"It is quite rare to find a book that takes a big picture look at the evolution of public policy, much less a policy that deeply affects women. In The Politics of the Pill, VanSickle-Ward and Wallsten, do just that, providing a rich, detailed, and comprehensive look at birth control policy, from how it is covered in the media, to the debates that played out in congress and the courts, to factors that influence state level policy adoption, to public opinion on the issue. Using multiple methods, they deftly weave together, analyze, and discuss policy evolution across these multiple venues, to showcase how women's voices mattered at various stages of the policy process. This is a must read for anyone interested in women and politics, policy evolution, and representation." -Jennifer Merolla, University of California, Riverside "The Politics of the Pill provides an exceptionally nuanced and thorough argument that what we are talking about, what the law is, and what we believe when it comes to reproductive rights is intimately linked to who is allowed to talk. As such, it is a timely and welcome addition to not only scholarly discussions, but to policy and public debates as well." -Joshua Wilson, University of Denver