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The Blind Doctor: The Jacob Bolotin Story
The Blind Doctor is the remarkable and compelling account of the first totally blind physician fully licensed to practice medicine. Jacob Bolotin was born blind to poor Jewish parents in Chicago in 1888. Rejecting the conventional wisdom of his time, he was determined to “be of use” in the world. He learned Braille and developed an uncanny sense of touch and hearing that would later make him one of the top heart and lung specialists in the city. To pay for his education, Jacob sold brushes, then typewriters, door-to-door. He fought his way into and through the Chicago College of Medicine, graduated with honors at twenty-four, and became the world's first blind physician fully licensed to practice medicine. The voice of Dr. Jacob Bolotin was one of the first to raise the awareness of the world to the plight of the blind. His speeches about his own life and the need for treating people with disabilities as capable and productive citizens were in such demand he often gave four talks a day while working full time as a doctor and teaching at three medical colleges. He also started one of the first blind Boy Scout troops in the United States. Dr. Jacob Bolotin died in 1924; he was only thirty-six years old. Five thousand people attended his funeral.
- GenresNonfictionBiography
216 pages, Paperback
First published July 1, 2007
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
July 10, 2023
This book was absolutely amazing. It was well written, and very interesting. I had no idea that Dr. Vallotton was involved in so many things. His short life sure was full! I feel like a lot of the story was white washed but regardless, it was still inspiring. Not necessarily the facts, but more like the attitude and enthusiasm of the characters. It’s not like I didn’t like them I did, but it’s hard to believe that people are that positive all the time. Given that this book was written to be an inspiration you really can’t say much because to get the effect that it was going, for you almost had to have that undertone. But I will still recommend this book because it shows what’s possible with the right determination and attitude.
September 26, 2017
It is despicable the way society treated someone simply because they are blind. While there have been many improvements for the blind, sadly the attitudes that Dr. Jacob Bolotin encountered still exist today.
March 8, 2018
Fascinating story of a young man born blind who works hard all his life. He eventually becomes a Doctor specializing in cardio-pulmonary problems. He marries and continues to lecture about his extraordinary life. He establishes the first blind boy scout troop.
August 16, 2020
The first half of the book is fascinating, worthy of 4 stars while the second half more like 3 stars. the first half shows Bolotin struggling to become a doctor. In the second half, Bolotin is a doctor and basically describes his accomplishments.
July 29, 2017
Such an inspiring story and a fast read. The prose is serviceable and straightforward.
March 23, 2008
Jacob Bolotin was a highly respected physician, a teacher at medical school, and a head of department at several Chicago hospitals. He was also a Scoutmaster and a leader in Kiwanis, becoming a trustee of the club and rising to Lieutenant Governor Junior of the Illinois-Eastern Iowa District.
When Jacob was a young boy he determined to pursue a medical career. Born in 1888 to poor immigrant parents, his road to this goal was hard. He spent four years traveling alone throughout the midwest selling typewriters to accumulate the funds for tuition. Once admitted to medical school his marks were consistently the highest, as were his scores on the State Board examination.
As a physician Dr. Bolotin was known as a consummate diagnostician. He was beloved by patients and respected by his fellow doctors. His achievements were many, and his life was worthy of praise. But there was one more thing about Jacob Bolotin that makes his story extraordinary: he was blind from birth.
Just think how hard it was to accomplish all these things without sight. In those days there were no braille textbooks or audiobooks to study. For the most part, blind people were left to fend for themselves. Dr. Bolotin did a lot to change our attitudes toward the handicapped.
Dr. Bolotin's story is truly heroic and an inspiration to anyone who reads it. Take the time to find this unusual book...you won't be sorry.
When Jacob was a young boy he determined to pursue a medical career. Born in 1888 to poor immigrant parents, his road to this goal was hard. He spent four years traveling alone throughout the midwest selling typewriters to accumulate the funds for tuition. Once admitted to medical school his marks were consistently the highest, as were his scores on the State Board examination.
As a physician Dr. Bolotin was known as a consummate diagnostician. He was beloved by patients and respected by his fellow doctors. His achievements were many, and his life was worthy of praise. But there was one more thing about Jacob Bolotin that makes his story extraordinary: he was blind from birth.
