****** - Verified Buyer
4.5
This book, a part of my midwifery training program, is fascinating. The illustrations and included quotes are very interesting. Unfortunately it can sometimes be a little TOO detailed, and repetitive. Often the authors will say something in just a slightly different way than they did a few pages or paragraphs earlier. I really think the length could be cut down by at least 1/4 if they cut out all the repetition. The format is that of a chapter book, which maybe makes it more approachable but also more difficult to read, as the chapters are very long. It would benefit from having the chapters broken up and subtitles added.Pretty technical for easy reading.The book is an easy read with a lot of interesting and useful information on not only the history of childbirth but also the medical establishment as we know it. To think that the AMA was founded in order to push midwives from the birthing market so that doctors could gain a corner on the market.Even though the book was interesting, the writer was a bit repetitive. I felt, at times, like I was listening to an old man speak who couldn't remember that he had just told me that very same thing 3 minutes ago.This book is a great read about the history of childbirth in America. Despite some weird references in the book about "magic" and "midwives" -- not really sure what the author was referring to --I felt like the book in general has a great review of the history of childbirth in America. Anyway, there is some biographical information about various people responsible for more natural birth ideals such as Read and Lamaze. So, this is a great book to learn from. Worth the cost of this book!Love this book! It gives an in-depth history of the birthing system. Would highly recommend it!I picked up this book to help me understand the way birth is currently viewed and treated in the US by getting some background information as to WHY some practices are the done way they are and how they came to be. This book was such a fascinating read and it was clean cut as to what went on without much opinion. I was trying to get away from opinion--I just wanted some simple history and facts that were backed up. The book did just that. I really, really recommend it!
