Writing Mad Lives in the Age of the Asylum

Michael Rembis's "Writing Mad Lives in the Age of the Asylum" offers a groundbreaking perspective on the history of madness and asylums in America.

The book centers the voices of former asylum inmates, using their writings to reveal a hidden history of abuse, resistance, and social activism.

Rembis challenges traditional narratives that focus solely on medical interventions, instead highlighting the agency and resilience of those labeled 'mad.

' The book explores the social and political dimensions of asylum life, demonstrating how inmates fought for reform and shaped public understanding of mental illness.

Through detailed accounts and analysis, Rembis recovers the experiences and contributions of these often-silenced individuals.