The Woman They Could Not Silence: one woman, her incredible fight for freedom, and the men who tried to make her disappear
- Downloads：4962
- Type：Epub+TxT+PDF+Mobi
- Create Date：2021-07-16 19:30:58
- Update Date：2025-09-06
- Status：finish
- Author：Kate Moore
- ISBN：1914484002
- Environment：PC/Android/iPhone/iPad/Kindle
Reviews
Kierra
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Fantastic。 I will probably forever list Moore’s first book， Radium Girls， as a favorite， so I held high hopes for this one。 I was not disappointed。 Different than Radium Girls， but it’s as impeccably researched， with a strong narrative thread。 Thanks to Moore， Elizabeth Packard will be carried in my heart， with gratitude， from here on。
Bella
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4。5
Judy
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What a remarkable story！！！ It's even worse when you know it's a true story。 Vividly describes the true repression of women。 I will never take my rights for granted after reading this book。 An amazing， heroic woman。 What a remarkable story！！！ It's even worse when you know it's a true story。 Vividly describes the true repression of women。 I will never take my rights for granted after reading this book。 An amazing， heroic woman。 。。。more
Pat
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Elizabeth Packard is a woman we should all revere。 At the end of this very LONG non fiction account of her fight for women rights， Kate Moore say's: "We are acknowledging the debt we owe her but have never paid。 Ahead of her time， she challenged a patriarchal system and doctor-dominated world， compelling both to be better and fairer。 She did it all alone， bolstered only by her belief that she was right， in a world that continually told her she was wrong。 She fought every day of her life to make Elizabeth Packard is a woman we should all revere。 At the end of this very LONG non fiction account of her fight for women rights， Kate Moore say's: "We are acknowledging the debt we owe her but have never paid。 Ahead of her time， she challenged a patriarchal system and doctor-dominated world， compelling both to be better and fairer。 She did it all alone， bolstered only by her belief that she was right， in a world that continually told her she was wrong。 She fought every day of her life to make things better， dedicating her life to others， wanting justice for all。" p。 473 。。。more
Bobby Hattaway
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Coverture: a legal system that removed all rights a married woman had。 In the case of Elizabeth Packard and 1000's of others， they were interned in mental hospitals because their thinking disagreed with the opinions their husband held。 No trial， no hearing; they were gathered up by friends of the husband and thrown into a cruel and unfeeling "mental health" system to be abused， ignored and tortured。 Coverture: a legal system that removed all rights a married woman had。 In the case of Elizabeth Packard and 1000's of others， they were interned in mental hospitals because their thinking disagreed with the opinions their husband held。 No trial， no hearing; they were gathered up by friends of the husband and thrown into a cruel and unfeeling "mental health" system to be abused， ignored and tortured。 。。。more
Linda
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By the author of The Radium Girls: The Dark Story of America's Shining Women， Kate Moore jumps into the story of Elizabeth Packard with both feet。 All of us women who feel free to express our opinions really have Elizabeth Packard to thank for our being able to do that without experiencing what she did - confinement in a mental institution。 And， she was not alone。 She spent about 3 years confined because her husband had her committed and found a willing assistant in the Dr。 who oversaw the facil By the author of The Radium Girls: The Dark Story of America's Shining Women， Kate Moore jumps into the story of Elizabeth Packard with both feet。 All of us women who feel free to express our opinions really have Elizabeth Packard to thank for our being able to do that without experiencing what she did - confinement in a mental institution。 And， she was not alone。 She spent about 3 years confined because her husband had her committed and found a willing assistant in the Dr。 who oversaw the facility。 Mrs。 Packard was not the only one and （surprise， surprise） the treatment by the facilities employees left A LOT to be desired。This synopsis is just the tip of the story。 There were multiple court cases， her husband packed up their children and moved to another state and on and on。Read it for yourself and be as stunned as I was。 。。。more
Gabriel Ealy
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This book was impossible to step away from。 The book itself is written so wonderfully， with historical reports to support the shocking accounts that took place against married women and patients committed to asylums in the 19th century。 Elizabeth Packard is a name that should be well known among those who made great strides in the women’s rights movement as well as the rights of penitentiary patients。 I was so liberated after reading this novel。 The strength， intelligence， and unconditional love This book was impossible to step away from。 The book itself is written so wonderfully， with historical reports to support the shocking accounts that took place against married women and patients committed to asylums in the 19th century。 Elizabeth Packard is a name that should be well known among those who made great strides in the women’s rights movement as well as the rights of penitentiary patients。 I was so liberated after reading this novel。 The strength， intelligence， and unconditional love and respect Elizabeth maintains， despite the cruel circumstances she faced from her many adversaries is nothing short of amazing and inspiring。 This novel is a MUST for anyone looking for their next read， I’m positive you’ll find it as hard as I did to put it down。 。。。more
