of this is spelled out in 29 pages of extensive notes which help to make the picture complete. The result is an outstanding example of how case histories ought to be written.

Varian Johnson gives girls particularly those who are African-American a likable protagonist with Rhonda Lee. An achieving black academic student who also tutors kids with math and happens to be a smart girl is lacking in the YA. And Johnson gives readers an interesting book that also examines righting past mistakes and dealing with unresolved anger. I liked many things in this book but I can't give it five stars.

Yes, this is a great coming of age novel and the character has a strong voice but I never got a real sense of a plot with this novel. I believe a strong character can carry a novel, but I just wish there would have been more action and reaction.

This book had me glued to my chair until I finished. A GREAT read about a tough topic. As the mother of daughters, I have to say Varian Johnson achieved something really special here. To explore the realities (and the real choices/decisions) of teen pregnancy without preaching in any way is very difficult. The characters are realistic, the writing is great, and the story is gripping. I highly recommend it.

This book is a must read!!!
I read it in one day and I just couldn't put it down. This is the first book I've read about teen pregnancy and I think the author did a splendid job. He talks about abortion but the author does not take sides for it or against it.
The only downfall I had was the language, I think the author could have left out the cussing. Other than that it was great!

This novel features two teenage girls who become friends: a girl who has had an abortion and a girl who is pregnant. I like the author's nonjudgmental approach to the ways the girls dealt with their pregnancies.

But this is not a mere "issue book" about coming to terms with pregnancy. There is family strife, romance, friendship issues, and typical teen stuff such as prom and cliques and worries about college. And there are even math theorems, for those inclined. It's a fun read that will make you think too.

Rhombus: a parallelogram with four equal sides and sometimes one with no right angles. -Merriam-Webster online dictionary

On page one of this story, the reader meets the narrator, Rhonda Lee. Rhonda is a senior at Piedmont and tutors after school at West Columbia Community Center. Upon entering Piedmont, she was popular, but things have changed since she was a freshman. Enter Sarah Gamble - a junior, a cheerleader, popular, and forced by her mom, Justice Gamble, to find a tutor to help her with math.

What starts out as Rhonda's animosity towards Sarah and all of the kids like her at their school soon turns to a mutual understanding between the two girls. After their second tutoring session, Rhonda has deduced that Sarah is pregnant. With a simple "How far along are you?" by Rhonda, the friendship begins.

As Sarah struggles to come to terms with her pregnancy, and her ultimate decision, flashbacks by Rhonda fill the reader in on her history and previous pregnancy. Rhonda has shut herself off from anything but her studies and her goals to get into Georgia Tech on a scholarship. Her friendship and support to Sarah help her realize that past mistakes do not have to limit your future happiness. And so evolves the story, and the eventual outcomes of the choices each girl has to make, ultimately on their own.

Wow, what a great story! From the start, I didn't want to put the book down. And if it weren't for having to get up for work the next morning, I would easily have read the entire book in one sitting. As it was, I had to wait until the following day to complete it.

The most surprising thing is that the author of the book is a male. The story is told in the first person by a female. Mr. Johnson tells the story simply, without preaching, nor without choosing sides between pregnancy and abortion. He makes you think about the choices each girl has had to make with their lives, and how they will have to live with those decisions. Mr. Johnson is able to do that convincingly, even as a male. Reading the questions to the author at the end of the book, it was interesting to find out that the original concept of the story was meant to be written as an adult book, told from Rhonda's father's viewpoint. He has captured the struggles of teen girls perfectly, and the story is quite believable.

A similar story is Angel's Choice by Lauren Baratz-Logsted, but Mr. Johnson's book has even more depth and emotion. Because of his uncanny ability to portray teen girls without coming across as knowing the right answers, I bestow a Gold Star Award on this book.

Reviewed by: Jaglvr

Whether you agree, disagree or have no clue what it would be like to have to make " A Heartbreaking Choice," you can't help but be humanized by these stories.

A Heartbreaking choice is just that - nothing more or nothing less. Women that have been faced with poor diagnosis of a much wanted pregnancy feel as if their world has been shattered. There isn't enough spiritual or religious glue to help to put the pieces of ones entire life back together.

