
Written from within the walls of an Indiana asylum, this candid memoir follows a man who has spent fifteen years battling inner demons and external hardships. He recounts a childhood shrouded in sorrow, the grip of alcoholism, and the relentless descent into mental turmoil. The narrative is unadorned, offering fragmented memories that paint a stark portrait of poverty, shame, and relentless despair. Yet the author's voice remains honest, pleading for understanding and warning to those who might follow a similar path.
Through a series of vivid scenes, the reader glimpses the daily realities of confinement—iron‑grated windows, solitary rooms, and the oppressive silence that feels like death. The writer does not promise resolution; instead, he shares the raw experience of living on the edge of sanity, hoping his testimony might spark compassion or aid. As the story unfolds, the tone stays sober, inviting listeners to bear witness to a life marked by relentless anguish and fleeting moments of reflection.
Language
en
Duration
~4 hours (266K characters)
Publisher of text edition
Project Gutenberg
Credits
Produced by Ted Garvin, Christopher Lund and PG Distributed Proofreaders
Release date
2004-08-30
Rights
Public domain in the USA.
A blunt, deeply personal voice from the 19th-century temperance movement, he turned years of addiction into a warning for others. His best-known book, Fifteen Years in Hell, mixes autobiography, moral appeal, and vivid scenes from life in and around saloons.
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