Seeing the Insane

by Sander L. Gilman, Eric T. Carlson (Introduction)

Seeing the Insane is a richly detailed cultural history of madness and art in the Western world, showing how the portrayal of stereotypes has both reflected and shaped the perception and treatment of the mentally disturbed.

Genres: Philosophy, Disability, Nonfiction, History

252 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1982

About the author

Sander L. Gilman is an American cultural and literary historian. He is known for his contributions to Jewish studies and the history of medicine. He is the author or editor of over ninety books. Gilman's focus is on medicine and the echoes of its rhetoric in social and political discourse.

Reviews

[Peggy N · Rating 5 out of 5]

Intensely readable and in-depth look at how we see and categorize insanity - and therefore also sanity - by looking at its portrayal in art and photography. Perhaps the most shocking is the section of "mug shots" from late 19thc insane asylums - to modern eyes, most of them just look poor. And, crucially, female. A must-read by a brilliant and wide-ranging scholar, I recommend this, and anything else you can get your hands on, by him.

[Jenn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great coffee table type book about mental illness, it's history, art done people gone mad, etc. I love to flip through it now and then and look at the drawings of crazy people that were actually used to diagnose people long ago with strange illnesses like "fanatical religious melancholy" and whatnot.

[Qwo-Li · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ummm....read this book. Thank you. That is all.