Jackie Coleman
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This is an amazing story。 Every woman should know about what happened to Elizabeth Packard， and what she did to fight back and create change。 Excellent read。
Heather
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Wow！ This book leaves me speechless。 It is heart breaking and inspiring all under 1 cover。
Cindywue
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Kate Moore tells the incredible story of Elizabeth Packard， a woman who was wrongly （although legally） committed to an insane asylum by her husband。 Her “crime” was thinking and speaking her own thoughts。 Because she kept fighting for herself and “her sisters” laws were changed to help women。 Always speak up。 Never give up。
Caroline Beachum
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This is the second of Kate Moore's books and I enjoyed this one tremendously！ Elizabeth Packard is a very interesting and relatively unknown historical figure。 I am grateful to Moore for shedding light on this bold， honorable， and courageous woman！ I listened to this title on audio and felt that Kate Moore as the narrator brought Elizabeth to life even more。 The first several chapters were particularly engaging- I was immediately drawn into Elizabeth's struggle against her husband who plotted to This is the second of Kate Moore's books and I enjoyed this one tremendously！ Elizabeth Packard is a very interesting and relatively unknown historical figure。 I am grateful to Moore for shedding light on this bold， honorable， and courageous woman！ I listened to this title on audio and felt that Kate Moore as the narrator brought Elizabeth to life even more。 The first several chapters were particularly engaging- I was immediately drawn into Elizabeth's struggle against her husband who plotted to get her unrightfully detained in an asylum。 I believe this book demonstrates much better pacing and engagement than Moore's first book， Radium Girls。 I am looking forward to her next historical topic！ 。。。more
Susanne Latour
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I had a very difficult time getting into this book。 Just like with Radium Girls Kate Moore did extensive research into the life of Elizabeth Packard a women I had never heard of。 While Elizabeth’s story is one that needs to be told and heard I found this book to be boring and too long。 The second half was better but by then I was ready to be done。 I’m disappointed for not liking this book as much as I did Radium Girls but the story and character just didn’t hold my attention like women in Radium I had a very difficult time getting into this book。 Just like with Radium Girls Kate Moore did extensive research into the life of Elizabeth Packard a women I had never heard of。 While Elizabeth’s story is one that needs to be told and heard I found this book to be boring and too long。 The second half was better but by then I was ready to be done。 I’m disappointed for not liking this book as much as I did Radium Girls but the story and character just didn’t hold my attention like women in Radium Girls did。 。。。more
Ariel Curry
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Absolutely incredible true story of Elizabeth Packard， who was wrongfully imprisoned in an insane asylum in 1860， because her religious beliefs differed from her husband's。 She was torn away from her six children by force， and shut away for over three years。 Unfortunately， her case was mild compared to many of the women she met there。 Elizabeth used her time in the asylum to write an illicit journal and observe all she could about the treatment of the mentally ill， vowing to become a voice for t Absolutely incredible true story of Elizabeth Packard， who was wrongfully imprisoned in an insane asylum in 1860， because her religious beliefs differed from her husband's。 She was torn away from her six children by force， and shut away for over three years。 Unfortunately， her case was mild compared to many of the women she met there。 Elizabeth used her time in the asylum to write an illicit journal and observe all she could about the treatment of the mentally ill， vowing to become a voice for the voiceless after her release。 And she did。 After her release and eventual acquittal， her husband still had primary custody of her children and refused to let her see them。 But she poured her energy into changing legislation and advocating for the rights of married women and the mentally ill everywhere。 The world owes Elizabeth Packard so much for her efforts - and reading this book is a good place to start。 。。。more
Becky
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Great book if a little long。 I love books that are about more than one issue。 In this case the issues are women’s rights （specifically married women） and how we treat the mentally ill。 Both still important topics。
Laurie
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Thank you Elizabeth Packard！！！！！！！！！！！！！ Without you， who knows how many sane married women would end up in the looney bin。
smalltownbookmom