Termination is a ridiculous argument that will never be satisfied by either side. But in reality, termination is not black or white, it doesn't lend itself to the stereotypical judgements. When a child's diagnosis is grim while still in the womb, there are many, many more "what if's" that flash in front of your dazed eyes. Letting your unborn baby pass before birth, not knowing what devastation may happen after they are born, is an act of absolute bravery.

Again, right or wrong, it isn't the point and shouldn't be part of this discussion. What should be offered is surrendered support. So surrender your judgements and listen with your open heart to these womens' stories and realize that no matter how you look at this, it is and always will be, A HEART BREAKING CHOICE!

Bravi Raggazzi!!

This book speaks to a need that has been mostly unfulfilled in the publishing world. Real women tell real stories of what it means to terminate a much-wanted pregnancy and why the right to do so is necessary. It also contains several excellent resources that will help others walking in their shoes to navigate the difficult choices families have to make when they receive a poor prenatal diagnosis.

This book is an excellent resource for those of us who have suffered the loss of the child wanted so mnuch but never got to know. Knowing you are not alone and that others have been there before is of great comfort.

This book also includes many resources about prenatal testing and other web sites on the diagnosis each of the women were dealt. It also was reviewed by some of the most prominent people in the womens reproductive rights movement.

In today's politically charged atmosphere about abortion, the women who put themselves out there with their heart-felts stories need to be applauded! The subject of abortion is such a huge issue and these women tackle it head-on, and prove without a doubt that there are times when an abortion is not only necessary, but the most loving decision that a woman can make for her family, herself and most of all, for her child! This book contains the heart and soul of women who have wrestled with a decision that NO parent should ever be faced with. They have each realized that letting their precious children go was the kindest thing they could do. As parents, isn't it our responsibility to protect our children; what happens when no matter what decision you make will mean your child will either suffer and most likely die or be faced with a life time of disabilities and suffering? These women have shown us that there are many types of love, and their love is the most selfless and meaningful love I could imagine. My heart goes out to them and their families; and I highly recommend this book for anyone who has faced or may be facing making "A Heartbreaking Choice."

I highly recommend this book to offer support to women, and their families, when it comes to a termination of a pregnancy due to a poor prenatal diagnosis. The women in this book are REAL. Their stories are REAL. Their grief is REAL. Support for these women, and future women who experience a loss such as this, is NECESSARY but seems to be non-existent. It's FANTASTIC that these 46 women put their stories out there in order to help others by sharing their heartbreaking, life altering, personal stories of grief. KUDOS to them! I hope each and every one of the contributors to this book realizes how important their stories are, and that the children they lost, and the decision they faced, will be able to help future women. These women are offering Support, Empathy, Compassion, Understanding, Respect and Enlightenment, or to use one word that sums it up, "SECURE". Hugs to everyone that contributed!

My Husband and I read this book together. In the midts of reading it we had many discussions/debates as well as laughs. I found this book to be intersting, enlightening and entertaining. It's well writen and commical.

Joe discovered that raising children was more challenging, emotionally draining, and required a lot more skills than most jobs, businesses or careers. During his kids teenage years Joe says he chose stand up comedy (over Prozac) to keep his sanity. This book is a candid, insightful and a fun read. His compelling story should be required reading in school! A must read by anyone who is thinking of starting a family -or already has one. Joe's honesty is refreshing and relatable to those of us parents who know that all too often the long & expensive road from cradle to college, can be filled with surprises...and they are not always pleasant. Buy this book -laugh and learn -you will be glad you did! Give Me Back My Credit!

Loved the book and couldn't put it down. Don't let the title fool you--it's full of great advice to prepare you for having kids. Should be required reading for high school kids.

