It is fortunate for us that Elizabeth Packard was such a prolific writer and was able to write down her story. Much of this book comes from Elizabeth's own words, retelling her experiences at the asylum and her attempts at being heard and believed by the men who were so much in charge of her life. 

Kate Moore, once again, does an amazing job at researching her subjects. The reader can genuinely get a sense of what being a woman meant in the late 1860's. Her only purpose was to marry, have children and be her husband's property. She was absolutely not to speak her own mind, especially if her views differed from her husband. Moore also gives us a bit of the history of what other events were transpiring at the time. Lincoln had just been elected President and the Civil War was in full swing. While the abolition of slavery was occurring under the 13th Amendment, Elizabeth Packard was fighting for women's rights.

The book is written in a narrative style using Elizabeth's own words. It's informative and reads at a medium, sometimes slow, pace. Moore's other book, "The Radium Girls" is also very well written.