What accounts for the differing ways that individuals and cultures have tried to make sense of mental and physical disabilities? Can we see a pattern of change over time? Sara Newman examines personal narratives across a broad sweep of history―from ancient Greece to the present day―to reveal the interplay of dynamics that have shaped both personal and societal conceptions of mental and physical difference. Wonderful for anyone interested in disability life writing or the Western history of disability. It is an important text for the extensive historical knowledge it provides about how disabled persons and their disabilities have been recognized in societies. -- Dax Garcia, Review of Disability Studies A refreshingly lively voice that will appeal to a wide audience.... Highly recommended. -- Choice An essential resource.... Makes a substantial contribution to our understanding of how disabled people have understood and represented their condition from ancient times to the present. -- G. Thomas Couser, Hofstra University An important contribution.... Newman provides the most comprehensive analysis of disability life writing to date. -- Sarah Smith Rainey, Bowling Green State University Wonderful for anyone interested in disability life writing or the Western history of disability. It is an important text for the extensive historical knowledge it provides about how disabled persons and their disabilities have been recognized in societies. -- Dax Garcia ― Review of Disability Studies Thought provoking and insightful.... This book opens up new ways of engaging with disability experience while reminding us that disability is an ordinary and everyday occurrence at all points in human history. -- Jane Buckingham, H-Disability Wonderful for anyone interested in disability life writing or the Western history of disability. It is an important text for the extensive historical knowledge it provides about how disabled persons and their disabilities have been recognized in societies. -- Dax Garcia, Review of Disability Studies A refreshingly lively voice that will appeal to a wide audience.... Highly recommended. -- Choice An essential resource.... Makes a substantial contribution to our understanding of how disabled people have understood and represented their condition from ancient times to the present. -- G. Thomas Couser, Hofstra University An important contribution.... Newman provides the most comprehensive analysis of disability life writing to date. -- Sarah Smith Rainey, Bowling Green State University Wonderful for anyone interested in disability life writing or the Western history of disability. It is an important text for the extensive historical knowledge it provides about how disabled persons and their disabilities have been recognized in societies. -- Dax Garcia ― Review of Disability Studies Thought provoking and insightful.... This book opens up new ways of engaging with disability experience while reminding us that disability is an ordinary and everyday occurrence at all points in human history. -- Jane Buckingham, H-Disability Sara Newman is professor of English at Kent State University. Used Book in Good Condition