Before and After

Before and After by Judy Christie, published by Quercus on February 2, 2021, is an International Edition comprising 320 pages in English. This book explores the dark history of Georgia Tann, who operated a corrupt baby business at the Tennessee Children’s Home Society in Memphis from the 1920s to the 1950s. Tann facilitated the adoption of over 5,000 children, many of whom were not orphans but rather stolen from their families. The narrative focuses on the experiences of survivors as they seek to trace their roots and reconnect with their birth families.

Readers will encounter a range of moving and shocking accounts detailing how adoptees were separated from their original families. The book highlights the emotional journeys of individuals raised as only children who, later in life, joyfully reunite with siblings and other relatives. These stories reflect the complexities of family ties and the impact of social backgrounds on these reunions, providing insight into the personal histories of those affected by Tann’s actions. Before and After offers a poignant examination of identity and belonging within the context of a troubling chapter in American social history.