Helen Keller: From tragedy to triumph (Childhood of famous Americans)

I think all different kinds of people would like this book because people whoever likes biographies would like this book too.


A GOOD INTERMEDIATE BIOGRAPHY   November 27, 2000
 6 out of 6 found this review helpful

This book covers Helen Keller's life from her precocious babyhood wherein she greeted people with "how d'ye" and "tea, tea, tea" to her impressive adulthood as a crusader for persons who are blind.

Helen became blind and deaf after an extended, unidentified illness she suffered at 1 1/2. Unable to see, hear or speak, Helen communicated by a series of rudimentary signs and showed great precocity in learning to fold clothing and recognizing her own. She was also unruly and given to fits of temper, which was understandable considering her lack of access to ready communication.

When Helen was 3 months off 7, her now famous teacher, Annie Sullivan was hired to work with her. The redoubtable Ms. Sullivan taught Helen the manual alphabet and from her stellar progress at identifying familiar objects, taught her Braille as well. Helen's progress is nothing short of spectacular and she makes an impressive academic showing at the Perkins Institute for the Blind in Boston.

I liked the fact that this book did not dwell on that now tired scene at the water pump when Helen learns after having "water" spelled onto her fingers that "all things have a name." Instead of gasping and losing speed after the now overworked water pump scene, this biography picks up speed and the reader is treated to following Helen's academic progress at Perkins and later as a Radcliffe alumna.

This book glosses over Helen's radical socialism during her adulthood and also glosses over the challenges she and Annie faced as they matured together. It's a nice biography, but you do end up wanting more.


Good kid and Well-behaved   May 1, 1999
 2 out of 8 found this review helpful

You'll feel interesting the first capter and want to read the next chapters. Introduction the book, it attractives read over and over until you can memory the book feeling boring and can think about yourself and ask yourself. Good kid, well-behaved and many people love her Helen Keller,"From Tragedy to Triumph" by Katharine E. Wilkie.Helen Keller was good kid and tried to speak and spelling when she was child. She also good student in high school and college. Her parents love her. When she met any one they love her. Growing uo, she was good lady, she visited and encouraged people who blind, deaf, handicapper.... She was great person and famous. From the book, I remind myself when I was child and the book also helping children try to become good kid and well-behaved . I think the audience who from 10-14 age, can read this book. The book purpose helps children in America to become good kid and learn many things form people who is great person.If you want to know more information or more knowledge Helen Keller what did she do?, you should read this book;aspecilly children.