{"product_id":"madness-in-civilization-a-cultural-history-of-insanity-canada-0691173443","title":"Madness in Civilization: A Cultural History of Insanity, from the Bible to Freud, from the Madhouse to Modern Medicine","description":"\u003ch2\u003eAbout the Book\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eAndrew Scull's \u003cem\u003eMadness in Civilization\u003c\/em\u003e offers a sweeping cultural history of insanity, tracing how understandings of mental illness have evolved from ancient times through to the modern era. The book examines the intersection of medicine, society, and culture, exploring how different epochs have defined, treated, and often stigmatised those deemed insane. Drawing on a wide range of sources—including art, literature, and institutional records—Scull provides a nuanced account that is both scholarly and accessible.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eWho Should Read This Book\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eThis book is an invaluable resource for students of psychology, psychiatry, and history, as well as for mental health professionals seeking a deeper understanding of the roots of their field. General readers with an interest in the social history of medicine will also find it engaging. The narrative is richly detailed yet clear, making complex ideas understandable without requiring specialised knowledge.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eKey Themes\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eScull delves into the moral and political uses of asylums, the rise of moral treatment and psychoanalysis, and the controversial histories of treatments such as lobotomy and electroconvulsive therapy. He also examines how madness has been used to marginalise certain groups, including women, minorities, and the poor. The book highlights the shifting boundaries between sanity and insanity, and the ways in which cultural attitudes have shaped medical practice.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eWhy This Book Matters\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eBy placing psychiatry within its broader cultural context, \u003cem\u003eMadness in Civilization\u003c\/em\u003e helps readers understand the complex interplay between scientific progress and social forces. It covers the deinstitutionalisation movement and the rise of biological psychiatry, offering a thorough grounding for comprehending contemporary mental health discourse. Scull's work is a critical synthesis that challenges readers to reflect on how society has grappled with—and often failed—those with mental illness.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eWith its comprehensive scope and engaging prose, this book is a vital addition to the library of anyone interested in the history of medicine, psychology, or human civilisation itself.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Andrew Scull","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48338101305582,"sku":null,"price":62.48,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0816\/1158\/7822\/files\/9180wm96SrL._SL1500.jpg?v=1784299997","url":"https:\/\/vitamin4ca.com\/products\/madness-in-civilization-a-cultural-history-of-insanity-canada-0691173443","provider":"vitamin4ca","version":"1.0","type":"link"}