The Story of My Life

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"Life is either a daring adventure, or nothing" ~ Helen Keller Before she was two years old, a scarlet fever destroyed Helen Keller's sight and hearing. At seven, alone and withdrawn, she was rescued by Anne Sullivan, her teacher and friend. She learned to read (in several different languages) and speak so well that she graduated with honors in 1904 from Radcliffe, where she authored The Story of My Life. In addition to her remarkable accomplishment of overcoming such huge disabilities, her other achievements are impressive in their own right. She published 13 books and numerous articles; she devoted her life to social reform; and she campaigned in 35 countries touching the faces - and hearts - of kings, presidents and movie stars on behalf of the handicapped. Today the foundations she established continue to help the deaf and blind throughout the world. Enthusiastic and untiring, Helen Keller's life is deservedly inspirational and stands before all of us as an example of what we can accomplish, given fortitude and purpose. Most importantly, she demonstrates that the severely disabled have nothing to be ashamed of.

0 pages, MP3 CD

First published January 1,1902

This edition

Format
0 pages, MP3 CD
Published
April 15, 2005 by Tantor Audio
ISBN
9781400151295
ASIN
1400151295
Language
English
Characters More characters
  • Anne Sullivan

    Anne Sullivan

    Johanna "Anne" Mansfield Sullivan Macy (April 14, 1866–October 20, 1936), better known as Anne Sullivan, was an Irish-American teacher, best known for being the instructor and companion of Helen Keller.more...

  • Helen Keller

    Helen Keller

    Helen Adams Keller (June 27, 1880 – June 1, 1968) was an American author, political activist, and lecturer. She was the first deafblind person to earn a Bachelor of Arts degree. The story of how Kellers teacher, Anne Sullivan, broke through the isol...

About the author

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Blind and deaf since infancy, American memoirist and lecturer Helen Adams Keller learned to read, to write, and to speak from her teacher Anne Sullivan, graduated from Radcliffe in 1904, and lectured widely on behalf of sightless people; her books include Out of the Dark (1913).

Conditions bound not Keller. Scarlet fever rendered her deaf and blind at 19 months; she in several languages and as a student wrote The Story of My Life. In this age, few women then attended college, and people often relegated the disabled to the background and spoke of the disabled only in hushed tones, when she so remarkably accomplished. Nevertheless, alongside many other impressive achievements, Keller authored 13 books, wrote countless articles, and devoted her life to social reform. An active and effective suffragist, pacifist, and socialist (the latter association earned her a file of Federal Bureau of Investigation), she lectured on behalf of disabled people everywhere. She also helped to start several foundations that continue to improve the lives of the deaf and blind around the world.

As a young girl, obstinate Keller, prone to fits of violence, seethed with rage at her inability to express herself. Nevertheless, at the urging of Alexander Graham Bell, Anne Sullivan, a teacher, transformed this wild child at the age of 7 years in an event that she declares "the most important day I remember in all my life." (After a series of operations, Sullivan, once blind, partially recovered her sight.) In a memorable passage, Keller writes of the day "Teacher" led her to a stream and repeatedly spelled out the letters w-a-t-e-r on one of her hands while pouring water over the other. This method proved a revelation: "That living world awakened my soul, gave it light, hope, joy, set it free! There were barriers still, it is true, but barriers that could in time be swept away." And, indeed, most of them were.

In her lovingly crafted and deeply perceptive autobiography, Keller's joyous spirit is most vividly expressed in her connection to nature:

Indeed, everything that could hum, or buzz, or sing, or bloom, had a part in my education.... Few know what joy it is to feel the roses pressing softly into the hand, or the beautiful motion of the lilies as they sway in the morning breeze. Sometimes I caught an insect in the flower I was plucking, and I felt the faint noise of a pair of wings rubbed together in a sudden terror....

The idea of feeling rather than hearing a sound, or of admiring a flower's motion rather than its color, evokes a strong visceral sensation in the reader, giving The Story of My Life a subtle power and beauty. Keller's celebration of discovery becomes our own. In the end, this blind and deaf woman succeeds in sharpening our eyes and ears to the beauty of the world. --Shawn Carkonen


Community Reviews

Rating(4 / 5.0, 98 votes)
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98 reviews All reviews
July 14,2025
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The autobiography of Helen Keller was penned when she was still relatively young, having just completed college.

Contemplating her remarkable mind is truly fascinating, especially considering the numerous obstacles she faced from a very early age.

My utmost admiration is directed towards Miss Sullivan. Without her, Helen Keller's mind would surely have remained trapped within her disabled body.

Miss Keller vividly describes various things, and it's hard to remember that she has never seen or heard any of them. She has acquainted herself with these through her senses of touch, taste, and smell, as well as her extensive reading.

Throughout the reading, one can't help but keep thinking, "what a remarkable woman."

If the subject of this book weren't so captivating, I doubt it would hold the reader's interest as strongly as it does.

