The Woman They Could Not Silence: One Woman, Her Incredible Fight for Freedom, and the Men Who Tried to Make Her Disappear by Kate Moore
Reviewed by: Melissa Friedlund, Reference Specialist
Genre: Nonfiction, 19th century America, women’s rights, mental health
Suggested Age: Adult
What is the book about? In 1860, Elizabeth Packard was locked away in an asylum for three years by her husband. At the time, Illinois law required a public trial for anyone to be committed against their will, except in the case of a husband committing his wife. This book details how she persevered despite her confinement in the Jacksonville Insane Asylum. Once released, after being declared “incurable,” Elizabeth fought to change the law so that other married women like her could not be committed by their husbands simply by declaring them insane for any reason. She fought to be with her children. She fought to free her friends, still institutionalized. She fought for married women throughout the country, changing laws in several states. Elizabeth Packard just wanted to be a mother to her children, but she ended up being so much more.
My Review: I listened to the e-audiobook on the Axis 360 app and found it to be a riveting book. I really wanted to know how Elizabeth’s story ended and finished listening in just a few days. This was a fascinating piece of history that I had never heard before. Elizabeth Packard was not only tenacious and fearless, she was also admirable for her lack of vengeance, despite the deplorable treatment she endured. Kate Moore has done a fabulous job of bringing this story to light.
Three Words That Describe This Book: Inspirational, Captivating, Enlightening
Give This a Try if You Like…Radium Girls by Kate Moore, Code Girls: The Untold Story of the American Women Code Breakers Who Helped Win World War II by Liza Mundy, The Flight Girls by Noelle Salazar
Rating: 5/5