I completely forgot to review this when I read it, and that was a huge oversight. This book is fascinating and essential reading for anyone interested in women's rights in America. It is gut wrenching to see how we were treated, and how much has not changed.

Elizabeth Packard was not a historical name I was familiar with but it should have been. Being one of the first influential women working for the rights of women, especially those married or committed in asylums during a period when women had no rights at all (mid to late 1800’s), makes her instrumental in creating bills and getting them passed into law that allowed women to own property and have a say in their lives. This nonfiction book is well documented and details the reality of life in an asylum and as a woman labeled insane just because she had view of religion differing from her husband.

Thanks to NetGalley and Sourcebooks for the ARC to read and review.
.

Stunningly written book with phenomenal research and brilliant representation of an important story in history. I'd highly recommend it to my fellow bibliophile friends.Thank you to the publisher and netgalley for the arc.

I am never disappointed by the work of Kate Moore. This was phenomenally researched and written and I'm already looking forward to how I can incorporate this into some of my book clubs.

"The Woman They Could Not Silence" by Kate Moore is a stunning work of nonfiction that tells the story of Elizabeth Packard, a woman who was unjustly committed to an insane asylum by her husband in the mid-1800s. Moore's meticulous research and compelling writing bring Packard's story to life, highlighting the injustices she faced and the courage she showed in fighting for her freedom and the rights of others in similar situations. This book is a powerful reminder of the importance of standing up for what is right, and it is a must-read for anyone interested in the history of women's rights and mental health advocacy. A well-deserved five-star read.

The Woman They Could Not Silence chronicles the life of Elizabeth Packard, who was wrongfully committed to an insane asylum in 1860 by her husband, a local preacher, because she dared think differently than he did. After Elizabeth fought her way out of the asylum, she dedicated her life to freeing her friends from the same conditions and improving women's legal agency.

Kate Moore brilliantly tells Elizabeth's story in The Woman They Could Not Silence through a combination of Moore's own prose and pieces of source documents. I am typically not a fan of biographies; I often find them to be uneven as people's lives have their ebbs and flows. But I was constantly reaching to pick back up this book. I found nearly every page compelling. Despite the book's length, I was riveted until the end.

Although religion plays a large part in Elizabeth Packard's story, it is not a central theme of the book. For someone like me who is areligious, I appreciated this. I think Moore diving into the details of Elizabeth's religious arguments would have taken focus away from the nature of Elizabeth's struggles, made her story a religious fight rather than what it ultimately was, and slowed the narrative's pace.

Moore's extensive research, particularly of primary sources, is clear from the first pages of The Woman They Could Not Silence. I think some of the book's power comes from the fact we are able to hear parts of the story in Elizabeth's (other others') own words. I also really valued that Moore provided sufficient context for readers to understand the norms of the time period. This allowed me to truly appreciate Elizabeth's struggles and accomplishments. Moreover, Moore ended with a powerful post script that reminds readers that despite Elizabeth's story being over 160 years ago, it is still relevant today. Women are frequently still delegitimized by being called crazy.

I had so many visceral reactions while reading The Woman Who Could Not Be Silenced. There was a lot of cussing aloud and exasperation on my part. Elizabeth's story was frustrating and enraging at times - not the book itself, but the treatment of Elizabeth Packard. I struggle to see any woman reading this book and not being exasperated by the expected role of women in society and the extremely patriarchal laws and norms of the 1860s.

Moore's writing was filled with urgency and passion. Despite her analogies being over the top at times, Moore's prose read like a novel. And while this made reading The Woman Who Could Not Be Silenced entertaining and quick, I think it is also a key weakness of the text. I would be remiss if I did note some important criticism.

No person is wholly good or bad. But from reading The Women They Could Not Silence, you are left with the impression that Elizabeth Packard was a saint. Moore craft the story to be inspirational and praiseworthy while leaving out anything that may have been an unsavory reflection of Elizabeth, such as racist or religious views. Moore skims over Elizabeth's blatant inflated self-regard and fails to present readers with an unbiased narrative. Furthermore, Moore's writing was melodramatic at times, which made for an entertaining read, but not a neutral one by any means. The book is also filled with snippets of quotes, removed from the context in which they were written. Depending on what you are looking for in reading this book, you may be disappointed by the approach Moore decided to use. It is my understanding that this proclivity is not included in her first book, Radium Girls.

