Unplanned: The Dramatic True Story of a Former Planned Parenthood Leader's Eye-Opening Journey across the Life Line

by Abby Johnson, Cindy Lambert (With)

Retailers Choice Award winner, 2012Abby 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 an actual abortion procedure for the first time, walked down the street 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. Now updated with a new chapter covering the latest events in Abby's journey, in the news, and in changing legislation . . . and revealing the impact Abby's story has had in the most surprising places.

Genres: Nonfiction, Biography, Christian, Memoir, Autobiography, Religion, Politics

304 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2010

About the author

Abby Johnson’s life was changed on October 6, 2009. That was the day that she resigned from the largest abortion corporation in the nation…Planned Parenthood.

Abby worked and volunteered for Planned Parenthood for eight years. For the last year of her employment, Christ had been working on her heart. Although she didn’t understand why, Abby had begun to question her work and the motivations of the company she had dedicated herself to for eight years.

In September 2009, she saw something that forever changed her mind on the issue of abortion. Abby was asked to assist in an ultrasound guided abortion procedure. On the ultrasound screen she saw a 13 week baby in the womb fight for its life…only to lose the battle in the end.

Not knowing where to go, Abby turned to a local pro-life resource group, The Brazos Valley Coalition for Life. She explained the events that she had witnessed and swore that she would begin to advocate for life in the womb, instead of destroying it. Even though she had not intended on being a public figure, God had different plans.

When Planned Parenthood found out about Abby’s change of heart, they were frightened that others would hear her story and then change their minds on abortion. Their defense was to silence her with a temporary gag order and eventually take her to court. They also decided to inform the media of their gag order.

The media were very interested in Abby’s story. A local news affiliate ran the story on the 10pm news…by Monday morning she was receiving calls from Mike Huckabee and Bill O’Reilly. On November 10, 2009, Planned Parenthood faced off with Abby in the courtroom. It was easy for the judge to see that the lawsuit was a sham. After an hour of testimony from Planned Parenthood, the judge dismissed the case on the spot.

On November 11th, Abby appeared on the O’Reilly Factor. Since her departure from Planned Parenthood, Abby has been traveling the country sharing her story and motivating others to continue the pro-life fight. She also works on projects for the national 40 Days for Life team. Abby lives in Texas with her husband and daughter.

Reviews

[Dimity · Rating 1 out of 5]

I have several pages of furiously scribbled notes from reading this memoir but I’m just going to pitch them and sum it up because anyone reading this book because they are pro-life probably doesn’t care about my thoughts. So here’s the barebones review with minimal soapboxing.

This book is not very well written, the author’s attempts to be seen as sympathetic make her appear weak and easily manipulated and there’s plenty of misleading language and embellishment. Basically, it was all I expected. I do give her props for saying the pro-choice people aren’t monsters.

In the end, I can see why witnessing an abortion would be disturbing to Johnson-I’m sure it would disturb me too. I’m not pro-choice because abortions aren’t disturbing. I am pro-choice because it’s not my place to tell other women what they can or should do about circumstances in their lives that I do not live. This book didn't change my opinion of abortion or Planned Parenthood.

[Jeff Miller · Rating 5 out of 5]

Update: see bottom for update

In 2009 it made the national news that Abby Johnson the directory of a Planned Parenthood in Texas had resigned and went to the Coalition for Life for help. Now it was easy to celebrate this a a victory on the pro-life front and a mark in our column. It is easy to forget the person behind the story sometimes and the new book Unplanned: The Dramatic True Story of a Former Planned Parenthood Leader's Eye-Opening Journey across the Life Line by Abby Johnson tells here story in full.

I am a sucker for a conversion story and so bought and downloaded this book just after it came out. I also sat down and read the book in basically one sitting. When you first hear the story you wonder how can a director of a Planned Parenthood clinic have her world turnaround after assisting during an ultrasound guided abortion. Surely she would know what was going on in her clinic? How did a young woman from a small town and pro-life family come to work for Planned Parenthood in the first place?

The book starts with her heart-wrenching description of the ultrasound guided abortion she was called in to assist with. Through her years at Planned Parenthood at first as a volunteer, then counselor, and later directory and even Employee of the Year for Planned Parenthood she did not assist with abortions normally. Her shock at what she saw on the ultrasound and the babies obvious attempt to escape the suction device destroyed the lies she had been taught and had passed on to so many others. She was a person who believed that abortion was no great thing and should be rare, but that it was still needed for difficult situations. She truly though that Planned Parenthood did much good with their exams and birth control. That she was even doing God's work. What she witnessed that day changed her life forever.

She then goes on to describe the years that led up to that day and how at Texas A&M she was first asked to volunteer at a clinic and that while she wasn't thrilled about the abortion part bought into the whole abortion rights rhetoric of choice and the days of back alley abortions and how they were helping women's health. She also describes the circumstances of her own two abortions and their effect on her.

Later on the book she describes how she felt that her conscience had been locked up and how it was that so much of what she did was contrary to what she believed or else had serious qualms about it, but that she would let other factors over ride that. Pro-abortion rhetoric is effective because it is conscience numbing in that it can make things sound so much better than they are and present evils as not only something good, but as the only right conclusion. All of us as sinners know about how we have minimized some sin and made excuses for it. We make excuses that could never stand a bright light without them shattering apart. Excuses we might even later laugh at and wonder how we could have thought such a thing. Abby's book gives us light in seeing how somebody who deeply cared about other women and only wanted to do her best for them could come into the fallacy of the pro-abortion lies.

What I loved most about this book is humanization. Dehumanizing your enemy is always a constant temptation. The conflict between the clinic workers and pro-life protesters are between two groups one on each side of the fence and the fence is a dividing line throughout the book. She writes of her friends her worked at the clinic and the tensions involved because of the protesters. She also writes about the Christian love she experienced from so many of the protesters who treated her with love even as she became the clinics director. How they reached out to her - especially the members of the Coalition for Life. She also notes that while she did not feel animosity against the protesters that she was also use to using the rhetoric passed on to her from the Planned Parenthood office describing these peaceful protesters in less than peaceful terms. Though as the book notes, not all the protesters were peaceful and their were some misguided zealots who did harm to the pro-life cause and that the other pro-lifers would try to reign in.

