Customer Reviews

Brilliant Idiot: An Autobiography of a Dyslexic

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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.

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.

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.

my sister picked up this book because the doctor had the same last name as my mom only to discover that this guy was grandpa's brother. really helps me to understand some of my dyslexic relatives !!

Dyslexia was not the only barrier Abraham Schmitt faced. Dr. Schmitt also had to adapt to the modern world of the mid 40's after having lived his whole life in a German-dialect Mennonite community that had not evolved in 200 years. His willingness to take large risk, leave behind his community, language and culture while doggedly working towards a college education is beyond admirable. His chronic fears and anxieties over being perceived as an idiotic 'peasant' are wrenching; as are the accounts of the cruel treatment he frequently received. There were thoughtless people, and beautifully caring people who are marvelously drawn in this book. His biography shows the miracles that will, faith, and determination to find your 'place' in the world, can acheive. It needs to be required reading for the chronically discouraged.

Everyone has heard of some variation of dyslexia. I've heard it as a teacher, never knowing quite what it was or how the school district was defining it. Opinion of it seems to range from veneration of a severe learning disability to a "they're faking it" attitude. And then again no one can agree on just what it is or just what causes it.

I think that's the situation that makes this book so fascinating. Dr. Abraham Schmitt experienced, though out his life, many of the classic symptons and signs of dyslexia without ever quite knowing what was wrong with him Was he just lazy? Was he stupid? Was he suffering from various learning disorders? Was his brain wired differently?

Schmitt tells the story from the beginning, describing his spartan Old Colony Mennonite upbringing when he first suspected he was off. He had trouble sitting still, learning to read, writing, etc. And this continued all through his life.

The first few chapters are a bit dull. I'm not much of a biography fan, and aside from the dyslexia stuff it was all pretty dull. But when the tale wove into his college years and beyond with sincere examination of his condition, well, that's when the magic of this book really hit.

Scmitt's book is a winner of two parts: an honest look into the mind of someone with a learning disability and an inspirational story of triumph against all odds (please note the title of "Dr." Schmitt carries). He found ways to learn and get by on his life even to getting several degrees including a doctorates. He developed a variation of photographic memory. His wife typed his papers. He had assistant in organizing his thesis.

I think anyone involved in the education system should read this. Heck, everyone should, for it makes you take another look at just how your own mind works.

A facinating personal history of growing up as well as being an adult with dyslexia, as seen from the 1940's to the 80's or so. I was hoping for something that would extrapolate more to present day educational circumstances for my own understanding and advice, but the author's early educational circumstances were couched in corporal punishment for non-compliance or poor performance. It seems that being misunderstood and "written off" was par for the course at that time if one was dyslexic. May I hope that today things are better? I felt sheer admiration for Shmitt's persistance and dogged persuit of advanced education in spite of his multifaceted handicap. There was so much depth of thought and "brilliance" that needed to be explored, realized, and recognized! In a later chapter he talks about what life is like for the spouse or others who live and work with him and his dyslexia. I found that chapter to be the most helpful part of all. I would strongly recommend this book if only for that chapter alone. (BTW Dr Schmitt must have married an angel! )

THis book was so so helpful when I found out my daughter was dyslexic and gifted. This man's journey is amazing and inspiring!