Enlightening and extremely timely, this book chronicles the history of abortion clinic escorts and how they've worked to protect women from exercising their right to healthcare AND keep them safe from networks of increasingly violent and harassing anti-abortion protestors. Rankin is an abortion rights activist who has worked as a volunteer clinic escort and has seen first-hand the violence and vitriol. Using extensive research and her own experiences, she presents the chaotic yet necessary work of these amazing volunteers.

Rankin's engaging prose reveals her passion for this work and a woman's right for bodily autonomy. Using a litany of historical facts, she also shines light on a surprising aspect of this work: How even after the FACE Act became law (The Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances Act), local police still didn't protect abortion clinic entrances--and the women going into them--as well as they should have. This info is a sad testament to how still, in 2022, patriarchal structures govern issues that affect women, their lives, and their bodies.

All in all an absorbing and timely must-read.

This book was both hopeful and infuriating at the same time. Hopeful because of the determination and compassion shown by those who support abortion rights, yet infuriating due to the many laws restricting those rights that have been passed within recent years. I was inspired to learn of the many ways I could get involved, even if I couldn't personally be a clinic escort. I really enjoyed reading about the various volunteers and the way they have shaped history and human dignity through actions both large and small. 4.5 stars

Impressively thorough account of the brutality of the Pro-Life movement in America. Lauren Rankin does a great job of presenting, over and over and over again, how the religious right and law enforcement have preyed on and victimized the terrified and helpless. I learned a lot of shocking facts: in late April 2021, America experienced "a record 28 abortion restrictions signed into law in a single week," and as of 2021 "90% of US counties lack an abortion provider"!!! I also appreciate knowing who to donate to in addition to Planned Parenthood: the Clinic Vest Project, which services clinics in 42 states, Canada and the UK; Women on Waves operating beyond international borders; and Aid Access currently shipping medication abortion (Plan C).

“At its core, volunteering as a clinic escort isn’t about politics or pontificating. It’s about responding, as a human being, to another human being’s needs. It’s about dignity, compassion, and kindness.”

This book examines the role of clinic escorts with a historical look at the violence and ire found outside most abortion clinics in this country. It's an eye-opening book about these frontline volunteers who risk their lives to protect abortion access and an important read.

I didn't realize--which could be a me issue--that this was going to be like 90% about clinic escorting. This is fair enough! The book title, in retrospect, even implies it! I just thought maybe it would be more like 50% or something--like more deep context and related work. I'm glad this book exists, but also i wish i hadn't read it. As someone pretty deep in the abortion/repro sphere, i didn't feel like i got that much new info from it but it managed to really bring me down. While we wait for Roe to finally fall, i wanted something that felt like it offered more paths forward, which this didn't, for me. I want people who AREN'T worried to read it, though!

This is a very well written and unnerving book. Lauren Rankin does a remarkable job explaining how important reproductive rights are, and how they could be taken away at any moment. I am worried that the conservative-leaning Supreme Court will overturn Roe v. Wade this summer. If they take away a women's right to choose, then what else will they take away from women next. The right to vote? I've never had an abortion, but I've always been a pro-choice advocate (safe and legal abortions). This book mostly deals with clinic escorts, who put their body and mental health on the line to help other women. It really upsets me that the so-called religious groups who insult, ridicule, abuse, and torment the women who are looking to terminate their pregnancy to it with such glee. Even though this book can get repetitive at times, I still think it's important book to read. It's never too late to educate yourself. And it's never too late to show compassion and understanding to those who need it.

Thank you, Netgalley and Counterpoint for the digital ARC.

Bodies on the Line looks at abortion rights through the unique lens of the volunteers who escort women to abortion clinics. A primarily anecdotal narrative, the book unfolds through the stories of these volunteers, of which the author is one. Not an easy read, but an important one and well told.