Because I read The Woman They Could Not Silence as an audiobook, I want to mention that I would recommend reading it in this manner. Moore, herself, narrated the audiobook. She has a wonderful, light British accent that was very pleasant. I will be seeking out more books that she narrates.

Overall, I really enjoyed The Woman They Could Not Silence. Elizabeth's story was inspiring and provocative. I think this is a piece of nonfiction that even the staunchest fiction readers will love. I will be relentlessly recommending this book to my friends, but as always, I encourage everyone to read critically.

As a woman, as a human, the first half of this book was absolutely infuriating. The atrocities that these women went through! The second half, however, was much more uplifting as she fought for her rights and women's rights and was at least sometimes victorious. I did find it a little slow at times but was for the most part well paced. It was well researched, and I loved the added quotes from modern times that helped illustrate that the fight is not over.

The Women They Could Not Silence by Kate Moore
⭐⭐⭐⭐
I hadn't heard the story of Elizabeth Packard before reading this book. I'm very glad I read this one, it is an important read. It was very interesting to learn about what things used to be like. Very sad but also conveys hope. I also read Radium Girls which I really liked! Hope to see more from Kate Moore in the future!
Thank you Netgalley & Source Books for this e-arc in exchange for my honest review.

What a phenomenal read!!
LIKES:
1) it read like a historical fiction. Really just flew by but was long and very detailed at times… like a historical fiction
2) spotlight on mental health AND how twisted it was back in the day. If we don’t learn from history we will repeat it. Women’s health and rights is just as much of a concern now as it was then.
3) the audiobook- read by the author and was done beautifully
4) the ending… it’s a true story, but I don’t want to put anything more. It felt good.
5) I love learning new things! This is a nonfiction book that will not disappoint!

What an amazing read. It’s sad to know that many people are unaware of Elizabeth’s story, despite all she has done for women’s rights. And she went through a lot in order to help not only herself, but the other women with her in the asylum and generations of women to come. Her story would make a great film. Every time I thought it was coming to a conclusion, another twist brought me down another path.

Of course, that means The Women They Could Not Silence was a long read. As someone who struggles to consume non-fiction, it did take me longer than usual to read it. However, the wonder that was Elizabeth Packard kept me persevering and coming back for more.

This book will make you both happy and sad. Happy for what Elizabeth achieved but sad for everything she had to go through and knowing that some of the same attitudes are still at play within many people today.

A true story about Elizabeth Packard and her fight for women’s rights in America. I have read several books on this topic and continue to be appalled at the way the women who took on this challenge were treated. It’s obvious that the author did immense research on this topic. Though a historical book, the author’s writing style will pull you into the story and have you invested as you absorb the book. My heart ached at what Elizabeth endured. And yet I was thrilled at her strength and determination. She was an extremely intelligent woman and she accomplished so much for women’s rights. It’s unfortunate that her name is not well known and her achievements were buried until Heather Moore was able to share the story about this incredible woman.

Thank you to NetGalley and Sourcebooks for my advanced review copy. All opinions and thoughts are my own.

For more reviews, please visit my blog at: https://www.msladybugsbookreviews.com/. Over 1000 reviews posted!

Another great, informative read from Kate Moore. I learned so much about how poorly women were treated in the not so distant past. This book was a very eye-opening look into the way insane asylums were managed and the injustice that was doled out.

*** I have received and read an e - ARC from NetGalley in exchange for honest feedback. All thoughts and opinions are my own.***

I had heard of events like this happening, but it was great to finally read an in-depth version of one of the stories. It’s an obviously well researched and very detailed account.

Overall it’s an interesting story, but it just goes on forever. If the book had been cut by 25-40%, or had also shared stories of the happening to other women, it would have been a more enjoyable read.

Moore, once again, goes into great detail telling the true story of a woman who suffers at the hands of men. Like her earlier book, <i>The Radium Girls</i>, this is the real story of the helplessness of women as they strive to be treated fairly in a male dominated world. Elizabeth Packhard is married to a hard-nosed minister in 1860. When she dares to explore her own beliefs that don’t align with her husband’s, he becomes determined to get rid of her.

