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[Riddle's] findings carry important implications for the history of theology, casuistry, pastoral care, social history, the history of sexuality, and the history of popular culture, as well as the history of botany, pharmacy, medicine, and biochemistry...These findings should earn Riddle the gratitude of the numerous historians for whom the reproductive strategies of past generations are an important issue. -- James A. Brundage American Historical Review Gives us a valuable glimpse of the long reach of history on fertility and provides food for thought on possible options that science should research for both safety and efficacy. -- Portia Meares Herb Quarterly Riddle's study is a true turning point in the history of contraception and abortion, which may have large implications for the history of the medical and psychic experience of women in antiquity, folk medicine, and premodern demography. -- W. V. Harris New York Review of Books Riddle shows us that ancient contraceptive medical practices were safe, effective and commonly used. Sociological studies on their use remain to be carried out. But it is possible that, between the Middle Ages and the rise of modern contraception, the well-off and city dwellers had little access to effective contraception, thanks to the growth of conventional medicine and the soaring social power of the physician. This is just one of the many intriguing lines of investigation to arise from this book, which shines a different light on what we are generally taught about the 'progress' of the modern world. -- Michel Raymond Nature
Product Description
This text uncovers the obscure history of contraception and abortifacients from ancient Egypt to the 17th century with forays into Victorian England. The author's thesis is that the ancient world did indeed possess effective (and safe) contraceptives and abortifacients. He evaluates the scientific merit of these ancient remedies and discusses why this rich body of knowledge about fertility control - widely held in the ancient world - was gradually lost over the course of the Middle Ages.
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6 reviews
16 of 18 people found the following review helpful
Fascinating and tantalizing
21 Jun 1999
Format:Paperback
Looking for information about birth control options is frustrating. This book tantalizes the reader with the possibilities but unfortunately, as the author points out, it is impossible to find real methods without trial and error, which is not an acceptable risk for most of us! It is fascinating to learn that birth control was possible even before vulcanized rubber and the pill, and there are possibilities out there that haven't been touched by the medical community. This book and its companion (Eve's Herbs) are well worth reading and I recommend them to anyone interested in not only family planning of the ancients' but also the history of the western world's attitude toward fertility, especially contraception and abortion. Physicians especially could learn a lot from this book.
8 of 10 people found the following review helpful
Excellent! The only comprehensive book on this topic.
2 July 1999
Format:Hardcover
John Riddle provides a comprehensive and compelling examination of contraception and abortion through history. An excellent reference, and the only source that shows the historical underpinnings of the contraceptive and abortive agents we use today.
Fern Reiss (fernreiss@aol.com), author of "The Infertility Diet: Get Pregnant and Prevent Miscarriage"
10 of 13 people found the following review helpful
Excellent overview
21 Nov 1999
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase
This is a fine reference book for botanists, pharmacists, academics, writers, and, I suppose, those who want to make the point that abortion and contraception have been around a long, long time. It is clearly written, if a little disorganized, and recipes are given, though the reader is well advised NOT TO TRY THIS AT HOME.
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