msalmi78's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
fast-paced
nancidrum's review against another edition
5.0
This book is the non-fiction follow up account of the adoptees from the Tennesse Children's Home Society. It was written as a response to the historical fiction novel titled, Before We Were Yours, by Lisa Wingate. If you haven't read the historical fiction book, it is imperative you read it first. Both books are very well-written. Reading the non-fiction chronicle of personal stories by the real life adoptees was emotional and informative. Such a tragic part of our American history that needs to be told, for those whose lives were impacted personally, as well as for correct adoption procedures in the future.
xxstefaniereadsxx's review against another edition
dark
informative
sad
slow-paced
4.0
This book includes interviews from adopted children who came from the Tennessee Children's Home Society in Memphis. Georgia Tann was the proprietor of this establishment from sometimes around the 1920s-1950s. Many of these children were stolen from poor families and adopted out to anyone who could pay basically. They were essentially sold for a higher price than a normal Tennessee adoption would cost during this time. A lot of the women who had just given birth were told that their babies had died, and some babies who had physical problems or were thought to be unattractive were left to starve in their cribs. The stories that these people told about what it was like to be adopted, discover the circumstances of their adoption, and how their lives worked out after was extremely interesting. I am from Chattanooga, so it was also really interesting to learn about something that happened close to home. I really liked this book a lot, and I would highly recommend.
betcei's review against another edition
4.0
What a fantastic follow-up to Lisa Wingate's "Before We Were Yours". This book shares the real life stories of children who were part of the Memphis Tennessee Children's Home scandal. How they discovered their roots, found family and learned who they really were. Some had lives that were very different from where they were born, and where they were raised. Lisa and Judy have brought these children together twice now to allow them a place to understand.
alexisgodfrey's review against another edition
3.0
Definitely a slower read, but I felt like I needed to read it after reading Before We Were Yours. The story of the Tennessee Children’s Home Society in Georgia Tann is actually insane and I would definitely recommend reading Before We Were Yours.
ktostrander's review against another edition
3.0
I loved Before We Were Yours and enjoyed hearing true accounts in Before and After. My low rating is not due to the stories, but rather the way the book was written. There was too much detail about the authors that felt unnecessary.
jhahn's review against another edition
4.0
This book was a really interesting read after having read Before We Were Yours. It is heart breaking to read of the actual children who were stolen and put up for adoption. Relief that some were in really good homes but many were not. So horrific that this type of thing went on for so long.
lisahelene's review against another edition
3.0
I read the kindle version and was really irritated by so many hyperlinks. On (many) more than one occasion I was sent to the link for "Before We Were Yours" because I would hit the link when turning the page. The book started feeling more like an advertisement.
illychilly's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
5.0