Adoption Nation: How the Adoption Revolution Is Transforming Our Families -- And America

Adoption Nation is a well written book that should be read by all - not just by those people affected or "touched" by adoption. For decades, the subject of adoption has been "off limits". Birth parents had long been shamed into "forgetfullness", Adoptees were taught it wasn't nice to ask questions about their status as adoptees, and Adoptive Parents were afraid to speak of it. In fact, to this day, even the lawmakers and judges project negative tones with regard to adoption. It's time the world opened their eyes to adoption and embrace it. There is no reason that Adoption should have negative over tones surrounding it all in the name of secrecy. Finally, with Adoption Nation and with adoption reform movements all around the country, Adoption and adoption triad members are coming out of the closet and the stigmas are beginning to be washed away! My hat is off to all who actively work for adoption reform and especially to Adam Pertman for writing such an eye opening and compelling book! Everyone deserves truth, dignity and honesty!

Mr. Pertman brilliantly and methodically maps the long-hidden political and social landscape of American child adoption. His pen and sextant miss little: from the most heroic, through the most poignant, to the most disturbing. He precisely places seemingly dissonant features of this landscape and then clearly plots the linkages between them. From the rubble of post-Communist Bucharest to the bully pulpit of resurgent American extremism to the halls of power on Capitol Hill, he praises the meritorious and exposes the depraved. In doing so, he presents a powerful case for an end to the secrecy and lies - both personal and political - that have long-dominated American adoption practice. And when confronted with the all-too-pervasive venality, injustice and fanaticism, Mr. Pertman does not hesitate to take aim with his rhetorical gun... and open fire. This is a profound, sometimes uplifting, sometimes horrifying and altogether necessary book. Buy it, read it, send it to your legislators, and then run for public office yourself.A.S. Wei, Special Advisor to Bastard Nation: the Adoptee Rights Organization

A magisterial and page-turning survey of the state of adoption today and of current adoption issues. Comprehensive summaries alternate with gripping, illustrative individual stories. Pertman frankly states his positions on controversial issues.If you have to restrict yourself to one book on adoption, this is the one to get.

In a perfect world, adoption would not exist. However in the year 2000, thousands of infants and children still need homes and we, as a society, must actively work towards making this process humane and compassionate for all involved. Adam Pertman, in his well researched and beautifully written award winning book, explains how adoptions were done in previous decades, details the recent changes that have improved the process and speculates on future practices. As a reunited birth mother who relinquished a son in 1970, it is gratifying that this book was published; this should be required reading in all college curriculum dealing with social work and psychology.

Most of us tend to gravitate toward books that either affirm or stretch our deepest beliefs. I read Adam Pertman's ADOPTION NATION because I met him early on in his research for the 1998 Boston Globe series, watched him thoroughly explore the many facets of this complicated and bittersweet social institution, and knew that finally someone was working on a book that looked at the big picture of the "adoption revolution" that is truly transforming America. That book is here, and put into the hands of policy-makers who truly care about the best interests of children, it can make an enormous difference in the future -- and the integrity -- of adoption in America. A charming aspect of this brilliant examination of adoption's impact on our society is that through personal vignettes, Pertman eloquently illustrates how the revolution has been shaped not by professionals but by people who have lived adoption. His respect and compassion for all the voices in the adoption experience make this an unforgettable book.