I found the writing style of the book to be both gripping and heavily personal where you almost consider yourself to become a voyeur on her life. This book could not have been easy to write where old wounds had to be reopened and redressed. By the end you feel you have known her for years and you just rejoice in her conversion and her apparent joy in leaving her old life behind. She is someone who had always believed in God and when getting married had gone back to steady attendance at church with her husband who was solidly pro-life. She relates the back and forth conversations she had with her husband and her parents who were not happy with her job at all - but never let her job stop them from loving her. Also interesting she was kicked out of one pro-life Protestant church when they found out about her job and then later when she became national news the members of her pro-abortion Episcopalian church also let their displeasure known about her leaving Planned Parenthood.

After she finally left the clinic with the assistance of the Coalition for Life she was sued by Planned Parenthood who wanted a restraining order placed on her. The story actually became national news when Planned Parenthood issued a Press Release about this restraining order. She was not expecting the national attention and thought a interview on a local TV station was going to be the extent of the publicity. Towards her end as director of the clinic she was coming more in conflict with Planned Parenthood leadership as she discovered that they wanted her to increase abortions, simply because they were more profitable. The book finishes with the trial, the results of the trial, and her subsequent work speaking for 40 Days for Life.

There is so much in this book this I so enjoyed. The frank discussion of her thought processes over the years, her relationships with others, and the difficulties she encountered when she realized how wrong and blind she had been. Her treatment by the pro-life community in her years working there is an example for all to follow. Many other clinic employees, clinic directors, or even abortion doctors have been befriended by pro-lifers show truly showed them Christ by their example.

This book as a spiritual biography is a quite worthwhile read and an excellent insight into those who work at abortion clinics. This book isn't meant as just a pro-life apologetic covering every aspect of the abortion debate covering topics like the personhood of the child or the statistics of abortion. That being said the ending of the book left some things ambiguous for me. For example after she had gone to the Coalition for Life she had told them that she was still for birth control. I would have liked to know by the ending if this was still the case since things like the pill having an abortafacient mechanism are never mentioned. Considering that she herself got pregnant three times while contraception I was certainly curious about this aspect. Generally I would have liked to see some counters to some of false history and statistics on back alley abortions she had learned. But I can understand while this was not done in a very personal autobiography where the focus of her story was a conversion story.

I have felt in the past that we needed a pro-life equivalent of what Uncle Tom's Cabin did for the slavery abolition movement. While this book is not exactly that - it is something close and I hope that it will be a book that becomes very popular. Everybody in the book are humanized - the child in the womb, abortion workers, pro-life protesters. There is not a stereotype of a person to be found in this book.

Turns out the Ignatius Press edition of this book covers some of my questions I had and I happy to learn that Doug and Abby Johnson are entering the Catholic Church and that they both oppose contraception now.

[Chelsea Meyers · Rating 1 out of 5]

What's so wonderful about this book, besides being so poorly written and so utterly devoid of actual emotion and the glossing over of the 'hard' parts of the authors life, is the fact that the author clearly has a vendetta against Planned Parenthood.
What's also so amazing about this book is that it is clearly the type of book that someone who is pro-life is going to read and get a hard on over while telling everyone else, 'its such an amazing book'. Speaking as a literature major, no its not a good book. Poorly written, undeveloped characters, no actual emotional connections, no real explanation of actions or feelings, and a lack of actual writing skill keeps this book from being 'good'.
Ugh. So patronizing. It's a good thing all young women in college are so naive and that they do the wrong things for the right reasons and that they can not distinguish between logic and emotion. I will finish this book, however I am not sure I can stomach any more of these 'woe is me, how young and silly I was' flashbacks. I am confused as to how people are calling this an 'unbiased' look at abortion. It's completely biased because she has had two! It's poorly written, and uses emotions to try and explain logic, which is not possible. It is also very sugar coated. The 'hard parts' of her life are glossed over in the useful phrases of 'I just didn't think about it' or 'I didn't have any feelings about it' because avoiding reality is a good way to deal with life.
I do not which is more annoying, the fact that the author can't figure out her own thoughts and feelings towards abortion, or the fact that she is procreating. Woman who can't make up their mind and use logical thinking skills really shouldn't be populating the earth.
Also, the whole 'I'm praying for you' is getting old. That saying is so completely arrogant, I wish the response would be 'thanks, but no thanks. I can pray for myself'.

[booklady · Rating 5 out of 5]

My sister got us free admission to a sneak preview of the movie, which is an excellent adaptation of the book. The book is still better—well you would expect a booklady to say that, wouldn't you?

Mostly the movie follows the book and is extremely well done! There is one scene which is added in. It adds to what Abby saw and experienced during her years with Planned Parenthood and is certainly probable. It may have even happened, but wasn't a necessary addition in my humble opinion. Still, that is a (minor) critique of the movie, not the book.

The book is amazing! I read a borrowed copy of it in a day, sitting by my mother's bedside. Think I need to get a copy of it when I get home again, so I can reread it and have it to loan to others.

By now most people know about Abby Johnson's dramatic about face on the question of Life v. Abortion/Choice, pro-this or anti-that, whatever you want to call it. Yet, even if you think you know what happened in this Moby Dick conversion story, you will still be moved. Essential reading—a matter of Life and Death, whichever side you are on.

Support the movie; we need more movies like this. I will go back and buy my ticket the second time and maybe even more. But for the full story, read the book!

[Mark · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am extremely pro-life, as any genuine Christian should be, so I was very interested in reading this book.


The book talks a lot about Abby's growing-up years and up through college, which is where she became involved with Planned Parenthood.


I found it fascinating to get a look at what goes on in the mind of someone who is pro-life and works at an abortion facility, and also hearing from people who are on the front lines of the pro-life movement, battling for the lives of innocent babies.


This is an amazing story. How someone so involved in the abortion industry could come so far, and change their view so much. It also helped me to see that we need to do more to fight this horrible scourge of abortion, and that even those who are caught up in the baby killing industry can be reached by God and changed completely.


I enjoyed the book and was also convicted and challenged by it to do more.

I follow Abby on facebook, and am impressed at how much she is doing now to fight for the pro-life side.

