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There are currently 32 member reviews
for All You Have to Do Is Call
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Jennie Reece
What a great read…
The topic of abortion being legal or not shouldn’t even continue to be relevant, but sadly today more than ever it is. In my opinion, this is a decision that ought to rest entirely with each woman who finds herself facing an unwanted pregnancy, for whatever reason. This book looks at the problem faced by women pre-Roe v Wade…how to terminate a pregnancy when the law says they can’t. This novel tells the story of Jane, a determined and courageous group of women who gave all women an option to take control of their bodies. Thoroughly enjoyed this book. Thanking my lucky stars to have come into my childbearing years shortly after Planned Parenthood became a legal option.
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Rebecca M. (Gulfport, FL)
Relevant NOW!
This is probably one of the most relevant books for many women to read at this time.
We are fighting the same fight that was fought in the 60s & early 70s- pre Roe V Wade.
I learned so much from this book. It covers fictional women who volunteered in the very real group- Jane. They helped women in ways that no one else could & learned how to perform a certain medical procedure safely, hygienically and compassionately.
Each woman in this book comes from a very different place in life and they all come together to help all women who need their help.
I would say if you are against women making choices for their own body- this may not be the book for you. If you are concerned, angry & frustrated with what is happening against women to make their own choices, between themselves, their doctor and whoever they wish to share with - this might be the book for you. We have taken a very scary step back in time.
Thank you BookBrowse.
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Carole A. (Denver, CO)
YES-DO CALL AND DO READ
I always watch for a posting announcing a new book by Kerri Maher. It was with excited anticipation I commenced reading All You Have To Do Is Call. I was warned, as I now warn you, this is not in the same vein as an historical/fiction as Maher's The Paris Bookseller. The women in this book and the stories they are a part of are history - just not the type we usually see. All You Have To Do Is Call is well written, timely and a must read for concerned men and women. I applaud Ms Maher for researching and writing this book. This is history but also a book of today and for women today - both timely and relevant.
The Jane Collective, highlighted in the book, was real - a group of concerned and strong women in the 70s who formed a sisterhood to help bring reproductive information, birth control and safe abortions to girls/women. In particular it is important for the women who have been born since abortion became legal to read and understand what life was like before Roe vs. Wade. This is a book that brings to light the lack of reproductive counseling then and as is beginning to happen now, as well as the myriad of reasons girls/women seek abortions. Never did I ever feel this was a book advocating abortion. While you may not agree with the procedure perhaps this book will give you some insight into the necessity of legality and safety.
If you were a naive college student in the 60s and as products as the 50s most were naive pregnancy as the result of rape or sex without proper birth control education created a hazard to your physical or mental health or your future. The actualities that occurred are scary. More than one person bled to death in a dorm room or became sterile due to botched back street abortions. An army of women worked to have this changed and protect the rights of women. Although women's lives began to change in the 70s to be sure many parts did not. Generations have continued to work diligently, as part of a sisterhood or individually, to guarantee the younger generations would be safe. We were wrong. Let us hope Ms Maher has provided a conduit for insight and information.
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Angela W. (Shelby Twp, MI)
Timely, historic novel
A timely, historic novel that tells the fictionalized story of the Jane Collective. By creating relatable, interesting characters, Kerri Maher helps the read understand the issues and emotions surrounding Jane Collective. It's also a good book - I flew through the pages in a couple of days.
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Carolyn B. (Aiken, SC)
We Have Come a Long Way
I thoroughly enjoyed this book; very timely considering recent events. Seems like we are going backwards as a society.
The story followed three women in the early 1970s. It reveals the horrors that women went through to get an abortion in those times. The characters were well developed and likeable. I enjoyed reading about the complexity of the network that they developed. It was a testament to how hard work, teamwork and secrecy can develop into positive outcomes.
I had a hard time putting this book down, I was excited to find out what will happen next. The book is divided into character chapters which really helped to keep understand the different perspectives. The women had very interesting lives.
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Wendy F. (Kalamazoo, MI)
A cautionary tale
This is a beautiful story of the brave women who risked everything to protect a woman's right to choose before Roe v. Wade was passed. I spent most of my life not having to worry about my choices should I be faced with an unwanted pregnancy. This is the land before that which unfortunately we are heading to again.
The characters stand up to the law, their families and their friends in order to provide safe abortions when they were illegal. Thank God there were people like this who pushed back to protect women.
This cautionary tale is one that is needed in our current society.
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Margaret K. (Seekonk, MA)
All You Have to Do is Call
This is an excellent book. It is well written and very readable. The author has returned to 1972 when abortion was illegal in our country and describes the work of the Jane Collective which was founded in Chicago to provide safe, albeit illegal, abortions to women in need. Through several characters, some of whom are members of the collective and some of whom are not, she presents real world struggles of her characters -- how to juggle careers and home, how to be the best mother or wife one can be, while at the same time elucidating, in a very straight forward way, the work of the Collective.
This is a good book for a book club read as there are many issues which can be discussed besides that of abortion. The author writes well and this topic is timely and treated kindly and with a refreshing level of understanding.
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