Broadmoor Revealed gives the reader a glimpse behind the walls of England’s first Criminal Lunatic Asylum.
Focused on the Victorian pe... read full description
Focused on the Victorian pe... read full description
reviews
Sep 20, 2011
Sharon
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Wow! If you are interested in psychiatric history, the Victorian era, or true crime, this book is for you.
Archivist Mark Stevens works with the Berkshire Records Office and thus has access to the case histories of Broadmoor's inmates, its governors and more. This book is a sampling of case studies (including that of painter Richard Dadd, whose works hang in the Tate Gallery, and William Minor, a major contributor to the Oxford English Dictionary), births in the asylum and various e More...
Archivist Mark Stevens works with the Berkshire Records Office and thus has access to the case histories of Broadmoor's inmates, its governors and more. This book is a sampling of case studies (including that of painter Richard Dadd, whose works hang in the Tate Gallery, and William Minor, a major contributor to the Oxford English Dictionary), births in the asylum and various e More...
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Jan 04, 2012
stormhawk
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I am fascinated by the history of mental health treatment, and was quite excited when this free-for-kindle book was recommended. Unfortunately, the book doesn't deliver on the promises of the title. Only a few patient's histories are covered, and very little is said about their time at Broadmoor beyond detailing some of their room furnishings and more extraordinary achievements, such as Dadd's fairy paintings.
I recognize that not a lot of documentation has survived, but surely a res More...
I recognize that not a lot of documentation has survived, but surely a res More...
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Aug 30, 2011
Agustín
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Bajé este libro por lo que era: Un compendio de anécdotas acerca de un hospital para lunáticos en la época Victoriana y ya se sabe que la época Victoriana era una de las épocas más restrictivas en cuanto a sentimientos, deseos, caprichos espirituales o del cuerpo. La era Victoriana era como vivir el pueblo chico e infierno grande de un pueblito pero multiplicado por mil. Era de esperarse que la gente se volviera demente... Bueno, como dice el libro: lunáticos. Aunque a estas alturas el lunático
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Oct 11, 2011
Shari
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This book tells the stories of a few patients who resided for a time at Broadmoor Hospital, in England, during the Victorian period; they were actually famous (or maybe infamous is a better word?) at the time. It also discusses what happened with some of the women who were pregnant at the time they were admitted, and gave birth in the hospital, and the escaped attempts made by some of the patients, some successful, some not.
Most of the patients there were sent there as a result of th More...
Most of the patients there were sent there as a result of th More...
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Oct 07, 2011
Mia
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This was a free download for Kindle and was very interesting. It's a non-fiction account of the building and early years of Broadmoor and some insight to the patients there. This hospital was one of the first to start TREATING patients and didn't simply lock them away. This "humanitarian" approach called for a unique design, not only for the buildings and grounds but also for the staff. It was an interesting look at how the various directors of the asylum oversaw the institution and ho
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Oct 15, 2011
Michele
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3.5 Stars. This non-fiction look at the infamous Broadmoor Asylum in England is quite well-written and engaging. Stevens examines a history of the institution as well as some of it's more infamous patients. While the latter half of the book does bog down a bit in all the escape attempts made throughout the years, overall this book is worth your time if you've ever had an interest in the Victorian way of dealing with "lunatics." Stevens is sympathetic and respectful of both patients
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Jan 29, 2012
Rebecca Cosgriff
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This non-fiction work retells the early history of England’s first criminal lunatic asylum, Broadmoor. Using its recently released archives as source material, Stevens creates a complete picture of the institution within the Victorian period that includes portraits of its staff and (in)famous ‘guests’ as well as escape attempts, births and deaths, all of which occurred within the confines of this famous and progressive component of the judicial system. Retold in a readable and engaging manner th
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Dec 11, 2011
Louise-Lesley (Elle)
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I really enjoyed this very interesting book.
I have wanted to read this for a while and it only came to the top of the pile (like so many other books) this week. I knew from the start I would like it as I was completely hooked within pages.
It gives a really interesting view of life back in Broadmoor and wasn't nearly as horrific as I thought it was going to be. It actually really surprised me at how humanely these people where treated.
It would of easily g More...
I have wanted to read this for a while and it only came to the top of the pile (like so many other books) this week. I knew from the start I would like it as I was completely hooked within pages.
It gives a really interesting view of life back in Broadmoor and wasn't nearly as horrific as I thought it was going to be. It actually really surprised me at how humanely these people where treated.
It would of easily g More...
Jan 21, 2012
Andrew
rated it:
A shortish free e book from Amazon which I understand the author has written in a wish to gauge whether there is interest in a more fullsome book being written on the early days and inmates of this institution.
The stories within look at the early days of Broadmoor,moderately famous inmates,early escapees and births within the walls as well as giving an interesting insight into the treatment of inmates and the remit of the early asylums.
I enjoyed this book and look forward to a longer More...
The stories within look at the early days of Broadmoor,moderately famous inmates,early escapees and births within the walls as well as giving an interesting insight into the treatment of inmates and the remit of the early asylums.
I enjoyed this book and look forward to a longer More...
Dec 07, 2011
Jan
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Extremely interesting and thankfully not full of pages of dry details, the book focuses instead on the stories of a few captivating inmates of Broadmoor who left some tangible records. Fascinating stories of incarcerations in jails and asylums and escapes therefrom.
It also reveals information about some of the wardens of the institutions, but not enough -- in my opinion -- to understand their attitudes about their work. I wanted more about medical and society opinions on mental illness More...
It also reveals information about some of the wardens of the institutions, but not enough -- in my opinion -- to understand their attitudes about their work. I wanted more about medical and society opinions on mental illness More...
