Brilliant Idiot: An Autobiography of a Dyslexic [Hardcover]

Abraham Schmitt (Author), Mary Lou Hartzler Clemens (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 1992

This book chronicles one man’s battle to earn respect and an education, only to discover in mid-life that his severe mental "fog" was a serious learning disability. "Abe Schmitt’s towering portrayal is rich, meaningful, and poignant."

--This text refers to the Paperback edition.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Abe Schmitt's towering portrayal is rich, meaningful, and poignant. It is a book of searing honesty in which the author portrays in unstinting detail the lifelong torments he has endured and overcome." - Milton Brutten, Ph.D., Council of Advisors, The Orton Dyslexia Society "Attests to an indomitable spirit." - Publishers Weekly "A truly remarkable book." - Bookends --This text refers to the Paperback edition.

From the Back Cover

This engaging life story chronicles one man's battle to earn both respect and an education, only to discover in mid-life that his severe mental "fog" was a serious learning disability. Dr. Abraham Schmitt was born and grew up in a nearly illiterate peasant Mennonite village in Saskatchewan. Even in this community which disparaged education, Schmitt lived with the scourge of being the village idiot. Given the opportunity, he left and followed a relentless internal urge to correct the mental contradictions he felt so painfully. The larger world was no kinder; his sense of failure grew only more keen and desperate. Until he learned about dyslexia. One man's on-going trial of living with a severe learning disability will bring greater sensitivity and hope to all who travel with Schmitt on this astonishing journey. "Abe Schmitt's towering portrayal is rich, meaningful, and poignant. It is a book of searing honesty in which the author portrays in unstinting detail the lifelong torments he has endured and overcome." - Milton Brutten, Ph.D., Council of Advisors, The Orton Dyslexia Society "Attests to an indomitable spirit." - Publishers Weekly "A truly remarkable book." - Bookends --This text refers to the Paperback edition.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 179 pages
• Publisher: Good Books; 1ST edition (May 1992)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1561480584
• ISBN-13: 978-1561480586
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6.1 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,680,269 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

25 of 26 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Know first-hand what it's like to be dyslexic, October 28, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Brilliant Idiot: An Autobiography of a Dyslexic (Paperback)

This book is excellent. I couldn't put it down. It is refreshing but sad to see how a dyslexic person struggles through even the smallest tasks. Mr schmitt tells about his dyslexic life. He is the brilliant idiot--he holds several college degrees but can't tie his shoes and can't teach school. Anyone who knows someone with a learning disability will enjoy this book. It will bring a better understanding of what a learning disabled person has to overcome--and provides proof positive that it can be done! It is a truly sad but remarkable journey that Mr. Schmitt will take you on if you read this book. You will laugh and cry and your heart will break. But such a happly ending.

13 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Everyone needs a lucky-giver!, March 15, 2000

By 

Chen,Shr-shun - See all my reviews

This review is from: Brilliant Idiot: An Autobiography of a Dyslexic (Paperback)

I could not but help reading this book over night.As a teacher in junior high school in Taiwan, I am quite accoutomed to kids have the same problems as Abraham described in this exotic book. I am absorbed by his tremendous effort to overcome his hereditary setback and use his right brain hemisphere to achive great success in a society designed by and for the left brain people. And I learned an important lesson in this book, a word in time is really a great help to people around you. Without the encouraging words, Abraham might have given himself in his early life when he felt frustrated and embarrassed. After reading this book, I am deeply concerned that I can help my students with my words just like those wonderful guys in Abraham's life who gave him kind concern and help. And those concern and help turned out to be a blessing to a poor yound man and make him be someone. Gee, that's great.Everyone needs someone else to encourage him, and everyone can be someone else's lucky-giver.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars this book changed my life, April 10, 2007

By 

K. Culligan - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Brilliant Idiot: An Autobiography of a Dyslexic (Paperback)

I always thought everybody struggled like I did until I read this book. For the first time in my 37 years of life, things made sense. His struggles, fears and victories were all things I could relate to. It was as if I was looking in a mirror. I took the 71 question quiz at the end of the book and scored high on all but two questions. I always thought dyslexia was the inablility to read because of transposing letters. Now I know it is far more than that. I have purchased a copy for each of my loved ones in hopes they will be able to understand me and my learning disorder. Best of all, I can use Abraham Schmitt as proof that I don't have to stay within the walls of my fear and limitation. I highly recommend this book to every school teacher, everyone who struggles with surmountable odds or fear of any kind, and people like me, who label themselves "a stupid genius". Not only is it an eye-opener about dyslexia, but it is an unforgetable story about an unforgetable man.