Thousands of unique human stories lie within the historic records of Bethlem Hospital, an institution just outside London dedicated to the treatment - and cure - of mental illness since medieval times.

Around sixty of these stories are told in this book, accompanied by beautiful, moving photographs taken over the course of a decade near the end of the Victorian era. They speak eloquently of experiences of distress and recovery, of life within and outside hospital walls, and of contemporary attitudes and therapeutic approaches.

Their voices deserve to be heard.