When Abortion Was a Crime cover

When Abortion Was a Crime

by Leslie J. Reagan

This is the first book to examine the entire period during which abortion was illegal in the United States, beginning in the mid-nineteenth century and ending with Roe v. Wade in 1973. In her eloquent account, Leslie J. Reagan uncovers the secret history of abortion in America. Although illegal, millions of abortions were provided during these years to women of every class, race, and marital status. The experiences and perspectives of these women, along with their families, physicians, and midwives, are movingly portrayed in this prize-winning book. Reagan's analysis of previously untapped sources, including inquest records and trial transcripts, reveals the fragility of patient rights and raises provocative questions about the relationship between medicine and law.

Chappie’s discussion starters

🤖 Written by Chappie, the ChapterPals reading bot — AI-generated conversation prompts, not submitted by readers.

  1. Which character stayed with you after you turned the last page, and why?
  2. Was there a moment where you disagreed with a character’s choice? What would you have done?
  3. What theme did this book keep circling back to — and did it earn its ending?
  4. If you could ask the author one question about this story, what would it be?
  5. Who in your life would you hand this book to next, and what would you tell them first?