Elizabeth is institutionalized in an insane asylum by her husband, with the assistance of men in the community and doctors who are willing to confirm her insanity. She is a prolific writer who continues to advocate for her release but the men are steadfast in their desire to keep her locked up.

The head of the institution is Dr. McFarland and he patiently listens to her protestations of sanity, but is not her savior. What is remarkable is Elizabeth’s persistence and her determination to help free herself and also to get better treatment for the patients in the institution. Her entire life becomes a crusade to be freed and more importantly, to improve conditions for those committed, while exposing the inhumane treatment patients receive.

The book is saturated with factual details that the author meticulously cites in notes at the end of the book. Her research is abundantly clear and her focus on the mistreatment of women is once again, illuminating and unsettling.

This is truly the stuff of nightmares. A tale so unbelievable that it must be true, and makes me thankful that I live in the era that I do. This was “an era where the superiority of men was almost unquestioned,” so even with all the issues that we as women continue to face in our present time, we have still made great strides in the grand scheme of things.

I know that injustice spans throughout our entire existence as a species, but reading such abhorrent treatment, and seeing unfathomable dominance just because of a persons sex, or because they weren’t obedient to man’s rules for them, made me physically ill.

I found myself thinking unladylike thoughts just reading about these heinous acts, so I commend Elizabeth for leaning on her firm foundation of faith, and having the strength and steadfastness to not act out, but to keep a calm demeanor, and attack when she believed it would have the most impact. I honestly think my emotions wouldn’t have allowed me to do the same, and fear I would’ve been one of the physically tortured souls for my tongue alone. I shudder at this thought, and cannot let my mind drift there, otherwise there will be real nightmares plaguing my dreams tonight.

Elizabeth Packard was deemed insane all because she refused to yield to her husband’s iron fist. The sacrifices she had to make to stand up for what she believed in is insurmountable, especially having to miss her children growing up. That thought alone would’ve given me pause, but Elizabeth’s moral compass was strong, rarely wavering from due north, and she fought like no other woman before her, refusing to yield until true change occurred.

This is not a quick read by any stretch of the imagination, and actually took me months to read, as I slowly savored every tidbit, feeding on every morsel of inhumane injustice that was endured by Mrs. Packard and all the other “mentally ill” patients of the Jacksonville Insane Asylum. I hate that Elizabeth Packard is seemingly forgotten, but I am hoping that this novel will help bring wisdom to just how much her fight did for the laws not only for women’s rights but for mental health as well.

Thank you Elizabeth Packard, as well as all the other pioneers that fought the good fight before us, and for the author for bringing this unbelievable story to light.

A riveting read on women's rights. Kate Moore brings to life the perils and determination of one woman, Elizabeth Packard. It's hard to phantom that 160 years ago women in the US had no rights as married women. Thanks to Elizabeth and others what happened to them, will not happen to women again. Kate Moore has certainly done her research and presents it to the reader in an easy read however shocking the truth is. Women could be admitted to insane asylums for no reasons or for just speaking their minds. I highly recommend this book.

I wanted to read this book because I loved Radium Girls. It was good, definitely worth reading. If you are a nonfiction reader it is worth picking up.

It's a good thing that Kate Moore stated plainly at the beginning of her book that all quotes came directly from letter, diary entries, the public record, or the like, because otherwise one could think that this is a work of fiction. That's a testament both to the quality of the writing and to the nearly unbelievable nature of the story. The intersection of the lack of married womens' rights and conditions in mental institutions in the 1860s was, to put it mildly, a horror show. Through meticulous and thorough research, Moore brings us the story of Elizabeth Packard, one woman determined not to let either stop her in her struggle for her independence and that of the woman around her. She is to be lauded for the masterful way in which she's brought Elizabeth Packard's voice and fight both to life and to light.

I struggled to get into this one. I loved Kate Moore's last book, and I think this may have more to do with my headspace in the spring of 2021 than it did with the subject matter. This is obviously very well-researched and a fascinating topic. I found myself really disturbed by everything that Elizabeth was put through, especially at the hands of her husband.

I love Kate Moore's writing style. You can really tell that she puts so much time, energy and research into her works. I love that she has a writing style that is easily understandable for anyone who might be reading.