Catholic Company Book Review: unPlanned by Abby Johnson

unPlanned by Abby Johnson

If I was known for brevity in book reviews, my review to this book would be only one word long:  Wow!  However, I'm not known for brevity, so I'll say more. 

About the book:

Abby Johnson quit her job in October 2009. That simple act became a national news story because Abby was the director of a Planned Parenthood clinic in Texas who, after participating in her first actual abortion procedure, walked across the road to join the Coalition for Life. 

Unplanned is a heart-stopping personal drama of life-and-death encounters, a courtroom battle, and spiritual transformation that speaks hope and compassion into the political controversy that surrounds this issue. Telling Abby's story from both sides of the abortion clinic property line, this book is a must-read for anyone who cares about the life versus rights debate and helping women who face crisis pregnancies.

My Comments:  

This was a treadmill book--one I would only let myself read while walking on the treadmill.  I walked for an hour and half last night and thirty-five minutes tonight, and I would have stayed longer if necessary to finish this book.  Abby's story is powerful.  She wasn't a horrible person bent on the destruction of life when she started  as a volunteer at Planned Parenthood--she was a young woman who wanted to help women in need.  She was converted not by gory pictures or verbal abuse but by the quiet loving prayerful presence of those who opposed what she did but loved her. 

One thing I found interesting is that while Abby worked at Planned Parenthood, and, one would assume, had access to any birth control methods or materials she could have wanted/needed, she had two unplanned pregnancies--so much for the idea that all we need to do to prevent unwanted pregnancies is to teach more people about contraception and make contraceptives more readily available.  

Grade:  A+

Click here to read a note from Abby.

Click here to read the first chapter.

Listen to our interview with Abby Johnson

Read an interview with Abby.

This review was written as part of the Catholic book reviewer program from The Catholic Company. Visit The Catholic Company to find more information on Unplanned. They are also a great source for serenity prayer and baptism gifts.

Note: According to this blog, Abby and her husband are in the process of converting to Catholicism.