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An incredible and profoundly moving narrative nonfiction account of Elizabeth Packard's fight for women's rights and mental health care in mid-19th century America。 I knew women were essentially the property of their husbands and subject to their control but hearing about how Elizabeth Packard was sent to an insane asylum in 1860 simply because her husband thought she was too outspoken and claimed her to be insane was unbelievable。 Even worse than her husband's treatment was the way Dr。 Andrew M An incredible and profoundly moving narrative nonfiction account of Elizabeth Packard's fight for women's rights and mental health care in mid-19th century America。 I knew women were essentially the property of their husbands and subject to their control but hearing about how Elizabeth Packard was sent to an insane asylum in 1860 simply because her husband thought she was too outspoken and claimed her to be insane was unbelievable。 Even worse than her husband's treatment was the way Dr。 Andrew McFarland ran the Illinois Insane Asylum。 The sad thing is she was not an unusual example， what made her stand out though was that she fought back。 She kept secret journals about the conditions and treatment of the other women， many who were as sane as her and later fought in the courts to change laws regarding the institutionalization of women and to get Dr。 Andrew McFarland removed from his position。 Kate Moore did an amazing job using first hand accounts written by Packard herself to tell this story that history has largely forgotten。 Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my advance listening copy of this great book！Favorite quotes:"In reality doctors were policing women who stepped outside society's strictly defined gender spheres - work and intellect for men， home and children for women。。。one common cause of committal during Elizabeth's time was novel reading。 Doctors believed that those who indulged in this pernicious habit lived a dreamy kind of existence so nearly allied to insanity that the slightest exciting cause was sufficient to derange。""Women were sent to asylums for causing the greatest annoyances to their families or for defying all domestic control。 The asylum was in short， a storage unit for unsatisfactory wives。""Wronged women were not supposed to stand up for themselves or come out fighting or be angry or battle for injustice to be overturned。 Elizabeth's cause was unnatural in his eyes and therefore insane。""Ahead of her time she challenged a patriarchal system and a doctor dominated world。 She did it all alone bolstered only by the belief that she was right in a world that continually told her she was wrong。 She fought every day of her life to make things better， dedicating her life to others， wanting justice for all。 She was torn down for it， her reputation ravaged， yet she squared her shoulders and dusted herself off after every single setback。" 。。。more
Jennifer
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Reading this book in the midst of Britney Spears’ legal troubles was *whew* Throughly recommended if you are interested in mental health， public health， the history of the treatment of mental disorders， and women’s history etc etc。
Linda Gabel
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What a phenomenal woman！ Her persistence and commitment to insuring changes for all women within the ‘system’ was rather overwhelming。 Yet， I had never heard the name Elizabeth Packard prior to this reading。 She changed all women’s lives through her tremendous efforts to allow women’s minds and opinions to be acknowledged and valued。 And along the way learned a lot about herself。 She simply never gave up， never let her reputation which was always under attack， get in her way。Overall the writing What a phenomenal woman！ Her persistence and commitment to insuring changes for all women within the ‘system’ was rather overwhelming。 Yet， I had never heard the name Elizabeth Packard prior to this reading。 She changed all women’s lives through her tremendous efforts to allow women’s minds and opinions to be acknowledged and valued。 And along the way learned a lot about herself。 She simply never gave up， never let her reputation which was always under attack， get in her way。Overall the writing pulled me into the story and kept me reading。 It is quite an extraordinary example of how one woman can make changes to values and perceptions。 However， in my opinion it could be a bit shorter as it did drag in a few places。 Although Mrs。 Packard did initiate many， many changes for women， it is incredible to me that one can still find examples of similar treatment of women today。 She is an important example of what one woman can do with such deep commitment to issues。 Overall， a very good read。 Thanks to ARC for allowing me a copy of this book。 。。。more
Erin McMahon
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This was a great book。 It was hard to read at times due to the horrors that Elizabeth Packard had to go through but well worth it。 She was ahead of her time and we all owe her deep gratitude。
Tena DeGraaf
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Couldn’t put this work of narrative nonfiction down by Kate Moore， author of Radium Girls。 Illinois friends-the setting begins in 1860 in Manteno， IL 。 From the inside jacket， “Another dark， dramatic but ultimately uplifting tale of a forgotten woman whose harrowing story changed the world。” Kate is an amazing researcher and storyteller。 The main character’s integrity， courage， and self-sacrifice is so inspiring！ I am SO glad Kate took the time to research and tell this incredible story！
Lisa Friedmann
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Excellent book about one womans decision to fight for women's rights。 Frightening to read about how husbands could literally lock a wife up if she spoke her mind。 I encourage every woman to read it。 Excellent book about one womans decision to fight for women's rights。 Frightening to read about how husbands could literally lock a wife up if she spoke her mind。 I encourage every woman to read it。 。。。more
Meg
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Startling report of Elizabeth Packard's life being u justly committed to an insane asylum and years lobbying for just treatment of the truly mentally ill。 Startling report of Elizabeth Packard's life being u justly committed to an insane asylum and years lobbying for just treatment of the truly mentally ill。 。。。more
Kathy N
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I have just recently been drawn in by nonfiction and I could not put this book down。 Author did an excellent job of drawing the reader in and holding enthralled throughout。
