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Summary: Father chooses abortion. Is he a murderer?
Review: "Misconception" is an entertaining tale of medical, legal, and political intrigue by O.J. defense attorney Robert Shapiro and Walt Becker.Dr. Daniel Wyatt of Louisiana has become a national hero as a result of an incident involving a locally prominent business man, Roger Eastermeadow. Roger gets a serious gunshot wound by the bad luck of being in the wrong place during a convenience store robbery. Fleeing the scene he is near death and collapses outside a restaurant where Dr. Wyatt and his wife are leaving after dinner. Wyatt instantly sizes up the situation and performs a simple but urgent surgical procedure with a steak knife, saving Roger's life in the presence of TV cameras and a large crowd. The story is soon broadcast nationally on CNN and other national media. Dr. Wyatt is instantly famous, and he and his wife become frquent guests on TV talk shows as expert, charming, talking heads. It is now ten years later, and Dr. Wyatt has the inside track for nomination as the new Surgeon General, with every expectation of being quickly confirmed by the Senate; however, there is one worrisome potential complication. The good Dr. has had a one night stand with one of his patients, Sarah Corbett, and we discover that she is now pregnant. If it comes to light it will certainly scuttle his chances to be the Surgeon General. Wyatt discusses his dilemma with Clair Davis, a pro-choice activist, and she strongly urges him to get Sarah to end the pregnancy with an abortion. Dr. Wyatt has discussed that possibility with Sarah, and she is unwilling. But Clair provides Wyatt with the French abortion pill, RU-486, and urges him to give it to Sarah. Soon Sarah has a miscarriage with bloody complications---but she survives. The District Attorney figures out what happened, and uses Sarah's story to indict Wyatt for murdering a fetus against the will of the mother. The trial gains national attention with both pro-choice and pro-life activists keenly concerned about the implications of the trial for abortion law. Meanwhile, Father Peter O'Keefe has been doing all he can to stem the tide of abortions by assassinating abortion doctors. He becomes interested in the case of Dr. Wyatt, and forms a plan to kill him if he is acquitted of murdering Sarah's unborn child. The story line is taut and entertaining, and once started it's hard to put it down! Dr. Wyatt is a completely decent person, while the other characters are each somewhat extreme in their views and actions. But all are completely believable. The anti-abortion serial killer, Father O'Keefe, conveys the warped mentality of the extreme anti-abortion fringe. It all plays out in a satisfying way, without taking sides or being preachy about either side of the abortion issue. The action and the pace are intense, and the plot and characters give us insight into one of the most complex, emotional, and divisive issues in the nation today. I highly recommend it, and I'll be very surprised if it doesn't soon become a hit movie!
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Summary: I'm Underwhelmed
Review: ...This book is a quick and easy read while at the same time, captivating and provacative. It's a meaningful read for women who struggle with maternal instincts and love juxtaposed against the often-unpleasant realities that make having a child seem impossible in today's world. As the mystery unfolds, it is both fascinating and horrifying to look at how embedded we can become in our own hypocritical way of thinking! It weaves throughout the undeniable vulnerability and duality that exists in all of us. For those who dare to think or look at themselves, while also enjoying reading, this is the book!...
Rating: 
Summary: Very well crafted
Review: Highly regarded Louisiana Dr. Daniel Wyatt is expected to be a breeze for accepance by the Senate as the new Surgeon-General. However, the father of three has had a recent indiscretion that could derail his nomination. He slept with a patient Sarah Corbett, who is now pregnant. Daniel suggests an abortion, but Sarah rejects the notion. Attorney Claire Davis, a pro-choice advocate, gives Wyatt the French abortion pill for him to give to Sarah. Sarah takes the RU-486 pill and soon suffers a miscarriage. The D.A. uses Sarah to incriminate Wyatt for murdering a fetus. Meanwhile, an anti-abortionist serial killer, Peter O'Keefe, targets Wyatt for death if the doctor is acquitted of murder at the conclusion of the trial of the century that could change the course of abortion in this nation. Readers must not get the MISCONCEPTION that this novel has anything to do with OJ although Dream Team defense attorney Robert Shapiro is a co-author. Instead, the story line is an entertaining legal medical thriller that readers will find more enjoyable than rehashing OJ. Daniel is a decent person and though Sarah and Claire seem extreme they are fully developed and understandable. Insight into the fiery nature of Peter adds to a better comprehension of the extreme anti-abortion element in a John Brown type of way.. Still Mr. Shapiro and Walt Becker have written a powerful medical-legal thriller that provides insight into a complex and emotional issue, but never eases up on the action for a moment while doing so. Harriet Klausner
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Summary: A Disaster from Start to Finish
Review: I have to give the two writers some credit for tackling a very tought issue. Abortion is one of the most polarizing issues on todays political landscape. Unfortunately, all Mr. Shapiro and Becker did was muddy up water that was already quite murky.
From the beginning the characters were one dimensional and the plot was predictable. The normal cast of characters, the feminist, the conservative politition, the socially minded docter, and the abortion bomber, all showed up and acted their part. The minor twists and turns and the almost surprising twist ending could not save another poorly concieved ideol-novel.
The issues that were raised were intriging on the face, but the characters were so stereotypical and the plot so manufactured that by the end you felt like you just watched 24 hours of CSPAN.
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Summary: i'm exhausted!!
Review: i read this book in one day... neither my husband nor i could put it down!! We had heard Imus and Shapiro discussing it on the radio, and it sounded intriguing. Nothing prepared us for the twists and turns the book would take, right up until the very last paragraph!!! This would be a great discussion group book because it prompts so many legal and moral questions for the reader, without passing judgement.
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Summary: Very well written
Review: Misconception is an excellent book about the controversies of abortion. Even though I personally am pro-life, this book made me feel sympathetic towards some of the pro-choice characters. It made me think and question the governments stand on Roe v. Wade. It's intriging and kept me on the edge of my seat throughout the entire book. I just couldn't put it down.
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Summary: Very well written
Review: Misconception is an excellent book about the controversies of abortion. Even though I personally am pro-life, this book made me feel sympathetic towards some of the pro-choice characters. It made me think and question the governments stand on Roe v. Wade. It's intriging and kept me on the edge of my seat throughout the entire book. I just couldn't put it down.
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Summary: Excelent Summer Read
Review: Misconception is the best novel I have read in a long time. From the first introduction to the conclusion, it was a fast paced read that kept me guessing till the end. A wonderful, fun book, but also a book that questions the implications of RU-486 and abortion (or murder?). Fascinating.
Rating:
Summary: Excelent Summer Read
Review: Misconception is the best novel I have read in a long time. From the first introduction to the conclusion, it was a fast paced read that kept me guessing till the end. A wonderful, fun book, but also a book that questions the implications of RU-486 and abortion (or murder?). Fascinating.
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Summary: Not Bad for a first novel
Review: The book was interesting but I was kind of disappointed that it was not really about a mans "right to choose", as you knew the main character was being portrayed as a "good" guy who had strayed. The promo on tv by Mr. Shapiro led me to believe the Mans choice thing would be more evident. Otherwise it was an interesting book. The point of view was kind of expected.
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