[Shelby · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was thrust upon me by a friend of my mom’s (yeah, strange…). And I want to thank this friend of my mom’s right now. Because I would probably have never read this book if it hadn’t been for her. Why?
1) I had never heard of it…ever.
2) I don’t usually read biographies. Ever. I’m a fiction girl at heart.
3) Well…I don’t have a third reason. But maybe if I had heard of it and liked biographies, I still might not have read it, because abortion isn’t something I love to go reading about. It’s sick and perverted.
But man oh man. This book was GREAT. AMAZING. FANTASTIC. I flew through it (well, I had no choice…I had to fly through it. It was due the next day and it was checked out on my mom’s friend’s card. Yeah, bummer. But I called her and she most graciously allowed me to keep it for a couple more days if I paid the fine. Something I don’t suggest you do often, kids). But I digress.
Abby Johnson never knew where her journey with Planned Parenthood would lead her, but she certainly wasn’t expecting it to turn into an eight year career. But that’s what it did. One day she was just a naïve Texas college girl, and the next thing she knew she was director of one of the fastest growing abortion clinics in the country. And she loved it. Until one day.
That one day changed Abby’s life and countless others. It was the day that she actually participated in an abortion herself. She saw the baby in the womb, and she saw it die. And she’ll never forget it. That was the day she switched sides. She crossed the fence.
I’m so psyched about this book that I want to tell you every little detail of it! But that wouldn’t be much of a book review, would it? It would be a…a book spoiler.  I loved the way Abby wrote this book. She didn’t condemn. She didn’t favor one side to another. She had her views, then they changed. But she didn’t shun pro-lifers or pro-choicers. One thing she did do was give us a peek at both sides and what it’s really like on the other side of the fence (by the “fence” I mean the iron barrier that encircles every clinic). She showed us pro-lifers that clinic workers just want to help women just like we do. They are filled with compassion and love just like we are for these desperate women. They aren’t blood thirsty murders- most clinic works don’t even like the idea of abortion- they abhor it, just like we do. She showed us that most every woman that walks into the door of a clinic is scared, confused, and anxious. They’re in need of a lot of love.
I also loved how Abby used the fence as a symbol of the tension between the two “warring sides.” She made us think of it as a battle ground, as a wall that marked the end of one side and the beginning of the other. It separated the two groups, the abortionists (I don’t like calling them that, but I have to for lack of a better word…bear with me) and the pro-lifers. It was meant to keep people out, but instead of serving its purpose, it kept people in (such as the clinic workers who loved serving women in this way but didn’t like the idea of having a hand in abortions).
One other thing that touched my heart was the dedication and sincere love that the Coalition for Life volunteers showed by praying at the fence. It must be such a scene to see something so genuine. Sincere love for people you don’t even know is very rare these days, but these people literally radiate love from their smiles, their kind words, and their fervent prayers for these despairing women.
In conclusion, I loved Abby’s book and grew to love her and all the Coalition for Life people that she featured in her story. This is not a light read in the least, but it is a story of hidden guilt, buried sorrows, redemption, forgiveness, love and compassion. It will make you look at abortionist, pro-choicers, pro-lifers, and abortion in general in a whole different light. It will make you want to reach out to those on the other side of the fence. It will touch your heart. I guarantee it. 
Note: The first chapter of this book features a real abortion. It goes into detail of the abortion and how it was done. It’s not something that’s pleasant to read, and it bothered me emotionally. I don’t suggest just anyone to read this- only the most mature teens and adults. I don’t want this to make you shy away from the book, though. Sometimes it’s a good thing to be bothered by things like this, but this is just a warning for the squeamish.

[Sasha · Rating 2 out of 5]

Obviously, going in, I was well aware of the message a book like this would push. No surprise that ANY story in which an individual goes from pro-choice to pro-life would be heavy in God mentions. However, despite her effort to argue differently (in the introduction), the author was definitely very self-serving. She did an excellent job at painting herself as a helplessly misled, wide-eyed doe who was, in no way, aware of her surroundings. I call shenanigans. I'd also like to point out to anyone who truly believes that this is a story about someone who was on both sides of the abortion debate, that it's clear the author NEVER really had both feet firmly planted on pro-choice territory to begin with. That being said, the story was an engaging one and the book itself an easy read-- It just probably would have been a lot more enjoyable if it hadn't been so clearly rooted in its agenda from the start.

[Jennifer · Rating 2 out of 5]

As someone who is pretty pro-choice, I was definitely not in the target audience for this book. However, I was interested to read it due the author's claims that, as someone who had been on both sides of the debate, she was going to paint both the pro-life and pro-choice groups in an unbiased light and show the good and bad of both.

Well, she didn't. She admits that some of her Planned Parenthood coworkers were nice people (though of course the ones who were her friends betrayed her). But ohmygoodness, those wonderful people at The Coalition for Life are just angels from her very first encounter. There's no ulterior motive to anything they do; every time one of them even farts it's out of the purest intentions and love for God. Heck, throughout the entire book she never physically describes what anyone looks like, but when she goes to the Coalition office the first time, the workers are "petite... the picture of wholesome innocence..." with beautiful blonde hair and blue eyes (Anti-Choice Barbie!) or strong square jaws (Protester Ken!)

Johnson lost a lot of credibility in my eyes early on. She tries to present herself as this wide-eyed innocent who was taken advantage of by Planned Parenthood at a college volunteer fair. Upon meeting the organization's representative, she's all, "Oh, golly gee! I've never even thought about abortion before. Wow, I'm not even sure how I feel about it because it's such a foreign topic!" Then we find out that -- just MONTHS before -- she had undergone an abortion herself.

When I find myself calling bullshit on an author three chapters in, I'm not going to be receptive to much else she has to say. The lawsuit portion of the book in particular was very confusing and rushed. I don't want to flat-out accuse the author of lying, but I will definitely say that aspects of that entire situation felt... off.
Some details were definitely left out.

Furthermore, I really took offense to the way she presented some of her PP patients. The (only) patient she describes undergoing the late-term abortion to which she really objected is straight out of an anti-choicer's wet dream of a callous, irresponsible slut who just wants that baby sucked out. Yet in reality, many pregnancies which are terminated "late-term" are done so because it is medically necessary, and the women who have to make that choice do NOT do so easily. Someone who worked at a Planned Parenthood would have seen several medically necessary abortions, but Abby Johnson doesn't mention a single one.

She also doesn't explain how she's working towards her goal of reducing abortions now that she's part of a group that wants to "end the ravages of contraception."

The writing in this book is very clunky and the dialogue is laughable. For anyone who wants a more objective look at people on both sides of the debate, I would recommend watching the documentary 12th & Delaware.