As a parent, I found each reason to have merit, full of insightful anologies and information splashed with humor. The authors shares his experience as a single parent in a truthful and inspiring manner. Well researched and supported, he often supports his observations and opinions with info from well respected sources and world figures. If this book could have a subtitle, I think, HUG A PARENT, they neeed love too, would be an excellent choice. However, because I cannot "unring the bell", I would love this author to write a sequel; 51 reasons to have children and the million little blessings they impart on our troubled souls. I would buy that book as well. Thanx Joe for a wonderful, well written peek into the lives of parents.

This is a short book, but it is long enough to cover all the known sources. Abortion was common in the Roman empire. The methods ran the gamut from various poisons to stabbing and cutting up the fetus while still in the womb.

The plain fact is this: the early Christians were firmly against abortion, and their reason was their concern with the humanity of the child. In the Didache and Barnabas "the significance of these two writings lies both in their firm position on abortion as murder and in their development of an ethical context within which abortion should be viewed" (p 50).

Anyone interested in this topic would benefit by the book "When Children Became People", an outstanding study of how differently Christians viewed children and family, as compared to the ancient Greeks and Romans.

This is well-researched and written examination of the early Christian church's position on abortion, contraception and taking of life.

His looking into this reveals that they were passionately against abortion and even had pagan and Jewish voices joining with them in this.

Citing early fathers the likes of Augustine, Ambrose, Jerome, Chrysostom, Hippolytus and others who wrote and spoke articulately against abortion on grounds of the murder of innocent life, the sanctity of the marriage bed and the immorality and sin of this spreading taking of life.

I was frustrated with only one small part of this otherwise well done work, his final linking of abortion with nuclear arms and capital punishment. His writing as though the early church fathers were of this same mind is a matter that I honestly am not knowledgeable on, but will investigate. Suggest other readers understand a common theological problem with quoting the early church fathers, that of they wrote so much that most all sides of an issue find support in them. It is confusing.

Excellent gem of work that shows abortion is not a modern problem nor is the church's countercultural witness against it either. Valuable resource to the church.

Dr. Michael Gorman handles the question of the historic positions on abortion of major Greek philosophers (including Plato and Aristotle), Roman, Jewish, and early Christians in a very well documented text. The early Christian position stands in contrast to the others in it's overwhelming support of life at all stages. Toward the end of the book the author addresses the issue of a consistent ethic of life which elicits support for life in the context of human conflict, as well as for the unborn. Overall the book supports it's goal of presenting the issue of abortion in relation to the early church, providing many references, and a challenge for the future in addressing the issue of being pro-life in a consistent and comprehensive manner.

Though weighing in at a mere 101 pages of text, Abortion & the Early Church is an excellent overview on early Christianity's attitudes on that subject. Gorman examines the Pagan, Jewish, and Christian attitudes on abortion, spending more chapters breaking down Christian attitudes into the first three centuries and the fourth and fifth centuries. He then wraps up with two final paragraphs. One that rounds off the discussion of where Christian attitudes about abortion came from. Gorman concludes that Christian attitudes were heavily influenced by its Jewish history, but given Jesus' teachings on love and peace turned out to be more adamantly anti-abortion than the Jews. I suspect there is merit to this argument, but also think that much of Christianity's strong anti-abortion stance was due to its direct encounter with the pagan world. Even Jews in the diaspora tended to have their own communities and live amongst themselves. But many Christians were not only converted pagans, they were intent on spreading their own religion even deeper into Roman society. Such clashes tend to sharpen differences.

Up until this point, I benefitted from every part of the book -- even if I was not convinced on every point. Gorman does a good job of providing primary sources about pagan, Christian, and Jewish attitudes on abortion. He also does a good job of explaining those sources and spends much good analysis not only on what the attitudes on abortion were, but what the core of the issue really was. For example, was abortion criticized because it was an impediment to procreation, a means of covering up sexual immorality, a threat to the woman's life as well, or as the killing of a human life? (for Christians it seems all of these were mentioned, but the driving concern was the humanity of the fetus). Nevertheless, Gorman lost a star because his final chapter swerves into very 80s territory as he launches an assault on those pro-life Christians who are pro-strong national defense, pro-capital punishment, and not strong enough on the issue of gun control. Up to this point, his discussion was unemotional, logical, even systematic. Not so here. He comes across as a man struggling to reconcile his personal liberal political beliefs with his strong pro-life beliefs. His solution it to blast both sides. Beyond its obvious tangential nature, this diabtribe is out of place because it -- unlike his excellent discussion of early Christian views on abortion -- is built not on Christian history but on his own emotional biases.

