47 pages 1 hour read

Kim E. Nielsen

A Disability History of the United States

Nonfiction | Book | Adult | Published in 2012

A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.

Before You Read

Roundup icon

Super Short Summary

A Disability History of the United States by Kim E. Nielsen provides a comprehensive overview of disability history in America, exploring its definitions, treatments, and personal experiences from pre-Columbian Indigenous societies to modern times. The book highlights disability's influence on American history, intersecting with race, gender, and class over eight chronological chapters. Topics include ableism, racism, enslavement, and mental illness.

Reviews & Readership

Roundup icon

Review Roundup

Kim E. Nielsen's A Disability History of the United States is praised for its thorough and insightful exploration of disability in American history. Critics commend its inclusive narrative and meticulous research. Nevertheless, some feel it occasionally lacks depth in analysis. Overall, it is a significant contribution to disability studies.

Who should read this

Who Should Read A Disability History of the United States?

Readers with a keen interest in social justice, American history, and disability studies will appreciate Kim E. Nielsen's A Disability History of the United States. Comparable to Howard Zinn's A People's History of the United States, it gives a voice to marginalized communities and offers an inclusive historical perspective.

Recommended

Reading Age

18+years

Book Details

Topics

History: U.S.

Disability

Social Justice

Themes

Identity: Disability

Society: Nation

Society: Politics & Government