Lucy Inglis’s Born is a remarkable and illuminating journey through one of the most universal yet underexplored aspects of human existence: childbirth. With her blend of meticulous research and compelling storytelling, Inglis brings to life the overlooked history of how we come into the world—centering women’s experiences across centuries and continents.

From the rituals of ancient civilizations to the political and medical battles of the modern era, this book is both deeply informative and profoundly human. Inglis does not shy away from the complexity of the subject, deftly weaving together cultural, social, and medical perspectives to show how childbirth has always been more than a biological event—it’s a reflection of power, belief, and identity.

Born is a bold, thought-provoking, and necessary work that challenges us to reconsider our assumptions about motherhood, medicine, and autonomy. It’s an essential read for anyone interested in history, gender studies, or simply in understanding how the story of birth is, in many ways, the story of us all.