The narrative chronicles the life of Robert Barron Shaw, Jr., a blind entrepreneur. The text is written as a dialogue with his grandchildren, Amanda, Justin, and Jeremy, who probe into their grandfather's history, which holds many ironies and twists of fate. He was just a boy from Memphis, TN, living with his parents and siblings, when one day he received a diagnosis that would change his life forever. At first, he shrouded himself in secrecy, fearing the repercussions of misguided judgments and stereotypes. As a result, he navigated through the world as though life proceeded as usual but nothing about his life was ordinary, by any stretch of the imagination! Through courage, force of will, and a steadfast commitment to personal accountability, Barry (as he is affectionately known to friends and family) redefined and transcended the limits of so-called "normalcy" to achieve unprecedented success in business and in life. Just as Barry has been guided by the example of his ancestors, he became a mentor to his grandchildren, young people in general, and virtually anyone who feels marginalized or beset by life's challenges.
"Stand for something. Make the rules work for you ... or write your own set of rules." This is but one of Barry's maxims that have defined his story. How Sweet the Sound! My Journey Through a Sighted World is a page-turner that promises to have a lasting impact.
