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The Woman They Could Not Silence: One Woman, Her Incredible Fight for Freedom, and the Men Who Tr...

Kate Moore

Start date: April 24, 2024

Finish date: May 13, 2024

Why we're reading this: The Woman They Could Not Silence is Franklin Afternoon Book Discussion's May selection! This book club wi…more
[close] The Woman They Could Not Silence is Franklin Afternoon Book Discussion's May selection! This book club will be held in person at Franklin Avenue Library on Monday, 5/13 at 1:00 PM. Visit our website or call 515-283-4152 for more details.

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What Members Thought

Jan 22, 2022 Abigail Westbrook rated it really liked it

Shelves: 2022-books-read

A very interesting book about a woman I’d never even heard of before. Elizabeth Packard showed great courage and hope in the face of some incredibly hard situations, and as a result was able to make a huge difference in the laws and treatment of women across the country. I felt like the author over-dramatized frequently, included some awkward similes and suspicious grammar choices - and the book could have been significantly condensed for easier reading. But it is still an eye-opening look at th ...more

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May 13, 2024 Becky rated it really liked it

Shelves: history, library, social-justice

An incredible piece of research to document an incredible life. Elizabeth packard, in the 1860's was put in the Illinois State Asylum for the Insane by her preacher husband, not because she was insane, but because he did not like her thinking or voicing her opinions, which happened to be different than her husbands, And this was legal. and she remained there until she was in her fifties, her six children that she had lovingly raised for 20 years kept from her.

Yet she never gave up She knew she h ...more

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Aug 02, 2023 Monique Van Der Heijden rated it really liked it · review of another edition

A very intriguing story. So sad that these gruesome things really happened. What a strong and forgiving woman. The book is well written and the author makes use of many documents she found. Sometimes the author makes a point the reader could deduct without mentioning it. Otherwise very interesting.

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Sep 07, 2021 Jen rated it really liked it

Shelves: adult

I was unfamiliar with Elizabeth Packard's story, so I couldn't stop listening to this audiobook, because I needed to find out what happened to her. Her story broke my heart and made me want to stand up and cheer at the same time. ...more

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Jun 02, 2024 Rosemary rated it it was amazing

I had never heard of Elizabeth Packard, yet she was so important in the women's rights movement. As I was reading, I had to remind myself that this was nonfiction because the total lack of rights (or respect) for women was almost unbelievable.

The author uses direct quotes from Elizabeth's journal/diary and includes quotes from documents of the various trials. This not only supported the information in the book but also let me understand Elizabeth's despair (at times) and strength.

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