Nineteenth century women are committed to an insane asylum for reasons that have nothing to do with their sanity: When New York physician, Adam Fletcher takes the position of medical doctor at the Illinois State Hospital for the Insane in 1857, he quickly realizes the asylum is not a place of healing. His compassion for the women under his care, and his shock at the perversity of their treatment propel him into actions no one could have predicted. Inspired by true events, For Their Own Good reveals the murky, often terrifying world of nineteenth century insane asylums. Touted as havens for patients receiving innovative treatments, the hospitals confined society's powerless, whether insane or not. ...what is presented isn't your usual one-dimensional portrait of abuse, but a social commentary that uses the asylum environment to pinpoint attitudes, beliefs, and rationales behind mental illness treatments and socially acceptable behaviors: a powerful survey that brings physician and patient perspectives to life and leads Adam on a journey into strange worlds. Gripping and heart-wrenching, For Their Own Good is a pick for any who wants both a social and psychological observational piece about asylum life and women's subjugation. D. Donovan, Senior Book Reviewer, Midwest Book Review Like most excellent historical fiction, Michel's novel uses real events of the times as a backdrop for understanding the struggles that her characters present. The chilling words of the physician who forces his treatment on powerless women is juxtaposed with their often heartbreaking responses. Michel's compassionate telling of women's stories made me want to reach out and pull her characters into a world where their voices could be heard and their power restored. Maxine Harris, PhD, Author, Women of the Asylum CEO, Co-Founder of Community Connections, Washington, D.C. The heroic efforts of Adam and several extraordinary women to rectify wrong are fully documented and nicely portrayed in this exquisitely written and carefully researched work. The action builds to a crescendo of blizzards and almost insurmountable obstacles as the characters contend with forces arrayed against them. Outcomes remain in doubt until the very end: It's a fantastic story worth reading . Douglas W. Houck, PhD, Professor, author of Peace River Boundary When New York physician, Adam Fletcher takes the position of medical doctor at the Illinois State Hospital for the Insane in 1857, he quickly realizes the asylum is not a place of healing. His compassion for the women under his care, and his shock at the perversity of their treatment propel him into actions no one could have predicted. Inspired by true events, For Their Own Good reveals the murky, often terrifying world of nineteenth century insane asylums. The brilliant presentation of a fictionalized true epoch in the history of American 'therapeutic' intervention holds our attention from first page to last. As a physician, woman, and lover of great stories, I highly recommend "For Their Own Good." R.S. Lipkind, MD Like most of her characters, Bradette Michel grew up in a small town in the Midwest. As a counselor, teacher, and trainer she learned a lot about human behavior, which she now connects with her dark imagination to create plots and characters. Her debut novel, For Their Own Good, will be released by Harvard Square Editions on June 15, 2015. For Their Own Good won second in the Florida Writers Association's 2013 Royal Palm Literary Awards historical fiction category. Her short story, The Last Ride, was published in FWA's 2012 Short Story Collection #4--My Wheels. She won second place in FWA's 2012 Royal Palm Literary Awards novella category for Solitary. A published non-fiction author of Supervising Young Offenders, she has authored several online courses. Bradette and her husband Mike live in south Florida.