[Alexandria Siddiqui · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book was utter poppycock. First this book hardly talked about the issue of abortion as a life experience, merely described a woman stressed from work, have a mental religious breakdown and switch sides. The thing is Abby started off as a rational sane individual even admitting in her book that women should control their decisions, their reproductive rights and their access to care. She acknowledges her past thoughts about the risk of unsafe abortion if women can't access the services. Yet when she made the transition to become pro-life, no mention of her concern for women's health ever becomes apparent again! Merely she ascribes her repulsion for abortion to other women's circumstances and assumes like her or some women she has met, they would regret it or be harmed by it (as if they can't make decisions for themselves). The book is full of her own inconsistencies when she met nonchalant patients about abortions thus showing that plenty of women do not regret it (as actual psychological research has shown).
Mostly she was false about her concern for women's health. It was a smoke screen to cover her issues (as she mentioned) with how Planned Parenthood made financial decisions. Revenue from abortion? Why wouldn't they? Restrictions and cuts to their funding for women's birth control and social services was the reason they had to gain revenue from abortion (as Abby asserts, but it doesn't seem to click in her head as to why this would be).
I could empathize with the fact that she was under a lot of stress to meet demands, but she unjustly accused that Planned Parenthood viewed women as 'dollar signs.' Well of course people on the board would. They control the finances. It is no different from any other head honchos in rich organizations. But that is not the same for its workers who genuinely care about women and risk their lives everyday to help them.
What I find confounding is the fact despite receiving death threats and harassment from the Coalition of Life herself, she for some reason decided to class them as exception individuals, yet didn't question the Coalition for not letting such dangerous and unhinged individuals go from their organization?
In fact she joined them even after this.
I find it rich that she glorifies the abortion restriction laws, associated herself with republican news groups and politicians like Huckabee, pretends to care about women when these political factions and news groups were well known for shaming women who get abortions and call them whores in one way or another.
She was complaining about women being stuck in the cycle of poverty and forced to bear children and being at risk of unsafe procedures yet when she thought about it again she brushed it off with some religious nonsense about God guiding her, ignored the plight of the women and offered no solutions to women who wanted abortions. It is as if seeing the ultra-sound abortion made her forget about the woman entirely and put the fetus on a stand higher than the woman.
Worse she kept judging women throughout her novel and assumed her circumstances of grief and pain were the same for other women. To me this woman simply had a mental breakdown and some strange epiphany to force other women to bear unwanted children because she couldn't handle her own abortions. That's what I find even more annoying about this. This hypocritical former clinic director had two abortions herself, but doesn't want anyone else to have their slice of cake.
I also fail to see why the Director instead of the medical technician would be called in to assist in an abortion. Nor do I believe after eight years of working for Planned Parenthood and having two abortions herself, did Abby only just realize what an abortion was.
Seriously after she changed, no mention of tackling the issues or other women's circumstances are mentioned at all. Just the unproven notion that they are 'hurt' by abortion, don't know what they are doing (as if women are stupid) and false pretenses of caring for women when really Abby and her cohorts want to control women and their bodies. This book was a waste of my time and money.

[Johanna Harris · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was an amazing journey and I felt like I got to experience the journey with Abby Johnson. As she was challenged to reconsider her beliefs on abortion, as was I. There were times when I wasn't exactly on board 100% with her but by the end of the book, I was completely on her team. The book was well written and well organized and I definitely didn't want to put it down. I'm proud of Abby for not being afraid to make public the good, the bad, and the ugly of her journey. Not many people have the courage to do what she did. It is amazing to see what God can do! : )

[Katie · Rating 1 out of 5]

After doing some research, found a few holes in her story. Not to mention, it's published by an extremely conservative publishing house. There's an agenda here and I didn't buy into it.

[Tess · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a wonderful and inspiring book! I think it's been awhile since I've read something truly this moving.
I wasn't sure how this read would go since, (even though I'm dedicated to this cause) I've never really read a memoir before. I thought maybe it would be hard to stay with, boring, or just overall slow. Boy was I wrong! I couldn't seem to put it down! Especially during the climax in the story when Abby realizes she's been on the "wrong side of the fence." I flew through the chapters, and that specific part was just so moving! I got pretty emotional myself during that part...
It was really interesting to see what it's like working for Planned Parenthood, what the workers are told, and their point of view and side of things.
I truly recommend this book to everyone! And I mean, EVERYONE. I don't care what your viewpoints are, this is something that everyone needs to hear, regardless of your prejudices of either "side."

So thankful to have read this book in my lifetime!

[Gator · Rating 5 out of 5]

Unplanned is an absolutely amazing memoir. This was captivating from the first page to the last. Abby Johnson is definitely being used by the lord to spread the gospel and her message is so powerful, her book is a must read. I also would like to say that I have seen the movie and read the book and they both mirror each other so well, the movie stays true to the book perfectly. This book is worth the time and energy it takes to read, I have learned and gained so much.

[Haleigh DeRocher · Rating 5 out of 5]

Abby Johnson's testimony is a poignant and inspiring one, and I would recommend this memoir for anyone who is interested in the issue of abortion/women's healthcare, especially if your stance on the topic is ambivalent.
Abby Johnson was recruited as a volunteer for Planned Parenthood as a college student, and over the course of eight years rose to a high leadership position in her clinic in Bryan, Texas. But the Lord was changing her heart in those years - and then on one fateful day she witnessed an ultrasound-guided abortion and realized she could no longer stay in the career she'd built for almost a decade. This is an honest perspective from someone who intimately knows both sides of the coin; and I particularly love Abby's sincere and kind spirit, making sure to vilify no one throughout the course of her story.

[Eva-Marie Nevarez · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is hard for me to rate. I "loved" half of it and "hated" half of it. I'll start with what I didn't like - the preachiness. I understand that God plays a big part in Johnson's life and that God played a big part in this part of her life story. What I don't like about this is being preached to. There are ways to explain yourself without preaching to others.
The saddest part about this is how many people will feel excluded and not read or finish the book. Her story is an important one and personally, I feel it's one that everyone should be given the chance to read or learn about. How many people will feel uncomfortable with the religion aspect and stay away? I can't know the answer but it makes me sad.
I actually stay far, far away from anything preachy. The only reason I stayed with this after I experienced said preachiness is because of the importance of the subject in relation to my life. I'm very much pro-life, always have been, always will be. It's important to me, always has been, always will be.
I've long suspected Planned Parenthood of lying and what's come out in the past few years only let me know I was right all along. Johnson even voiced some of the things I've mentioned to others in the past - how the money PP is making isn't in the birth control or counseling - it's in the abortions. Other things also, nothing that I can see a point in going on about now. But besides what's come out in the news about PP, Johnson has let me know I was very much right in my thinking. (I already suspected that of course.)
I have to mention that in the beginning of the story Johnson does detail the abortion she witnessed. It's not easy to listen to. I would think it'd be hard for just about anyone to listen to whether they are pro-life or pro-choice. It's just hard. I sobbed driving down the road (listening to it on audio) and it was horrendous. And I believe every single word she wrote. I don't think she embellished in the least. For one, it can be proved. Scientifically, what have you, what she saw, can be seen by anyone really. If she was lying she'd have been disproved by now.
I wish someone could find an answer for this for our world but I sure don't have one.
I consider this an important book to read though, quite honestly, because Johnson's not as biased - or biased at all in a way - as you'd think. She's seen both sides, intimately and tells her story and lets you decide what you think. I can't ask for more than that.
I will recommend reading the print version instead of the audio - there are far, far, far too many readers IMO for the audio book. I'm not accustomed to audio so maybe this is something that audio listeners are used to but I was not and it made listening very frustrating for me. As soon as I grew used to one narrator another one popped up and it really bothered me. I think I'd have liked to hear it in Johnson's own voice but whatever. One voice, no matter whose it was would have been nice!
I'd definitely recommend to anyone - no matter your beliefs - if you don't mind, or think you can get past, her preachiness. One thing that helped me in that area is I didn't get the impression it was coming from a person feeling "high and mighty". It just felt like someone who really wanted others to know how she felt and really wanted to spread God's message. And that did make it *slightly* more tolerable for me. I do very much wish that she'd have toned down the preachiness because a lot more people would have been touched by it I think.

