The Girls Who Went Away

The Hidden History of Women Who Surrendered Children for Adoption in the Decades Before Roe v. Wade

By: Ann Fessler

Narrated by: Coleen Marlo

In this deeply moving and myth-shattering work, Ann Fessler brings out into the open for the first time the astonishing untold history of the million and a half women who surrendered children for adoption due to enormous family and social pressure in the decades before Roe v. Wade. An adoptee who was herself surrendered during those years and recently made contact with her mother, Fessler brilliantly brings to life the voices of more than 100 women as well as the spirit of those times, allowing the women to tell their stories in gripping and intimate detail.

©2006 Ann H. Fessler (P)2016 Tantor

Critic reviews

"Fessler recounts her own journey to find and reunite with her birth mother in this heartrending look at the untold story of American women compelled to surrender their children." ( Booklist)

wow....I am an adoptee and a birthmom

it was an intense emotional book. it put words to some of the struggles I had in my heart that I didn't have words for before. it opened my heart to the women who suffer in silence. it gave me a new perspective on my birthmom and my brothers birthmom.

This is a good book to read if you are adopted.

I am glad I read this. I'm adopted. I hope to find my biological mother.

A fantastic read!

A wonderful book about what the baby snatch era was really like. The book is based on facts, but it is also gripping. Easy to follow. Worth every minute of my time. A must read for anyone who works in the adoption triad.

Greatly Increased My Understanding and Compassion

I am not close to anyone who is adopted, or who gave up a baby, but having listened to this book I feel a great compassion for people on both sides of the situation. Previously I assumed the stance of adoption being a great solution for all concerned, but having had three children of my own I now can't imagine having given one up to the unknown. The coercion that these girls went through, when they were incredibly vulnerable already, is amazing, and the thought of living with this the rest of your life is torturous. Thank you, Ann Fessler, for bringing this to light, for letting those living with it know that they are not alone, and those of us on the outside become aware of how multi-faceted adoption really is.

Just incredible

If you have any connection to adoption in your family during the 1960’s this book is a must read. It touched me so deeply. Highly recommend!

A must read for birth moms and adoptees!

As an adoptee, currently searching for my birth mother, this was an invaluable resource to help me prepare for whatever I find. I am overwhelmed with sadness of how cruel and insensitive the treatment of unwed mothers was during this era. I had no idea. Thank you Ms Fessler for shedding the light on this important topic and for the women having the willingness to tell their stories. I hope and pray women who endured this travesty find some sense of solace in knowing their story is finally being told!

Thank you!

Wow

Absolutely love this book. I listened to it when I was driving around. Let’s just say I cried many times. As a mother with two children I can only imagine what these moms went through.

Must Read for Adoptive Parents.

I’ll agree with the reviews that said the book was a tad repetitive. However, this book is such an important read and I think should be mandatory reading for adoptive parents. This perspective is so very important and I believe, very relevant today.

I would say that I was pro-adoption before this book however after reading, it makes me believe that there really is no such thing as ethical adoption and that there needs to be reform and more services to keep biological families together. I understand that sometimes that is not possible, but I think that a lot of times it could be with the proper support.

Fantastic book

This is one of the best books I have ever read. I came away with much more of an understanding of this very sad chapter in history.

A Heartbreaking but Necessary Listen

To hear of so many women who had their children taken away from them in such a way is heartbreaking. Another shame on society. I am hopeful though, because this seems so outrageous to me, that we have grown significantly in the past couple of decades from this mistake and can begin to heal our families. Thank you to the author for her work on this subject. I had no idea.