Helen Keller was a remarkable woman who overcame incredible obstacles to become an inspiration to millions. Her lifelong struggle with blindness and deafness did not prevent her from making an impact on the world through her writing, advocacy, and activism. If you are looking to learn more about this awe-inspiring woman, here is a list of books by and about her that you should consider reading.
Before diving into Keller’s published works, let’s take a look at her life and legacy. Born in 1880 in Tuscumbia, Alabama, Keller lost both her sight and hearing at a young age due to an illness. Despite this, she learned to communicate through the help of her devoted teacher, Anne Sullivan, and went on to pursue higher education at Radcliffe College.
Keller’s achievements go far beyond her academic accomplishments. She was a vocal advocate for women’s suffrage, pacifism, and workers’ rights. Her tireless efforts made her a respected and beloved figure among progressives in the early 20th century.
Early Life and Education
As a young child, Keller was unable to communicate with the world around her. She was trapped in darkness and silence until Anne Sullivan arrived to teach her the fundamentals of language. Sullivan used a system of tactile sign language to help Keller understand the meaning of words, which allowed her to learn to read and write.
Despite her blindness and deafness, Keller was a bright student who excelled in her studies. She attended Radcliffe College in Cambridge, Massachusetts, and became the first deaf-blind person to earn a Bachelor of Arts degree.
Throughout her life, Keller faced many challenges. She had to learn to navigate the world without sight or sound, and she often faced discrimination from those who did not understand her disabilities. However, she refused to let these challenges hold her back. She was determined to succeed, and she did.
Overcoming Challenges and Achievements
Keller’s life was full of challenges, but she refused to let them define her. Through hard work and determination, she accomplished more than most able-bodied individuals could ever dream of achieving. Among her many accomplishments, Keller was a prolific writer and public speaker who traveled across the United States and Europe to speak about disability rights.
Her writing includes essays, letters, speeches, and books, many of which are still read and studied today. Keller’s accomplishments were not without their difficulties, but her unwavering perseverance makes her an inspiring figure to this day.
In addition to her academic achievements, Keller was also a skilled athlete. She loved to swim and play tennis, and she even learned to ride horses. Her athletic abilities were especially impressive considering her disabilities, and she often used her love of sports to inspire others to overcome their own challenges.
Advocacy and Impact on Society
Keller was a leading voice in the disability rights movement, and her advocacy led to significant progress in the United States. She helped to establish the American Foundation for the Blind, which works to improve the quality of life for people with visual impairments, and the Helen Keller International organization, which fights against blindness and malnutrition worldwide.
In addition to her work on disability rights, Keller was a dedicated pacifist who opposed America’s involvement in World War I. She helped to found the Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom and spoke out against the use of nuclear weapons during the Cold War.
Keller’s impact on society cannot be overstated. Her tireless advocacy for disability rights and her commitment to peace and justice have inspired countless individuals to make a difference in their own communities. Her legacy lives on today, and her story continues to inspire people around the world to overcome their own challenges and work towards a better future.
Top Helen Keller Autobiographies
If you are looking to dive deeper into Keller’s life story, here are some of her best autobiographical works to consider reading.
The Story of My Life
The Story of My Life is Keller‘s first and most well-known autobiography. In this book, she recounts her early years, her struggles with communication, and the breakthrough that came when she met Anne Sullivan. Born in Tuscumbia, Alabama, in 1880, Keller was struck by an illness at the age of 19 months that left her blind and deaf. Despite these challenges, she went on to become an influential writer, speaker, and activist. The book has been adapted into several films and is a must-read for anyone interested in Keller’s life story.
Keller’s description of her first meeting with Sullivan is particularly moving. She writes, “I felt approaching footsteps… 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.” Sullivan went on to become Keller’s lifelong teacher and companion, and the two women traveled extensively together, advocating for the rights of people with disabilities.
Midstream: My Later Life
If you are interested in learning about Keller’s life after her early years, Midstream: My Later Life is a great place to start. This book covers Keller’s later years, including her travels and activism. Keller was a passionate advocate for social justice, and she used her platform to speak out on issues such as women’s suffrage, pacifism, and workers’ rights.
Keller was also an avid traveler, and her descriptions of her journeys are vivid and engaging. She writes about visiting Japan, where she was struck by the beauty of the cherry blossoms, and Egypt, where she marveled at the ancient pyramids. Her travels gave her a broader perspective on the world and deepened her commitment to making it a better place.
Let Us Have Faith
Let Us Have Faith is a spiritual autobiography in which Keller reflects on the role of faith in her life. She writes about the doubts and questions she had about religion and how she ultimately came to find comfort and guidance in her faith. Keller was a Christian and believed that her faith gave her strength and purpose.
Throughout her life, Keller faced many challenges, but she never lost hope. She once wrote, “Although the world is full of suffering, it is full also of the overcoming of it.” Her inspiring story continues to resonate with readers today, and her legacy as a champion for equality and justice lives on.
