Spiritual Midwifery [from the Library of Jill Johnston]

Summertown, TN: The Book Publishing Co, 1978. Softcover. VG-/None. This copy of an immensely important and influential book focused on natural childbirth belonged to Jill Johnston who in 1973 wrote an essay in the Village Voice extolling the excellence of "The Farm" in Summertown, TN from which Spiritual Midwifery sprang. Johnston's two children lived on the farm for a period in the 70s. Probably the largest of the hippie communes at the time, The Farm has evolved into a modern-day eco-village and sustainable community. Jill Johnston (1929-2010) was a cultural, literary and dance critic, memoirist, radical lesbian feminist and champion of the avant-garde, and the book bears her distinctive stamp in blue ink which reads "Write first. then live." J.J. This paperback early version of revised edition of Spiritual Midwifery is now 46 years & has some heavy rubbing at the spine, darkening to wraps & trivial internal foxing but is otherwise tight & clean. Black and white photos, one fold-out color plate. Laid in is a folded 8.5 x 11" publication announcement for the new edition on stationery of the brilliantly named The Book Publishing Company (still extant, browned and chipped at the edges. We're also providing a print-oiut of the aforementioned Johnston text printed out from The farm's website.