The Woman They Could Not Silence

One Woman, Her Incredible Fight for Freedom, and the Men Who Tried to Make Her Disappear

De: Kate Moore

Narrado por: Kate Moore

From the New York Times, USA Today, and Wall Street Journal best-selling 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.

The year 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 21 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....

Best-selling author Kate Moore brings her sparkling narrative voice to The Woman They Could Not Silence, a 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.

©2021 Kate Moore (P)2021 Blackstone Publishing

Reseñas de la Crítica

LibraryReads Pick, 2021

Stunning story

It will make you furious over the injustice and cheer for all of Elizabeth’s victories.

What a Woman!

The narrator of this book was spectacular as were the accomplishments of the protagonist, Elizabeth
Packard. Why have I never heard that name before listening to this book? She was wrongly sent to an asylum by her husband who took her freedom, her 7 children, her clothing, her money, her home—because he could. It was the law of our land in the 1860’s that wives had no rights and were completely subjected to the demands of their husbands. Elizabeth kept fighting for herself and for those wrongly admitted to asylums for the rest of her life. What a woman!

An absolute must read

Powerful. Compelling. Riveting. This book should be read in every high school or college across the country. The truth, like the phoenix, ultimately rises.

Unbelievable!!

Incredible story about a remarkable woman. Women and the mentally I’ll owe her a debt of gratitude. Very well written!

Frightfully Relevant

This book is an incredible tale of courage and determination in the face of seemingly insurmountable horrors. One of the most horrifying parts is how relevant it is to today. This is not only an essential read for American history but to understand today's society.

Beautifully written and told

Love this narrator. Love this story. It was easy to binge this one over the weekend.

Woah….

Listening to this on the tails of Roe V. Wade being repealed. Woah! The author does a phenomenal job of telling this story. Wasn’t slow, but biographical. Read by the author. I would highly recommend listening if you like history and want an insight to women’s rights.

Very Interesting and Well-Researched Story

I found Elizabeth Packard’s accounting of her time at the asylum the most interesting part of what seemed to be a very long book. My interest fell off after her trial in Kankakee, Illinois in which she was declared sane, probably because the remainder of the book was less sensational.

Great story…

History should not be forgotten and this book was a reminder of how far Women and mental health rights have come. I recommend this.

amazing read!

this was an amazing read! I couldn't put it down! I listened all day every day until I was done.