Gracefully Insane: Life and Death Inside America's Premier Mental Hospital
 

Gracefully Insane: Life and Death Inside America's Premier Mental Hospital

by Alex Beam

Alex Beam's Gracefully Insane is a knowledgeable historical portrait of New England's McLean Hospital, until recently the mental institution equivalent of the Plaza Hotel. Fenceless and unguarded, McLean's grounds were landscaped by Frederick Law Olmsted. Amenities included tennis courts, a golf course, room service, and a riding stable. As one director said, "If you don't know where... (read more)

Top tags: historymemoir/biographypsychologymental healthmental hospital (all tags)

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Lisa B
  • Rated 4 stars

This book is about the history of McLean Hospital. McLean is one of the most famous and elite mental institutions in America. The book chronicles the hospital from the begining (starting with buying the land!) through today and what is being done to keep the hospital open. It is also not just about the hospital but about the evolution of psychology, psychotherapy, and the attitudes about mental illness. However, the best way to describe what this book is about is summed up at the end of...

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  • Rated 3.666667 stars
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  • Rated 4.5 stars
 

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