**I just stumbled upon this and it's now June of 2022. I still think about this book, maybe even what could be considered to be 'a lot' and I've even recently told others about it.**

**April, 2025 - I've told countless people about this book and still think of it often! If anyone happens to see this and is on the fence as to whether to read/borrow/buy this - just do it! You won't regret it!!**

[Chickadee · Rating 5 out of 5]

I watched the Unplanned documentary with a lump in my throat. This is a powerful story of one woman’s choices and how those choices led her to be pulled into not only the worst experience of her life, but also led her to become a spoke person for the unborn. Her description of what she witnessed during an abortion procedure in her clinic is very hard to listen to – but necessary.


Had Abby Johnson never worked for Planned Parenthood, she might not have the passion for life and the drive to share the truth that she does today.


Her transformation was amazing and as I watched the dvd, I was touched by her honesty and vulnerability. Abby demonstrated great courage and conviction when she walked away from her job as clinic director of Planned Parenthood and joined forces with the pro-life group she had previously avoided at times. What struck me most about this story was the two types of “pro-life” groups that gather outside of abortion clinics. The quiet, peaceful prayer groups and the loud, obnoxious screamers who shout hurtful things to the women as they go into the clinic.


Abby wasn’t touched by the pro-life group screaming insults – it was a random act of kindness that planted a seed within her heart and eventually opened up a relationship with the Coalition for Life group. Unplanned is a beautiful example of “love conquering all” and I highly recommend it.

[Jacquelyn 💐 {This Rapunzel Reads} [Jesus Christ, my Living Hope] · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an eye opening book for me and I did learn things as I was reading it. But for certain parts, I had to skip over. They were just too much for me to read. My heart breaks for all those precious little babies. 😢 I did tear up at certain parts of the book. It is a good read, just be prepared. It gets into some deep stuff, but it does open your eyes a bit. And it shows how God can redeem anyone if they repent and ask for His forgiveness! He can completely heal them and change them! What a wonderful God we serve! 🙌🏻 And remember, every baby deserves a chance at life. Life starts at conception. Life is beautiful and deserves to be celebrated and cherished for however long and however short.

🎶Matthew West’s Song: “Unplanned”🎶

I'm looking at a masterpiece
I'm staring at a work of art
I'm listening to a symphony
In every beat of your tiny heart
You used to be a choice to make
But now I think you've chosen me
'Cause I see ten fingers, ten toes
Two eyes and I know this is meant to be

Oh I don't believe in accidents
Miracles, they don't just happen by chance
As long as my God holds the world in His hands
I know that there's no such thing as unplanned

Broken turns to beautiful
I see you right before my eyes
And every single breath you breathe
Is destiny love has brought to life
I thought it was my story's end
But now the future's all I see
Instead of asking who you might've been
I'm wondering who you're gonna be

'Cause I don't believe in accidents
Miracles, they don't just happen by chance
As long as my God holds the world in His hands
I know that there's no such thing as unplanned

[Psalm 139:14-16:]
I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made
My frame was not hidden from you
When I was made in the secret place,
When I was woven together in the depths of the earth.
Your eyes saw my unformed body;
All the days ordained for me were written in your book
Before one of them came to be.

Every life deserves a voice
Every child deserves a chance
You are more than just a choice
There's no such thing as unplanned
Every life deserves a voice
Every child deserves a chance
You are more than just a choice
There's no such thing as unplanned

Every life deserves a voice
Every child deserves a chance
You are more than just a choice
'Cause there's no such thing as unplanned

[RM(Alwaysdaddygirl) · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 stars. I shall hopefully review this one before the end of the year.


Mahalo,
RM
🇺🇸🐾

[Kaija · Rating 1 out of 5]

Full disclosure, I read this book to try and open my mind, and understand someone else's point of view.
It did nothing of the sort.

Firstly, thankfully this woman is no longer with Planned Parenthood. They deserve someone so much better than she could ever be.

The book is terribly written. She sees herself as someone who was "duped" by Planned Parenthood, and they took advantage of her. She was young, and didn't know better! See how sympathetic she is? Of course not. On the plus about that, she did say neither side were monsters, or terrible people, so at least she's got that going for her (the only plus I can really think of). Funny, how she talks about the language Planned Parenthood used to "dupe" her, and all the people they serve, when the Coalition does the exact same thing.... Ah, the power of words.
She goes on to say that when Planned Parenthood wanted to increase their abortions because they needed the money, she couldn't deal with it anymore. Her goal was to decrease abortions by using the other services at Planned Parenthood. That with witnessing an abortion made her decision to leave final.
I understand witnessing this must have been hard for her. But, instead of thinking clearly, she only focused on one word "abortion". Why did they need to do more? Because they needed the money. Logically, the better solution would be to get more money without doing abortions. How do you do that? Congress, grants, etc. Instead of seeing that her organization needed more funds from other sources, she just decided they wanted to do more abortions because they were bad people. That's not the case at all. They wanted to do more because they wanted to stay open to help other women. But no, she was too caught up in herself to think clearly.
Also, she is a giant hypocrite. She had two abortions. TWO. Yet, it's glossed over as she was young and didn't know better. She wouldn't be where she is now if she had kept her two children. She probably wouldn't have her current child. But no. Abortion is terrible, and Planned Parenthood is terrible, except in her case. She even talks about how the service she received at Planned Parenthood was better than what she had the first time, which wasn't at Planned Parenthood! Giant hypocrite.
Lastly, when she left, she made herself out to be the victim. There was no "maybe I could have handled this better", or "I see how I acted to them, and why it would be hard for them". No, just "I lost friendships and it's because my viewpoint changed and they couldn't handle that". No, it's probably because you were a terrible person to them during that time. Not because all of a sudden you thought Planned Parenthood wasn't a good place.

