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Connecting Dots: A Blind Life
The extraordinary memoir of a scientist who became blind at a young age—how he navigates his experience and channels his genius into decades of cutting‑edge work in accessibility—packed with humor, adventure, and insights on life and disability.
At the age of four, Joshua Miele was blinded and badly burned when a delusional neighbor poured sulfuric acid over his head in a crime that shocked New York. It could have ended his life, but instead, Miele—naturally curious, and a born problem solver—not only recovered, but thrived. Throughout his life, Miele has found increasingly inventive ways to succeed in a world built for the sighted, and to help others to do the same. At first reluctant to even think of himself as blind, he eventually embraced his blindness and became a committed advocate for disability and accessibility. Along the way, he grappled with drugs and addiction, played bass in a rock band, worked for NASA, became a guerilla activist, deconstructed and reconstructed myriad technologies, and married the love of his life and had two children. He chronicles the evolution of a number of revolutionary accessible technologies and his role in shaping them, including screen readers, tactile maps, and audio description.
Connecting Dots delivers a captivating first-person perspective on blindness and disability as incisive as it is entertaining, and ultimately In 2021 Miele won a MacArthur “Genius” award for his work in accessibility. His story demonstrates the normality of blindness as he lives, loves, invents, raises a family, and takes pride in his blind identity. It also introduces us to an extraordinary cast of characters, from his loving if eccentric family, to his rock-and-roll buddies and first loves, to the devoted teachers and brilliant colleagues whose encouragement and collaboration supported his success. It’s a riveting romp, interweaving tales of invention and independence with humor, struggle, and achievement —the story of one ordinary blind life with an indelible impact.
At the age of four, Joshua Miele was blinded and badly burned when a delusional neighbor poured sulfuric acid over his head in a crime that shocked New York. It could have ended his life, but instead, Miele—naturally curious, and a born problem solver—not only recovered, but thrived. Throughout his life, Miele has found increasingly inventive ways to succeed in a world built for the sighted, and to help others to do the same. At first reluctant to even think of himself as blind, he eventually embraced his blindness and became a committed advocate for disability and accessibility. Along the way, he grappled with drugs and addiction, played bass in a rock band, worked for NASA, became a guerilla activist, deconstructed and reconstructed myriad technologies, and married the love of his life and had two children. He chronicles the evolution of a number of revolutionary accessible technologies and his role in shaping them, including screen readers, tactile maps, and audio description.
Connecting Dots delivers a captivating first-person perspective on blindness and disability as incisive as it is entertaining, and ultimately In 2021 Miele won a MacArthur “Genius” award for his work in accessibility. His story demonstrates the normality of blindness as he lives, loves, invents, raises a family, and takes pride in his blind identity. It also introduces us to an extraordinary cast of characters, from his loving if eccentric family, to his rock-and-roll buddies and first loves, to the devoted teachers and brilliant colleagues whose encouragement and collaboration supported his success. It’s a riveting romp, interweaving tales of invention and independence with humor, struggle, and achievement —the story of one ordinary blind life with an indelible impact.
304 pages, Hardcover
Published March 4, 2025
43 people are currently reading
4639 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 71 reviews
February 5, 2025
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.
Thank you to Hachette Books / Grand Central Publishing who provided an advance reader copy via NetGalley.
April 19, 2025
This is one of the most gratifying memoirs I've ever read. I am always keenly interested in stories of blind people, no doubt because both my grandfathers lost their sight in late middle-age, one due to diabetes and the other possibly due to undiagnosed diabetes. Joshua Miele really strips himself bare in this memoir, but the book is more fascinating and humorous than tragic. I look forward to getting a paper copy of this book for my husband to read. (The book will be released March 4th, 2025, but I had an early preview thanks to LibroFM educators' advanced review copies.)
Thank you, LibroFM! Well done, Joshua Miele--both your book and your life are true victories!
Thank you, LibroFM! Well done, Joshua Miele--both your book and your life are true victories!
March 6, 2025
Twice before today I had picked up a book and read it cover to cover without putting it down. Today was the third time. I pre-ordered Connecting Dots as soon as it was announced because I knew the author growing up and I try to support people I know. I have read a dozen books by (or about) people I have known. This was entirely different. Connecting Dots is such a revealing, compelling story that takes the reader on a roller coaster of emotions with so many ups, downs, twists, and even inversions. I lost track of how many times I cried but recall one page in particular that made me both cry then laugh within seconds.
The start of Dr. Miele’s story is one I first heard over 40 years ago. Other more recent parts I leaned from his occasional Facebook posts. I was largely–ahem–blind to the depth of his contributions to the world. I am glad to have had the opportunity to read this book and learn so much about this amazing man. I would like to add that while Josh downplayed his musical talents in the book, I want to say he is being modest. He was remarkably talented in high school and I’m sure only got better.
The start of Dr. Miele’s story is one I first heard over 40 years ago. Other more recent parts I leaned from his occasional Facebook posts. I was largely–ahem–blind to the depth of his contributions to the world. I am glad to have had the opportunity to read this book and learn so much about this amazing man. I would like to add that while Josh downplayed his musical talents in the book, I want to say he is being modest. He was remarkably talented in high school and I’m sure only got better.
March 25, 2025
First, I need to thank Goodreads, as this is a book I won in a giveaway. This will, in no way, affect my honest review of the book.
Second, TW: physical harm, underage drug and alcohol use and drug and alcohol abuse
If you're sensitive to salty language, this book may not be for you.
I really like how the prologue is written, first from the author's perspective, then, from others' perspectives to fill in the events.
I was hoping for better grammar. A single sentence from chapter 5 follows (p. 57 in my book)
While the grammar annoyed me, the content was highly engaging. I appreciated the candor of Dr. Miele's struggle with himself and his internalized ablism. I also appreciate how most of the questions I had while reading the book were answered throughout the story. One thing I like most about this book was the strong emphasis he places on education and educators in his life.
Thanks to Klaus, I took a bit of a rabbit trail to the Tarbela Dam while I was reading this book.
In Part 3, we get to what I had hoped would be the meat of the story--accessibility. I deeply enjoyed the discussion on how and how not to include blind people in making the world accessible to them.
I enjoyed some of the metaphor included.
Something else I particularly liked was the discussion on person-first/identity-first language use. It's always best to ask the person about whom you speak what that person prefers, not to make assumptions.
