Abortion After Roe

Abortion After Roe examines the period following the 1973 Supreme Court decision that legalized abortion in the United States. The book focuses on abortion providers and their work from the 1970s through the 1990s. Drawing from interviews and archival materials, Schoen documents the daily operations of clinics, the experiences of medical professionals, and the evolution of care practices. The narrative tracks both medical advances and mounting opposition to abortion services during these decades. The text covers the development of organizational networks among providers, changes in medical techniques, and responses to growing anti-abortion activism. Schoen includes accounts from doctors, counselors, and administrators who worked to maintain abortion access. Through its examination of this historical period, the book explores broader themes about healthcare access, medical autonomy, and the complex intersection of social movements and medical practice in American society.

Readers describe this academic text as a thorough documentation of abortion provision after 1973, based on firsthand accounts from providers and clinics. Positive feedback focuses on: - Detailed research and archival materials - Personal stories that humanize providers - Coverage of security/safety challenges clinics faced - Clear writing style despite complex subject matter Critical comments mention: - Dense academic tone can be dry - Price point limits accessibility ($29.95 paperback) - Some readers wanted more patient perspectives - Limited coverage of pre-1973 history Ratings: Goodreads: 4.5/5 (11 ratings) Amazon: 5/5 (2 ratings) One medical historian praised the book's "meticulous attention to daily operations and administrative details." A clinic worker noted it "captures the real challenges we faced." A student reviewer suggested it "could be more engaging for general readers not already familiar with the topic."

After Roe: The Lost History of the Abortion Debate by Mary Ziegler This historical analysis examines the complex legal and social dynamics of abortion rights in America from 1973 through the present day.

The Story of Jane: The Legendary Underground Feminist Abortion Network by Laura Kaplan The book documents the work of the underground abortion network that operated in Chicago from 1969 to 1973, providing medical care to women before Roe v. Wade.

When Abortion Was a Crime: Women, Medicine, and Law in the United States by Leslie Reagan This research traces the criminalization of abortion in the United States from 1867 to 1973, revealing the experiences of women, medical practitioners, and law enforcement.

Abortion Wars: A Half Century of Struggle by Rickie Solinger The text chronicles the social movements, political battles, and cultural shifts surrounding abortion rights from the 1950s through the 1990s.

Pregnancy and Power: A Short History of Reproductive Politics in America by Rickie Solinger This examination connects the history of abortion to broader issues of reproduction, motherhood, and women's rights in American society.

🔹 Author Johanna Schoen served as an expert witness in several court cases involving abortion rights, bringing firsthand legal experience to her historical analysis 🔹 The book draws from over 100 interviews with abortion providers and extensive archival research, including previously unused records from the National Abortion Federation 🔹 In the decade following Roe v. Wade (1973-1983), the number of abortion clinics in the U.S. grew from around 100 to over 2,000 🔹 The book reveals how abortion providers created "counseling rooms" designed to look like living rooms to help patients feel more comfortable, a practice that began in the late 1970s 🔹 While researching this book, Schoen discovered that many early abortion clinics were founded by feminist activists with no prior medical experience who learned medical procedures to help other women