History and Sociology of the Willowbrook State School

The beautifully assembled story one of the most scandal ridden and barbarous institutions in America. David Goode is a brilliant sociologist and has crafted a poignant and very readable documentary that is unique in the literature.

David Goode, Darryl Hall, William Bronston and Jean Reiss collaborated on a multifaceted sociological and historical analysis of the notoriously infamous institution for intellectually disabled and physically disabled children and adults called Willowbrook. The idyllic country setting in Staten Island belied the endemic inhumane, disreputable living conditions that the community of residents lived within its walls. Willowbrook was a highly self-contained island hermetically isolated from the surrounding environment of Staten Island. Many of the residents were treated as automatons without any semblance of humanity although there were few isolated exceptions to the systemic neglect fostered by medicalized perspective the viewed disability as a laboratory experiment to be tinkered with. Goode and his co-authors share their lived-in varied experiences during the Willlowbrook era until the famed Geraldo Rivera exposes. The narrative is well written, presenting a Rashomon-like perspective on how the institution was run. It makes for grim reading but one highly necessary if one is to avoid future inhumane facilities.

Received by date stated and in decent shape. Can't wait to read as I knew someone who was actually in the Willow Brook school (recently passed away). Glad I was able to get one of these books...they aren't easy to find. Thank you.

Haven't read it yet but knowing the history of institutional closures & litigation, I have no doubt this book will be great! A book on Pennhurst (in Pennsylvania) will be out soon. Pennhurst litigation & closure is the landmark litigation in this country.

good condition

very good, received on time.