This book left me with the desire to read more, especially _If You Could See What I Hear_ by Tom Sullivan
Organization: The book is very well organized, mostly chronologically. I loved the bulleted lists in the acknowledgements. That organizational choice may have added pages, but made the section easy to read and understand. I wish all books were like this one in that way. I like how every page with text is numbered, even the chapter heading pages. I like how the chapter headers were always on the right hand side of the page, making the book easy to flip through to find a passage I wanted to re-read.
On the whole, I would recommend this book to others, especially those who work with people with disabilities, especially children. This book is surprisingly prescriptive both for how to work with blind people and how not to treat blind people. I think Dr. Miele could write kind of a manual for how to increase accessibility to share with special educators.
Second, TW: physical harm, underage drug and alcohol use and drug and alcohol abuse
If you're sensitive to salty language, this book may not be for you.
I really like how the prologue is written, first from the author's perspective, then, from others' perspectives to fill in the events.
I was hoping for better grammar. A single sentence from chapter 5 follows (p. 57 in my book)
While the grammar annoyed me, the content was highly engaging. I appreciated the candor of Dr. Miele's struggle with himself and his internalized ablism. I also appreciate how most of the questions I had while reading the book were answered throughout the story. One thing I like most about this book was the strong emphasis he places on education and educators in his life.
Thanks to Klaus, I took a bit of a rabbit trail to the Tarbela Dam while I was reading this book.
In Part 3, we get to what I had hoped would be the meat of the story--accessibility. I deeply enjoyed the discussion on how and how not to include blind people in making the world accessible to them.
I enjoyed some of the metaphor included.
Something else I particularly liked was the discussion on person-first/identity-first language use. It's always best to ask the person about whom you speak what that person prefers, not to make assumptions.
This book left me with the desire to read more, especially _If You Could See What I Hear_ by Tom Sullivan
Organization: The book is very well organized, mostly chronologically. I loved the bulleted lists in the acknowledgements. That organizational choice may have added pages, but made the section easy to read and understand. I wish all books were like this one in that way. I like how every page with text is numbered, even the chapter heading pages. I like how the chapter headers were always on the right hand side of the page, making the book easy to flip through to find a passage I wanted to re-read.
On the whole, I would recommend this book to others, especially those who work with people with disabilities, especially children. This book is surprisingly prescriptive both for how to work with blind people and how not to treat blind people. I think Dr. Miele could write kind of a manual for how to increase accessibility to share with special educators.
February 11, 2025
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!
Thank you to #NetGalley for the ARC!
May 21, 2025
Thank you to LibroFM, Joshua A. Miele, Wendell Jamieson, Grand Central Publishing, and Hachette Audio for this ALC!
I loved this memoir. It has everything, and I was so engrossed in Josh’s story. Joshua has made an impact on the world for all those that are visually-impaired, and this memoir makes you appreciate it. Thank you for sharing your life experience and making others more aware of the things that disabled folks encounter.
I loved this memoir. It has everything, and I was so engrossed in Josh’s story. Joshua has made an impact on the world for all those that are visually-impaired, and this memoir makes you appreciate it. Thank you for sharing your life experience and making others more aware of the things that disabled folks encounter.
February 22, 2025
This memoir was an incredibly inspiring read. I didn't want to stop listening. The author does a great job reflecting his emotions, thoughts, challenges, and timeline. Going from his early childhood, through rough teenage years, difficulties with schooling, post secondary education with many breaks for experiences, I really felt like I was part of his life. He draws in the reader.
The way he works so passionately to improve accessibility for those who are blind (and others) is so noble and beautiful. As a seeing person, I appreciate the insight into the life of those who are blind. The real struggles, that I take for granted in my own life.
I very much appreciated this book, and how it helps me grow in how I can come alongside those of all walks of life.
Thank you NetGalley for the ARC.
The way he works so passionately to improve accessibility for those who are blind (and others) is so noble and beautiful. As a seeing person, I appreciate the insight into the life of those who are blind. The real struggles, that I take for granted in my own life.
I very much appreciated this book, and how it helps me grow in how I can come alongside those of all walks of life.
Thank you NetGalley for the ARC.
February 17, 2025
I had this pegged as a "something bad happened to me and I overcame it" memoir going in. I really couldn't have been more wrong. Josh Miele, blinded by an acid attack when he was 4, devotes a surprisingly small amount of this book to the attack. He covers it briefly, moves on, and never looks back. This guy isn't Matt Murdock, but from the very start he's been adept at figuring out the world more independently than many sighted people. It's gratifying to see him refuse to identify with victimhood and go on to use his above-average intelligence to make life more accessible to the blind. He seems like a chill dude, and at times, the memoir is almost too chill--I found my attention lagging during descriptions of his various dating relationships, for example--but it's fairly short and well worth the read.
(I received this book for free through a Goodreads giveaway.)
(I received this book for free through a Goodreads giveaway.)
August 18, 2025
I picked up at this book at my local library off the new non-fiction shelf, and I’m so very glad I did. This book is nothing short of incredible.
In 1973, four-year-old Josh Miele ran to answer the knock at the door at his parents’ home in Park Slope, Brooklyn, only to have his deranged neighbor pour a cupful of sulfuric acid on his head. Suffering from catastrophic burns, Miele’s life was saved by an emergency trip to a soldiers’ burn ward in San Antonio, Texas, but he never regained his sight. Surprisingly, he holds no animosity toward his attacker and seemed from day one just to want to move on with his life. His unwillingness to let people place the mantle of victimhood on him makes this memoir so very fascinating to read. He refuses to allow any sort of pity for his plight and instead has dedicated his life to making things better for the blind and visually impaired.
What I especially appreciated about Miele’s memoir is that he is not a paragon of a man. He admits he can be a pain the ass, he lets us see how annoying he can be at times, he shows us his drug use and how he didn’t take school seriously at first. In short, he is a normal human being, just one who happens to lack the ability to see. With memoirs being one of my favorite genres, I have read many in which the author makes themself out to be a person without many, if any, flaws, and that simply isn’t realistic. Miele lets us get to know all of him, both his finer points but also the ones that detract.
I had already been familiar with some of the issues that disabled people had endured from watching the excellent documentary Crip Camp: A Disability Revolution, as well as by reading Judy Heumann’s fantastic memoir Being Heumann: An Unrepentant Memoir of a Disability Rights Activist. I had also known several visually impaired people in my middle school in Illinois; they were mainstreamed into the regular classes, and my friends were frank about their struggles with being able to read textbooks and how difficult it was to get them in Braille or even in the extremely large print my one friend preferred. I also had a blind friend in high school, whose note taking device amazed me (this was before laptops and digital devices were so ubiquitous). But I didn’t realize how unwelcoming our world is to someone who can’t see, and how much work it can be just to exist and be independent.