Nevertheless, on the issue of abortion, this is one of the best values out there for understanding what the Church has believed on this subject -- it was immoral. And perhaps more importantly, why it believed what it did -- it was the taking of an innocent human life.

I bought this book many years ago while doing my never ending research about abortion and the law. This book presents the stories of real people who suffered through unwanted pregnancies because abortion wasn't a legal or safe option, those who had illegal, painful abortions, and even medical professionals who argued for the option of a choice for women. There were even stories of men who stood by the side of thier loved ones during those immpossible times. I think it is what I liked about this book. It was very personal and touching. But it really made me sad to think that there was a day when women had two choices when facing an unwanted pregnancy: death and/or mutilation or parenthood against thier will. This should be required reading in high school so that everyone is aware of how barbaric the US was and could be again if we don't assert the desire to treat women with dignity and respect.

This book shows exactly what can happen if the religious right is successful in criminalizing abortion. The back alley and back room abortionists will be back in business and women will once again die. Abortion rights is something that no one can ignore. The banning of abortion can happen to us in the U.S. if we aren't paying attention and remaining active. Women will have abortions regardless of the laws. It is every woman's right to control her own body.

This book touched my heart and soul.
As a mother and a health care worker in a Feminist Health Center that provides abortions, I appreciate even more having CHOICE.
this book tells stories of women who sought out abortion when it was illegal and would do ANYTHING, even if it meant risking thier life. This book brought me to tears several times. I am more educated about what women REALLY went through before abortion was legal. I am only 22 and it is a shame that women my age don't appreciate the rights that they have.
This book was such an eye opener and should be offered in health and history class in high schools. I love the honestly and the raw feeling that women express in this book.
I work in an abortion clinic and I have had an abortion myself. I don't regret my choice and I am a BETTER mother because of it. My daughter and the baby I would have had would not have had the life that they both deserved had I had another child. I work with AMAZING compassionate women that are supportive of whatever choice a woman makes regarding her pregnancy. That is how it should be.
Pro-life is PROCHOICE

Up until my early adulthood, I was very opposed to abortion for almost all circumstances. I attribute this to my upbringing. While I still have respect for my parents, I began to seriously rethink my stand on this issue (and others). I had decided to seriously study and try to understand "the other side" of this issue (and others), and this was one of the first books I read during my own independent research. I had checked it out from the library.

It was some very disturbing reading. The accounts of real people, ranging from the common working-class girls to high-profile celebrities, was suprising. I had been taught not to believe accounts of "back alley abortions," and to ignore the warnings of those old days (more by example than by direct command). From the proverbial coat-hangers to lysol lavages to sexual humiliation by providers, it kept going over and over again in my head, "I never wanted it to come to this. I just wanted to save a kid's life but I do not want it to come to this."

I also must state for the record that I was very embarassed by the behavior of those who, at that time, were supposed to be on "my side" with their crude comments they had written in this library book. >:(

While it did not immediately "convert" me to the other side, it was a first big step in softening my stand on the issue. I think what finally helped me reason through it and change my stand on this issue were the eloquent words by Sarah Weddington in her Roe v Wade arguments (and her book) along with a lesser-known book titled "Stalking the Wild Taboo." Plain old logic. But I digress.

This book is a real eye-opener for the complacent and brutally uninformed who need to see real stories of what actually happened in the past before abortion was legalized.

This adaptation from the original screenplay of Bella was excellent. I actually like the detail in the book better than the movie...it explained much more and the ending much clearer.

I am a big fan of Lisa Samson's novels and I feel that she did a great job of capture the essence of the screenplay, yet adding her own touch to it.

Even if you watch the DVD, you should read the book. In fact, I feel you should read the book first then watch the DVD.
This is a book that will make you think and affect your life.

