Book excerpt: Twenty million unsafe abortions are performed each year, 90% of which occur in the developing world. Even in countries such as China, where abortion is fully accessible in practice as well as in theory, our understanding of the phenomenon is very partial. The result of a global research project commissioned by the World Health Organization, this book provides new information on abortion, why it happens and what happens when it does. There are sections detailing women' s perspectives and also chronicling the providers views and the effect they have on medical provision. Several essays focus on the relationship between contraception and abortion, while a section on adolescents addresses a newly emerging concern for program managers around the world. Including much previously unavailable material, this book is the most comprehensive and up-to-date picture of abortion globally.