Inspirational Helen Keller Biographies
There have been many biographies written about Helen Keller over the years. Here are a few of the most popular and inspiring.
Helen Keller: A Life by Dorothy Herrmann
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This comprehensive biography covers Keller’s life and legacy in great detail. The book offers a well-rounded portrait of Keller that includes her struggles, her accomplishments, and her relationships with the important people in her life. Born in 1880 in Tuscumbia, Alabama, Helen Keller: A Life was struck by an illness when she was just 19 months old that left her deaf and blind. Despite these challenges, Keller went on to become an accomplished author and activist, traveling the world to speak out for the rights of people with disabilities. She was also a fierce advocate for women’s suffrage and pacifism.
Keller’s relationship with her teacher, Anne Sullivan, was a key factor in her success. Sullivan worked tirelessly to teach Keller to communicate using sign language and other methods, and the two remained close friends for the rest of their lives. In addition to her activism, Keller was also a prolific writer, publishing several books and essays throughout her lifetime. She died in 1968 at the age of 87, but her legacy lives on as an inspiration to people around the world.
The Miracle Worker by William Gibson
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This play tells the story of Keller’s early life and education, focusing on the relationship between Keller and her teacher, Anne Sullivan. The play has been adapted into several films and is a great way to learn about Keller’s early years in a dramatic and entertaining way. The story begins with Sullivan’s arrival at the Keller household when Keller was just six years old. Sullivan was tasked with teaching Keller to communicate, a task that seemed impossible given Keller’s deafness and blindness. However, through perseverance and patience, Sullivan was able to break through to Keller and teach her the skills she needed to succeed.
The play has been praised for its powerful portrayal of the relationship between Keller and Sullivan, as well as its exploration of themes like determination, perseverance, and the power of education. The Miracle Worker remains a beloved classic of American theater and a testament to the enduring legacy of Helen Keller.
Helen Keller: The World in Her Heart by Lesa Cline-Ransome
This illustrated biography is geared towards young readers, but it is a great introduction to Keller’s life and achievements for readers of all ages. The book uses colorful illustrations and easy-to-understand language to tell Keller’s story in a way that is accessible and engaging. Readers will learn about Keller’s early years, her struggles with communication, and her eventual triumphs as an author and activist.
The book also highlights some of Keller’s most important accomplishments, such as her work with the American Foundation for the Blind and her advocacy for the rights of people with disabilities. Through her inspiring story, readers will learn about the power of determination and the importance of fighting for what you believe in.
In addition to her autobiographical writings, Keller also wrote extensively on social issues, particularly those related to disability rights. Here are some of her most important works in this area.
Out of the Dark: Essays, Letters, and Addresses on Physical and Social Vision
Out of the Dark is a collection of Keller’s speeches and essays on a variety of topics, including disability rights, women’s suffrage, and pacifism. The book offers a glimpse into Keller’s thoughts and opinions on the issues that mattered most to her.
The World I Live In
The World I Live In is a collection of Keller’s essays on nature, beauty, and the sensory experiences that she was able to appreciate through her remaining senses. The book offers a unique perspective on the world and highlights Keller’s resilience and dedication to seeking out joy in life.
Optimism: An Essay
Optimism: An Essay is a short piece in which Keller argues that optimism is a crucial element in achieving success and happiness. The essay is a testament to Keller’s unwavering positivity and her belief in the power of the human spirit to triumph over adversity.
Conclusion
Whether you are looking to learn more about Helen Keller‘s life and legacy, or simply looking for a great book to read, there is something on this list for you. Keller’s writings offer insight into the struggles and triumphs of the human experience, and her advocacy work has had a lasting impact on society. So pick up one of these books and discover the incredible story of Helen Keller for yourself.
FAQs
What has Helen Keller written?
Helen Keller has written many influential books such as The Story of My Life, The World I Live In, and My Religion. She also contributed significantly to the advancement of socialism, having written numerous essays on the topic.
Why is Helen Keller so famous?
Helen Keller is predominantly well-known as the first deafblind American to earn a Bachelor of Arts degree. She attended Harvard University and worked with charities traveling the world to spread her story and inspire other deafblind people.
Why was Helen Keller deafblind?
She suffered from an illness when she was only 19 months old which resulted in her losing both her sight and her hearing.
Eddison Monroe, born 1990 in Portland, Oregon, is an accomplished and celebrated female writer and independent author. The youngest of three siblings, Eddison's passion for storytelling began during her childhood as she entertained her family with vivid tales and fantastical characters. Her nurturing environment and the encouragement of her parents, both educators, played a crucial role in shaping her literary aspirations.
Eddison's writing often explores themes of self-discovery, relationships, and the complexities of human emotions. Her works are characterized by their lyrical prose, intricate world-building, and strong, multidimensional female characters.
A strong advocate for independent publishing, Eddison frequently conducts workshops and seminars to guide budding writers in navigating the world of self-publishing. She also serves as a mentor for aspiring authors, providing them with the knowledge and tools to pursue their dreams.
