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This is one of my favorite non-fiction books ever! The author also wrote Radium Girls. This is the story of a woman committed to an Insane Asylum in Illinois by her husband. She was committed at her husband's request after he tired of her having her own ideas. It is a horrifying, curious, disturbing story that is like an eerie echo of the societal issues surrounding gender at present. I literally said Wow when I closed this book. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Can I give a book five stars and be flustered as all get out at the opposition she had to face as a result of having a brain, common sense, and a desire to be heard just because she was a woman, wife & mother? Well, it seems I can. Hot dang if this didn't get me all sorts of riled up and she's long since been dead and buried but her legacy lives and her fight was not in vain. Can't wait to get my hands in Radium Girls.

Moore again dazzles with a narrative nonfiction detailing Elizabeth Packard‘s commitment to an asylum by her husband, her fight for freedom, and the unrelenting advocacy she performed on behalf of women and the mentally ill. I was particularly struck by Moore‘s postscript where the parallel between Packard‘s experience and modern women‘s continued fight against those that dismiss us as “crazy” is drawn. Well, “just look at what crazy can do.” 5⭐️

This is such an important story from history. It was very well researched and genuinely interesting to listen to. I‘m glad I stuck through it and finished it. The writing is good, but sometimes a bit dry. Overall, I thought it was interesting and something we should definitely be aware of and listening to about things that we should be aware of as women to make sure our history doesn‘t repeat itself.

This was an amazing insight into how much influence one person can have just by never giving up. It is disturbing how easy it was for husbands to discard their wives by committing them as insane. For me, this was a heavier subject than Radium Girls and took me longer to get through, but I really love Kate Moore's ability to tackle such a tough subject with compelling storytelling.

A tough to read at times book, but worth it!! I got an Erik Larson vibe from Kate‘s writing; informative, factual, but never boring 👍🏻 I‘m definitely giving her first book a read

a must read .

Ending my Labor Day weekend the same way it started ☺️

Essential reading! After being blown away by Radium Girls, I put this on hold as soon as I was able to, and Moore does not disappoint. As I read Ms. Packard's story, I might not have loved every page, but honestly, with all the shit she goes through, I felt obligated to push through and hear her whole story. And it's a doozy! One of the earliest fighters for women's rights, her ordeal would break the ordinary man, let alone other women.

With Radium Girls the story was gripping and tragic but the writing just serviceable, this book suffers even more strongly for that. Moore did a fantastic amount of research but it bogged down her narrative. A difficult balance, wanting to serve the legacy of someone while telling a compelling story in such a way that modern readers will grab tight to them. Moore tips too far in trying to get the details in Worth the read but sometimes an infodump

To seamlessly combine Packard‘s own words with Moore‘s prowess as an author is an outstanding feat of talent! There were so many moving parts to this story, it was clear that a lot of research & skill were necessary to transform it into a masterpiece. While I could ramble on about so many fantastic aspects of this book, the part that stirred my heart the most was the beautiful way that Kate Moore conveyed Elizabeth Packard‘s sense of sisterhood.

#weekendreads

1. Song of Achilles and Sky Without Stars on audio.
2. Both depending on the story
3.Tagged

1860. This is a true story of the historical battle for women's mental health rights. Elizabeth Packard's husband of twenty-one years feels increasingly threatened by Elizabeth's intellect, independence, and unwillingness to stifle her own thoughts. He makes plans to put his wife back in her place by committing her to an insane asylum. There are many rational women on her ward who have been committed in order to keep them in line.

I received a hardback copy of this book through @Sourcebooks for a @litsybookclub read and started it at the beginning of July. However, life got busy and I didn‘t have the time or focus to finish it. My #audiobook hold came in a few days ago and I finished it while working and driving. It‘s a frustrating and fascinating story of a fight for women‘s rights. I didn‘t get as caught up in this as Moore‘s Radium Girls, but it was well worth the time.

This started out pretty well and I was invested but soon it started to draaaaag. The story and the premise was good but I honestly think the book could‘ve been half the size. It soon became monotonous and I didn‘t need every single detail over and over. I don‘t want to dissuade anyone from reading because I think it is an important piece of history. Just wished it was shorter.