This is a very important book, and I hope more people understand that making disability aids without the input of actual disabled people does not help the disabled person at all.
In 1973, four-year-old Josh Miele ran to answer the knock at the door at his parents’ home in Park Slope, Brooklyn, only to have his deranged neighbor pour a cupful of sulfuric acid on his head. Suffering from catastrophic burns, Miele’s life was saved by an emergency trip to a soldiers’ burn ward in San Antonio, Texas, but he never regained his sight. Surprisingly, he holds no animosity toward his attacker and seemed from day one just to want to move on with his life. His unwillingness to let people place the mantle of victimhood on him makes this memoir so very fascinating to read. He refuses to allow any sort of pity for his plight and instead has dedicated his life to making things better for the blind and visually impaired.
What I especially appreciated about Miele’s memoir is that he is not a paragon of a man. He admits he can be a pain the ass, he lets us see how annoying he can be at times, he shows us his drug use and how he didn’t take school seriously at first. In short, he is a normal human being, just one who happens to lack the ability to see. With memoirs being one of my favorite genres, I have read many in which the author makes themself out to be a person without many, if any, flaws, and that simply isn’t realistic. Miele lets us get to know all of him, both his finer points but also the ones that detract.
I had already been familiar with some of the issues that disabled people had endured from watching the excellent documentary Crip Camp: A Disability Revolution, as well as by reading Judy Heumann’s fantastic memoir Being Heumann: An Unrepentant Memoir of a Disability Rights Activist. I had also known several visually impaired people in my middle school in Illinois; they were mainstreamed into the regular classes, and my friends were frank about their struggles with being able to read textbooks and how difficult it was to get them in Braille or even in the extremely large print my one friend preferred. I also had a blind friend in high school, whose note taking device amazed me (this was before laptops and digital devices were so ubiquitous). But I didn’t realize how unwelcoming our world is to someone who can’t see, and how much work it can be just to exist and be independent.
This is a very important book, and I hope more people understand that making disability aids without the input of actual disabled people does not help the disabled person at all.
August 8, 2025
I intentionally took my time reading Connecting Dots: My Blind Life by Dr. Joshua A. Miele. I did not want it to end. Dr. Miele's story is not dramatic for drama’s sake, nor does it try to be inspirational. Instead, it is deeply intelligent, clear-eyed, and honest.
I finished it a few weeks ago, but this is the first opportunity I have had to sit down and reflect on what dr. Miele's book meant to me... and it deserves deep reflection.
Connecting Dots: My Blind Life is not a memoir about blindness; it is a memoir by a blind person, and this distinction matters. Dr. Joshua a. Miele’s blindness is certainly a part of his story, but it is not the whole of his story. What truly animates this book is his deep, enduring love for science and technology, and his lifelong curiosity about how the world works. His love for experimentation, discovery, and problem solving is a constant thread throughout the memoir. This is not a story about overcoming blindness. It is a story about pursuing knowledge , about living with purpose, and about building tools that did not exist until someone like Dr. Miele imagined them.
Dr. Miele is a scientist, inventor, and accessibility pioneer whose career has focused on developing technologies for blind and visually impaired people. He earned both his undergraduate and doctoral degrees from the University of California, Berkeley, where he studied physics and psychoacoustics. Early in his career, he worked at NASA, applying his scientific training in research before shifting into the field of accessibility. Since then, he has worked on tactile maps, audio description standards, screen reader compatibility, and inclusive design across platforms.
Most recently, he has been working at Amazon Lab126, where he leads initiatives to make Amazon’s consumer technology more accessible. His work there continues his long-standing commitment to making the digital and physical world more navigable and inclusive for people with disabilities. In 2021, he was awarded a MacArthur Fellowship (commonly referred to as the “Genius Grant”) in recognition of his groundbreaking contributions to disability innovation and inclusive technology.
His relationship to assistive technology is threaded throughout the book in ways that will fascinate readers who are familiar with these tools and enlighten those who are not. Dr. Miele discusses both legacy and emerging technologies not to teach, but because they are integral to how he experiences and shapes the world. His memoir invites us into the mind of a builder and problem-solver, someone for whom science and technology are not just passions, but ways of being.
What I appreciate most is the honesty. There are no blind clichés here. Dr. Miele does not shy away from the things often glossed over in disability memoirs--his experiences with sex and drugs, his evolving relationships, the complexities of identity, and the pragmatics of daily life. One moment that stands out is his decision to give up his guide dog after working him for three years. It is a choice some animal lovers may struggle with, but Dr. Miele explains it with respect and clarity: the dog was not a pet, but a mobility tool, and when it no longer suited his needs, Dr. Miele made the responsible decision to return the dog to The Seeing Eye so the dog could work for someone else. It is one of many examples where he resists others’ expectations of what a blind person’s life should look like and instead does what is right for him .
Another powerful theme in the book is the role of expectations. Dr. Miele’s parents were far from being perfect, but they gave him something essential: they expected him to grow, to explore, to figure things out--just like their other children. After he became blind, they did not lower the bar or wrap him in protection. They trusted him to discover both his limitations and his strengths on his own terms. That quiet, unwavering confidence in his potential was not just meaningful, it was transformative.
As a blind woman myself, I understand just how significant that kind of trust can be. I come from a family that showed me both sides of that experience. During my earliest years of life, my maternal grandparents approached my blindness with steady, clear expectations. They believed in my ability to learn and contribute, to succeed, and to find my place in the world. Later in life, I encountered others who did not share that belief, whose limited expectations quietly reshaped how I was seen and treated. That contrast revealed to me a difficult truth: it is not disability itself that limits a person’s future, but the assumptions—spoken or unspoken—that others impose.
One of the most powerful and often-overlooked truths this memoir makes clear is that people--blind, disabled, or not--are still people: Full, complex, capable, contradictory human beings. That simple fact is too often buried beneath layers of pity, assumptions, stereotypes, and low expectations. Connecting Dots does not preach this—it demonstrates it, through one person’s honest, layered, and deeply human story.
This is my favorite memoir by a blind author. It is raw, brilliant, and refreshingly unpolished. Dr. Miele does not write to be inspirational—he writes to be real. Connecting Dots is the story of a blind person, yes, but more than that, it is the story of a family man, a musician, a passionate scientist, a teacher, a relentless innovator, and a fully human being making meaning in a complex world... on his own terms.
