Una storia da manicomio

Una storia da manicomio, published by Bruno Mondadori in 2008, represents a significant contribution to the Italian historiography of mental health and social exclusion. Authored by historian Paolo Sorcinelli, the book emerged from a period of renewed academic interest in the legacy of the institutionalization of the mentally ill in Italy, particularly following the transformative legislative changes initiated by the Basaglia Law in 1978. Sorcinelli, known for his work in social history and the history of everyday life, sought to move beyond clinical records to capture the lived experiences of those residing within these institutions.

The design and narrative structure of the work reflect an intent to ground archival research in human perspective. By examining the daily realities of life within the asylum walls, Sorcinelli provides a nuanced account of how society categorized and sequestered perceived deviance. The book was well-received within academic and historical circles as a thoughtful synthesis that balances formal social inquiry with the gravity of its subject matter, serving as both a scholarly reference and a reflection on the evolution of psychiatric care and social policy in Italy.