At Home Among Strangers: Exploring the Deaf Community in the United States

Deaf society, says Schein, is worth studying since it offers society more than it takes from it culturally. This comprehensive work was written during Schein's year (1986-1987) as Chair of Deaf Studies at Gallaudet University. Interesting and insightful, the book explores every aspect of the deaf community--culture, family life, education, and economics. In the latter part of the book, Schein proposes his theory of deaf community development based on five factors: demography, alienation, affiliation, education, and milieu. Especially interesting are the boxes offering anecdotes and real-life problems which highlight the main text. This work is more detailed, better structured, and more fluid than Oliver Sack's Seeing Voices ( LJ 7/89). Recommended.
- Debra Berlanstein, Towson State Univ., Baltimore
Copyright 1989 Reed Business Information, Inc.