Crashing Through

The Extraordinary True Story of the Man Who Dared to See

By: Robert Kurson

Narrated by: Doug Ordunio

Length: 10 hrs and 12 mins

Publisher's summary

Blinded at age three, Mike May defied expectations by breaking world records in downhill speed skiing, joining the CIA, and becoming a successful inventor, entrepreneur, and family man. He had never yearned for vision.

Then, in 1999, a chance encounter brought startling news: a revolutionary stem-cell transplant surgery could restore May's vision. The procedure was filled with risks, some of them deadly, others beyond May's wildest dreams. There were countless reasons for May to pass on vision. He could think of only a single reason to go forward. Whatever his decision, he knew it would change his life.

Beautifully written and thrillingly told, Crashing Through is a journey of suspense, daring, romance, and insight into the mysteries of vision and the brain. Robert Kurson gives us a fascinating account of one man's choice to explore what it means to see - and to truly live.

©2007 Robert Kurson (P)2007 Books on Tape

Critic reviews

"A remarkable story of courage and endurance." (Publishers Weekly)

BEST

One of the best books I have read/listened to. Fascinating story, well written. Has given me many opportunities to contemplate the human experience. Thanks for sharing. My life is better because of this book.

Great Listen

This was a very interesting book that I learned a lot from. The true story grabs you from the beginning and keeps you wanting to listen more and more. I learned about blindness, human brain development, and psychology, all while enjoying the story the whole time.

One thing that stands out from other audiobooks is that the narrator is exceptional. Many narrators I find distracting in one way or another. After listening to this book I now consider Doug Ordunio, the best narrator I have listened to so far.

Let me understand the person behind the "blindness

because it is q true story as well as local, made it that much more interesting. As well as I have a blind daughter.

Fabulous listen

Excellent story with a great narrator. High quality production. Loved Mike’s and Jennifer’s relationship and Mike’s Personal Board of Directors concept.

Slow start, but interesting info about vision

Any additional comments?

I chose this book because I was interested in hearing about the experience of suddenly having vision (especially when I had heard it tended to be a big disaster) but it didn’t start off very exciting. It’s almost annoying how Mike keeps insisting how ok he is with being blind. I suppose it is true enough that the way he was thrown into the sighted world to make it on his own as a child would probably be the thing most likely to make him able to feel that way but I got tired of hearing it.
I was so happy when he finally got his sight back - mainly because we were finally getting into the business of vision. There were some interesting case histories discussed of the rare instances of sight restoration after long term blindness. I thought the happy blind guy who became totally depressed when he saw how shabby the world actually looked was pretty interesting. And it is interesting to hear about what works and what doesn’t work in May's restored vision. I think the book first came to my attention when I was reading a book about the brain. I find it interesting how the eyes and brain (visual cortex I suppose) go about working together to create vision. May has (among other issues) problem seeing depth - like stairs or shadows looking like stripes on the ground. I was somewhat surprised by this problem for him. I would expect it if someone had never seen - ie that brain function never had the ability to develop but May was 3 when he became blind. Three year olds see stairs and shadows just fine. Apparently the brain "reuses" the parts when vision ceases. May's eyes (eye I should say, he only has one) looks like it should see fine and yet he has these issues.
So anyway, like I said the book was off to a slow start but I did enjoy it (except for the scene where May first takes time out to check out his wife’s naked body – talk about TMI!) The audiobook had an interview with May himself at the end as well.

An Eye Opener

This is the story of Mike May who undergoes surgery to renew the sight he lost at age three. The book opens by detailing May's decision to undergo the surgery and the initial results of this experiment. The latter portions consider the problems he encounterd after the surgery along with the neurological studies he endured.

The book is a curious combination of biography, science, and story telling. The listener will come away with a new appreciation for sight and a fuller understanding of what it means to perceive the world around us through sight.

The reading is very good, the writing - okay, and the information well worth the time.

This is an awesome book

I found this book fascinating and have continued to think about it even after finishing it, as well as recommended it to others. I would love to listen to it again actually. Certainly Robert Kurson is not your average blind man to begin with and I am confident sighted, or not-sighted, he would have quite an adventurous life but knowing that he is/was blind, his story is all the more interesting. This book certainly got me thinking and making connections to learning differences, like dyslexia and how the brain works, and sensory processing, how we raise our kids, etc. To me, that is a good book - one that makes you think and make bigger connections so I loved it. Just writing this review makes me eager to listen to it again.

just absolutely eye opening

loved it. some spots where a little bit long due to the very detailed explanations but it was great. Learnt so much. absolutely inspiring as well.

eye opener

one of the best books I've ever listened to. it will broaden ur perspective about senses and perception. it's about life, attitude, family, and ones goals. my only thought would be that the main guy Mike May would have done a great job reading/narrating. you will enjoy this book immensely÷

Amazing story

What did you love best about Crashing Through?

Amazing account of an extraordinary blind man who gets restoration of vision.

Any additional comments?

This is an interesting story, but needs to be abridged in some parts--too long descriptions of feelings etc.