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The Woman They Could Not Silence: One Woman, Her Incredible Fight for Freedom, and the Men Who Tried to Make Her Disappear (Women’s History Month, True Story about an…
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Original price was: $16.99.$9.00Current price is: $9.00.
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From the New York Times, USA Today, and Wall Street Journal bestselling author of The Radium Girls comes another dark and dramatic but ultimately uplifting tale of a forgotten woman whose inspirational journey sparked lasting change for women’s rights and exposed injustices that still resonate today.
“Moore has written a masterpiece of nonfiction.”—Nathalia Holt, New York Times bestselling author of Rise of the Rocket Girls
1860: As the clash between the states rolls slowly to a boil, Elizabeth Packard, housewife and mother of six, is facing her own battle. The enemy sits across the table and sleeps in the next room. Her husband of twenty-one years is plotting against her because he feels increasingly threatened—by Elizabeth’s intellect, independence, and unwillingness to stifle her own thoughts. So Theophilus makes a plan to put his wife back in her place. One summer morning, he has her committed to an insane asylum.
The horrific conditions inside the Illinois State Hospital in Jacksonville, Illinois, are overseen by Dr. Andrew McFarland, a man who will prove to be even more dangerous to Elizabeth than her traitorous husband. But most disturbing is that Elizabeth is not the only sane woman confined to the institution. There are many rational women on her ward who tell the same story: they’ve been committed not because they need medical treatment, but to keep them in line—conveniently labeled “crazy” so their voices are ignored.
No one is willing to fight for their freedom and, disenfranchised both by gender and the stigma of their supposed madness, they cannot possibly fight for themselves. But Elizabeth is about to discover that the merit of losing everything is that you then have nothing to lose…
Bestselling author Kate Moore brings her sparkling narrative voice to The Woman They Could Not Silence, an unputdownable story of the forgotten woman who courageously fought for her own freedom—and in so doing freed millions more. Elizabeth’s refusal to be silenced and her ceaseless quest for justice not only challenged the medical science of the day, and led to a giant leap forward in human rights, it also showcased the most salutary lesson: sometimes, the greatest heroes we have are those inside ourselves.
“The Woman They Could Not Silence is a remarkable story of perseverance in an unjust and hostile world.”—Susannah Cahalan, New York Times bestselling author of Brain on Fire
“Moore has written a masterpiece of nonfiction.”—Nathalia Holt, New York Times bestselling author of Rise of the Rocket Girls
1860: As the clash between the states rolls slowly to a boil, Elizabeth Packard, housewife and mother of six, is facing her own battle. The enemy sits across the table and sleeps in the next room. Her husband of twenty-one years is plotting against her because he feels increasingly threatened—by Elizabeth’s intellect, independence, and unwillingness to stifle her own thoughts. So Theophilus makes a plan to put his wife back in her place. One summer morning, he has her committed to an insane asylum.
The horrific conditions inside the Illinois State Hospital in Jacksonville, Illinois, are overseen by Dr. Andrew McFarland, a man who will prove to be even more dangerous to Elizabeth than her traitorous husband. But most disturbing is that Elizabeth is not the only sane woman confined to the institution. There are many rational women on her ward who tell the same story: they’ve been committed not because they need medical treatment, but to keep them in line—conveniently labeled “crazy” so their voices are ignored.
No one is willing to fight for their freedom and, disenfranchised both by gender and the stigma of their supposed madness, they cannot possibly fight for themselves. But Elizabeth is about to discover that the merit of losing everything is that you then have nothing to lose…
Bestselling author Kate Moore brings her sparkling narrative voice to The Woman They Could Not Silence, an unputdownable story of the forgotten woman who courageously fought for her own freedom—and in so doing freed millions more. Elizabeth’s refusal to be silenced and her ceaseless quest for justice not only challenged the medical science of the day, and led to a giant leap forward in human rights, it also showcased the most salutary lesson: sometimes, the greatest heroes we have are those inside ourselves.
“The Woman They Could Not Silence is a remarkable story of perseverance in an unjust and hostile world.”—Susannah Cahalan, New York Times bestselling author of Brain on Fire
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Categories: Women Writers
Product name:
The Woman They Could Not Silence: One Woman, Her Incredible Fight for Freedom, and the Men Who Tried to Make Her Disappear (Women’s History Month, True Story about an…
Price:
Original price was: $16.99.$9.00Current price is: $9.00.
Lee W –
I found it a bit overlong but compelling and hard to put down. Also found that it wasn’t until 1974 that women did not need a male signatory to get a credit card. In 1967 in Australia I had worked and supported myself for years and yet needed a guarantor to get a card with minimum credit. ABSURD.
But that is my story, Elizabeth Packard’s story is far more heart rendering as well as her incredible ability to fight injustice and see wrongs righted, even as she was slurred for her efforts, even as women are slurred today. Highly recommended reading.
Lauri Sim –
Another remarkable woman who has been lost to history, this is an absolutely astounding tale of strength, resilience, dignity and faith in justice. This book will make you so so angry, I echo what another reviewer said about it maybe not being bed time reader but the beuaty and self sacrifice shown in this book is humbly astonishing. This woman would not be broken and always dedicated herself not just to her own safety and freedom but the care and compasison of others and her tireless works for the care and justice of others is so admirable. Please read this book.
