What an incredible story of resilience, creativity and ingenuity! Not many people would have been able to "connect the dots" the way the author has, but we can all learn more about the world and how it could be by reading this story.

This is the story of Josh Miele, who was blinded when a mentally unwell neighbor poured sulfuric acid on his face at 4 years old, and then who later went on to earn a PhD and become a pioneer in accessibility. I was concerned when I was first suggested this book—the premise and the rainbow cover—that it would be inspiration p*rn, full of cliches and “life’s tough, but I’m tougher!” type sentiments, but I was pleasantly surprised! Josh’s outlook balanced the obstacles he faced, with his incredible drive to find solutions for himself and other blind folks, and a bit of annoyance with (perhaps well-meaning but nonetheless stupid and outdated) ideas and statements from those outside the disability community trying to find solutions without consulting the disability community! The segues were a little chunky and probably would have been fine as separate, shorter chapters, but overall I thought it was a great read and would definitely be a book I’d recommend to the parents of my special needs students!


Thank you to #NetGalley for the ARC!

When life gives you lemons you throw them back at the world like Lemonade. This story was fantastic. When Joshua was blinded at a young age, he never took it as a disability or illness but instead made something of himself. He earned a PhD, and ended up with a job for Amazon helping others with disability live the life of a person with the site. The story was heartwarming and even though it took him a long time to tell his story to the world (he never wanted pity) when he did it was everything. He might have been the boy with acid thrown in his place, but his resiliency and dedication to the world were amazing.

Thank you so much Netgalley, Hachette Books, and Grand Central Publishing for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I have a vague memory of hearing about this horrific crime from the early 1970s that took place in the Park Slope section of Brooklyn, NYC. As this four-year-old boy answers the doorbell, a disturbed next door neighbor pours a cup of acid over the child's head. The author recounts this in unabashed and riveting detail as the book begins, revealing the last vision in his memory. When I was first recommended this book to read, I hesitated for a moment; as I am among many people who (I am sure) think of losing their eyesight as one of the most tragic and difficult disabilities to deal with in life. However, I am now glad that I experienced this book and Joshua's amazing life story. Not only does he feel no anger towards his perpetrator, but it sounds like from the time of his disability he just wanted to get on with life, be accepted the same as everyone else, accomplish goals like others would...and just figure out how to do it! His determination, intellect, positivity, and drive is incredible. I marvel at all he has achieved. His stepfather Klaus was very giving and patient and inspired him to be the scientist he is today. He has invented all sorts of accessibility tools for blind people like printable tactile street maps (TMAP), YouDescribe (a web platform that generates audio descriptions of YouTube videos), and currently works in Amazon Lab126 in accessibility. He also won the prestigious MacArthur Fellowship in 2021. I was so intrigued by his intellect and positive outlook that I watched one of his lectures on YouTube, which was very interesting and engaging. It is a very thought-provoking memoir, because I wonder if this tragedy had not occurred in his early life, if he would be the success he is today. He has a great attitude, sense of humor, and doesn't feel sorry for himself. This was a well-written, down to earth, and inspirational memoir.

Thank you to Hachette Books / Grand Central Publishing who provided an advance reader copy via NetGalley.

This is such a meaningful book about a life well lived after experiencing the worst of humanity at age four. I don’t have any sympathy for the man who set Miele’s face ablaze - even though he was clearly sick, I was filled with so much anger towards him at the start of this book. And yet Miele had the poise to forgive, accept his circumstances, and make the best of being blind and burned at a young age.

A very informative book about the authors life as a blind person, who has not let anything stand in his way. a very encouraging book !