hey all, does anyone know of any books that contain legitimate historical accounts of asylums between the years 1900 and 1920? I did a search in amazon and some of the likely sources but couldn't find anything that specific. Or, if anyone has any suggestions as to books that can give accurate descriptions and accounts of psychiatric facilities in the United States in or around the turn of the century that would be very helpful. Thanks
shareFor a good overview of psychiatric history in the US, try "Mad in America" by Robert Whitaker. An excellent read. Part Two of this book deals specifically with 1900-1950.
"The Art of Asylum-Keeping" (by Nancy Tomes) and "Gracefully Insane" (by Alex Beam) are also excellent reads; the former about psychiatric hospitals in general, and the latter about one particular hospital (McLean).
--Anna
(no connection with any of the authors mentioned)
Try "Ten Days in a Mad-House" by Nellie Bly. She was a journalist in 19th century NYC who pretended to be insane and spent a couple of weeks in the insane asylum on Roosevelt Island.
If you can't find a friend, make one.
-May (2002)