LIGHT IN MY DARKNESS [Paperback]

HELEN KELLER (Author), Ray Silverman (Editor)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 1, 2000

One of Time's women of the century, Helen Keller, reveals her mystical side in this best-selling spiritual autobiography. Writing that her first reading of Emanuel Swedenborg at age fourteen gave her truths that were "to my faculties what light, color and music are to the eye and ear," she explains how Swedenborg's works sustained her throughout her life.

This new edition includes a foreword by Dorothy Herrmann, author of the acclaimed Helen Keller: A Life, and a new chapter, "Epilogue: My Luminous Universe."

Editorial Reviews

Review

Originally published as My Religion in 1927, this Helen Keller classic has been revised and edited, in keeping with Keller's original wishes, by Ray Silverman, providing a strong blend of her original title and her autobiography, essays, letters and lectures in an integrated volume considering her religious values and reflections. Enjoy a well-done editing job which provides a smooth assembly of Keller's thoughts. -- Midwest Book Review --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From the Back Cover

Helen Keller traces her spiritual development, revealing her mystical, ecstatic aspect, in this revised and expanded edition of her spiritual autobiography. "Emanuel Swedenborg's message has been my strongest incitement to overcome limitations," she proclaims.

Swedenborgiansim, with its concepts of a universal spiritual reality and brotherhood, a loving god, and an afterlife in which no one would suffer from limitations and handicaps, appealed to Helen. She drew much inspiration and insight from the Swedish seer's writings and his enthralling presentation of morality, calling them "the light in my darkness, the voice in my silence." (From the Foreword by Dorothy Herrmann, author of Helen Keller: A Life)

Keller herself was without conceit; her own words make her a more appealing figure than the woman glimpsed in old newsreels. Her view of her life is motivated by joy and gratitude. (The Bloomsbury Review)

Exploring these writings gives us a more intimate view of Keller's joyous celebration of life and transformative spiritual vision." (NAPRA Review)

[This book]. . . presents an inspiring picture of this remarkable woman's affirmation of the power and triumph of the spirit (New Age Retailer).

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 208 pages
• Publisher: Chrysalis Books; 2nd Edition edition (March 1, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0877853983
• ISBN-13: 978-0877853985
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.4 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #114,918 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #9 in Books > History > Europe > Sweden

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

24 of 27 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderfully informative, inspiring reading., June 6, 2000

By 

Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: LIGHT IN MY DARKNESS (Paperback)

The newly revised and updated second edition of Helen Keller's autobiography originally published in 1927 includes a substantial foreword by Keller biographer Dorothy Herrmann. The deaf, dumb and blind Helen Keller (1880-1968) became an internationally known spokesperson for the blind. Her amazing story of being taught to communicate by Annie Sullivan is very well know. But what is not so well known Keller's faith in the teachings of Emanuel Swedenborg whose spiritual vision gave her "the light in my darkness, the voice in my silence". Light In My Darkness is wonderfully informative and inspiring reading and this splendid edition will re-introduce a most remarkable woman to a whole new generation of readers.

17 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Touching Story, Stunning Ideas, May 9, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: LIGHT IN MY DARKNESS (Paperback)

This book was not only touching because of Helen Keller's fascinating story, but also an uplifting reassurance that life is worth living. Her ideas, those from and about Emanuel Swedenborg, strike me as poingantly true. Helen Keller's unique perspective on the world adds an amazing depth and reality to this work. I absolutly reccomend it for anyone and everyone.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful book. Helen Keller was truly a very special person., December 24, 2008

By 

Larry Wagner "Athlete, Analyst, Coach, Dad" (Northridge, California, USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: LIGHT IN MY DARKNESS (Paperback)

Beautiful book. Re-edited from her own original work, "My Religion", and made more coherent.

Helen goes into some detail about what makes Swedenborg's Christian doctrine such a beautiful Christian religion for her, and how it gave her the inspiration to live a life in dignity and inspiration to others (!) and to overcome or deal with her handicaps for almost 80 years.

It has a few funny moments, such as her description of nature walks with an elderly friend. With her uncertain speech and his elderly hearing, he would have to ask her to repeat herself, but to do this he'd spell a question in her hand. With his advancing arthritis, his shaking hands letters could be difficult for her to decipher.

She is an amazing writer, inspite of total lack of sound or sight to experience those senses. Despite total blindness and deafness, she writes with vibrant color and imagery.