Review of Public Hostage Public Ransom

markodim721 · Post by **markodim721** » 02 Jan 2022, 12:45

[Following is an official OnlineBookClub.org review of "Public Hostage Public Ransom" by William Bronston MD.]

3 out of 4 stars

Share This Review

Public Hostage, Public Ransom: Ending Institutional America by William Bronston, M.D. is much more than a book that most readers are used to. It is about the testimony, struggle, and legacy of the author for human rights and better treatment of mentally ill people. As an enthusiastic young physician, the author found himself at Willowbrook State School in the first half of the 1970s. It was one of many facilities in New York State for people who were marked as mentally retarded. During the three years he spent at the forefront of the fight for better treatment of his patients, the author struggled with a shortage of medical and other staff, a lack of medical equipment and necessities, inadequate working and accommodation conditions, and above all resistance from the Willowbrook State School administration.

The result of the negligent attitude of the medical institution and the system towards the patients was a general deterioration of the health condition of the patients. They stalled as a result of insufficient therapy and the incorrect approach. In some cases, the extreme negligence of medical and other staff could result in the loss of life. Staff who were able to speak up and oppose such a well-established system could expect to face a slew of pressures and risk being fired.

What I liked most about the book is the author's unmasking of a system that makes mentally retarded citizens never-to-be-released public hostages. Patients are held for ransom because funding institutions such as Willowbrook State School require tremendous amounts of money from the budget. The book also includes authentic photographs of Willowbrook State School itself from that period. The book also contains several documents that can testify to the treatment of patients and the resistance that the administration of this institution often provided to even the smallest attempts to reform the established system. It is commendable that the author, in addition to stating the amount of money from the 1970s, also published how much it is in today's value of money, which makes the comparison easy.

What I conditionally dislike about the book is the fact that the author was often emotional in the narration. In addition, the other side of the story was usually not taken into account. Given the author's stress and the circumstances of his job, this is understandable. Most of the photographs published in the book do not contain a description, and one can only assume the period and location that these excerpts from time portray.

Deciding how to rate Public Hostage, Public Ransom: Ending Institutional America was not an easy one. My final decision is to rate the book with three out of four stars. The book is a valuable testimony to the struggle of a small number of conscientious and dedicated medical professionals, parents, and citizens for better treatment of mentally ill patients. I believe that the book would be better if it included the views of the opposing side as well.

I recommend the book to readers interested in the history of medical institutions in the United States and New York State, as well as fans of testimonies about the fight for human rights. Due to the seriousness of the topic and the often disturbing facts and photographs, I do not recommend the book to younger categories of readers as well as to readers who find content concerning the lives of mentally ill people disturbing.

******
Public Hostage Public Ransom
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon

Aisha Yakub · Post by **Aisha Yakub** » 17 Jan 2022, 05:53

When books reveal certain I'll, I find it very helpful. It's just. Thank you for the review.

19 Jan 2022, 02:26

Mentally challenged individuals are human beings and like the rest of us, they deserve to be treated with respect and dignity. Their human rights must never be violated. Thanks for the review!

Hana_Fabro · Post by **Hana_Fabro** » 19 Jan 2022, 19:29

As I read the title I thought the genre of the book is crime-thriller not knowing that it was a non-fiction story of the author. Thanks for your wonderful review.

Hyacinth Bella · Post by **Hyacinth Bella** » 20 Jan 2022, 09:17

The author and I are on the same page, I think mentally ill people's rights should not be violated, and they should be given the proper therapy. Thank you for the review!

markodim721 · Post by **markodim721** » 24 Jan 2022, 16:37

Raymond N wrote: ↑17 Jan 2022, 05:53 When books reveal certain I'll, I find it very helpful. It's just. Thank you for the review.

I'm glad you find the book useful. Thanks for the comment, I appreciate it.

markodim721 · Post by **markodim721** » 24 Jan 2022, 16:38

Nqobile771 wrote: ↑19 Jan 2022, 02:26 Mentally challenged individuals are human beings and like the rest of us, they deserve to be treated with respect and dignity. Their human rights must never be violated. Thanks for the review!

I totally agree with you. Unfortunately in practice this is often not the case but it is up to us to change that. The author has made an extraordinary step in that direction. Thanks for the comment.

markodim721 · Post by **markodim721** » 24 Jan 2022, 16:39

Hana_Fabro wrote: ↑19 Jan 2022, 19:29 As I read the title I thought the genre of the book is crime-thriller not knowing that it was a non-fiction story of the author. Thanks for your wonderful review.

I'm glad you liked my review. I did my best to present all the best in the book. Thanks for stopping by.

markodim721 · Post by **markodim721** » 24 Jan 2022, 16:40

Hyacinth Bella wrote: ↑20 Jan 2022, 09:17 The author and I are on the same page, I think mentally ill people's rights should not be violated, and they should be given the proper therapy. Thank you for the review!

I totally agree with you. Unfortunately, the reality is often much different. Thanks for the feedback, I appreciate it.