Madness: Race and Insanity in a Jim Crow Asylum
by Antonia Hylton
Read This Book
In the tradition of The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks, a page-turning 93-year history of Crownsville Hospital, one of the nation’s last segregated asylums, that New York Times bestselling author Clint Smith describes as “a book that left me breathless.” On a cold day in March of 1911, officials marched twelve Black men into the heart of a forest in Maryland. Under the supervision of a doctor, the men were forced to clear the land, pour cement, lay bricks, and harvest tobacco. When construction finished, they became the first twelve patients of the state’s Hospital for the Negro Insane. For centuries, Black patients have been absent from our history books. Madness transports readers... The author demonstrates an understanding of how readers process stories over time. Information is revealed at a pace that supports comprehension and interest. This careful pacing contributes to a smooth and enjoyable read. The book succeeds in creating a sense of progression that feels natural. Events unfold logically, building upon one another in a way that enhances understanding and engagement. Readers are guided through the story without feeling manipulated or rushed.
