For Hearing People Only: Answers to the Most Commonly Asked Questions About the Deaf Community, Its Culture, and the "Deaf Reality" [Paperback]

Matthew S. Moore (Author), Linda Levitan (Author), Harlan Lane (Foreword)

Product Details

• Paperback
• Publisher: M S M Productions Ltd; 2nd edition (September 1, 1993)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0963401610
• ISBN-13: 978-0963401618
• Product Dimensions: 8.1 x 5.1 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #361,093 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars now hear this!, February 14, 2001

By 

wakeningdreamer (sf bay, ca) - See all my reviews

This review is from: For Hearing People Only: Answers to the Most Commonly Asked Questions About the Deaf Community, Its Culture, and the "Deaf Reality" (Paperback)

as a hearing student just now entering the Deaf world, i found much of this book hard to read. i didn't want to be guilty by association of many of the prejudices, assumptions, & opressive acts that were described. i was saddened to think that the rather negative bias (though undoubtedly deserved) towards hearing people represented in this book might block me in developing many true relationships with Deaf people. i've, fortunately, found that not to be the case. the Deaf community is much like any other diverse community. the book did definitely help me to open my eyes to many things i was ignorant of & i even had to admit some stereotypical things about myself. i reccomend it to everyone despite their level of participation with this dynamic community.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars This book put me on the defensive., June 28, 2005

By 

Elizabeth Leonard (Sunnyvale, CA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: For Hearing People Only: Answers to the Most Commonly Asked Questions About the Deaf Community, Its Culture, and the "Deaf Reality" (Paperback)

While this book does contain useful information about the history of Deaf culture in America, and other questions hearing people may have about Deaf culture, the tone was very confrontational and I felt under attack while reading it.

I believe the book is a collection of question-and-answer essays that were originally published in a Deaf publication, for Deaf people to pass on to their hearing friends who may have had those questions. As such, the audience for the writing is almost more for Deaf people than it is "For Hearing People Only."

I disagreed strongly with some of the generalizations about hearing people, and particularly with the book's portrayal of Christianity, but an Amazon review is not the place for a 10 page paper arguing point by point with topics in the book.

I would not recommend this book to the casual hearing observer or to one who is interested in knowing a little bit more about Deaf culture unless you have to read it for a class. I found the book "Train Go Sorry" much more interesting and easier to stomach as an introduction to issues facing the Deaf.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A must read for anyone wanting to understand Deaf Culture, August 27, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: For Hearing People Only: Answers to the Most Commonly Asked Questions About the Deaf Community, Its Culture, and the "Deaf Reality" (Paperback)

This book, a collection of 60 essays from "Deaf Life" magazine, contains a thoughtful, and sometimes humorous, look at Deaf Culture, and the hearing worlds misconception of it. The book is well organized for easy reference. I find myself returning to it's many chapters often and discover a new insight every time! A great place to start on the journey to Deaf Awareness!