After the Miracle

"""Reclaims the life of the international icon through the lens of her pioneering political activism, including speaking out against racism, poverty and disability . . . With whiplash narrative drive this meticulously researched account of Keller's legacy clarifies the lifelong commitment of a progressive radical whose social justice advocacy remains timeless. It's an essential read that shifts the well-worn tale of one of the 20th century's most intrepid figures.""--Toronto Star ""Wallace rebalances the portrait with this deeply researched book. He repeatedly shows how ableist prejudices as well as political distaste suppressed Keller's voice.""--Wall Street Journal ""To say that After the Miracle is enlightening would be an understatement . . . The author's prolific research has enabled him to document in great detail the political awakening of Helen Keller.""--BookTrib ""There is much more to the life stories of Keller and Sullivan than the limited, if inspirational narrative of the movie, as Wallace's superb biographical chronicle makes clear . . . [After the Miracle] paint[s] a more complete picture of the imperfect humanity behind the inspirational narrative. [Wallace] shows that just because saints have feet of clay, that doesn't make them less saintly.""--Booklist ""Meticulous research and the author's nuanced perspective make this is an enlightening study of Keller's fierce commitment to justice.""--Publishers Weekly ""A fresh look at an international icon, offering new perspectives on her life and work . . . compelling.""--Kirkus, Starred Review ""Max Wallace's impeccably researched book lays out a fascinating epilogue to the familiar story of a blind-deaf girl at a water pump. After the Miracle paints a compelling portrait of a complicated, revolutionary woman who spent a lifetime advocating for peace and equal rights despite powerful forces pressuring her to adhere to the simplistic persona they had created.""--Liz Heinecke, author of Radiant: The Dancer, The Scientist, and a Friendship Forged in Light ""A penetrating vision into the life and times of Helen Keller . . . adds the needed dimensions, insights, and details to elevate this famous woman to the true historic pivot she created; and [Wallace] does so with exceptional clarity, immense grasp of subject, and compelling detail.""--Edwin Black, New York Times bestselling author of IBM and the Holocaust: The Strategic Alliance Between Nazi Germany and America's Most Powerful Corporation ""An amazing insight into the life and mission of a genius.""--Arun Gandhi, grandson of Mohandas Gandhi ""Deeply researched and gracefully written, Wallace's After the Miracle offers a compelling, nuanced portrait of Helen Keller as a passionate political activist and socialist crusader whose radical convictions were often at odds with her angelic public image. The lively pace and original approach make for an enjoyable read.""--Elisabeth Gitter, author of The Imprisoned Guest: Samuel Howe and Laura Bridgman, the Original Deaf-Blind Girl ""In this highly readable, deeply researched, and illuminating work, Max Wallace brings the full range of Helen Keller's lifetime accomplishments to a new and contemporary level of clarity. After the Miracle dispels myths, carefully investigates and untangles erroneous narratives, and adds immeasurably to our knowledge of the multi-dimensional woman who became a fearless political activist, anti-racist, and radical socialist in her day.""--Elizabeth Emerson, author of Letters From Red Farm: The Untold Story of the Friendship between Helen Keller and Journalist Joseph Edgar Chamberlin ""Wallace strips away the sentimental image of Helen Keller and reveals an astonishing woman who lectured, traveled, wrote books, and loved movies. A friend of Charlie Chaplin and of Martin Luther King, she was a radical and passionate political activist taking stands against war, racism, and inequality that brought her to the attention of Hoover and his FBI. Following Keller's life, Wallace offers a bonus: a stunning overview of the brutal politics of the 20th century. I enjoyed the book very much.""--Rosemary Sullivan, New York Times bestselling author of The Betrayal of Anne Frank: A Cold Case Investigation Praise for Max Wallace's In the Name of Humanity: ""A riveting tale of the previously unknown and fascinating story of the unsung angels who strove to foil the Final Solution.""--Kirkus Reviews (starred review) ""A wonderfully engrossing example of hidden history.""--Montreal Times ""Dramatic and formidably researched.""--Anna Porter, author of Kasztner's Train and Ghosts of Europe ""A riveting series of adventures with Helen Keller, from befriending Charlie Chaplin in Hollywood to calling out apartheid in South Africa. Helen's delightful wit and fierce dedication to advocating for underrepresented people makes her a timeless role model.""--Haben Girma, disability justice advocate and author of Haben: The Deafblind Woman Who Conquered Harvard Law"