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

Narrated by: Kate Moore

Length: 14 hrs and 36 mins

Publisher's summary

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

Critic reviews

LibraryReads Pick, 2021

Heartbreaking, infuriating, & empowering

Long story, but well told! Sadly, though we have come so far, thanks to Elizabeth Packard, so much progress still can be made. While Christian wives, with minds of their own are no longer being condemned to psychiatric facilities, they are being shamed by their spouses and pastors for speaking out against the pervasive patriarchal establishment overseeing marriage, called “The Church”. Praise be to those individuals and organizations that still fight to protect women and their families!

I can’t even…

This book brought up so many strong feelings and destroyed me the entire way through, I don’t know how to adequately describe those feelings; about men, equality, mental health… how we’ve come a long ways, yet have we? Im going to need to process this book for awhile. One of the best audiobooks I’ve listened to, ever.

Phenomenal

Interesting, inspiring, and beautifully written. The research that went into this book is mind boggling and fascinating.

A must read for contemporary women

This book was selected by a member of one of my book clubs - I am so grateful she brought it to us! I had never heard of Elizabeth Packard but am thankful she made such an impact, despite being a rather unheralded historical figure. This is one to share with our sisters, daughters, friends, husbands, etc.

Wonderful

This should be taught in schools for women’s history. Elizabeth Packard is such an inspiration!

Compelling

Kate Moore brings a significant woman, the matriarch of women’s mental health and rights, Elizabeth Packard, to light that previously has remained almost completely lost and over looked.
Ms Packard’s historical importance goes well beyond the limits of women’s herstory reaching deeply into mental health, institutions, and lack of knowledge and/or education of lay persons as well as doctors/administrators. This book should be required reading in every education.
Actually little has changed even now.

Remarkable story

How have I gone 82 years without hearing this story??- I am so impressed with the
the research the author did to make Elizabeth Packard’s story come to life. I listened to the audiobook read by the author which made it all the more believable! Thankfully Packard’s story is now revealed for all to read.

Captivating

Such a well done, completely captivating true story of Elizabeth P. I never realized how much so married women were treated as property of their husbands. So thankful for EP, lighting the path towards true equality and rights for all.

A long listen but a valuable part of history.

This story is very good! The listen is long but well worth the effort!

excellent book

I highly recommend this book!! It is about the Jacksonville IL insane asylum in the 1800,'s. (AKA The State Hospital and Jacksonville development Center) I learned a lot about women's rights and Dr. McFarland (McFarland Mental Health Hospital in Springfield IL) this is based on facts from legal papers and diaries. Was a little slow for me in the beginning. but there was a point that I couldn't put it down. Let me know what you think.