Ten Days in a Madhouse by Nellie Bly: The True Story of a Journalist Who Dared to Expose the Horrors Within the Walls of Blackwell's Island Asylum “The insane asylum on Blackwell's Island is a human rat-trap. It is easy to get in, but once there it is impossible to get out.” – Nellie Bly Before becoming the legendary reporter who journeyed Around the World in 72 Days , Nellie Bly undertook her most dangerous mission: infiltrating an insane asylum. Her journey began at Bellevue Hospital, where she convinced doctors of her madness, and ended with revelations that would shake America to its core. A story more shocking than fiction, Bly’s investigation predates modern exposés like T welve Patients Life & Death at Bellevue Hospital . These ten days forever changed journalism and the American mental health system. This special illustrated edition includes the full text of Ten Days in a Madhouse , enriched with an extensive history of the Blackwell's Island Asylum and the fascinating context of Blackwell's Island Before Nellie Bly . Detailed annotations transport readers to 1887 EEUU, while critical notes reveal the lasting impact of this pioneering investigation. Nellie Bly's works revolutionized journalism because she dared to defy every convention of her time. In an era when women were confined to writing about fashion and society, she chose to delve into the darkest corners of society to give a voice to the voiceless. More than just investigative reporting , Ten Days in a Madhouse is a testament to the power of one person to change the system. It is the story of how a 23-year-old journalist, armed only with her pen and unwavering determination, became the voice of the forgotten and altered the course of journalism and mental healthcare history in America. A masterpiece of investigative journalism, as relevant today as it was over a century ago.