Reproductive Issues in America A Reference Handbook

From the Publisher

"Particularly interesting are topics on abortion statistics and funding, assisted reproduction, cloning and stem cell research, contraception and sterility, alcohol use and HIV in prenant women, and sex education. Readers will appreciate the additional list of references at the end of some of the sections. Valuable glossary and subject index. Highly recommended. All levels."

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Choice

"Reproductive Issues tackles a broader topic…A well-developed chronology and biographical sketched are included…an overview of the subject with pointers to further information…"

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School Library Journal

"Provides a factual, unemotional look at the issues … good starting point for anyone doing research … Highschoolers, legislators, activists, scholars, and general information seekers would benefit from reading its pages … This book is a valuable resource and is recommended for high school, public, and academic library collections."

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American Reference Books Annual

"This book would be appropriate for use in high school, public, and academic libraries for those interested in an introduction to the history, laws, and people involved in reproductive issues."

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ARBA

Library Journal

Gr 9 Up-Herring takes a narrative approach to the history of abortion from biblical times through to the present day. His discussion of the moral, medical, and legal developments leading up to the modern feminist movement is particularly informative in framing the historical context of current debate. The author looks at Roe v. Wade and the response of the Catholic Church, the rise of the Moral Majority and the New Right, and the role of Operation Rescue. He continues with an examination of court battles between groups seeking to limit and protect abortion rights, concluding with the current partial-birth abortion fight and the effect of pre- and neonatal medical advances. Herring writes clearly and presents each side of the debate objectively. A few photos with minimal captioning are included. Reproductive Issues tackles a broader topic. The authors address their subject in terms of rights. Constraints on state intervention are examined. Abortion, fertility control and sterilization, artificial insemination and in vitro fertilization, surrogate motherhood, prenatal diagnosis, sex preselection, fetal surgery, genetic screening, and more are considered. A well-developed chronology and biographical sketches are included. "Facts and Statistics" attempts to give readers a sample of data, but it is not well organized. Reproductive Issues is not easy reading and lacks the narrative and human interest of Pro-Life. However, as an overview of the subject with pointers to further information, it serves its purpose, and the books complement one another nicely.-Joyce Adams Burner, Hillcrest Library, Prairie Village, KS Copyright 2004 Reed Business Information.