REVIEWS FROM AMAZON READERS
5 stars“What struck me was that these writers–whether adopted from China, India, a U.S. Native Tribe, Haiti, Germany, Korea or domestically– all wanted to find their biological families and be reunited with their people, cultures and heritages. This book would be of immense value to all those studying culture, social work or psychology.”
5 stars
 I live in ADOPTIONLAND  If ONLY this book had been available to me to read when I was a much younger adoptee in the depths of pain and lost in the adoption fog and fear. This book would’ve educated me on adoptionland, that what I was feeling was shared with other adoptees. Reading this in my 20s – after I opened my adoption with a judge, I would have felt less isolated, less alone. (Isolation exists for adoptees who are not with our first families and in our countries of origin.) This book would have truly helped me to see how I fit into this world of being a product for baby brokers (in my case the Catholic Charities) and how the word “adoption” should really be changed to “trafficking in children and babies.”  As one reviewer wrote: The book asks realistically, “What is the best interest of adopted children?”  All these writers do answer this with our own narratives.  Our continued social activism in books like ADOPTIONLAND will provide healing and answers to those still lost due to adoption and counter the adoption policies, propaganda and practices that countries and institutions still refuse to deal with, even in 2014.  I strongly feel that we are the only ones who can change it and it must change.  I cannot stress this enough: Adoptionland is a must read.
5 stars
Adult Adoptees – Identity and Activism  The 28 personal narrative will move you, break your heart, haunt you as the voices describe their pain and frustration. This anthology of domestic and transracial adoptees, and first family mothers and fathers tell the darker sides of the adoption process and the often cruel disregard for the “other” families. The book often takes the social and political stance of adoption institutions as child trafficking profit centers, coercing unsuspecting birth parents, the host countries as first world neo-imperialists that grow tired of cute foreign children once they become adults, the adult adoptees as alienated foreigners in both their host and birth countries. The book asks realistically, “What is the best interest of adopted children?” These adoptee voices who have moved on to adoptee-children-social activism bravely speak out and provide healing answers that the adoption policies and practices, countries and institutions refuse to deal with. Must read, must understand, must support and must reform.
5 stars
An Emotional Page Turner  This is an anthology written by adult adoptees and first/birth mothers about their experiences with adoption. Although each piece is very different in form (included are short non-fiction, articles, interviews, and poetry) and story, they are woven together with the common thread of injustice. Authors include some of today’s well-known adoption thought leaders and writers — this is not “just” a book written about adoption, it’s a lovely kaleidoscope of pieces, each a work of art standing alone. Although the book is organized into sections, one piece might be a short and terse article, while the next is a detail-driven non-fiction.  Somehow this worked.  As to the specific works, anyone who was adopted will be able to identify with most, if not all pieces. The book is really not as sad as I expected. It’s also very hopeful. The universal truths about adoption are evident. I really enjoyed the personal stories by women who were in Magdalene Laundries, firsthand accounts of how children are stolen, and a man whose child was taken from him. As an adoptee, I’m familiar with adoptee stories (though all of these were refreshing and insightful), so the stories from parents were very interesting.  This book is emotionally hard to read, and consequently, I couldn’t put it down. Yes, some pieces were more compelling than others, but overall, it’s a beautiful, sad crash course.
5 stars
Must reading for social workers, therapists and anyone interested in adoption!  Before reading this book I never considered what it would be like to be the person adopted and then taken from their country and brought to a foreign land. Adoptionland’s personal stories of people adopted from abroad or within the United States shows clearly the desire for roots, one’s biological family and origins. What struck me was that these writers–whether adopted from China, India, a U.S. Native Tribe, Haiti, Germany, Korea or domestically– all wanted to find their biological families and be reunited with their people, cultures and heritages. This book would be of immense value to all those studying culture, social work or psychology.
5 stars
Voices coming together…obvious reform needed.  This compilation of stories from those ‘touched’ by adoption highlights what is wrong with adoption today. The voices of the now adult adoptees, and first family members are coming together and telling their truths and the cold hard facts of what it means to be adopted or to lose a child to adoption.  Reform is desperately needed in the big business of adoption, the ‘best interest’ of the children really need to be addressed, and the voices of the adults affected need to be heard and acted upon.  A must read.
5 starsCaptivating!  This book takes you into a world that is unknown to many, including myself. It opens your eyes to the truth about international and domestic adoption. My heart goes out to all of the brave souls who dared to seek the truth. I marvel at those who defied all odds and discovered themselves. I am so proud of every contributor to this wonderfully moving book.
To get the book visit here.
For news on industry practices, go to Adoptionland.org