I finished it a few weeks ago, but this is the first opportunity I have had to sit down and reflect on what dr. Miele's book meant to me... and it deserves deep reflection.
Connecting Dots: My Blind Life is not a memoir about blindness; it is a memoir by a blind person, and this distinction matters. Dr. Joshua a. Miele’s blindness is certainly a part of his story, but it is not the whole of his story. What truly animates this book is his deep, enduring love for science and technology, and his lifelong curiosity about how the world works. His love for experimentation, discovery, and problem solving is a constant thread throughout the memoir. This is not a story about overcoming blindness. It is a story about pursuing knowledge , about living with purpose, and about building tools that did not exist until someone like Dr. Miele imagined them.
Dr. Miele is a scientist, inventor, and accessibility pioneer whose career has focused on developing technologies for blind and visually impaired people. He earned both his undergraduate and doctoral degrees from the University of California, Berkeley, where he studied physics and psychoacoustics. Early in his career, he worked at NASA, applying his scientific training in research before shifting into the field of accessibility. Since then, he has worked on tactile maps, audio description standards, screen reader compatibility, and inclusive design across platforms.
Most recently, he has been working at Amazon Lab126, where he leads initiatives to make Amazon’s consumer technology more accessible. His work there continues his long-standing commitment to making the digital and physical world more navigable and inclusive for people with disabilities. In 2021, he was awarded a MacArthur Fellowship (commonly referred to as the “Genius Grant”) in recognition of his groundbreaking contributions to disability innovation and inclusive technology.
His relationship to assistive technology is threaded throughout the book in ways that will fascinate readers who are familiar with these tools and enlighten those who are not. Dr. Miele discusses both legacy and emerging technologies not to teach, but because they are integral to how he experiences and shapes the world. His memoir invites us into the mind of a builder and problem-solver, someone for whom science and technology are not just passions, but ways of being.
What I appreciate most is the honesty. There are no blind clichés here. Dr. Miele does not shy away from the things often glossed over in disability memoirs--his experiences with sex and drugs, his evolving relationships, the complexities of identity, and the pragmatics of daily life. One moment that stands out is his decision to give up his guide dog after working him for three years. It is a choice some animal lovers may struggle with, but Dr. Miele explains it with respect and clarity: the dog was not a pet, but a mobility tool, and when it no longer suited his needs, Dr. Miele made the responsible decision to return the dog to The Seeing Eye so the dog could work for someone else. It is one of many examples where he resists others’ expectations of what a blind person’s life should look like and instead does what is right for him .
Another powerful theme in the book is the role of expectations. Dr. Miele’s parents were far from being perfect, but they gave him something essential: they expected him to grow, to explore, to figure things out--just like their other children. After he became blind, they did not lower the bar or wrap him in protection. They trusted him to discover both his limitations and his strengths on his own terms. That quiet, unwavering confidence in his potential was not just meaningful, it was transformative.
As a blind woman myself, I understand just how significant that kind of trust can be. I come from a family that showed me both sides of that experience. During my earliest years of life, my maternal grandparents approached my blindness with steady, clear expectations. They believed in my ability to learn and contribute, to succeed, and to find my place in the world. Later in life, I encountered others who did not share that belief, whose limited expectations quietly reshaped how I was seen and treated. That contrast revealed to me a difficult truth: it is not disability itself that limits a person’s future, but the assumptions—spoken or unspoken—that others impose.
One of the most powerful and often-overlooked truths this memoir makes clear is that people--blind, disabled, or not--are still people: Full, complex, capable, contradictory human beings. That simple fact is too often buried beneath layers of pity, assumptions, stereotypes, and low expectations. Connecting Dots does not preach this—it demonstrates it, through one person’s honest, layered, and deeply human story.
This is my favorite memoir by a blind author. It is raw, brilliant, and refreshingly unpolished. Dr. Miele does not write to be inspirational—he writes to be real. Connecting Dots is the story of a blind person, yes, but more than that, it is the story of a family man, a musician, a passionate scientist, a teacher, a relentless innovator, and a fully human being making meaning in a complex world... on his own terms.
February 1, 2025
I received an ARC of this book knowing nothing about its contents. I had no idea that this memoir would open with a 4-year-old being attacked with acid by a mentally ill neighbor, an act that scarred and blinded this child. I was furious reading these pages. But the writer accepted early on that his life course would be different than what his family imagined for him, and he rose to the occasion.
This is a riveting story of his unique circumstances, but also of how normal he was for a child of the 70s. He also abused drugs. He was as much a latchkey kid as anyone else his age, and he bullied and fought other kids with the mercilessness of a sighted person. His stories also fascinated me and invited me into a different world of discovering the world in other ways than seeing it. He leaned into listening, but as he reminds readers at the beginning of the book, blind people don’t have supernatural hearing powers as a result of losing their sight.
The author makes some important points about why blind people should design devices for the blind. He takes a lot of issue with sighted people letting the blind off the hook. His insight really changed my perspective on the matter. At the same time, I also think it’s important to remember that Joshua Miele is the exception and not the rule. He’s a MacArthur Fellow and brilliant. Not all blind people (or most people, for that matter) are as bright as Joshua, and the life he has led would have been exceptional for a sighted person. I would say it’s important to put his experiences into perspective. At times, I wanted more scenes in this book, and not so much summarization of what happened. Overall though, this is an amazing story.
This is a riveting story of his unique circumstances, but also of how normal he was for a child of the 70s. He also abused drugs. He was as much a latchkey kid as anyone else his age, and he bullied and fought other kids with the mercilessness of a sighted person. His stories also fascinated me and invited me into a different world of discovering the world in other ways than seeing it. He leaned into listening, but as he reminds readers at the beginning of the book, blind people don’t have supernatural hearing powers as a result of losing their sight.
The author makes some important points about why blind people should design devices for the blind. He takes a lot of issue with sighted people letting the blind off the hook. His insight really changed my perspective on the matter. At the same time, I also think it’s important to remember that Joshua Miele is the exception and not the rule. He’s a MacArthur Fellow and brilliant. Not all blind people (or most people, for that matter) are as bright as Joshua, and the life he has led would have been exceptional for a sighted person. I would say it’s important to put his experiences into perspective. At times, I wanted more scenes in this book, and not so much summarization of what happened. Overall though, this is an amazing story.
May 27, 2025
This was an absolutely wonderful read. It is the memoir of a man who is scarred and blinded by acid at the age of 4. I love how this book is written. It is clear that Joshua was destined to do great things and to be a problem solver. (He was a scientist and scholar. ) It just so happened that after becoming blind he was more attuned to the needs of people who had visual impairments. His focus on problem solving spanned his entire life. A fantastic read!
