The Story of Jane: The Legendary Underground Feminist Abortion Service | 
 enlarge | Author: Laura Kaplan
Publisher: University Of Chicago Press
Category: Book
List Price: $18.00
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Rating:  5 reviews
Sales Rank: 487996
Media: Paperback
Pages: 334
Number Of Items: 1
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.8
Dimensions (in): 8.3 x 5.5 x 0.8
ISBN: 0226424219
Dewey Decimal Number: 363.46
EAN: 9780226424217
ASIN: 0226424219
Publication Date: June 9, 1997
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Condition: The book is clean but may have highlights.
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Product Description
"In the four years before the Supreme Court's 1973 Roe vs. Wade decision, most women determined to get abortions had to subject themselves to the power of illegal, unregulated abortionists...But a Chicago woman who happened to stumble across a secret organization code-named 'Jane' had an alternative. Laura Kaplan, who joined Jane in 1971, has pieced together the histories of the anonymous (here identified only by pseudonyms), average-sounding women who transformed themselves into outlaws."—Cleveland Plain Dealer
"The Story of Jane is a piece of women's history in step with feminist theory demanding that women tell their own stories. It serves to remind people of an important and often overlooked moment in the women's rights movement."—Seattle Weekly
"Laura Kaplan's The Story of Jane is the first book to chronicle this controversial sliver of history, and it is a fascinating, if partisan, close-up of the group."—Newsday
"[Kaplan] draws on her personal recollections and interviews with Jane members and clients and the doctors who performed the abortions to provide a well-written, detailed history of this radical group."—Publisher's Weekly
"Weaving together the voices and memories of her former co-workers, Kaplan recounts how the group initially focused on counseling women and helping them find reliable, reasonably priced doctors....Kaplan's account of this remarkable story recaptures the political idealism of the early '70s...23 years after Roe vs. Wade, the issues and memories raised by the books are close and all too relevant."—K Kaufmann, San Francisco Chronicle
"Laura Kaplan's The Story of Jane is the first book to chronicle this controversial sliver of history, and it is a fascinating, if partisan, close-up of the group....The Story of Jane succeeds on the steam of Kaplan's gripping subject and her moving belief in the power of small-scale change."—Cynthia Leive, New York Newsday
"During the four years before the Supreme Court's Roe v. Wade decision legalized abortion in 1973, the 100 members of Jane helped some 11,000 women end their pregnancies....There is more in this remarkable book that will further raise eyebrows....Kaplan's engrossing tales of the quiet courage of the women who risked their reputations and freedom to help others may remind many readers of other kinds of outlaws who have resisted tyranny throughout history."—Chicago Sun-Times
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| Customer Reviews:
 A fascinating account May 25, 2006
Christina Dunigan (Pennsylvania)
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
Though clearly romanticized and seen through the rose-colored glasses of hindsight, The Story of Jane tells a tale of women running a criminal abortion syndicate for ideological rather than financial motives. The author's treatment of Harvey Karman (whom she identifies as "Jordan Bennett") overlooks the less savory aspects of his career, such as his conviction in the death of a woman in a motel-room abortion in Los Angeles, and leaves this reader wondering what else she chooses to gloss over. Nevertheless, the book is an interesting and insightful read, and worth the trouble for prolifer and prochoicer alike.
 A Vital Resource November 2, 2005
Anne Elizabeth Moore (Chicago, IL USA)
3 out of 4 found this review helpful
The story of Jane-and *this* story of Jane-is unfortunately, a vital one in this contemporary age. It is recommended reading for medical health enthusiasts, women's rights advocates, political activists of all kinds, and people who just plain old like a tale about people getting together and making sure their own needs are met.
Wonderful reading July 16, 2000
Robin Orlowski (United States)
8 out of 10 found this review helpful
This book takes a historical (even if partly rose colored) look back at the days before Roe vs Wade, and a group of women with a commitment to women's self determinationAlthough it is still a radical idea in our day (which accounts for the stalking of patients, bombing of Clinics and the killing of medical personel)these women realized that control over one's reproductive system was essential for survival. Women who found themselves pregnant had very limited options (there were no laws against firing pregnant workers or dismissing students and child support payments were very lax in enforcement by modern standards)and Jane sought to change that system. The change is even more remarkable in light of the fact that many of these women were college students like myself. Because this book is so well written, you can almost feel the excitement and terror as many collective members were changing the system. Understandably, the use of pseudonyms was a necesitity both then and now. Even though we know that abortion was legalized in Roe the mood is so well set in the book, "Never Again" rings throughout the pages. Although Jane members do not regret what they did, it is obvious that they do not want another generation to resort to such extra-legal methods. One generation was once too many. In addition to individual reading and research, this book might be useful for a course on American women's history and/or a general course in the 1960's-1970s.
An interesting look at pre-legalization abortion May 23, 2000
missmao
3 out of 6 found this review helpful
This is a must-read for feminists, pro-choicers, pro-lifers, and activists involved in the area of women's health. Information on this book's subject matter is frequently hard to come by, and this is told from the perspective of someone who was there as events unfolded. "The Story of Jane" is a striking example of how women can care for eachother in traumatic situations, and educate their sisters about their bodies, in a way that the often too clinical medical profession does not manage. An interesting look at grass-roots organizing and the politics of the pre-Roe era.
A fascinating account. December 15, 1997
cdunigan@hotmail.com (Texas)
4 out of 10 found this review helpful
Though clearly romanticized and seen through the rose-colored glasses of hindsight, The Story of Jane tells a tale of women running a criminal abortion syndicate for ideological rather than financial motives. The author's treatment of Harvey Karman (whom she identifies as "Jordan Bennett") overlooks the less savory aspects of his career, such as his conviction in the death of a woman in a motel-room abortion in Los Angeles, and leaves this reader wondering what else she chooses to gloss over. Nevertheless, the book is an interesting and insightful read, and worth the trouble for prolifer and prochoicer alike.
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