Nina
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Lots of insight into societal expectations in the 1800s。 Women could be placed in an insane asylum for any number of frivolous reasons。 Well-researched look at 1 woman's crusade to change the laws Lots of insight into societal expectations in the 1800s。 Women could be placed in an insane asylum for any number of frivolous reasons。 Well-researched look at 1 woman's crusade to change the laws 。。。more
Diane
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This is an amazing book。 Kate Moore did a beautiful job。However， I hope Kate realizes that SOME women ARE insane。 Or evil。 Or narcissistic。 Or manipulative。 Or liars。 （Think Stormy Daniels， Christine Blasey Ford）I’m referring to Kate’s comment in the post script about Nancy Pelosi。 I stand with the male in your anecdote。 Sometimes， men are correct。 Let us remember that Elizabeth’s story is historical。 Elizabeth was an incredibly brave heroine。It’s 2021: Don’t pretend that all men are like McFarl This is an amazing book。 Kate Moore did a beautiful job。However， I hope Kate realizes that SOME women ARE insane。 Or evil。 Or narcissistic。 Or manipulative。 Or liars。 （Think Stormy Daniels， Christine Blasey Ford）I’m referring to Kate’s comment in the post script about Nancy Pelosi。 I stand with the male in your anecdote。 Sometimes， men are correct。 Let us remember that Elizabeth’s story is historical。 Elizabeth was an incredibly brave heroine。It’s 2021: Don’t pretend that all men are like McFarland and all women are like Elizabeth。 。。。more
Toby Murphy
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Love this！ Great story and wonderful writing。 Moore does a solid job of writing non-fiction narratively。 She hooked me into Elizabeth’s story。
Rose Hriz
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Kate Moore has written a wonderful history book about Elizabeth Packard。 I did not know about Elizabeth Packard but she is responsible for making the lives of married women better。 In 1860 she was committed to an insane asylum by her husband because she disagreed with him on the subject of religion。 In the 1800s married women had no rights and were the property of their husbands。 That meant that husbands controlled all there property， money and everything about them。 It was therefore common for Kate Moore has written a wonderful history book about Elizabeth Packard。 I did not know about Elizabeth Packard but she is responsible for making the lives of married women better。 In 1860 she was committed to an insane asylum by her husband because she disagreed with him on the subject of religion。 In the 1800s married women had no rights and were the property of their husbands。 That meant that husbands controlled all there property， money and everything about them。 It was therefore common for husbands to commit their wives if they were too much trouble。 Her fight for her freedom and changing the laws concerning married women is the subject of this book。Every woman should read this story。 It will make you see that your life could be so much different if not for the courageous women that came before you。 I highly recommend reading this book。Thank you to #goodreads @KateMoore and @sourcebooks for a copy of this book。 。。。more
Debbie Crouch
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Incredible account of the life of Elizabeth Packard， a woman way ahead of her time。 She fought for the freedoms of women and the rights of the mentally ill in the 1860’s。 Imagine not being able to have an opinion or a voice， and being put in an asylum at the will of your husband for doing so。 Heavens， there would be no women left to take care of the men in our times！ Could not put this one down。 She lived not too far away from me in Kankakee， IL。 I see her old house is now a museum。 May have to Incredible account of the life of Elizabeth Packard， a woman way ahead of her time。 She fought for the freedoms of women and the rights of the mentally ill in the 1860’s。 Imagine not being able to have an opinion or a voice， and being put in an asylum at the will of your husband for doing so。 Heavens， there would be no women left to take care of the men in our times！ Could not put this one down。 She lived not too far away from me in Kankakee， IL。 I see her old house is now a museum。 May have to wander that way！“A spirit cannot be killed。 And with spirit comes hope。 With spirit comes strength。 With spirit comes the energy to start the fight for justice。” 。。。more
Mam
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Wow！ Since， for a couple of years， I had been immersed in books about the fight for women's suffrage that had its climatic finish in my city （Nashville） a hundred years ago， I thought I knew about all the heroines of the struggle。 Not so。 Elizabeth Packard was an incredibly strong woman who defied all the authority and power directed at her attempts to 'think' for herself。 Kate Moore has been meticulous in her telling of this story。 I researched Elizabeth after I read the book。 I recommend both Wow！ Since， for a couple of years， I had been immersed in books about the fight for women's suffrage that had its climatic finish in my city （Nashville） a hundred years ago， I thought I knew about all the heroines of the struggle。 Not so。 Elizabeth Packard was an incredibly strong woman who defied all the authority and power directed at her attempts to 'think' for herself。 Kate Moore has been meticulous in her telling of this story。 I researched Elizabeth after I read the book。 I recommend both - read it and research！ The struggle did not end with the events in this book or the vote for women's rights in Tennessee's legislature a hundred or so years ago。 When my husband and I purchased our first home， the ownership was listed in his name 'et ux。' I was the 'ux。' 。。。more
Cheryl B
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