Bedlam: London's Hospital for the Mad

We all know the word 'bedlam' as a term of madness and confusion, but few of us really know the story of how this term was coined, or how the real history of Bethlem Hospital in London came to epitomise the brutality long associated with lunatic asylums all over the country. Dr Paul Chambers, a published historian, has done some detailed research to bring the whole story of Bethlem Hospital to a new audience, and he provides a coherent overview of the entire 800 year history of this famous hospital, from its well-intended beginnings to its final disgrace and reform. Paul Chambers shows how much more there is to the story of Bedlam. Sensitively written and meticulously researched, this book is a compelling exploration of an institution that continues to fascinate today, not least because of William Hogarth's immortalisation of the hospital in art. In the course of his research, Chambers uncovers new material relating to the hospital's history, ensuring that this story of Bedlam is like no other. Refusing to limit his scope by falling back on stereotypes, Chambers balances the gore, depravity and madness against a touching, compelling, and sometimes comic story, which raises crucial questions about our own attitudes towards mental health.