Traces the history of the debate over abortion in the United States both before and after the Supreme Court's 1973 decision legalizing the procedure, features a detailed look at "Roe v. Wade" and other relevant court cases, discusses the issue of late-term abortions, and considers the status of the debate in the early 2000s.

The past as prologue to the present: abortion from the classical period to 1750 -- Before there was "Roe": 1750-1899 -- Before there was "Roe": 1900-1970 -- Firebrand: January 22, 1973, "Roe v. Wade" -- Backlash: old right, new right -- Morning after Bills: after "Roe" before "Casey" -- Another Casey steps to the plate: "Planned Parenthood of Southeastern Pennsylvania v. Casey" -- Partial-birth or late-term abortions and the bans -- Pro-life/pro-choice questions: "Quo vadis?".