This Common Secret: My Journey as an Abortion Doctor

by Alex Kesselheim and Susan Wicklund

Book Overview

A brave account of the social and political forces that threaten a woman's right to choose, this emotionally affecting memoir from a doctor on the front lines of the abortion debate reveals what's really at stake in the Supreme Court

In America the reproductive justice debate is reaching a new pitch, with the Supreme Court weighted against women's choice and state legislatures passing bills to essentially outlaw the practice of abortion...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1586486470
• ISBN13: 9781586486471
• Release Date: December 2008
• Publisher: PublicAffairs
• Length: 288 Pages
• Weight: 0.73 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.9" x 5.5" x 8.4"

Customer Reviews

Amazing

Susan is a gem. I loved this book and couldn’t put it down. I truly think every woman should read this, and every anti-abortionist should give it a try. There is so much heart.

Eloquent Clear-Eyed Courage

This is the voice of Dr. Susan Wicklund, telling stories from her practice as an abortion provider, and stories of the effect her career had on her life, her family, and the communities where she worked. The prose is even-keeled and quietly eloquent, but her description of life under seige as anti-choice fanatics grew bolder and bolder in their violence and intimidation literally made my heart pound while I read some passages. I had to tell myself that her book is in my hands, so obviously she made it through alive. Even if you remember the news stories from those years, the immediacy of her account will give you fresh insight. Dr. Wicklund is a hero in this book, and she's a hero to me. Still, I wondered occasionally what it would be like to hear someone else's side-- not an enemy, but maybe a colleage or family member whose perspective could broaden the view a little. However, she does talk about regrets and the price she paid for her choice of career, in time away from her family and the strain put on those who cared about her. This is the first book in a long time that I've read straight through in one day. Powerful.

please read this book

I received this book and finished it hours later. I not only could not put it down, I want everyone I know to read it. I believe Dr Wicklund is an American Hero and should be honored for years of service to the women of this country. thank you ...

A Must Read

This book is should be required reading for anyone involved in the Choice movement. It is straightforward and honest. It is told in the first person; the reader feels all of the author's emotions and becomes part of her trials and tribulations. I have only one piece of advice to anyone who picks up this book to read it - have kleenex handy.

Couldn't Put it Down

Absolutely one of the most gripping, hair-raising, soul-wrenching and yet beautifully written personal accounts I've ever read. As a male I am only vaguely aware of how profoundly abortion affects women (and their significant others and families), but almost everyone knows at least one woman who has been sexually assaulted. And almost everyone knows a woman who has had (or will have) an abortion during her life. While this book will unfortunately be read primarily by those who are pro-choice and likely already agree with all that Susan has to say, it should be read by anyone and everyone who wants to have a greater understanding of abortion (pro-life and fence sitters as well).

Really makes you admire this woman.

I just finished this book and I cried through half of it. Dr. Wicklund is extremely open about her life and what she's had to go through to provide women with the choice that is their legal right to make. Flying to 3 states every week. Spending 6 days a week away from her family. Death threats. Being surrounded and screamed at by angry protesters in the airport every-single-week for years. Having her house surrounded and her daughter targeted. She constantly fears for her life. Could you do this? Even if you really believed in what you were doing? I can only hope to be as strong as she is. I will be interested in what reasonable pro-lifers think of this book. As written, Dr. Wicklund is the kind of doctor that they should look as kindly on as possible for them. She believes in real counseling. She sends patients home if she doesn't think they are sure about their choice - and she asks them if they are sure over and over and over. She only performs 1st semester abortions. She reports statutory rapes to Social Services. She's even honest about issues in women's clinics that aren't as well run and works to fix the problems. Does she really deserve the treatment she's subjected to?