Maybe if this had been better written, or she had come across as a reasonable person it would have been better. But her "I was young and didn't know better, woe is me! Then I saw the light, and I was always an amazing person during this whole thing" really put me off. I'm glad she figured out herself, but that's not good enough to save this book, herself, or her viewpoint.

I am pro-choice. This book didn't change that at all. I'm not saying abortions are beautiful procedures where everyone comes out with sunshine and roses. I'm pro-choice because it's not my place to tell another woman what they can or can't do with their body, their circumstances, or their lives.

Finally, don't read this book. Unless you're pro-life because it will cement your point of view.

[Faith · Rating 5 out of 5]

The incredible story of a brave woman who switched sides in one of the most controversial debate in America.

It all started one day when Ms. Johnson was asked to assist with the ultrasound part of an abortion. What she saw in that handfull of time convinced her to walk away from her job at Planned Parenthood and join the pro-life movement. And that transition was far from easy...

This was an utterly inspiring story from a woman who has been on both sides of the debate, and I was inspired by her bravery to do something, instead of sitting back like she could have. The book was well written and was well paced. It told of how Ms. Johnson became involved with Planned Parenthood, quite innocently and as time came to realize the truth of what she was involved in, and was even brought to court by Planned Parenthood.

I was very inspired by this read, and I think it would be very hard not to be inspired by Ms. Johnson's strength and bravery. This is a well written read that I highly recommend, because it shows both sides and how a woman who was heavily involved did a 180 and embraced the pro-life movement. I highly recommend this book!

Noe review required.

[Yibbie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This wasn’t a hard book to rate. It was a hard book to read; not because of the style or the vocabulary. If you only judged a book by those it was a very simple book. This book was hard, just as any Holocaust biography is hard to read, because it’s true to life’s most ugly moments. So it gets five stars based on content not style or entertainment value.
The author wasn’t trying to write an epic, impress anyone with her intelligence, command of language, or even her sophistication. She was trying to save lives. So this book is written so everyone can read and understand it. It’s straight forward and sincere. She writes as if she was speaking with you, sharing what she has learned, mostly the hard way.
Sometimes I get tired of stories started in medias res, for this story though I’m glad that was how it was written. You get the most horrible details behind you very quickly. For the rest of the book you know what is coming and you know where each of her decisions is leading her. Then the rest of the book builds toward the joyful end of a soul redeemed to the freedom of obedience to God.
There are enough reviews for and against the stand she takes on human life and Planned Parenthood. I don’t need to discuss that here. Suffice it to say I totally agree with her. Abortion at any stage of pregnancy kills a child.
There were a couple side lessons in this book that were also very good. Every decision we make will affect where our life goes, no matter how small it seem s at the time. If it’s a bad decision, it will lead us down the wrong road even if we can’t see how it could at the time. Failure to live out God’s commands in our everyday lives always brings separation from Him, even if we are saved. “If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth: But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.” (1 John 1:6-7) Christ will forgive us of every sin, if we repent (turn from) them, and back to Him.
If you have ever wondered what goes on in Planned Parenthood, this is the book you should read. It doesn't dwell so much on the ugly as on the way out. It will not leave you wondering what should be done. I would recommend everyone read it.
After everything if you can’t bring yourself to read it, follow Abby Johnson’s advice gleaned from experience. “…if I had truly been seeking God’s will, I would have been reading the Bible and spending time in concentrated prayer, listening for His wisdom. I would have been seeking the counsel of spiritually mature believers rather than hiding my livelihood from them.”

[Fr. Kyle · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have read many different types of books. No type of book, other than Scripture, has moved me as much as the confession. The first time I read St. Augustine's confessions I was in awe at his self-reflection and his honesty. I have not read another in this genre (I believe it has very few constituents) until I read Unplanned by Abby Johnson. Most might not put said book in the genre of confession but rather in the broader genre of say, autobiography, but I would beg to differ, due to the content and the general thrust of the work. Abby Johnson is downright candid in retelling her experience, with the help of experienced write Cindy Lambert. The clarity with which she conveys her emotions is profound and moving. She has been through quite an experience over the last few years. Multiple times I found myself tearing up, in sorrow or in joy, sharing with her the pain, the suffering, and the joy.

Like Augustine, she has been able to piece together how God has worked in her life to bring her where she is. Her confession is a testament to God's providence and His gentle tenacity for the sanctification of lost souls. Abby indeed was lost in the lies a Planned Parenthood. Although she didn't say it, out of great love and care for her co-workers, one cannot help but see in many who work at PP the old familiar phrase, "the road to hell is paved with good intentions." Her intentions were very noble and nothing but genuine. They were used for very unnoble and nothing but false means, the procuring of abortions for many women.

She captured the humanness of people on both sides of "the fence." One can tell she made a deliberate point not to demonize those at Planned Parenthood. She rather showed us all that when one is treated humanly, even if on the wrong side of the fence, one can understand the error in which they live.

I suggest this to anyone who works with the pro-life movement. It is enlightening and encouraging. Abby is what some might call a super-save. She no longer assists Planned Parenthood is procuring confused and misinformed women abortions. In turn, she now quietly and gently urges and prays for those confused and misinformed women to no have an abortion.

As a final note, I would suggest this to all seminarians and priests. Because of Abby's candidness, one can really see the movements in her soul. One can see the influence of evil spirits and good spirits. One can see how the evil spirit depresses her once she makes a choice for good and how the good spirit encourages her on. One can see the good spirit biting at her through her parents and her husband. This is a great book to read to begin to understand what a soul, that we might be directing, goes through.

[misplacedselchie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was an absolute rollercoaster for me. I don't even know where to start on reviewing this, so please bare with me if I ramble or skip around.

I used to be pro-choice, as many of my friends and family can attest to. I was a staunch supporter of "women's rights to choose" and would argue with my pro-life friends about how they were wrong and how, if abortion was not legal, women and children would either be dying from backalley procedures or children would be growing up in abusive homes. Adoption never entered my misled train of thought. Many of the things I believed were right and true are those same things spouted out from Planned Parenthood. Planned Parenthood originally was supposed to be opposed to abortion. Their founder actually believed that abortion led to the downfall of a society.

