American Baby

American Baby chronicles the history of adoption in post-WWII America through one birth mother's story, focusing on Margaret Erle who became pregnant as a teenager in 1961. The book follows her experience within a system that emphasized secrecy and separation between birth mothers and their children. The narrative expands beyond Margaret's personal account to document the broader context of adoption practices in mid-century America, including the roles of religious organizations, medical institutions, and social workers. Through interviews and extensive research, Glaser reconstructs the impact of closed adoption policies on multiple generations of families. The book examines how economic and social forces shaped American adoption during the Baby Boom era, revealing a complex network of agencies and facilities that managed unwed mothers and their infants. Glaser's investigation includes historical records, medical documents, and first-hand accounts from those affected by adoption practices of the time. This work raises fundamental questions about family bonds, institutional power, and the long-term consequences of policies that prioritized social conformity over biological connections. The story serves as both historical record and commentary on the evolution of American family structures.

Readers emphasize the book's detailed research into adoption practices of the 1960s and the emotional impact of Margaret Erle's personal story. Many note the effective balance between individual narrative and broader historical context. What readers liked: - Clear explanation of historical adoption systems and policies - Compelling mother-son reunion story - Well-documented evidence and statistics - Strong investigative journalism approach What readers disliked: - Some sections feel repetitive - A few readers found the tone occasionally melodramatic - Several mention wanting more perspective from adoptive parents Ratings: Goodreads: 4.2/5 (6,800+ ratings) Amazon: 4.6/5 (1,100+ ratings) Representative review quotes: "Impossible to put down - reads like a thriller but teaches like a textbook" -Goodreads reviewer "Important history but sometimes gets bogged down in details" -Amazon reviewer "The personal story makes the statistics real" -LibraryThing reviewer

Before and After by Judith Herman A birth mother's memoir describes her forced adoption experience in 1960s America while tracing her decades-long search for her son.

The Girls Who Went Away by Ann Fessler Through interviews and historical research, this book documents unmarried women's experiences with adoption and maternity homes in post-war America.

The Baby Thief by Barbara Bisantz Raymond This investigation chronicles Georgia Tann's systematic theft and illegal adoption scheme of thousands of children through the Tennessee Children's Home Society.

Fatal Invention by Dorothy Roberts This examination of genetic science explores how race-based medical practices have impacted family separation and adoption throughout American history.

What We Lost by Peg Kehret A memoir reveals the author's experience in a polio ward during the 1949 epidemic and its impact on mothers separated from their children during hospitalization.

🌟 Margaret's adopted son, David, whom she searched for over decades, was actually living just 15 miles away from her in New Jersey for many years without either of them knowing. 💫 The Louise Wise adoption agency, featured prominently in the book, conducted secret twin studies where they deliberately separated identical twins to study nature vs. nurture—without informing the adoptive parents. ✨ Author Gabrielle Glaser's investigation revealed that many unwed mothers in postwar America were coerced into giving up their babies through a systematic network of maternity homes, doctors, and social workers. 🌟 The closed adoption system described in the book was so secretive that even adult adoptees were denied access to their own birth certificates—a practice that continues in many states today. 💫 The book's central figure, Margaret Erle, was just 16 when she became pregnant and was forced to sign away her parental rights while still under the effects of post-delivery medication—a common practice at the time.