May 28, 2025
I had the opportunity to meet Josh about fifteen years back or so as part of a workshop on creating audio description scripts. I found this book to be fascinating, and I had a hard time putting it down. As someone who doesn't read a lot of nonfiction, this book is definitely one I'm glad I chose to read. I picked it because I've met Josh and was curious, but would still have enjoyed the book even if I'd never met him.
June 8, 2025
I'm a memoir lover, so this was right up my alley. It was cool to see how Josh's own perspective on disability changed over time and how he's become such an agent for change.
Thanks to the ALC program from Libro.fm for the free listen.
Thanks to the ALC program from Libro.fm for the free listen.
March 31, 2025
It was interesting to consider all the obstacles there are for blind people and how sighted people are misguided in their efforts to “fix” these problems. Still, I DNF’ed this book at 65%.
August 26, 2025
fantastic. totally recommend as an audiobook (in part because of the way he does his step-dad’s accent lol)
December 23, 2024
I could not have been more impressed with Joshua Miele's "Connecting Dots". Miele's disability in no way defines him - he's a musician, entrepreneur, inventor, engineer, friend and father - and just happens to be navigating the world without being able to see a thing in front of him. I laughed a lot while reading it, and would recommend to anyone, especially teens, who don't quite know where they'll end up. Miele teaches us that all of life's experiences can end up leading to a perfect place - and maybe even a MacArthur Fellowship.
January 10, 2025
5/5 STARS! Who said being blind is a setback? This book is proof its nothing but something you are. The incredible story of scientist Joshua Miele who was blinded as a child because of an acid attack by a neighbor, this is a riveting & fascinating story that'll have you crying, raging, & laughing throughout. His stories are so vivid & descriptive & puts you right there with his family. I absolutely loved this & highly recommend! More books need to be out there like this that show different sides to what we think of as horrific disabilities.
April 19, 2025
In 1973, 4 year old Joshua Miele answered the doorbell. At the door, his older neighbor poured a cup of sulfuric acid on his head, burning and blinding him. Connecting Dots is Joshua's memoir of growing up blind in a world that caters to the sighted. It goes through his childhood, adolescence, college years, and adulthood.
Memoirs are always hard to rate but I really loved hearing Joshua's story. I hadn't heard about the acid incident, but it's admirable how Joshua doesn't let that stop him from doing what he wants to in life. He doesn't even hold a grudge against the man who attacked him, and I can't imagine being that strong.
I listened to the audiobook, which is narrated by Greg D. Barnett. His narration was overall just fine, but his breath in between words is accentuated. I found this distracting no matter what speed I listened to the audiobook.
Recommended for people who loves memoirs about people overcoming trauma and anyone wanting to learn more about living life without sight.
Thank you Hachette Audio and NetGalley for the ALC.
Memoirs are always hard to rate but I really loved hearing Joshua's story. I hadn't heard about the acid incident, but it's admirable how Joshua doesn't let that stop him from doing what he wants to in life. He doesn't even hold a grudge against the man who attacked him, and I can't imagine being that strong.
I listened to the audiobook, which is narrated by Greg D. Barnett. His narration was overall just fine, but his breath in between words is accentuated. I found this distracting no matter what speed I listened to the audiobook.
Recommended for people who loves memoirs about people overcoming trauma and anyone wanting to learn more about living life without sight.
Thank you Hachette Audio and NetGalley for the ALC.
March 26, 2025
Josh's and Jamie's book is an absolute masterpiece. I reflected, I laughed, I cried, and I was reminded once more of how wonderful of a human being Josh is (and I am not saying this just because he's my friend).
If you know Josh, this book will be a lovely adventure beside him (the writing is so good!) and you will probably learn a few new things about him. It will make you want to hug him, tease him, and ask him a million follow-up questions.
If you don't know Josh, you will learn a ton about Josh's incredible story of discovery, resilience, good and bad decisions, disability, accessibility (and like thereof), advocacy, and just generally humanness.
In case it's not clear by now, I highly recommend this book. I devoured it in 2 days and was left with my heart full.
If you know Josh, this book will be a lovely adventure beside him (the writing is so good!) and you will probably learn a few new things about him. It will make you want to hug him, tease him, and ask him a million follow-up questions.
If you don't know Josh, you will learn a ton about Josh's incredible story of discovery, resilience, good and bad decisions, disability, accessibility (and like thereof), advocacy, and just generally humanness.
In case it's not clear by now, I highly recommend this book. I devoured it in 2 days and was left with my heart full.
April 27, 2025
Inspiration can come from different places. Sometimes from a long-hidden source within oneself, sometimes from outside role models and "angels" we meet along the way. One fateful day, October 5, 1973, in trendy Park Slope, Brooklyn, New York a horrific crime occurs that rocks the close knit community for decades to come. Four-year-old Joshua Miele answers the door to his trusted next door neighbor, drastically changing the course of his young life, as this schizophrenic young man pours a cup of sulfuric acid, siphoned out of a fire extinguisher, over little Joshua's head, melting off his right eye, nose and lips and severely damaging his left eye and the skin on his face and chest, leaving him blinded and scarred for life. Joshua's family rallies around him, encouraging his independence so that Joshua refuses to feel sorry for himself and instead, sets out to conquer the world on his terms. And he does!
After years of painful surgeries and skin grafts, young Joshua accepts that this is as good as it gets and refuses to capitalize on his disability. Joshua explains that he can't see himself and it's others who have the problem. Joshua is determined to utilize his superior intelligence to have fun in his life and to improve his independence as well as that of the millions of others who must navigate life as a blind person. Excelling as a musician, scientist, inventor, engineer, computer specialist, entrepreneur, and academically superior student, Joshua is no goody two-shoes. He smokes pot, drops pills, experiments with psychedelics and pulls his share of pranks and punches noses against those who push him too far. Joshua is no one's victim, at least, not for long!
Guided along the way by family, friends, teachers, partners, study/research groups, Joshua is grateful for every bit of knowledge and support. His parents never babied him. After the parents' marriage broke up, Klaus, his mother's boyfriend, later to become her husband, brought him to his place of work, Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory, Palisades, New York, where he was introduced to and befriended by some of the greatest scientific minds of the world, so his natural abilities and inclinations flourished and expanded.
With one invention in particular, the creation of tactile maps and cues in conjunction with sound reverberations, Joshua is able to supply street and travel maps to the visually impaired. The advances he made were curtailed as connectivity changed so rapidly that his inventions could not keep pace with the constant advances in technology. The ideas were there, doable, usable, accessible but life happens.