Anyways...the book.

I've seen many reviewers complaining about the "excessive" appearance of God in this. I am not quite sure why they are surprised. Miss Johnson was always very clear and open about God and His role in this. Her Facebook page for instance shows this, as does a quick Google search which would alert you that this book would have God in it. And of course it does. Who but God could be responsible for an abortion clinic worker turning away and joining a pro-life group? The other clue that this is a religiously based book would be that it is generally shelved at bookstores under the religious section.

Some say there is no facts in this book. There are many facts, but beyond that you're missing the point. This is about her journey to where she is now and it is not just based around facts but around what is moral. You do not need facts to know that killing someone is wrong. As I said though, this book has it's facts. She tells you how many abortions there are. She gives the facts about RU-486 and an ultrasound-assisted abortion. Many of these facts come from Planned Parenthood itself. The only lack of fact I saw in this book was Planned Parenthood's lack of a case against Miss Johnson.

I think this book was a great read. It's not supposed to be some great work of epic fantasy, many memoir type of books are written in this type of simple style. Many try to act like abortion is a great thing and that no one gets hurt from it and the women feel no remorse. Maybe some don't but a lot of women (and I mean A LOT) feel that guilt and pain and I'm glad someone like Miss Johnson is able to stand up and voice it. Both women and children get hurt from it. I hope this book helps more people who are on the fence with this

[Ella あいみ M. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Woohoo!! This is my 200th review on Goodreads!! 🎉 I know that isn't much compared to some people, but 200 in 10 months is probably the most I've ever read and wrote, so, yep, I'm pretty proud of myself. XD
Anywho, bragging aside (my apologies 😅), here are my thoughts on this book. I read this book at the end of April and kept delaying writing a review. I finally wrote this review a while ago, but I just didn't have the time to finish it up and post it, so it's pretty late. Sorry! Here it is:

※ ※ ※

Okay, I've been procrastinating on writing this for sooooo long—but mostly because I just didn't know and still don't know what I can say of this book that would persuade people that they need to read this. Except for maybe "read this book! Pleaseeeeeee!" Or something like that? I don't know.

This isn't exactly going to be a real "review," maybe more like a rant. A LOOOOOOOOONG rant. So if you don't want to read this it's totally fine. But I would like to first just say that I'm so, so happy I read this book. Yes, it was hard sometimes, but I think it's such an important book, and I'd give it a solid 4 1/2 stars.

Also, before I continue, I want to first state that I am a believer in Jesus, and thus, my views are expressed from what I believe as a Christian. You may not hold the same beliefs as me, and that's okay. I'm not going to hate you or anything just because you see things differently. I don't hate pro-choicers. I actually really care about them and mothers who are thinking of an abortion. I really do want to help. So I would appreciate it if you kept that in mind as you read this. 😊

Abby Johnson did a very good job at delivering the human sides of both groups. She showed that there are both good and bad people on both sides and stressed the importance of seeing people as humans. In any controversial argument, I believe it's vital to understand both sides and see each other as fellow human beings rather than just "the enemy." I think it's so cool how the people at the Coalition for Life showed so much love to her. They loved her and genuinely cared for her and showed her what Jesus is like. If they had been mean and hated on her, treated her as an evil villain, and completely cut her off, she probably wouldn't have had her eyes opened and seen the truth. It just shows how much being kind to your enemies can go a long way. The way you approach those who are still in darkness makes all the difference. We're all sinners, and just because someone is doing something wrong doesn't give you the right to be so vile and hateful towards them. Jesus didn't do that. He has so much love and genuinely cares for all of us.

I saw some people who gave this book really low ratings for some ridiculous reasons, and I just want to say please don't just read these reviews and base your decision on whether to read it or not because of them. Everyone's opinions are different, and in the end it will be you who must decide whether you think this book is worth the read or not.

Some people said the writing was terrible, complaining that it wasn't a, and I quote, "literal masterpiece." But this book isn't supposed to be a literal masterpiece. It is an honest, heartfelt memoir of a woman who is simply and honestly stating her journey from being pro-choice to finally realizing just how wrong she was. I also looked at other reviews and saw that people were complaining about lack of character development, poor writing skills, choppiness, dialogue that isn't smooth, the author just telling and not really showing, etc.

Honestly, people, please understand that this isn't a work of fiction, and it's not like the author went to school to learn to write, so you can't criticize this book solely for the lack of writing skills. Yes, I do agree that some things weren't as smooth as they should be, but I honestly think the author did well. She wrote in a way that showed her contrite and humbled heart. She was repentant and showed that she knew she was so blind. She isn't hateful towards the people at Planned Parenthood. On the contrary, she truly cares about them and shows that they are human, too, and that some of them also really do want to help women and think they are doing the right thing.

I know there are struggling moms out there, and seeing how the world is now and how everyone thinks, I truly understand why some women might be led to believe that abortion is the right choice. However, I cannot stand for it. I believe that God created each of us for a purpose. I believe that a baby's life starts from the moment the thought of him/her formed in God's heart, and it breaks His heart to see people end a beautiful life He's started. He loves each of us so unconditionally, and He has a book written about every single life He creates in a mother's womb. Who are we to say if a life isn't worth existing or not? Who are we to say that just because that baby would be "inconvenient" or "troublesome" because they have health problems or because the parents are struggling financially, or because the birth might *possibly* hold a threat to the mom's life, etc. it's okay to murder them? I'm going to be frank here: I find that either a. terribly selfish, or b. terribly blinded.

Even for those who don't believe in God, I still believe you still can't just end the life of that baby; every single life is precious. To end it is murder. You cannot act as if an unborn baby is not a living, human being who has their own rights and could live to do great, amazing things! You and I were both once unborn babies. How is it any different if someone were to end your life now, in contrast to ending it in your mother's womb? Not only that, but abortion seriously messes up the parent(s) emotionally and mentally. I know so many people struggle with guilt and regret over aborting, leaving a scar that will affect them for the rest of their lives. I just don't see any virtue whatsoever in it. Our choices that we make each moment start a chain reaction that affects not only us but those around us and in the end culminates in affecting a lot more people than we will ever realize.

Finally, I want to share with you a part of an article I read a little while back. (If you would like to, you can read the full thing at https://www.desiringgod.org/articles/...)

Every life aborted at its beginning, middle, or end also alters the course of history. Whenever we take a life, another’s or our own, we affect far more people than we understand.

