LOUIS BRAILLE

by J. Alvin Kugelmass ‧ RELEASE DATE: April 6, 1951

The touching and unusual story of the founder of the system of blind communication which bears his name. Louis Braille, blinded at three in 1812, as an awl in his father's leather shop pierced his eye, grew up in a world of darkness. At that time, when blind people were regarded as little more than monsters and either trained to be beggers or sold for the filthiest work, the school of Valentin Hauy in Paris was a welcome oasis. Even though Louis was often robbed by servants, with the rest of his blind school-mates, chased and stoned by boys in the streets, and although the ""schooling"" and reading was done first by means of a twig alphabet and three huge books of embossed letters, Louis admired Hauy and through him was able to have his first organ lessons. The events in the life of this bitter, high-strung genius -- his success as organist, friendship with the faithful Denise and of course the discovery and perfection of his system- are exuberantly reconstructed, with plenty of verbose dialogue. All in all, however, a fascinating story and an untrampled market. Excellent chance to double with Braille exhibits.

Pub Date: April 6, 1951

ISBN: N/A

Page Count: -

Publisher: Messner

Review Posted Online: N/A

Kirkus Reviews Issue: April 1, 1951

Categories: NONFICTION