In 2001, Joshua happily marries his love Liz with 150 guests attending the reception. Two children result from the union!
In 2021, Joshua's most longed for dream is realized when he finally is the recipient of the MacArthur Fellowship, aka The Genius Grant, "a no-strings attached award given in recognition of individuals who have shown extraordinary originality and dedication to their creative pursuits and a marked capacity for self-direction." Among so many other achievements, Joshua works at Amazon as a Design Scholar, "helping to facilitate and improve products that address critical needs of the visually impaired and challenge societal assumptions of blindness".
Loved this book! Couldn't stop reading. I would love to meet Joshua in person. Besides being an out-of-the-box thinker, he seems like a lot of fun!
Please let me know your thoughts. I'd love to hear from you. You can email me at elainewrites@earthlink.net.
I wish you all a life inspired by the wonder of the world around us. May you find and live your truth, in harmony with people, nature and the environment. May you be a force for good and a source of love and comfort. May the world be a better place for you having lived and loved here.
All rights reserved 2025.
After years of painful surgeries and skin grafts, young Joshua accepts that this is as good as it gets and refuses to capitalize on his disability. Joshua explains that he can't see himself and it's others who have the problem. Joshua is determined to utilize his superior intelligence to have fun in his life and to improve his independence as well as that of the millions of others who must navigate life as a blind person. Excelling as a musician, scientist, inventor, engineer, computer specialist, entrepreneur, and academically superior student, Joshua is no goody two-shoes. He smokes pot, drops pills, experiments with psychedelics and pulls his share of pranks and punches noses against those who push him too far. Joshua is no one's victim, at least, not for long!
Guided along the way by family, friends, teachers, partners, study/research groups, Joshua is grateful for every bit of knowledge and support. His parents never babied him. After the parents' marriage broke up, Klaus, his mother's boyfriend, later to become her husband, brought him to his place of work, Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory, Palisades, New York, where he was introduced to and befriended by some of the greatest scientific minds of the world, so his natural abilities and inclinations flourished and expanded.
With one invention in particular, the creation of tactile maps and cues in conjunction with sound reverberations, Joshua is able to supply street and travel maps to the visually impaired. The advances he made were curtailed as connectivity changed so rapidly that his inventions could not keep pace with the constant advances in technology. The ideas were there, doable, usable, accessible but life happens.
In 2001, Joshua happily marries his love Liz with 150 guests attending the reception. Two children result from the union!
In 2021, Joshua's most longed for dream is realized when he finally is the recipient of the MacArthur Fellowship, aka The Genius Grant, "a no-strings attached award given in recognition of individuals who have shown extraordinary originality and dedication to their creative pursuits and a marked capacity for self-direction." Among so many other achievements, Joshua works at Amazon as a Design Scholar, "helping to facilitate and improve products that address critical needs of the visually impaired and challenge societal assumptions of blindness".
Loved this book! Couldn't stop reading. I would love to meet Joshua in person. Besides being an out-of-the-box thinker, he seems like a lot of fun!
Please let me know your thoughts. I'd love to hear from you. You can email me at elainewrites@earthlink.net.
I wish you all a life inspired by the wonder of the world around us. May you find and live your truth, in harmony with people, nature and the environment. May you be a force for good and a source of love and comfort. May the world be a better place for you having lived and loved here.
All rights reserved 2025.
March 5, 2025
#audiobook
This memoir immediately caught my attention. At the young age of four, Miele's life was irrevocably changed when he opened the door to a neighbor who threw acid in his face. The attack left him with severe injuries, including the loss of his eyesight and the need for multiple reconstructive surgeries. Yet, Incredibly, Miele viewed these challenges not as disabilities but as obstacles to be overcome.
Embracing Life's Challenges
I was particularly drawn to Miele’s experiences with his family, hospital time, and school life. His positive attitude towards his blindness and disfigurement was nothing short of inspiring. He approached his circumstances as challenges to be met head-on rather than limitations to be pitied. But along the way, he is aware of much that could be done to make the entire blind community more self-sufficient. At one point in the book, he makes a sad but humorous point by purchasing vice-grips and heading to the sidewalk. I won't spoil the point he was making, but it was an important one.
An Inspirational Journey
Listening to this audiobook was a truly inspirational experience. The author offers an unflinching look at the good, the bad, and the ugly aspects of his life. Each listening session left me eager to return and hear more of his incredible journey. His openness and honesty about his experiences provide valuable insights into the complexities of living with blindness and facial disfigurement. It was hard for me to imagine his dreams and his determination to make them come true.
A Desire for More Depth
While the memoir was profoundly moving, I found myself wishing for more detail on how Miele accomplishes daily tasks as a blind person. His story hints at innovative approaches and tools he has developed or utilized, but it wasn't enough for me. Understanding the practicalities of his life could provide additional inspiration and guidance for others facing similar challenges. Or, of course, people like me, who gain so much from others’ strength.
Final Thoughts
The narrator did a great job of presenting the story.
Don't overlook this fascinating story about an extraordinary man. Joshua Miele’s memoir is a powerful reminder of the strength of the human spirit and the capacity to rise above even the most daunting challenges. I highly recommend CONNECTING DOTS to anyone seeking a thought-provoking memoir that is hard to forget.
My thanks to NetGalley, Hachette Audio, and Grand Central Publishing for allowing me to listen to this audiobook before its publication.
This memoir immediately caught my attention. At the young age of four, Miele's life was irrevocably changed when he opened the door to a neighbor who threw acid in his face. The attack left him with severe injuries, including the loss of his eyesight and the need for multiple reconstructive surgeries. Yet, Incredibly, Miele viewed these challenges not as disabilities but as obstacles to be overcome.
Embracing Life's Challenges
I was particularly drawn to Miele’s experiences with his family, hospital time, and school life. His positive attitude towards his blindness and disfigurement was nothing short of inspiring. He approached his circumstances as challenges to be met head-on rather than limitations to be pitied. But along the way, he is aware of much that could be done to make the entire blind community more self-sufficient. At one point in the book, he makes a sad but humorous point by purchasing vice-grips and heading to the sidewalk. I won't spoil the point he was making, but it was an important one.
An Inspirational Journey
Listening to this audiobook was a truly inspirational experience. The author offers an unflinching look at the good, the bad, and the ugly aspects of his life. Each listening session left me eager to return and hear more of his incredible journey. His openness and honesty about his experiences provide valuable insights into the complexities of living with blindness and facial disfigurement. It was hard for me to imagine his dreams and his determination to make them come true.
