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Womb

The Inside Story of Where We All Began - Winner of the Scottish Book of the Year Award 2023

Leah Hazard author

Format:Hardback

Publisher:Little, Brown Book Group

Published:2nd Mar '23

Should be back in stock very soon

Womb cover

This insightful exploration of the uterus examines its history, present challenges, and future possibilities, as detailed in Womb by Leah Hazard.

In Womb, midwife and bestselling author Leah Hazard takes readers on an enlightening journey through the history, present, and future of the uterus. This remarkable organ, often shrouded in mystery, plays a vital role in the cycle of life, yet remains poorly understood by many. Hazard's exploration is not just about anatomy; it delves into the cultural, political, and medical narratives that have shaped our understanding of the womb over time.

The narrative weaves together personal anecdotes, historical accounts, and scientific insights, bringing to light the stories of women and medical professionals who have impacted reproductive health. From the innovative Californian doctor advocating for a period-free existence to the Scottish woman whose Caesarean section revolutionized childbirth, Womb highlights the diverse experiences surrounding this essential organ. Hazard also addresses the troubling history of forced sterilizations in America and the advancements in uterine transplant surgery, showcasing the ongoing evolution of women's reproductive rights.

Written with compassion and depth, Womb is an essential read for anyone seeking to understand the complexities of female reproductive health. Hazard’s unique perspective as a midwife enriches the narrative, making it both informative and engaging. Ultimately, the book emphasizes the importance of acknowledging the uterus not just as a biological entity, but as a significant factor that influences women's lives and societal structures in the modern world.

Humane, intelligent but accessible, and full of fascinating insights -- Rhiannon Lucy Coslett * Guardian *
A gripping exploration of the science of the uterus, the politics of medicine and the future of reproductive freedom * New Statesman *
An excellent guide [to] a misunderstood marvel ... Womb invites us to wish others well, defend their rights to make informed choices and refuse to apologise for our own * Observer *
What a phenomenal book. To read Womb is to step closer to a sense of autonomy and empowerment -- Maxine Mei-Fung Chung, author of What Women Want
Leah Hazard expertly blends science with passion in this riveting book. Packed with eye-opening facts and fascinating human stories, Womb is moving, inspiring and genuinely revelatory. It will change the way you think about bodies forever -- Rachel Clarke, author of Dear Life
An erudite, compassionate and fascinating biography of a much-maligned organ. Womb is sharp and political, learned and wise, and urgent and necessary. Above all else, Leah Hazard is a brilliant storyteller. I loved it. * Katherine May, author of Wintering *
Page for page, I may not have ever learned more from a book. And I enjoyed myself throughout. Yes, Womb is a history book as well as a biology book but it's also an adventure and a celebration. It's sensitive but unflinching and a very, very worthy introduction to an organ I once inhabited but can only now say I truly appreciate. I loved this book -- Rob Delaney, author of A Heart that Works
Leah Hazard approaches a fascinating topic with professional expertise and lively human sympathy -- Hilary Mantel
Meticulously researched and powerfully told, Womb is an awe-inspiring exploration of one of the most misunderstood organs of the human body. Compassionate and compelling, Leah Hazard's vital new narrative reveals the importance of understanding the uterus for body autonomy, reproductive justice, and human rights. A phenomenal book * Dr Elinor Cleghorn, author of Unwell Women *
A bravura cultural history of the uterus and the politics that surround it ... Hazard's eye is keen, her range broad, and her tone scrupulously compassionate ...This is essential reading on the "most miraculous and misunderstood organ in the human body." * Publishers Weekly *
A very important book that will inform and entertain all those with a womb, and everyone who was born from one. This is a major contribution to the under researched and neglected area of women's reproductive health -- Laura Godfrey-Isaacs, co-author of Maternal Journal
A searching and compassionate investigation into "the most miraculous and misunderstood organ in the human body" ... all but the most learned medical historians will be astonished by what Hazard reveals * New York Times *
Womb looks at this shape-shifting organ from all angles: medical, emotional, political and futuristic. What emerges is fascinating, contentious, and potentially chilling * Spectator *

  • Short-listed for Scottish Non-Fiction Book of the Year 2023 (UK)

ISBN: 9780349015798

Dimensions: 238mm x 162mm x 38mm

Weight: 620g

368 pages