"Bella" was one of last year's indie film surprises, winning over audiences with its warmth, emotion, and deceptively simple snapshots of family, pregnancy, grief, and redemption. My wife and I loved the movie, shared it with our teen daughters, and told others about it.

When I heard the movie was being turned into a short novel, I was skeptical. Would it capture the same feelings conveyed in the actors' faces and in the beautiful script? When I heard Lisa Samson was the one doing the novelization, my worries were laid to rest. This lady can write--and she writes from the heart.

"Bella" is a wonderful book, bringing back to mind all the nuances of the film, while providing deeper backstory and motivation. With turns of a phrase, Samson adds new dimension to an already touching story. This can be read before seeing the film or after. Either way, it's sure to be enjoyed by those who like the romance of life in the midst of all its messiness.

In New York, Jose was once a famous Mexican soccer player, but since the tragic accident four years ago he is not the same person. His career and his social life died along with another person, whom he visits at the cemetery all the time. That is when he is not cooking at older brother Robert's restaurant El Callejon.

Nina is a waitress at the restaurant. She and the boy next door law school student Ryan exchanged emails that led to drinks and action; now one week after a lonely twenty-fifth birthday, she spends time throwing up. Her life besides being pregnant is cheap videos and cheaper take-out.

Nina plans to get rid of the baby; Jose wants to help her anyway he can except support an abortion. Can these two lost souls help each other; Jose is determined that this is God's test of him while Nina remains in denial except for morning sickness.

This is a well written novelization of the 2007 film. The story line is an entertaining contemporary drama starring two wounded warriors struggling with life. The support cast is powerful as the audience obtains a close look at a Mexican-American family. Fans of inspirational tales will appreciate BELLA as each of the lead couple sees the unborn in a different light; redemption or damnation.

Harriet Klausner

Jose, a famous soccer player, has been burned. At the peak of his career, a tragic accident has left him with deep scars. But this tragedy has also brought him back to God. Now a recluse, he battles his demons and works in his brother's store as a cook

Soon an opportunity to partially right the wrongs he has committed is presented to him-and Jose must decide to seize it. Nina cannot believe that she has been careless enough to get pregnant without being married. A waitress at the same restaurant that Jose cooks at, she turns to him for help. Can Jose convince her to do the right thing?

Bella is a beautiful story of love and hope and about finding beauty in the ashes of sorrow. It follows the lives of two broken souls. I really enjoyed this novelization. I especially enjoyed the characterization of Jose's family - a true Mexican family, with the family dinners, and the laughs.

At times it is a struggle to keep track of the names and dates, particularly when more than one person has the same name. Ample footnotes help guide the reader. More than a novel, this book is a historical depiction of important and relevant events.

Armchair Interviews says: Lisa Samson has done a wonderful job in writing this touching novel

i was very much so surprised it came with the other book of core concepts and that i got both of them for that price thank u!...

I read this as an undergraduate while taking a course in medical ethics. I later went on to medical school, and I read a few other texts and many other sources for most of the same material. This book is by far the best of all of these that I've seen. It's almost perfect in the scope it covers and in its readability. It gives a good overview and raises intriguing questions in each section. It almost perfect. I can't recommend it enough. It is well worth a look.

Biomedical Ethics is a wonderful introduction to bioethical issues. The authors' styles of writing are (usually) easily understandable, and the inserted case studies make for interesting reading. More of a textbook than a "quickread".

This is an excellent overview of the myriad of issues that fall under the term "biomedical ethics". This was used as one of the texts for my health care ethics graduate course, and I could actually read this. Although Childress and Beauchamp may be considered the "standards" in the field, they are also when known for being very difficult to read (my prof warned us on day one that their "Introduction" would be very heady, and the warning rang true the moment I opened their book).

This book brings together writings from numerous excellent authors that are all very easy to digest, particularly in light of other "introductions" available. I enjoyed this book immensely. Not only did it help me greatly in my studies, it has also helped me greatly in navigating my own health care. Whether you are reading for academic pursuits, or are otherwise interested enough in the field to buy a book about it, I highly recommend THIS ONE!