A Desire for More Depth
While the memoir was profoundly moving, I found myself wishing for more detail on how Miele accomplishes daily tasks as a blind person. His story hints at innovative approaches and tools he has developed or utilized, but it wasn't enough for me. Understanding the practicalities of his life could provide additional inspiration and guidance for others facing similar challenges. Or, of course, people like me, who gain so much from others’ strength.
Final Thoughts
The narrator did a great job of presenting the story.
Don't overlook this fascinating story about an extraordinary man. Joshua Miele’s memoir is a powerful reminder of the strength of the human spirit and the capacity to rise above even the most daunting challenges. I highly recommend CONNECTING DOTS to anyone seeking a thought-provoking memoir that is hard to forget.
My thanks to NetGalley, Hachette Audio, and Grand Central Publishing for allowing me to listen to this audiobook before its publication.
March 25, 2025
On Friday, October 5, 1973, when the doorbell of his Park Slope brownstone rang, four-year-old Joshua Miele rushed to see who was there. Tragically, a mentally ill neighbor proceeded to pour a cup of sulfuric acid on the little boy, inflicting third-degree-burns on the child's face and chest, and robbing him of his sight. "Connecting Dots," by Miele and Wendell Jamieson, is a poignant, engrossing, and inspiring account of a remarkable man who, in spite of his pain and suffering, went on to fulfill his childhood dreams.
One of the most remarkable aspects of this unforgettable memoir is Miele's lack of self-pity. From the time that he realized he would never see again, Josh, with the help of his amazing parents, devoted teachers, and caring friends, found innovative ways to navigate his world. Josh was determined not to let his disability define him. He declared, "I knew I would be able to do everything I wanted to do; I never considered any other option."
Josh's path was not smooth. He had to undergo painful operations and has scars that will never disappear. As an adolescent, Josh went through a phase when he experimented with drugs. Still, he remained stalwart in his desire to make something of himself. Miele eventually earned a PhD and was awarded a MacArthur Genius Grant for his pioneering work in "creating effective and affordable solutions to everyday problems blind people face."
The central theme of this powerful work of non-fiction is that Josh Miele, like many others with disabilities, has not only overcome daunting obstacles, but has also enjoyed himself in the process. He is a well-rounded individual who loves music, relishes good food, takes pleasure in inventing tools to aid the visually impaired, and has raised two children with his beloved wife, Liz. Appreciative readers will admire the power of Joshua Miele's indomitable spirit.
One of the most remarkable aspects of this unforgettable memoir is Miele's lack of self-pity. From the time that he realized he would never see again, Josh, with the help of his amazing parents, devoted teachers, and caring friends, found innovative ways to navigate his world. Josh was determined not to let his disability define him. He declared, "I knew I would be able to do everything I wanted to do; I never considered any other option."
Josh's path was not smooth. He had to undergo painful operations and has scars that will never disappear. As an adolescent, Josh went through a phase when he experimented with drugs. Still, he remained stalwart in his desire to make something of himself. Miele eventually earned a PhD and was awarded a MacArthur Genius Grant for his pioneering work in "creating effective and affordable solutions to everyday problems blind people face."
The central theme of this powerful work of non-fiction is that Josh Miele, like many others with disabilities, has not only overcome daunting obstacles, but has also enjoyed himself in the process. He is a well-rounded individual who loves music, relishes good food, takes pleasure in inventing tools to aid the visually impaired, and has raised two children with his beloved wife, Liz. Appreciative readers will admire the power of Joshua Miele's indomitable spirit.
April 13, 2025
This book tells the story of Joshua, who became blind as a child due to a violent, life-altering attack. Despite this trauma, he has consistently refused to let it define him. In his memoir, Joshua shares how he has navigated the world around him, from the challenges of the NYC public school system to teenage rebellion and ultimately discovering his purpose as a thought leader and advocate for accessible technology. His narrative is not just about achieving independence and technological creativity; it also delves into personal growth. Joshua's voice is honest and refreshingly self-aware, offering readers an intimate glimpse into the complexities of living without sight and highlighting the flawed systems, assumptions, and everyday obstacles faced by people with disabilities.
He explores the intersections of disability, family, education, and privilege with sharp insight. Whether recounting his awkward teenage years at a school for the blind, the early days of developing accessible technology, or finding love and building a career, each chapter feels personal and essential. Joshua has played a significant role in reshaping how blind people interact with the world—from tactile maps to talking software—and the book is infused with the excitement of solving problems and pushing boundaries. This is not a story of pity or even simple triumph; rather, it is a candid, sharp, and often humorous journey of identity, resilience, and relentless curiosity.
To listen to my interview with the author, go to my podcast at:
https://zibbymedia.com/blogs/transcri...
He explores the intersections of disability, family, education, and privilege with sharp insight. Whether recounting his awkward teenage years at a school for the blind, the early days of developing accessible technology, or finding love and building a career, each chapter feels personal and essential. Joshua has played a significant role in reshaping how blind people interact with the world—from tactile maps to talking software—and the book is infused with the excitement of solving problems and pushing boundaries. This is not a story of pity or even simple triumph; rather, it is a candid, sharp, and often humorous journey of identity, resilience, and relentless curiosity.
To listen to my interview with the author, go to my podcast at:
https://zibbymedia.com/blogs/transcri...
March 14, 2025
Joshua Miele was meant to do great things. Sighted or blind, he would have accomplished much. The fact is he not only didn’t let blindness stop him, he embraced it. It did perhaps change the focus of his life, so maybe in that way, being blind led him to explore ideas he might not have otherwise done so. Regardless, his intelligence fostered his desire to improve the lives of others, and he did so to help other visually impaired people. He was blinded and burned by acid poured over his head at his own house by a mentally deranged neighbor. No one knows why his house was singled out. If not for the quick action of another neighbor who poured water on him, and the dogged persistent of his father to get specialized treatments for Josh, he would have died. Josh discloses much in this memoir. Most surprising to me was his illegal drug use while in his teens: how he obtained the drugs, dealt the drugs, and then kicked his drug habit. He goes on to describe how he coped with being blind, getting around towns, going to college, working for NASA, getting married and having children. He talks about his role in developing technologies used to aid the blind. You might think that this is a tragic story. Indeed, the acid attack was tragic, but this memoir is a triumphant story, filled with success, humor, and happiness.