Are you wise enough to know whether an unborn child’s descendants should not live and change history? Are you wise enough to know whether a disabled or diseased person’s life has ceased to change, enrich, or direct the course [of] other lives? “Can you find out the deep things of God” (Job 11:7)?

There is only One who is qualified to play God and it is his to give and take away human life (Job 1:21).

So please, please show love to each other! It doesn't matter whether you're Pro-Life or Pro-Choice. Everyone needs to show the other side love and kindness. You won't make any good difference if you are hateful.

Sorry this got so long. I seriously did not plan to write so much. I'm not even sure if anyone made it this far. It's okay if no one does. I've got work soon, so I'll end with a quote Gandalf says because for some reason it keeps coming to mind: "I have found that it is simple acts of kindness and love that keep the darkness at bay."

You'll never know just how much good you'll do by showing love, even to your enemies

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Inspiring and encouraging. Abby Johnson has a powerful story and I found it very moving. I appreciate her vulnerability and love for both sides. It is good to have such grace brought to a politically divisive area.

[Amanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent book! I was crying by page 6, but only teared up maybe one other time throughout. It was a very quick read, and I recommend it highly!

[Jerrica Yoder · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a very great book, I've never looked at abortion the way I did after reading this book. I would definitely recommend it

[Samantha · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book has been on my TBR for quite some time, and I finally made it a priority to read it after having the opportunity to hear Abby Johnson speak at a local event. Her story is in turns tragic and inspiring on many levels. While it is no great literary work, I didn't expect it to be, and, with a story like this, it doesn't need to be.

It is no surprise that this book rates higher with pro-life readers than pro-choice, but what I really appreciated about Abby's point of view was that she humanizes both. Turned off equally by extremism on both sides, Abby points out that most people tend to be doing what they truly feel is best for women. That is what put her in her increasingly awkward position with Planned Parenthood.

At one time, PP was possibly more pro-woman and less pro-profits, but, as happens with many not-for-profits, they began to see themselves as a business rather than a charity. As we all know based on news since Abby has left PP, abortion is big business. She joined PP as a college junior because she believed that the organization cared about women as much as she did. Maybe, at that time, they still did.

When you give the devil a foothold, he has a way of taking over, so it didn't take long for abortion to become a necessary evil in Abby's mind. She even courageously confesses to having two abortions herself. She chides her younger self for her way of thinking.

If I have this child? Why wasn't it obvious to me that I already had a child, who was growing inside of me? Once you are pregnant, there is no if. That child, though tiny and in an early stage of development, already exists! But I didn't yet see that. What I saw, and by now was reinforcing in the minds of other young women as part of the Planned Parenthood organization, was that I was in a condition of pregnancy, not that I was now the mother of a child already dependent upon my own body for sustenance. I am amazed at how semantics can shape thought.

Abby talks a lot about semantics in this book and how the PP talking points are designed to minimize the decision that women in crisis situations are making. Yet, for years, she believed that compassion was their driving force, that providing education and birth control was PP's chief goal in order to perform as few abortions as necessary. It was how she justified her position there. She was helping women.

Of course, Abby isn't the only one to work at PP because they want to help women. It is easy to vilify the organization based on their misleading statements and illegal practices, but there must still be good people working there who truly believe they are doing what they can to help women in their time of need. Abby is no longer one of them.

I'd begun at Planned Parenthood, as many of my coworkers had, out of a sense of idealism and a desire to help women in crisis, but it seemed to me the emphasis had shifted at the organization. It seemed like maybe that's not what a lot of people were believing anymore because that's not where the money was. The money wasn't in family planning, the money wasn't in prevention, the money was in abortion, and so I had a problem with that.

She could no longer keep her blinders on when a combination of things happened. First, she gained the position of clinic director and was given an insider's view of how decisions were made and what organization priorities were. Second, the abortion quota. No longer could Abby believe the lie that PP wished to minimize abortions through education and birth control when she was informed that the number of abortions at her clinic needed to double because "that's how we make our money" and free birth control needed to be cut back because it was too expensive. Finally, Abby was asked, despite a complete lack of medical training, to assist with an ultrasound guided abortion. Watching that 12 week old baby fight for its life only to be torn apart as the doctor made lighthearted jokes was more than her conscience could take.

Throughout this story, Abby doesn't pull punches when it comes to the actions of the "other side" either. She and her husband were denied membership to their church because she worked for an abortion clinic. Instead of reaching out in love, these Christians closed their doors. She also expresses anger toward pro-life protesters who use graphic signage and guilt instead of prayer and kindness to spread their message. Since she was working at PP when Dr. Tiller was murdered by a pro-life extremist, she knows what she is talking about.

In the end, Abby became a spokesperson for the pro-life movement, largely due to actions of PP. She would have quietly gone away, but PP made a media spectacle out of it. They attempted to damage Abby's reputation (after naming her employee of the year the year before) and create public sympathy for the organization but ended up creating a much larger pro-life stir.

Over the course of more than a decade, Abby has endured attacks from PP, negative media attention, loss of friends, and public scrutiny of her life. Yet, when she talks about her decision to leave PP, it is without regrets. She has learned to trust that, "He had chosen to demonstrate through me, that He redeems the foolish, the broken, the sinful, and then uses them to accomplish His purposes."

[Teresa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful testimony from a faithful advocate.

[Melissa Jeanne · Rating 1 out of 5]

This is a book of fiction. It doesn't matter if your pro-life or pro-choice. Many people have confirmed that many of the details in this book are either complete lies or they are misinformation. Planned Parenthood has even submitted documents in court showing that the abortion procedure that Johnson claims to have witnessed did not actual occur. She was put on a 'performance improvement plan' several days before her resignation and in the days leading up to her resignation she was seen removing items from the clinic and copying confidential files. It has also been found that she gave the résumé, home address, and phone number of an abortion provider to Coalition of Life, a pro-life organization that has been known for harassment of clinic staff, including sending death threats to the workers and their families. She knowingly gave this information over to this group, she has admitted to knowing of the extensive harassment this group carries out and she still gave them this personal information of a coworker.
The entire book is written out to make her look like the victim here, she blatantly lied about her experiences and about the planned parenthood organization. The book is a shallow attempt to gain fame and popularity. This book is a poorly written book of lies by a despicable human being who has put coworkers and their families in harms way. Read another pro-life book, maybe even one that is actual nonfiction. If you do really want to read this book, get it from a library or off the internet. Do not put money into this women's pocket, she does not deserve to be rewarded for the things she has done.