I read this book as part of an ASL class in college. First published in 1992 (and therefore I'm sure dated in its approach to the issues it tackles), it is meticulously researched, well organized, logical, and passionate in its defense of ASL as an oppressed language minority.

One could certainly argue that Dr. Lane short-changes his opponents by not really addressing their arguments on the benefits of mainstreaming Deaf children, but the purpose of this book is not to present both sides of the issues. The purpose is to demonstrate the oppression of the Deaf language and therefore their culture. Dr. Lane's position is that the Deaf child is a minority, not an invalid, and that the tendency of hearing parents to see mainstreaming as the only option is a dangerous mistake. If interested in Deaf studies, you'll find much to mull over from the text of this book. ( )