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Take My Hand

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Take My Hand

By: Dolen Perkins-Valdez
Narrated by: Lauren J. Daggett
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About this listen

AS SEEN ON BBC2 BETWEEN THE COVERS

Montgomery, Alabama. 1973. Fresh out of nursing school, Civil Townsend has big plans to make a difference in her community. She wants to help women make their own choices for their lives and bodies.

But when her first week on the job takes her down a dusty country road to a tumbledown cabin and into the heart of the Williams family, Civil learns there is more to her new role than she bargained for. Neither of the two young sisters has even kissed a boy, but they are poor and Black, and for those handling their welfare benefits, that's reason enough to have them on birth control. When Civil discovers a terrible injustice, she must choose between carrying out instructions or following her heart and decides to risk everything to stand up for what is right.

Inspired by true events and a shocking chapter of recent history, Take My Hand is a novel that will open your eyes and break your heart. An unforgettable story about love and courage, it is also a timely and uplifting reminder that one person can change the world.

©2022 Dolen Perkins-Valdez (P)2022 Orion Publishing Group Coming of Age Fiction Genre Fiction Historical Fiction Medical United States World Literature Heartfelt Inspiring Scary Thought-Provoking Tear-jerking Alabama

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Critic reviews

"Shot through with spirit and hope, it's one hell of a book." (Stylist, Books You Can't Miss in 2022)
All stars
Most relevant  
Tried this book as a change from my usual genre & thoroughly enjoyed it. Would recommend.

Excellent listen

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One of the better audio books, an engaging listen and a heartbreaking story which sadly is still relevant today. Performances were fantastic and enjoyable writing style.

Powerful and relevant even today

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I was totally gripped by this story right from the start, even though it is largely fiction it is based on some true and shocking facts but is told with great empathy with all kinds of interesting issues coming up. I really recommend it and it’s an easy listen because it’s so beautifully read.

Loved this - and beautifully read

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Lovely narration, beautiful voice.
Disturbing story very well written, with realistic characterisation. Tells the story of some of the ugliest things those in charge can do to those most vulnerable.
Recommend.

Excellent book

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Excellent narration of a very tough subject. Astounded by the insight into a real-life piece of history I knew nothing about, Perkins-Valdez really brought it to life with her fictionalised account. Fascinating.

Shockingly brilliant

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Gentle Easy listen to narrator... Thought provoking subject... It is not that long ago.

Thought provoking subject

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This is a painful story, based on the true story from the historical records of the sterilisation of black women withut their consent on many occasions who were from poor backgrounds, or those with learning difficulties, The horror of this is that it was happening in 1970’s America.

The narrator took a while to get used to, but she delivered well.

I could empathise with nurse Civil and the moral dilemma in front of her and how the colleagues she thought she could trust betrayed their duty of care to these women.

The storyline is abhorrent, and once again we struggle with man’s inhumanity to man.

Shocking eugenics in 1970s USA

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Great book- story is enlightening to what recent history can tell us. Great narration too- highly recommend.

Powerful

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Bought this after seeing it recommended on TV programme Between the Covers. It’s fantastic in such a sad way. Not surprised by the authors note, but deeply disturbed that it is still the case.
Highly recommend.

Just Wow

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Obviously based on fact this was a story of standing up to incredible cruelty meted out by white people who thought they knew best against black children and their families.
As a book the subject matter was difficult but it was well told and well read.

What an incredible story.

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