Madness
Race and Insanity in a Jim Crow Asylum - The New York Times Bestseller
Format:Hardback
Publisher:Footnote Press Ltd
Published:21st Mar '24
Should be back in stock very soon
The book Madness reveals the historical oppression of Black individuals in mental health care through the lens of Crownsville Hospital's troubling legacy.
In Madness, Antonia Hylton offers a poignant exploration of the historical oppression faced by the Black community in the realm of mental health care. Through the story of Crownsville Hospital for the Negro Insane in Maryland, the book delves into the systemic injustices that have plagued mental health treatment for generations. The narrative begins with the harrowing account of twelve Black men forced into labor to construct the facility in 1911, setting the stage for a deeper examination of the institution's legacy.
Hylton intertwines personal stories of patients and staff with thorough investigative research, creating a rich tapestry that highlights the human experiences behind the statistics. As Crownsville evolved from a work camp into a sprawling asylum, it became a reflection of America's tumultuous history regarding race, slavery, and civil rights. At its peak, the hospital housed thousands of patients, revealing the dire need for compassionate mental health care that has often been neglected.
Ultimately, Madness serves as both a historical account and a call to action, urging readers to confront the ongoing challenges in understanding and addressing the mental health needs of Black individuals. Through its compelling narrative, the book sheds light on a critical issue that remains relevant today, emphasizing the importance of empathy and reform in mental health care systems.
A necessary book. It forces readers to reckon with the trauma that racism and exclusion have wrought on generations of black American families * The Sunday Times *
Impassioned and rigorous study * Observer *Book of the Week* *
'Madness, though ostensibly the story of Crownsville, is really about the continued lack of understanding, treatment and care of the mental health of a people, Black people, who need it most' -- New York Times
A necessary and unforgettable book. An important and timely work. * Imani Perry *
A work of pure genius * Jonathan Metzl *
Madness is an all-too-true story, tirelessly and comprehensively reported, of the reinstatement of antebellum conditions under the guise of mental-health treatment - an asylum for so-called "feeble-minded" Blacks that was, in fact, little more than slavery by another name. Antonia Hylton's sensitive, searching account of the people forever changed by this place - and its very clear, dreadful connection to today's carceral state - will leave you dumbfounded * Robert Kolker *
Antonia Hylton expertly weaves together a moving personal narrative, in-depth reporting, and illuminating archival research to produce a book that left me breathless. Madness is a haunting and revelatory examination of the way that America's history of racism is deeply entangled in our mental health system. * Clint Smith *
ISBN: 9781804441046
Dimensions: 222mm x 144mm x 34mm
Weight: 483g
368 pages