I was astonished by the number of prominent individuals who took an interest in her life and had a direct impact on it. Alexander Graham Bell, for instance, was one of the key figures who helped her find a way into the world and supported her education.

This book is well worth reading and deserves a solid 3.5 star rating.
July 14,2025
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This book describes how a person can enter the life of another, with an impact similar to light entering a soul's darkness and rescuing it from captivity, setting it free to live its life. The quote says: "Little by little, I regained the darkness and the silence that had encompassed me, and I forgot that things had been completely different in the past, and it remained so until my teacher came and freed my soul, setting it free from its captivity." This book made me think deeply. Have such teachers passed through my life? The kind to whom the poet Ahmed Shawqi's words apply: "Honor the teacher and adorn him... the teacher almost becomes a prophet." Teacher Helen "Anne Sullivan" is more than worthy of these words. Her efforts are incredible as she tries to help her student stand on her own feet and taste life.

Helen Keller narrates in this book her story of hardships with her disabilities, her overcoming of them, and the miracle in this book is that I never felt that the one who wrote it was a person who couldn't see, hear, and for a period of her life, couldn't speak either. I never felt that I was reading about a human who lacked one of the senses. And when I searched for her picture, I found that she was indeed a completely normal human, and her eyes never hinted that she couldn't see. The connection that ties her to life is "her hands." She sees with her hands and also feels. With her hands, her environment turns into sound, image, and emotions, and everything she touches is imprinted in her memory, which she named the tactile memory, as a vivid scene with all its dimensions.
It amazed me a great deal to know that she was familiar with many books and scholars, and what caught my attention the most was her friendship with "Alexander Graham Bell." And here is a picture of them together. When I finished the book and thought about evaluating it, I actually felt extremely ashamed. Who am I to evaluate the writing level of a person who can't see or hear? And for the sake of knowledge, she mastered the German, Latin, and French languages in addition to her native English, and she graduated from Radcliffe College with honors. And most importantly, I never felt that the one who wrote the book suffered from any problem. She described everything as a normal person would, tasting life. I didn't feel that she was a person lacking something. Instead, I felt that I was the disabled and insignificant one in her presence. Simply put, this book is unevaluable and doesn't need my evaluation at all.
July 14,2025
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The best thing that could happen to you in your weakest moment is to have a book fall into your hands that captivates you completely.

This book is truly beautiful. Although it seems short, Helen has sketched the broad strokes of her life in it, which was already amazing.

I loved it and it was one of the best autobiographies I have read in my life.

We are immersed in blessings, literally immersed in the word.

Perhaps your vision will expand after reading this small book. Perhaps you will find your medicine in it, perhaps you will find yourself in it and understand it, even though you have not suffered from the loss of hearing or sight or both. But you will experience the meaning that you have everything but lack the ability to appreciate it truly.

Here you will find hope, life, and beauty, and you will also find loss, ability, and the feeling of deficiency.

Helen was fortunate that she found someone to extend a helping hand to her, but in our Arab countries, you will not find the same.

Our societies do not miss any opportunity to turn the lives of those like Helen into hell, deprive them of their right to life, and squeeze the sponge of hope for them.

But there are those who extend a helping hand to them and sacrifice their lives for them.

I really enjoyed this book and I keep an audio copy of it on my phone, to be a savior for me in moments of despair and sad days.

Finished!
July 14,2025
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This is an truly amazing autobiography of a girl who triumphed over her weaknesses. Hellen Keller, a deaf blind girl, showed extraordinary determination and perseverance. She not only learned sign language and braille but also achieved something truly remarkable. She founded a college for the deaf blind in Washington DC, providing a place of education and hope for those with similar disabilities.


What made her journey even more inspiring was her amazing positive attitude. This attitude was in part imparted to her by her long-suffering and patient teacher. With this unwavering spirit, she overcame all the odds that came her way.


I wholeheartedly recommend that everyone reads this autobiography and gets inspired by Hellen Keller's story. It serves as a powerful reminder that no matter how difficult the circumstances may be, with the right attitude and determination, anything is possible. Be Blessed.


Diamond

July 14,2025
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What I was seeking in this book was not what I ultimately obtained, yet I am still glad that I perused it.

This is an autobiography penned by Helen Keller (1880 - 1968). It was published when she was merely twenty-two, as she embarked on her education at Radcliffe. Consequently, it does not encompass her entire life and is, in a sense, one-sided as she is revealing to us what SHE desires to be said. To gain a comprehensive understanding of her life, even just the initial twenty-two years of it, one must also read other books.

Clearly, Helen Keller was an astute and exceptionally talented woman. At nineteen months, she became both deaf and blind due to an illness, the nature of which is not明确, but influenza or scarlet fever are hypothesized today. On March 3, 1887, Anne Sullivan arrived to educate her, this being three months shy of her seventh birthday. Her family was affluent and spared no expense in their efforts to provide her with the finest care and education obtainable. What she achieved with the assistance she received from Anne IS remarkable, yet Helen Keller's dependence upon Anne Sullivan must also be emphasized.

