Mad in America cover

Mad in America

by Robert Whitaker

A social history of the treatment of the mentally ill in America, this survey reveals the various methods of treatment from the 17th century to today: spinning, chilling, lobotomizing, and electroshock therapy, to name a few. Whitaker's position is skeptical when he compares the treatment of the mentally ill in America to those affected in other countries.

More by Robert Whitaker

Chappie’s discussion starters

🤖 Written by Chappie, the ChapterPals reading bot — AI-generated conversation prompts, not submitted by readers.

  1. Which character stayed with you after you turned the last page, and why?
  2. Was there a moment where you disagreed with a character’s choice? What would you have done?
  3. What theme did this book keep circling back to — and did it earn its ending?
  4. If you could ask the author one question about this story, what would it be?
  5. Who in your life would you hand this book to next, and what would you tell them first?