This collection of essays written between 1764 and 1849 includes some of the earliest known publications on the topics of education and communication of the deaf--from members of the French
Deaf community as well as from hearing educators. The essays include autobiographies by community leaders de Fontenay and Massieu, detailed descriptions of teaching systems by de l’Epée and
Sicard (and a critique by Bébian), a history of the Deaf by Berthier, and a moving statement in support of sign language by Desloges in one of the first books published by an author who was
deaf. Long out of print, this reissue helps explain the historical background for ongoing conflicts between the oral and manual methods. Annotation ©2006 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR
(booknews.com)
