Positive Vision
February 12, 2022
I’m not sure that I’ve ever said this publicly, but I’m not a fan of biographies in the typical sense. What I mean by that is that if I wold rather read a biography from an everyday person like you and I as opposed to one from someone like Elon Musk (nothing against the man, or anyone like him. I would rather hear the stories of everyday people)
With that said, I can honestly and throughly say that I enjoyed every one of the 117 pages of this book. Ken Brandt, the author shares snippets of his life in this fun, energetic, insightful, and engrossing read.
Every chapter ends with a few vision related ‘dad jokes’ and I can honestly say everyone of them made me laugh. Speaking of humor, the author referred to both Laurel and Hardy, and Groucho Marx. I grew up watching them with my dad, so it was nice to see them referenced here.
At one point, I found myself literally saying ‘No. Hell no’ The author shared part of his life as a tin fabricator. The part that had me thankful I was sitting on my bed reading this? He was 110 floors up on the North Trade Center building, a co-worker holding on to his feet to ensure he didn’t fall the some 1,000 feet. That, my friends, tells me he’s got some stones. Just thinking about it made my anxiety sky-rocket.
Ken, the author shared more about his life thus far through the rest of the pages. He, for a short while, was the captain of the sky-diving team for his college. (Also a hefty no thanks from me. I could never jump out of a perfectly good airplane) Again, not the most insane thing someone could do, but there‘s a twist - Ken at the time had partially detached retinas. (Also the case whilst fixing some duct work on the north tower.)
This is a story about how Ken didn’t let anything stand in his way of having fun while seeking the next adventure. Anything from getting lost in a cave in upstate New York, to helping a friend chase someone who’d just broke into his friends car. (Although Ken admits himself he tripped over the same disposed mattress twice. And as he described in the book I could see it happening in my head.)
I learned a bit too along the way. For example, too much oxygen in a tent to keep a premature baby alive can lead to vision problems. I literally had no idea that’s a thing. But I know now. So, thank you for that, Ken. I always enjoy learning new things.
This was incredibly well written, laid out, and overall a blast to read. I finished it in about three hours.
It‘s available in paperback, hardcover, e-book, and audiobook and can be found on Amazon.
Ken is working on a similar book filled with more stories from himself and others with vision problems, and I look forward to reading that one as well.