The book evades the emotional hardships that Helen Keller had to overcome. Her struggles and frustrations are downplayed and scarcely mentioned. She is not forthcoming on a personal level. The book appears to be written to offer encouragement, serving as a beacon shining light on what can be accomplished rather than an honest disclosure of Helen's personal difficulties.

I yearned to view the world as she perceived it before she was given a hint of how we perceive it. She expresses herself with the words of those who can hear and see, which only ends up confounding me. She is attempting to demonstrate how capable she became, while I, on the other hand, was seeking an understanding of the existence she was striving to escape. She is presenting her success story. I was in search of her nightmare and precisely how, by what means and steps, she advanced from one world to the other.

Exactly how did Helen communicate? We are informed that Anne Sullivan "spelled into her hand". We are told that later she utilized books with "raised print". We are informed she could understand what people were saying by feeling their lips. It was through these first two methods that Helen absorbed information at Radcliffe. We are told she learned to talk, but none of this is clearly and comprehensively explained in detail. It was precisely such details that I was seeking in this book.

The prose style is outdated and on the ornate side. Through her prose, she is展示ing us her success and what her arduous work has achieved. One can understand why she elected to write in this manner. Her style emulates the renowned writers she studied and the literature that she came to cherish. I would have preferred a more heartfelt and straightforward prose.

The latter half of the book consists solely of letters written by Helen. They were written from 1887 to 1901, that is, from when Anne Sullivan first came to teach her to when she had been accepted at Radcliffe. Their content is not overly captivating. They do reveal her enhanced writing abilities. Additionally, the optimistic tone of the letters描绘s a picture of her personality and reinforces the message she wished to convey with this book.

The audiobook I listened to was narrated by Mary Woods. The narration is commendable - easy to follow, read at an appropriate pace, and without dramatization.
July 14,2025
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Amazing and admirable! This is truly a great story that leaves us in awe. It is filled with elements that are both astonishing and worthy of our highest praise. The events that unfold are like a captivating画卷, drawing us in and making us eager to know more. The characters are vividly portrayed, their actions and decisions inspiring us. We can't help but be amazed by their courage, determination, and perseverance. It is a story that shows us the power of the human spirit and the ability to overcome even the greatest of challenges. We should all take inspiration from this great story and strive to be better in our own lives.

July 14,2025
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When I first delved into the story of Helen Keller, the initial impression that came to mind was one of profound misery. Her life seemed to be a continuous struggle until the kind grace of having a teacher was bestowed upon her. This teacher opened up a whole new world for her and taught her the ways of communication.

However, this book presents a different perspective. It portrays Helen's life as a blessing, filled with moments of hardship no doubt, but also with a sense of being guided by an unwavering excitement for life and a thirst for experiencing new things. Instead of being repelled by the challenges, she was driven by them.

The book is truly fascinating as it shatters the preconceived image I had of this historical figure. It reveals the astonishing extent of Helen's genius. Despite her disabilities, she was able to learn and communicate with such remarkable proficiency. The fact that she was so intelligent and had an insatiable drive to learn is truly inspiring. I thoroughly enjoyed listening to this account on audio, as it brought Helen's story to life in a whole new way.

It made me realize that even in the face of seemingly insurmountable obstacles, one can achieve great things with determination and a positive attitude.
July 14,2025
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Helen Keller is a remarkable icon of determination and an astonishing inspiration.



Born on June 27, 1880, in Alabama, USA, Helen Keller's early life was filled with challenges. At the age of 19 months, an illness left her deaf and blind, thrusting her into a world of darkness and silence.


Despite these overwhelming obstacles, Helen's story is one of triumph. With an iron will, a supportive family, and the guidance of her extraordinary teacher, Anne Sullivan, she overcame the odds.


Anne Sullivan's arrival in Helen's life on March 3, 1887, was a turning point. Through patient and innovative teaching methods, she introduced Helen to the world of language and communication.


Helen's journey of learning was not easy. She had to overcome the difficulties of understanding abstract concepts like "love" and "beauty." However, her perseverance paid off, and she mastered reading, writing, and even speaking.


In 1896, Helen entered the Cambridge School for Young Ladies, where she continued to excel academically. She passed the entrance exams for Radcliffe College with flying colors and became the first deaf-blind person to earn a Bachelor of Arts degree.


During her college years, Helen faced numerous challenges, including the need to have lectures transcribed for her and the difficulty of accessing textbooks in braille. But she never gave up and continued to pursue her passion for knowledge.


Helen Keller's achievements extended beyond academics. She was a prolific writer, penning several books, including "The Story of My Life," which became a classic. Her works inspired millions of people around the world and gave them hope and courage to face their own challenges.


In addition to her writing, Helen was also actively involved in social and political causes. She campaigned for the rights of people with disabilities, advocated for women's suffrage, and was a strong voice for peace.


Helen Keller's life is a testament to the power of the human spirit. Her story shows that with determination, perseverance, and the support of others, anything is possible. She will always be remembered as an inspiration and a role model for generations to come.

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