Why I Burned My Book and Other Essays on Disability (American Subjects) [Paperback]

Paul K. Longmore (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 1592130240 | ISBN-13: 978-1592130245 | Publication Date: April 1, 2003 | Edition: 1

This wide-ranging book shows why Paul Longmore is one of the most respected figures in disability studies today. Understanding disability as a major variety of human experience, he urges us to establish it as a category of social, political, and historical analysis in much the same way that race, gender, and class already have been. The essays here search for the often hidden pattern of systemic prejudice and probe into the institutionalized discrimination that affects the one in five Americans with disabilities. Whether writing about the social critic Randolph Bourne, contemporary political activists, or media representations of people with disabilities, Longmore demonstrates that the search for heroes is a key part of the continuing struggle of disabled people to gain a voice and to shape their destinies. His essays on bioethics and public policy examine the conflict of agendas between disability rights activists and non-disabled policy makers, healthcare professionals, euthanasia advocates, and corporate medical bureaucracies. The title essay, which concludes the book, demonstrates the necessity of activism for any disabled person who wants access to the American dream. Author note: Paul K. Longmore is Professor of History at San Francisco State University. He is the author of "The Invention of George Washington" and the co-editor (with Lauri Umansky) of "The New Disability History: American Perspectives".

Editorial Reviews

Review

"The strength of Longmore's work [is] in remembering the ongoing marginalization of millions. Longmore challenges and disrupts dominant ideologies of 'normality' and disability. Furthermore, he offers an alternative in writing the study of disability as social history. Longmore's text is a worthy read for its intellectual sensibility." Metapsychology "Longmore's newest work provides an engaging discussion of some of the major issues and concerns within the disability community as well as a scholarly review of the major events in disability history. The book provides an in-depth accounting of disability rights history, scholarship, activism, and advocacy. It is lively and very accessible and is an important contribution to the files of disability studies, as well as broadening and deepening our national understanding of the complexity of our history, one the author's stated goals." Journal of Sociology and Social Welfare "As is evident from the issues they raise, both books take a more provocative stance regarding disability - one that is vastly different from how disability has been traditionally discussed in educational contexts...Together both books can provide a beginning toolbox to challenge educators and researchers to take another look at our practices and assumptions about disability." Educational Researcher "Paul Longmore's sharp and cogent criticism has always sought and found the soul of the disability rights movement. But these essays go far beyond activism and constitute a cultural document for a people adrift. Longmore's refreshing views represent an intellectual Ellis Island for people with disabilities, hampered by bureaucracy, myth and sentiment, trying to find a place in America. His stories are as important to this nation's sense of self as the Mayflower's landing at Plymouth Rock." --John Hockenberry, author of A River Out Of Eden and Moving Violations "Paul Longmore is simply the best historian now writing about disabilities. This volume collects a series of major essays that have shaped the academic and public discourse about disabilities inside of and beyond the university. From the unwritten history of disabled people to questions of assisted suicide, and the public face of disability culture, Longmore writes intelligently, compassionately, and readably. Read these essays and learn!" --Sander L. Gilman, Distinguished Professor of the Liberal Arts and Sciences and of Medicine, The University of Illinois-Chicago "Longmore offers poignant observations about images of disability in American culture...A major strength of Longmore's essays is calling our attention to historical antecedents, so that current disability issues can be put in the context of developments in society and technology." --New Political Science "[A] fine introduction to the contemporary study of disability." --Reviews in American History

From the Publisher

"Personal inclination made me a historian. Personal encounter with public policy made me an activist."

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 296 pages
• Publisher: Temple University Press; 1 edition (April 1, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1592130240
• ISBN-13: 978-1592130245
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 6 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #117,743 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

30 of 33 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Book Burning I Can Support, December 3, 2003

By 

Bruce Crocker "agnostictrickster" (Whittier, California United States) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Why I Burned My Book and Other Essays on Disability (American Subjects) (Paperback)

Paul K. Longmore is a historian. He wrote a well reviewed book on George Washington. In 1988, in front of the federal building in Los Angeles, he burned a copy of his book. Longmore saves the essay about the book burning until the end of Why I Burned My Book; Longmore needs to take the reader on a long and instructive journey through the history, imagery, and ethics of disabilities and disability rights so that the reader will understand why someone would burn their own book. Longmore's perspective as a historian with excellent writing skills and a physical disability probably isn't unique, but it certainly makes him more than qualified to write on the history of the disability rights movement. I enjoyed the history essays [which make up slightly less than half the book] the most. I found the essays on assisted suicide to be the most challenging. I support assisted suicide in principle, but I found Longmore's arguments in opposition well stated and troubling, and they've been swirling around my brain ever since I read them. I highly recommend Why I Burned My Book to anyone wanting a deeper understanding of disability and the disability rights movement.

11 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great book, great author, great teacher!, March 8, 2005

By 

David G. (Maryland, United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Why I Burned My Book and Other Essays on Disability (American Subjects) (Paperback)

Brilliant book by a fabulous writer, historian, activist and educator. Prof Longmore for years has been teaching, writing and championing disability history -- in fact he is just this week receving an award from the American Association of People with Disabilities for his ongoing scholarship and his role as "an intellectual force and passionate spokesperson for all disabled people's right to dignified supports for independent living and self-determination." With solid logic and accessible language (pun intended), he demonstrates how social prejudices and institutional discrimination shape the lives of disabled americans as much--if not more--than any physical frailties or limitations. This work is simply too good to pass up! An excellent introduction to disability history and disability rights -- and a welcome antidote to the willful ignorance evident in the last review by "mipater."

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Finally! Longmore's Writing and Analysis in One Book, April 12, 2009

By 

Anthony Tusler "ATusler" (Penngrove CA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Why I Burned My Book and Other Essays on Disability (American Subjects) (Paperback)

Paul Longmore is one of the most important writers and thinkers about the phenomenon of being disabled. His cogent, well researched analysis of the prejudices and stereotypes behind social policy and treatment of people with disabilities in the US is enormously helpful to both understand the role of disability but also to craft policy to eliminate disproportionate and negative practices.