Just think how hard it was to accomplish all these things without sight. In those days there were no braille textbooks or audiobooks to study. For the most part, blind people were left to fend for themselves. Dr. Bolotin did a lot to change our attitudes toward the handicapped.
Dr. Bolotin's story is truly heroic and an inspiration to anyone who reads it. Take the time to find this unusual book...you won't be sorry.
August 19, 2011
This book tells a truly amazing story, one that is in turns disturbing, sobering, and highly inspirational. While the writing at times leaves something to be desired, the very fact of Dr. Jacob Bolotin's numerous and very impressive accomplishments make this more than worthwhile read. The feats Dr. Bolotin accomplished would be impressive for anyone, much less for a sightless individual in a time and place that staunchly refused to make any accommodations to "disability." There are many references to Dr. Bolotin as being in the same league as Helen Keller, and there is no question that he should be remembered as an exemplary person but unfortunately his accomplishments are lesser known. I cannot recommend this book highly enough. Do yourself a favor and challenge your presumptions -- perhaps unconscious -- about what the differently abled can accomplish! Once you read about Dr. Bolotin's drive, intelligence, and accomplishments you will certainly think differently about
July 25, 2011
As a teacher at the state school for the blind in Illinois, I was drawn to this book because it is part of the proud history of our school. This book read very much like a novel, and it is apparent that Rosalind Perlman took some liberties with history for the sake of literary interest--she would have had no way of knowing exactly what was said in the many conversations portrayed in the book. However, I will definitely recommend this book to my students. Jacob Bolotin was truly an extraordinary person, blind or not. His story is inspiring and depicts a work ethic that has all but disappeared.
July 18, 2008
I loved this book. The man, Jacob, was amazing. It makes me think that if I had half of this man's ambition, I could truly make a difference. What is my problem? I have nothing holding me back except myself. I recommend this book to everyone! It is written like a novel, so it is easy to read, yet, it is a biography of an exceptional man. I hope when you read it you enjoy it as much as I did. Happy reading.
March 6, 2008
The Blind Doctor is the most inspiring book I have ever read. It opened my eyes to my own misconceptions about the abilities of blind people. I don't know of anyone who could equal Dr. Jacob Bolotin in spirit, tenacity, intelligence, and the pure ability to overcome obstacles without losing faith.
May 12, 2015
The subject matter was fabulous. The writing seemed mediocre and a little inspiration-porny, like many biographies of disabled people by non-disabled authors. But this book was worth it, in order to capture a snapshot of Jacob Bolotin's life. The number of times people told him "you can't" staggers me, along with the number of times he ignored them and did it anyway.
February 19, 2010
A true story that is gripping. By the end of the book, the kind doctor has done so much that you cannot believe how young he is. His family life and how he was able to pay for medical school and graduate with highest honors is a tale worth reading and cherishing.
May 6, 2014
I loved the story of this inspiring man...so impressive!
I did not love the writing however.
Still, it's definitely worth the read--the world is a better place for having a man like Dr. Bolotin in it
I did not love the writing however.
Still, it's definitely worth the read--the world is a better place for having a man like Dr. Bolotin in it
May 13, 2015
Amazing story of perseverance! Jacob forged a path for himself into the field of medicine, despite being completely blind at a time when there were no accommodations for people with disabilities. Eventually he became a vocal and effective advocate for the blind.
February 27, 2009
An interesting story about a totally blind man who became a doctor in the early 1900's.
October 20, 2019
An interesting biography that would be perfect for an elementary school library.
May 10, 2011
Clearly my type of book. Came from poverty, with a handicap (blind) to become the first medical doctor. Not a well written book but a inspiring story.
September 27, 2012
I highly recommend this book! Incredibly inspiring true story!
May 18, 2013
Amazing story of a blind man and his determination and fight to become a doctor, ultimately an expert in tuberculosis.
July 24, 2015
Amazing story.
Choppy writing, but loved it anyway.
Choppy writing, but loved it anyway.
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews