Margaret Sanger: an autobiography

_My thanks are due especially to Rackham Holt for her discerning aid in organizing material and for her untiring and inspired advice during the preparation of this book; as well as to Walter S. Hayward whose able assistance has helped to make the task lighter._

_In the course of preparing this narrative many books have been consulted. I trust their authors will agree with me that a bibliography in a personal history is cumbersome and accept a general but none the less grateful acknowledgment._

_My admiration has always gone out to the person who can put himself in print and set down for historical purposes an exact record of his honest feelings and thoughts, even though they may seem to reflect upon many of his friends and helpers. I have not in this story hurt any one by intent. Because its thread has, of necessity, followed dramatic highlights, many people who played prominent parts have not been mentioned. These I have not forgotten, nor those numerous others who made smaller offerings. Some have pioneered in their special fields and localities; some have given generously and unfailingly of their financial help; some have volunteered in full measure their time and efforts as officers and Committee members; some have fought and labored by my side throughout the years; some have stepped in for only a brief but significant role. Although on the outskirts of the army, it is to these last as well as to those in the vanguard that the advance has been made. And particularly do I wish to thank those co-workers and members of the various staffs whose contributions can in no way be measured by their duties, and whose indefatigable, loyal devotion has been a bulwark of strength to me at all times._

_It has been impossible to carry out my sincere desire to give personal and individual recognition and expression of gratitude to all. Neither a history of the birth control movement nor the part I have taken in it could be complete, however, did I not pay tribute to the integrity, valiance, courage, and clarity of vision of the men and women who, year after year, maintained their principles, and never swerved from them in a cause which belongs to all of us._

TABLE OF CONTENTS

I. FROM WHICH I SPRING 11

II. BLIND GERMS OF DAYS TO BE 24

III. BOOKS ARE THE COMPASSES 33

IV. DARKNESS THERE AND NOTHING MORE 46

V. CORALS TO CUT LIFE UPON 58

VI. FANATICS OF THEIR PURE IDEALS 68

VII. THE TURBID EBB AND FLOW OF MISERY 86

VIII. I HAVE PROMISES TO KEEP 93

IX. THE WOMAN REBEL 106

X. WE SPEAK THE SAME GOOD TONGUE 121

XI. HAVELOCK ELLIS 133

XII. STORK OVER HOLLAND 142

XIII. THE PEASANTS ARE KINGS 153

XIV. O, TO BE IN ENGLAND 169

XV. HIGH HANGS THE GAUNTLET 179

XVI. HEAR ME FOR MY CAUSE 192

XVII. FAITH I HAVE BEEN A TRUANT IN THE LAW 210

XVIII. LEAN HUNGER AND GREEN THIRST 224

XIX. THIS PRISON WHERE I LIVE 238

XX. A STOUT HEART TO A STEEP HILL 251

XXI. THUS TO REVISIT 268