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Helen Keller's autobiography, The Story of My Life, tells of her early life and of her experiences with Annie Sullivan, her teacher and companion. It was first published in 1903. Keller was the first deaf-blind person to attain a Bachelor of Arts degree, became well traveled and a prolific author, and was outspoken in her campaigning against war and for many other progressive causes. This story shows how Annie Sullivan helped Keller break through her isolation and absence of language to blossom and learn to live in the world of people.
This is Helen Keller’s autobiography (for about the first half). Then, it includes some of the letters Helen wrote to various people. Helen, of course, was both blind and deaf in the late 19th century as a child when she and a teacher had a breakthrough as her teacher, Annie Sullivan, was trying to teach her to communicate. Helen grew up to become very educated and published more than one book.
I listened to the audio, and it was ok, but I did lose focus more than I would have liked. It turns out Helen loved books and reading, which was interesting. It was kind of repetitive between the biography portion, then much of what was in the letters had already also been mentioned in the autobiography. Helen Keller was a pretty impressive woman. ( )
If I had read Helen Keller's The Story of My Life without this version's supplementary accounts by her teacher Anne Sullivan, her editor John Macy, and the introduction and afterward by Roger Shattuck, I'd have been very skeptical of it because the eloquence of the writing. How could she have had such a strong connection to the world of language, as isolated as (I thought) she was? The additional material about her life experiences, her education, the unique methods used by her teachers, and her own lifelong devotion to reading and letter writing erased any trace of skepticism I had. ( )
One of the most beautiful books I have ever read.It is so wonderful..thanks to school..we got the unabridged version for reading this year. Helen Keller is one of the most awesome people ever..She is determined,intelligent and funny.I got even more fond after I realized that we have a common love for books and that we both dislike examinations and textbooks with passion.She is not afraid to say what's in her heart.She has written about both her good and bad times.Again,I was able to understand her more after she told about her inability in solving math problems.She is a nature loving outdoorsy person that we love and is very extrovert.She is nice to everyone she meets which makes us love her even more.What makes her so amazing is that she is ever ready to acknowledge the people who have helped her and is grateful and down to earth.Love you,Helen Keller..you just went into my list of role-models!
Who has taught the deaf to speak and enabled the listening ear to hear speech from the Atlantic to the Rockies, I DEDICATE This Story of My Life.
First words
It is with a kind of fear that I begin to write the history of my life.
Quotations
The thought that my dear Heavenly Father is always near, giving me abundantly of all those things, which truly enrich life and make it sweet and beautiful, makes every deprivation seem of little moment compared with the countless blessings I enjoy.
Suddenly I felt a misty consciousness as of something forgotten - a thrill of returning thought; and somehow the mystery of language was revealed to me. I knew then that "w-a-t-e-r" meant the wonderful cool something that was flowing over my hand. That living word awakened my soul, gave it light, hope, joy, set it free!
Last words
I used to think that when I studied Civil Government and Economics, all my difficulties and perplexities would blossom into beautiful certainties; but alas, I find that there are more tares than wheat in these fertile fields of knowledge. . . .
Helen Keller's autobiography, The Story of My Life, tells of her early life and of her experiences with Annie Sullivan, her teacher and companion. It was first published in 1903. Keller was the first deaf-blind person to attain a Bachelor of Arts degree, became well traveled and a prolific author, and was outspoken in her campaigning against war and for many other progressive causes. This story shows how Annie Sullivan helped Keller break through her isolation and absence of language to blossom and learn to live in the world of people.
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Book description
This is Helen Keller's account of her triumph over deafness and blindness. This story has become a symbol of hope for people all over the world. This book - published when Helen Keller was 22 - portrays the wild child who is locked in the dark and silent prison of her own body.
With an extraordinary sense of immediacy, Keller reveals her frustrations and rage, and takes the reader on the unforgettable journey of her education and breakthroughs into the world of communication. We see Keller as she finally realizes that her teacher's finger-spelled letters mean "water." Suddenly, "that living word awakened my soul. gave it light, hope, joy, set it free!" An unparalleled chronicle of courage, The Story of My Life
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I listened to the audio, and it was ok, but I did lose focus more than I would have liked. It turns out Helen loved books and reading, which was interesting. It was kind of repetitive between the biography portion, then much of what was in the letters had already also been mentioned in the autobiography. Helen Keller was a pretty impressive woman. (