Originally published March 2012 | ||
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The Legendary Graduate is a book of poetry by Joseph D. Smith, an American author with autism, and is published by Lulu.
Smith is the son of the Kentucky Colonel, Hon. Wendell Joe Smith. The book was inspired by Smith's graduation at the Barren County, Kentucky courthouse in Glasgow. Instead of a traditional high school graduation, Smith's friend Judge Phillip Patton hosted the ceremony, which was attended only by his closest friends and family. The Barren County sheriff, Chris Eaton, gave him a medal, which he frequently wears around his neck. The book's dedication reads "From Joseph: To those who believed I could," inspired by his medal that reads "To Joseph from those who believed you could".
The Legendary Graduate was put together by the author with over 40 of his own original poems that he had collected on his computer over the years. It features very controversial content, such as drug use, social commentary, nonsensical poems, and even about spirituality. His purpose in publishing the book was to create a better world by sharing his visions in his poetry and help people understand an autistic mind, most importantly his own mind.
The book has been featured in various media, including the Thanksgiving edition of the Glasgow Daily Times and the website iWannabeFamous. The book is also available in the Internet Archive.