The Story of My LifeWhen she was 19 months old, Helen Keller (1880-1968) suffered a severe illness that left her blind and deaf. Not long after, she also became mute. Her tenacious struggle to overcome these handicaps-with the help of her inspired teacher, Anne Sullivan-is one of the great stories of human courage and dedication. In this classic autobiography, first published in 1903, Miss Keller recounts the first 22 years of her life, including the magical moment at the water pump when, recognizing the connection between the word "water" and the cold liquid flowing over her hand, she realized that objects had names. Subsequent experiences were equally noteworthy: her joy at eventually learning to speak, her friendships with Oliver Wendell Holmes, Edward Everett Hale and other notables, her education at Radcliffe (from which she graduated cum laude), and-underlying all-her extraordinary relationship with Miss Sullivan, who showed a remarkable genius for communicating with her eager and quick-to-learn pupil. These and many other aspects of Helen Keller's life are presented here in clear, straightforward prose full of wonderful descriptions and imagery that would do credit to a sighted writer. Completely devoid of self-pity, yet full of love and compassion for others, this deeply moving memoir offers an unforgettable portrait of one of the outstanding women of the twentieth century. |
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ADAMS KELLER Alexander Graham Bell Anagnos asked baby beautiful began Bell blind girls braille bright deaf child dear little delighted doll eager EDWARD EVERETT HALE English enjoy everything eyes father feel felt fingers flowers Frost Fairies Frost King give glad hand happy hear heart Helen Keller idea interest kind King Frost kiss knew language laugh Laura Bridgman LAURENCE HUTTON learned lessons letter little blind little friend little girl Little Lord Fauntleroy little sister live look manual alphabet means MICHAEL ANAGNOS Mildred mind Miss Keller Miss Sullivan morning mother never Perkins Institution play pleasant pleasure pretty pupil Radcliffe remember seemed sentences SOUTH BOSTON speak speech spelled story sweet talk taught teach teacher tell things thought told touch trees Tuscumbia understand wonderful words Wrentham write written wrote