I do not think a single fictional horror story exists that can outdo the things that have happened and will happen in this world. We live the ultimate terror daily. The story detailed in this book is truly a terrifying one and while it‘s part of history, it‘s something that did happen - something that could happen again in different ways.

My full review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/3993966712

“Truth… may for a time be crushed to the earth, [but] it shall rise again with renovated strength.” ~Elizabeth Packard, as quoted in The Woman They Could Not Silence by Kate Moore

“You can cage a bird and thus keep her down a level with her serpent-mate, but just give her the use of her powers, its freedom, and she will rise.” ~From Elizabeth Packard‘s journal, as quoted in the book The Woman They Could Not Silence by Kate Moore

#Recommendsday This is the true story of #ElizabethPackard, who was committed by her pastor husband to an insane asylum in 1860 for being too independent-minded. But Elizabeth would persevere and win not just her freedom, but changes in the laws, benefiting all people deemed “insane” and most importantly, married women. This book is a testament to the power of one strong, energetic individual with a mission. Very relevant to our times!

#TrickyCat loves nestling next to @BookishMarginalia as she reads #CatsOfLitsy

This is the very determined #ElizabethPackard in her #authorphoto — she looks as fierce as she was!

#ElizabethPackard refused to bow to the constraints of 19th century American social and legal mores that kept women firmly in their allotted boxes.

She would not submit to him. As she put it, “A peace based on injustice…is a treacherous sleep whose waking is death. Your honor lies in waking out of it.”

I dropped everything to read this book because the borrowed audiobook is due soon! 47% in and I am riveted. Elizabeth Packard is a force to be reckoned with.

UPDATE: Made it to 67% before the library loan expired. 🤦🏻‍♀️ Back on hold 🤷🏻‍♀️

#immersionreading #womensrights

And my non-fiction streak continues with a past @litsybookclub monthly pick.

Thanks @Sourcebooks This book is an amazing recounting of a remarkable woman who paved the way for Asylum Reform, Women‘s Rights, and Medical Accountability. It‘s nonfiction but “Reads like a book“

@Sourcebooks #sponsoredbookclub
#Litsybookclub
#WomenInspiringWomen
#Bookmarked

One of the best non-fiction books I've read in a while - such a captivating story of a woman who was committed to an asylum in the 1860s for basically disagreeing with her husband. Truly inspirational and fascinating account of a crusader for mental illness patients and women. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ #arc

Full review at: https://erinkonrad.com/2021/07/03/the-woman-they-could-not-silence-book-review/

So sorry! There wasn‘t a meeting this month nor questions because I was sick and graduate school homework! I will post the July book soon too!

Awesome research about one tenacious woman…..whew! Elizabeth would most certainly be labeled a b*tch and worse today. Hopefully she does indeed have the last word, eventually.

Big kudos for all the research! The postscript will raise the hair on the back of your neck. 😳

The one downside is it‘s too long, being belabored or repetitive in parts.

Super excited about the tagged book, as I LOVED Radium Girls, which this author wrote. Ordered it from Barnes and Noble today and got the Nicola Yoon book for $5!!

Bailed on two other audio books before this one - definitely an infuriating and fascinating subject! I feel badly saying I‘m “enjoying” it. 😐

Birthday gifts from @WanderingBookaneer 👏🏼💜👏🏼 She took me on a birthday shopping spree to Barnes & Noble! #BirthdayLoot #bookhaul

Was just sent this marketing email and it got me! Just pre-ordered The Woman They Could Not Silence on Audible! Comes out tomorrow!

I‘ll bet you‘ve never heard of Mrs. Elizabeth Packard. Although her story is quite dramatic, she‘s not in history books. And, if her husband Theophilus had anything to say about it, she would have lived out her days in an asylum for the insane. Yet, she was quite sane. Combines biography, social history with feminist perspective before her time.

Full review http://www.TheBibliophage.com #thebibliophage2021 #abouthelpingothers #nonfiction2021

New month, new book. Please join us in reading this month‘s selection. Questions, ask @Bookworm83 or @Graciouswarriorprincess .

Wow - another one for the ‘2021 year of exciting new book releases‘ pile! 👍🏼