62 pages • 2 hours read
The Woman They Could Not Silence: One Woman, Her Incredible Fight for Freedom, and the Men Who Tried to Make Her Disappear
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Book Brief
560
Biography • Nonfiction
Illinois • 1860s
2021
Adult
18+ years
Super Short Summary
The Woman They Could Not Silence by Kate Moore recounts the true story of Elizabeth Packard, a 43-year-old woman in 1860 who is forcibly committed to the Illinois State Hospital for the Insane by her husband for her outspoken religious beliefs and advocacy for women's rights. While institutionalized for three years, Elizabeth fights for her freedom and later campaigns for legal reforms to protect the rights of married women and psychiatric patients. The book touches on physical and emotional abuse, forced hospitalization, and intense psychological manipulation.
Inspirational
Mysterious
Emotional
Challenging
Informative
Reviews & Readership
35,417 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Review Roundup
The Woman They Could Not Silence by Kate Moore is widely praised for its meticulously researched narrative and compelling storytelling. Reviewers commend Moore's ability to highlight historical injustices while maintaining reader engagement. However, some criticize the book for its dense details and occasional repetition. Overall, it's a powerful, thought-provoking read.
Who Should Read The Woman They Could Not Silence?
Readers who would enjoy The Woman They Could Not Silence by Kate Moore are typically history enthusiasts, particularly those interested in women's history and mental health. Fans of The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks by Rebecca Skloot and Hidden Figures by Margot Lee Shetterly would find this book compelling.
35,417 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Elizabeth Parsons Ware Packard
Elizabeth Parsons Ware Packard
A well-educated and principled woman from Ware, Massachusetts, who spent much of her life advocating for women's rights and mental health reforms after being wrongfully confined in an asylum.
Dr. Andrew McFarland
Dr. Andrew McFarland
The superintendent of the Illinois State Asylum for the Insane, whose controversial and allegedly abusive management practices were questioned, leading to his eventual resignation and subsequent founding of a private psychiatric facility.
Theophilus Packard
Theophilus Packard
The Calvinist minister and husband of Elizabeth Packard, who opposed his wife's progressive beliefs and played a significant role in her confinement to an asylum by declaring her mentally ill.
560
Biography • Nonfiction
Illinois • 1860s
2021
Adult
18+ years
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