American Baby: A Mother, a Child, and the Secret History of Adoption

American Baby: A Mother, a Child, and the Secret History of Adoption is a gripping and eye-opening book that reveals the shocking truth about postwar adoption in America. With its bittersweet story of a teenager forced to give up her son and their subsequent search to find each other, this New York Times Notable Book exposes the dark underbelly of a system built on secrecy and exploitation.

Step into the world of the Baby Boom era in 1960s America, where women were expected to stay home and raise large families. But behind closed doors, sex and childbirth were forbidden topics. In this compelling narrative, author Gabrielle Glaser explores the harsh reality faced by sixteen-year-old Margaret Erle, who fell in love and became pregnant. She was sent to a maternity home, threatened with jail, and coerced into signing away her rights as a parent. Her son vanished, and the adoption agency that held his fate remained tight-lipped about his whereabouts. The truth about his new identity was buried deep within a system notorious for its secrecy and deception.

American Baby unveils the dark side of the adoption business, exposing how agencies manipulated birth mothers and hopeful adoptive families with fabricated stories, pseudoscientific assessments, and unethical deals with doctors and researchers. Countless women, like Margaret, were shamed into surrendering their children, only to have their identities locked away in sealed files.

Through the compelling story of Margaret and David, Glaser invites readers to explore the universal themes of loss, love, and the search for identity. Their tale resonates with millions of Americans who have faced similar circumstances and yearned to uncover the truths hidden within their own pasts.

If you're fascinated by stories that shed light on hidden histories and challenge societal norms, American Baby is a must-read. Join the journey of Margaret and David as they navigate through a system designed to keep them apart, and discover for yourself the secrets that are waiting to be uncovered.

Get your copy of American Baby today and embark on this poignant and thought-provoking exploration of a pivotal era in American history.