Encyclopedia of American Disability History (3 Volume set) [Hardcover]

Susan Burch (Author), Paul K. Longmore (Foreword)

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

*Starred Review* By taking a historical approach, Encyclopedia of American Disability History effectively removes disability from the realm of “medical pathology” and allows readers to understand it in social and cultural terms. The encyclopedia embraces four core themes: the importance of disability in American history, the need to explain disability historically, the diversity and similarity of experiences among the disabled, and the “necessity of comparing those histories of disability with one another.” Twelve anchor entries of roughly 3,000 words cover broad themes such as Activism and advocacy, Community, Daily life, Disability art and artistic expression, Education, Employment and labor, Language and terminology, and Science and technology. The remainder of the approximately 780 entries average 500 to 1,000 words each and cover specific events, laws, people, experiences, and other topics. Examples range from the expected American with Disabilities Act, Easter Seals, Hearing aids, and Muscular dystrophy to the more surprising Circus, Disasters and disaster recovery, Doonesbury, and X-Men. A number of entries discuss literary works such as Of Mice and Men or films such as Born on the Fourth of July. Others, such as Feebleminded, examine terminology. Numerous entries are accompanied by primary documents (73 in all), including letters, interviews, newspaper clippings, pamphlets, laws, speeches, and literary works. Conceptual entries are frequently followed by personal quotes (68 in all). The encyclopedia’s many substantial biographies cover individuals rarely found in other reference works, such as deaf missionary Philip Hasenstab, and individuals noted for their work in disability, such as theologian Stanley Hauerwas. Individuals were selected for inclusion because they embody themes “important for understanding American disability history.” The work starts with a detailed chronology and concludes with an extensive bibliography. Sage’s Encyclopedia of Disability (2005) also offers a social and cultural lens through which to view disability, but its coverage is worldwide and is not as focused on a historical standpoint. Offering a unique perspective, Encyclopedia of American Disability History is highly recommended for academic and large public libraries. Also available as an e-book. --Charles Becker

Product Details

• Hardcover: 1200 pages
• Publisher: Facts on File (August 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 081607030X
• ISBN-13: 978-0816070305
• Product Dimensions: 11.2 x 8.9 x 3.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #764,293 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)