Carolina Shopper –
I ordered this book based on a book club recommendation (the club had covered it before I joined). To say it was mind blowing is an understatement. Knowing that women haven’t always had the rights they do today is one thing (even if there’s still significant room for improvement), but reading about how things were not all that far back in history was absolutely bonkers. Combine the plight of a woman without rights being committed to an asylum for simply being herself is unbelievable in today’s world. Throw in how people of color and mental patients were treated, and it just gets worse. I spent the first third or so of the book incredulous over what injustices were happening to the main character (a real person) and others in her similar circumstance. I spent the next part shaking my head over the main character’s continued optimism (naivete?) that things would somehow be set right when it was getting worse instead. I was rewarded with her eventual vindication and activism; improving things for others while still having her character and sanity constantly questioned. I found the book to be a quick read, as the topic was so mesmerizing. Definitely recommend!
Lisa Rice –
For anyone trying to understand sexism or misogyny in the United States, this book is a must read. The main character of this historical fiction is a woman to be reckoned with. I feel grateful that she fought to pave the way for women’s rights and the rights of the mentally ill. Her story takes on more importance in light of our coming elections. She was an early adopter of putting “woman” in “the Presidential chair.”She is a true inspiration.
Cindy S –
This is a “must read” book! It is very informative and a devastatingly descriptive book about the injustices suffered by women before they were afforded ANY rights. I was unaware of the depth of suffering of those committed to insane asylums or even the suffering of those women who changed their very soul to avoid being committed by their husbands. This book, at times, is frustrating to read due to the pure trusting and naive personality of Elizabeth and her continued perception that the men would do the right or honorable thing. However, in the end her patience and strong will is her saving grace! I will try to take some of what she did to heart, as my temper and lack of ability to hold my tongue does not always get the best result. Her patience and perseverance pay off in the end…how she had the strength to power on is miraculous. Also, it is noteworthy that a great number of men helped her succeed, and win rights for women. This book is well written and history that should be known by all, especially women.
Constant Reader –
The subject matter is fascinating and will written but why is the narrator on the audio book British? It’s a story about an American woman living in the American midwest. I found it annoying but the book is good.
Amazon Customer –
Bought for bookclub. Intrigued by the topic, but not well written. I kept wanting to get my red pen out and edit. Writer presumed a lot. I wish she would have just showed us the letters within the text, instead of constantly putting words on quotes and italics, or jumping forward in time to give us the context. There has GOT to be another text on this woman (the wife). Maybe the internet? Save your money and your time.
Diane C. –
Could not put the book down
jhbandcats –
This book was great. However, I really wanted to like it even more – I wanted to give it five stars. Ultimately I didn’t because occasionally it would devolve into histrionics. The story was so powerful that literary flourishes were unnecessary and distracting.
That said, Wow. What a book. How is it that Elizabeth Packard is not a household word? She was extraordinary. Committed to an insane asylum because her husband found her outspokenness troublesome, she worked for three years to be freed, then worked the rest of her life to achieve equality for women, safety for mental patients, and the right of a mother to have custody of her children.
The author relies on diaries, letters, newspapers, and trial transcripts. Everything she writes has been thoroughly researched. Her work here is exceptional.
Having found Radium Girls equally important, I hope that Kate Moore continues to write. Her works are essential to understanding the history of the ordinary American in the late 18th – early 19th centuries.
Sus –
This look was everything I could ever have asked for in a story. It was beautifully written by somebody who obviously knew this woman inside and out the story is amazing. The story is sad. The story is happy. The story is glorious. Elizabeth story is so many incredible things I can’t even name them all in this little review all I can say is please read it. You will not be disappointed. You will be so much better for it, thank you Kate for writing this precious fantastic shocking story of a woman who dared to fight back. The world needs more women and men like this one. We’ve got to decide to do the work and to not let anything get in the way so that we can make a better place on this earth for all of us not just a few not just the rich, and famous, but for everybody, everybody!
Thor –
This is the story of Elizabeth Packard, an advocate for the rights of those incarcerated in mental asylums. This story, herself and others WHILE imprisoned in an Illinois asylum. Elizabeth was clearly not insane, nor were countless women also incarcerated there. The law of the day (and in the US up until the 1970s) allowed a husband to discard his wife who dared to think, question and have opinions differing from her spouse. The book details how easy it was for men to punish wives and daughters for daring to think and question the beliefs and opinions of men. Definitions of insanity amounted to thinking on her own. There was no known time for incarceration or criteria for release. The conditions for release were not known to the women and contact with loved ones was blocked by the director. The clear abuse of authority that existed then is worth reading for it exists today in different forms. While we don’t have a tongue-piercing instrument to “filter” our words, we are still oppressed by the male patriarchal system. The details are there and the writing flows beautifully. As a nurse who worked in psychiatry for decades and now a researcher on patient advocacy, I strongly recommend this book for all women to read. We are not in the 1860s, but we are the first to be deemed NOW to have no quality of life and therefore to be disposable as a cost-saving measure. Well worth the purchase!
J. S. –
I really enjoyed this book. Such an amazing story!
C J A –
Read this book as a book club read. I enjoyed it so much I have purchased three copies to give as gifts. This book was well researched and provides you with references to support many of the facts. The telling of this true story was presented in such a way that it reads like fiction. It truly presents real life in 1865. This book will remind you how far we have come as contributing women in society and also in the taking care of the mentally ill. This would also be a great book to add to high school summer reading lists.