Feb 19, 2012
Denise
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I was absolutely fascinated by some of the stories in this book. Most of the time when you think of Lunatic Asylums in the Victorian Age you think of corrupt doctors and horrible living conditions, however this book gives the reader a glimpse into what it really was like. I enjoyed the stories in the beginning about certain patients. I liked reading about their crimes and how they got to Broadmoor and what eventually happened to them. I also enjoyed reading about the babies born in Broadmoor. I
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Jan 29, 2012
Hannah
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I'm not really a History buff, but having suffered with Mental illness and knowing that people with mental illness are better understood and treated today than they ever have been I was interested to read this and find out about how different it was then. The book presents a number of patients of broadmoor, their reasons for being there and what life was like for them inside the institution. If you like History, or reading about institutions like this, then this book is for you.
Jan 15, 2012
Nancyspain
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Enjoyable, easy to read short book that offers some insight into case studies of people who were in Broadmoor in the late 19th and early twentieth century. They are lacking in detail because of the lack of accessible information so are more overviews. The book does offer a flavour of institutional living and the attitudes towards those with mental health problems in the Victorian era and for that reason alone it is worth reading.
Sep 15, 2011
Tom
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While this is just a cursory glance at Broadmoor lunatic asylum patients, this is still a fascinating read. Dr. Miner is included, but of course his life and involvement with OED is better detailed in its own book. Here we have details on would-be assassins, mother infanticides, a chronology of detailed escapes, and the birth and fate of various babies born at Broadmoor. A good history of the "pleasure men" and "pleasure women" found criminally insane and held by the crown un
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Dec 20, 2011
Amanda
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This was an excellent book although I wish it had more in-depth information. But I imagine that can be quite difficult when it comes to events prior to the 1900's.
It goes over case histories of four patients and then mentions some of the babies born in the asylum and those who felt the need to liberate themselves.
I found the writing to be very readable and the stories quite compelling.
It goes over case histories of four patients and then mentions some of the babies born in the asylum and those who felt the need to liberate themselves.
I found the writing to be very readable and the stories quite compelling.
Jan 18, 2012
Cheryl
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An interesting read, definitely gave me a different idea of what Broadmoor was like in the Victorian era than I have imagined. Some interesting stories of several of the more famous (or infamous) inmates and the author hints at more things to come in the book is well received, I hope this is the case, I suspect there are hundreds of cases that would be fascinating to read.
Jan 01, 2012
Meg
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A brief but interesting (and avoiding many of the lurid/tabloid-esque details as the author is an archivist who looks after the records) look at early broadmoor and some of its inhabitants. Not too focused on well known cases, which is nice and two particularly interesting sections on babies born in broadmoor and early escape attempts.
Dec 29, 2011
Jen
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A well written book that gives insight into the residents of Broadmoor during the first few years of its history.
As a Mental Health Nurse I find it interesting to see how much things have changed now and yet how much they've stayed the same.
It serves its purpose, I think and leaves you curious for more.
As a Mental Health Nurse I find it interesting to see how much things have changed now and yet how much they've stayed the same.
It serves its purpose, I think and leaves you curious for more.
Oct 01, 2011
Barry
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An interesting & informative read. A little too short though, would have preferred more on the better known inmates, esp. Richard Dadd but as the writer informs us, there are books in exsistance which cover these people specifically. Found the first half more interesting than the second, which just read like a shopping list of escape attempts.
Dec 20, 2011
Marie
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What a very interesting book! The author did a great job of giving enough details to paint the picture, but did not drag anything out. I like that I was able to learn about this historical hospital without having to read a full on research project about it. There are a couple patients who I am interested in learning about but not all of them - this book was well written and very good attention to research and facts!
Dec 03, 2011
Chris
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The peek at Victorian life and justice in this book was really interesting. There were enough details about crimes and escapes that it really kept me going, and I normally don't like non-fiction. I liked this book.
I did not like that there was discontinuity. I didn't mind how some chapters were arranged to fully contain a high-profile individual's story, but it seemed that nearly every page or two we were jumping to another time period, even while telling a single person's story. More...
I did not like that there was discontinuity. I didn't mind how some chapters were arranged to fully contain a high-profile individual's story, but it seemed that nearly every page or two we were jumping to another time period, even while telling a single person's story. More...
Aug 25, 2011
Martha
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I kinda like to read history stuff on occasion. This book caught my interest because it deals with the Victorian Era, and one of the criminal asylums within that time period. It focuses on unique stories that touch lightly upon a variety of individuals that were patients at Broadmoor.
Feb 06, 2012
Peter
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This is an interesting walk through the Victorian days of Broadmoor Hospital. It is sympathetic to inmates and staff alike and it gave me a perspective on the place and time.
I found this book free for Kindle on Amazon UK and it gave a lot of pleasure.
I found this book free for Kindle on Amazon UK and it gave a lot of pleasure.
Dec 29, 2011
Starla
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This book was pretty interesting. Very factual, much less a "story". Depending on what you are looking for, this may be for you. I treated it as more of a collection of short (true) stories.
Jan 03, 2012
Dana
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Really expected this book to have darker and more gruesome stories, like something out of One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest. But apparently 19th century lunatic asylums were much more civilized than I thought they were. Ok for a free read.
Aug 16, 2011
Diane
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according to the author, this is a short version of a larget book coming out soon about broadmoor. this one had some interesting stories, but it did not feel complete.
Oct 12, 2011
Kel
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Nicely written and well-balanced piece. Stevens avoided "lurid" details and hearsay. Not quite as much fun, perhaps, but certainly more scholarly.
Aug 27, 2011
Nicole
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I really enjoyed this book but what I enjoyed even more were the reactions I got when I told people what I was reading :P
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Aug 20, 2011
Heather
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Interesting to see why people were put in, but too much on escape attempts that made it biring at the end.
