Birth The Surprising History Of How We Are Born, De Cassidy, Tina. Editorial Grove Press, Tapa Blanda En Inglés, 2007

Descripción

Well-researched and engaging, "Birth: The Surprising History of How We Are Born" offers a clever, almost irreverent look at an enduring everyday miracle. This book is described by Entertainment Weekly as having received an A- rating for its insightful content. Kate Mosse, author of the New York Times bestseller "Labyrinth," praises it as wonderful and packed full of information, blending ancient wisdom with modern science. The Boston Globe recognizes it as a power-packed book, lively, engaging, and often witty, providing a quirky, eye-opening account of one of life’s most elemental experiences.

Published to widespread acclaim, Tina Cassidy’s engaging book is the first world history of childbirth in fifty years. From evolution to the epidural and beyond, Cassidy presents an intelligent, enlightening, and impeccably researched cultural history of how and why we’re born the way we are. The book explores the physical, anthropological, political, and religious factors that have and will continue to influence how women bring new life into the world.

The history of birth, as Cassidy deftly narrates, might well be summed up as What No One Ever Expected When They're Expecting: Crank-and-pulley birthing systems and fish-bladder vacuum extractors, man-midwives in drag and obstetricians trained on mock mothers. With wit and aplomb, Cassidy covers the ongoing march of birthing fads, from the surreal horrors of the Twilight Sleep to Lamaze, doulas, and the current interest in elective C-sections, as noted by Mary Roach, author of "Stiff: The Curious Lives of Human Cadavers" and "Spook: Science Tackles the Afterlife."

This smart and engaging read is full of enlightening moments that show in fascinating detail how birth has affected our culture in many ways—even explaining the origins of gossip. This book appeals to a wide audience, including those interested in the details of childbirth and those who prefer to focus on its cultural implications.