Inventing the Feeble Mind: A History of Mental Retardation in the United States (Medicine and Society)
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Book Overview
James W. Trent uses public documents, private letters, investigative reports, and rare photographs to explore our changing perceptions of mental retardation over the past 150 years. He contends that the economic vulnerability of mentally retarded people (and their families), more than the claims made for their intellectual or social limitations, has determined their institutional treatment.
Format:Hardcover
Language:English
ISBN:0520082435
ISBN13:9780520082434
Release Date:March 1994
Publisher:University of California Press
Length:356 Pages
Weight:1.48 lbs.
Dimensions:9.0" x 1.3" x 6.0"
Related Subjects
Americas Health, Fitness & Dieting Health, Fitness & Dieting History Medical Medical Books Modern (16th-21st Centuries) Politics & Government Politics & Social Sciences Psychology Psychology & Counseling Public Affairs & Policy Social Science Social Sciences Social Services & Welfare Social Work Sociology Special TopicsCustomer Reviews
4 ratings
COMPREHENSIVE, EXCELLENT HISTORY
Published by Thriftbooks.com User , 23 years ago
James Trent has written an excellent comprehensive history of mental retardation in the U.S. Readers will also find pertinent photographs, and a full bibiography. This volume is a resource for students, human-services professionals, and historians. I highly recommend it.
It's superb!
Published by Thriftbooks.com User , 25 years ago
I have been teaching classes on the history of residential facilities in America for several years. This book brings a new light to me, and to all of us who work for people with disabilities.
Should be required reading for everyone in the field.
Published by Thriftbooks.com User , 25 years ago
After working in this field for ten years, I finally found something that gives me a history of what has happened to those that came before me and I am making it required reading for my staff.
This was the best book on this topic I ever read.
Published by Thriftbooks.com User , 26 years ago
I spent a good deal of time in libraries looking for information that was ALL CONTAINED IN THIS BOOK. Trent does an amazing job of piecing together a social/medical history of mental retardation. No medical book, no first person type accounts, no histories of institutionalization touched this book. This book draws from all the different disciplines to present a complete picture (as good history books do). It is highly readable and engaging. It's academic and rigorous yet entertaining. I recommend this book wholeheartedly.
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