November 11, 2025
This is a fantastic book and memoir. Josh Miele became blind and disfigured at age 4 when a neighbor in a mental health crisis poured acid over the young boy at his home in Brooklyn in 1973. It was horrifying and shocking, and Josh mostly remembers the extreme pain afterward in the hospital. (Later in the book he talks with his parents and siblings for the first time about the horrors of that time for them.)
But this is not a story about how a kid dealt with his blindness and facial scars. Instead, it's about a kid who happened to go blind at a very young age and then what his interesting life became. Much of the book chronicles his college and young adult life as a student at Berkeley at a fascinating time when he became friends with other people with disabilities and they became guerrilla activists. He's also quite funny and had quite a wild life in his younger years.
He became interested in and involved in all sorts of technologies and educational tools, a genius and interest he later combined with activism, becoming well-known and respected for his work on improving accessibility for people with disabilities.
I don't think I've heard about a life anything like this before, and I learned so much about the different groups and cultures he joined in a pivotal time in history. I highly recommend this book for the sheer joy and fascination.
But this is not a story about how a kid dealt with his blindness and facial scars. Instead, it's about a kid who happened to go blind at a very young age and then what his interesting life became. Much of the book chronicles his college and young adult life as a student at Berkeley at a fascinating time when he became friends with other people with disabilities and they became guerrilla activists. He's also quite funny and had quite a wild life in his younger years.
He became interested in and involved in all sorts of technologies and educational tools, a genius and interest he later combined with activism, becoming well-known and respected for his work on improving accessibility for people with disabilities.
I don't think I've heard about a life anything like this before, and I learned so much about the different groups and cultures he joined in a pivotal time in history. I highly recommend this book for the sheer joy and fascination.
May 18, 2025
Around 2011 I ended up next to a man and his small daughter on a cross country flight on JetBlue. The man, who was blind, asked me to check the seat back TV in front of his child and verify that she was watching what she said she was — I did, and she was (iCarly). We struck up a wide ranging and engaging conversation that ended up lasting the entire flight. He had an accessible iPhone that talked to him; I had never seen one of those before. I was knitting, and at one point he asked me about it. I offered to let him see it, and then stuttered about using the word “see” — he laughed and reassured me that my wording was fine. I remember how carefully he examined my sweater-in-progress and the perceptive questions he had about the textures he could feel; it was a pleasure to interact with a person of such tremendous curiosity. Years later I spotted him at a high school theatre performance, and it turned out his daughter was one of my friend’s daughter’s best friends! A few years later, when I heard he got a MacArthur, I was as delighted as if I knew him personally, even though our worlds overlapped only minimally. Now I’ve read his memoir, and recommend it -- it's a great read about a very interesting person.
May 14, 2025
Accessibility for people in his situation is what Miele decided to dedicate his life to. It started out with a fairly average existence until an unhinged neighbor took the acid from a fire extinguisher and threw it on little three year old Joshua Miele who ran to his front door. And his life was never the same.
But navigating life with blindness and injuries sustained from the burns of the acid (with plenty of skin grafts and attempt to give him eyesight) meant that there were plenty of doctor visits until life kept going. Oftentimes Miele's parents would use him as a prop or sympathy piece and other times they made him figure it out for himself which gave him a resilience that others that he would meet along the way didn't have.
His life included drugs and romance, education and friendships. Typical of time and place but he wanted more and he wanted to help others. He talks quite a lot (and interestingly) about the development of tools for the blind and disabled as accessibility agents.
It read smoothly. Pleasantly surprising me at many turns about choices he made (like giving up his guide dog after a few years).
But navigating life with blindness and injuries sustained from the burns of the acid (with plenty of skin grafts and attempt to give him eyesight) meant that there were plenty of doctor visits until life kept going. Oftentimes Miele's parents would use him as a prop or sympathy piece and other times they made him figure it out for himself which gave him a resilience that others that he would meet along the way didn't have.
His life included drugs and romance, education and friendships. Typical of time and place but he wanted more and he wanted to help others. He talks quite a lot (and interestingly) about the development of tools for the blind and disabled as accessibility agents.
It read smoothly. Pleasantly surprising me at many turns about choices he made (like giving up his guide dog after a few years).
November 24, 2025
Each of our lives has a trajectory. Most are pretty predictable, at least within a narrow range of possibilities. When an impact from an outside force almost ends the trajectory entirely or bumps it severely off course, then hold your breath while all future outcomes become highly unpredictable.
My guess is that Joshua Miele would have accomplished a lot in his lifetime even if the incident hadn’t made it harder for him to do great things. We’ll never know, but we do have a roadmap from Josh and others like him who did not and would not fold under the pressing weight of tragedy.
More than that inspiration, however, what Josh would want a sighted, hearing, mobile person like me to take away from his book is more empathy and concern for the disabled and a desire to make things easier for them. I’m feeling it. And more than that, he scatters little comments and observations that ALL of us can take to heart as we hurtle too fast through our own uneventful and unexpected lives.
My guess is that Joshua Miele would have accomplished a lot in his lifetime even if the incident hadn’t made it harder for him to do great things. We’ll never know, but we do have a roadmap from Josh and others like him who did not and would not fold under the pressing weight of tragedy.
More than that inspiration, however, what Josh would want a sighted, hearing, mobile person like me to take away from his book is more empathy and concern for the disabled and a desire to make things easier for them. I’m feeling it. And more than that, he scatters little comments and observations that ALL of us can take to heart as we hurtle too fast through our own uneventful and unexpected lives.
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March 6, 2025This is the story of Joshua Miele and his life after he is horrifically burned and blinded by an acid attack [by a mentally unstable neighbor] at the age of 4. It is a story of how he adapted to being blind in a seeing world , both the good and bad, and all of his accomplishments in and hour of his school and family life. It is an interesting story that will resonate with many.
This was my first time listening to the narrator Greg D. Barnett, but I hope it is not my last. He does an excellent job and I truly enjoyed his telling of this story.
Thank you to NetGalley, Joshua A. Miele, Wendell Jamieson - journalist and contributor, Hachette Books/Grand Central Publishing, and Hachette Audio/Grand Central Publishing for providing both the eBook and audiobook ARC's in exchange for an honest review.
This was my first time listening to the narrator Greg D. Barnett, but I hope it is not my last. He does an excellent job and I truly enjoyed his telling of this story.
Thank you to NetGalley, Joshua A. Miele, Wendell Jamieson - journalist and contributor, Hachette Books/Grand Central Publishing, and Hachette Audio/Grand Central Publishing for providing both the eBook and audiobook ARC's in exchange for an honest review.
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