Louis Braille: A Touch of Genius

by C. Michael Mellor

This new biography includes 31 never-before-translated letters, some written by Louis's own hand. An extraordinary collection of documents, photographs, and artistic works--some unearthed from a curator's private archives in France--complement Mellor's meticulous primary research into Louis's life as a child, student, teacher, musician and genius inventor. This new, visually elegant hardcover book adds a dimension to the material on Louis Braille's life that has fed schoolchildren's biography projects for many years.

Genres: Biography

133 pages, Hardcover

First published March 6, 2006

Reviews

[Paul Daniel · Rating 4 out of 5]

I very much enjoyed reading Louis Braille: A Touch of Genius by C. Michael Mellor. The subject of blindness is close to me as I have had members of my family lose their eyesight completely in adulthood. Their efforts to overcome the barriers and to live with blindness made an indelible mark upon me. The story of Louis Braille is probably well - known to many people around the world. He lost sight in his right eye in an accident occurred while he using tools in his father's workshop. Sympathetic ophthalmia and total blindness followed. He is the inventor of the tactile system of reading and writing for the blind and visually impaired in 1824. Mr. Mellor discusses how Braille became an educator and invented the language. There is extensive use of letters written by Braille to his family and other teachers. He was a thoughtful, loyal individual. The design of the book is impressive. The book is almost a compromise between biography and coffee table book. There are some wonderful photographs of relics used by Braille, including first samples of his attempts to create a new reading system. Mr. Mellor has an obvious respect and affection for Mr. Braille, and rightly so. This book is well-written, well-researched and designed with some interesting photographs. Highly recommended. This book is available in accessible formats from the Centre for Equitable Library Access (CELA) in Canada and the National Braille Press in the United States.

[Andy Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

Certainly comprehensive. A lot of images, I think mostly to "beef up" the book, which honestly is kind of annoying, even though they were extremely thoroughly described. I can't believe the conditions that the students had to put up with at the school! I love how the students learned Braille in secret, lmao. Overall, a fun read.

[Tacey Raye · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good to read if you are blind or have a family member who is. It's more a history of Braille code than of Lewis himself. However I found it very informative and educational. Definitely recommend it.

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

10/10 would recommend. So much good information and really gives a look into the challenges for blind people when reading and writing. I have alot more understandint and respect for what Braille did after reading this book.

[nay]

In 1809, Abraham Lincoln, Charles Darwin, and Louis Braille were born. Who was Louis Braille? What’s in a name?

[Katrina Anderson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have to confess that the book is a dry read, and it gets thick into facts, but that is what I wanted and needed for my profession.

[Philippe V d’Espagne · Rating 5 out of 5]

hear me out