Benedictine Roots in the Development of Deaf Education

As a Benedictine steeped in the monastic tradition of which the sixteenth century Spanish monk Pedro Ponce de Leon, first teacher of the deaf, was imbued, I heard many resonances between the care of the deaf through the centuries and the monastic care of persons in the Rule of Benedict, in Marilyn Daniels' book. -Sister Mary Forman, OSB President, American Benedictine Academy I was fascinated by the scholarly care the author took to prepare the reader to understand the links she has made from the past to the present....All of us interested in sign language will find this book to be 'must' reading. -Robert M. Wilson Professor Emeritus, Dept. of Education University of Maryland Marilyn Daniels has written a very readable history of deaf education. She has also traced an intriguing connection to the Benedictine order. Because Jewish and Christian religions are based upon God speaking, the reality of the deaf person constituted a special challenge. The Benedictine rule of life, with its times of contemplative silence and communication through gesture, led to a recognition that language could be signed as well as spoken. Daniels follows this theme through the great work of Thomas and Edward Gallaudet and the university which bears their name. -Gabriel Moran Professor, Department of Culture and Communication New York University Marilyn Daniels' insight and fresh perspective, combined with a scholarly bent for research and her evident mastery of presenting historical information in a very readable style have resulted in an entertaining, valuable, and instructive chronicle of this unique profession. This book is one of the most important treatments of deaf education and its history to be published in my thirty-three years as an educator of the deaf. -W. Winfield McChord, Jr. Executive Director, The American School for the Deaf ?This book is very interesting, informative, organized, and well thought out. There are so many facts and people to remember that you can get lost in history!....If you are Deaf or work in the field of deafness, this historical book would be an excellent addition to your personal/professional library. It has not only expanded my knowledge of the history of deaf education, it has helped me to appreciate its origins.?-Disability Studies Quarterly This book is very interesting, informative, organized, and well thought out. There are so many facts and people to remember that you can get lost in history!....If you are Deaf or work in the field of deafness, this historical book would be an excellent addition to your personal/professional library. It has not only expanded my knowledge of the history of deaf education, it has helped me to appreciate its origins. -Disability Studies Quarterly