Abortion: Opposing Viewpoints

 

Editor: Tamara Roleff

Bibliographic Info:

Roleff, Tamara L. (1997). Abortion: Opposing viewpoints. San Diego: Greenhaven Press Inc.

Descriptive Summary:

The series's credo seems to be: "Those who do no know their opponent's arguments do not completely understand their own" and in keeping with that this volume presents both sides of the abortion debate. Some of the leading philosophical and ethical minds of our times present arguments on either side of the abortion debate.

Evaluative comments with rating: 

2/5 TVs - You might find better information elsewhere

It's hard to recommend this book when the majority of resources that are listed are pro-life. The book attempts to present a balanced look at both sides of the abortion debate, but then proceeds to favour the pro-life side when it comes to presenting organizations to contact. Having said that, the book does do a good job of granting equal "air time" to both sides of the debate and presenting some of the less extreme views on both sides.

Suggested Audience (age range): 16 - 18 (reads more like a university text than a high school one)

Readers’ advisory notes:

Appeal factors: Thoughtful, richly-detailed, thought provoking, serious, issue-oriented

Readalikes: Other volumes in the Opposing Viewpoints series, Animal Liberation - Peter Singer, The Fetal Position: A Rational Approach to the Abortion Debate - Chris Meyers, Abortion (Ethical Debates series) - Jacqui Bailey, A Defense of Abortion - Judith Thomson

Booktalking hook: 

With North Dakota signing into law three bills restricting abortion and Canadian Conservative backbencher MPs nearly mutinous over abortion rights this month, there is probably no better time for a crash course on the abortion debate.

Reason for inclusion: Series was recommended by a colleague

Category: Nonfiction - Homework