Eyes Wide Open

Overcoming Obstacles and Recognizing Opportunities in a World That Can't See Clearly

By: Isaac Lidsky

Narrated by: Isaac Lidsky

Length: 8 hrs and 36 mins

Publisher's summary

In Eyes Wide Open, Isaac Lidsky draws on his experience of achieving immense success, joy, and fulfillment while losing his sight to a blinding disease to show us that it isn't external circumstances but how we perceive and respond to them that governs our reality.

Fear has a tendency to give us tunnel vision - we fill the unknown with our worst imaginings and cling to what's familiar. But when confronted with new challenges, we need to think more broadly and adapt. When Isaac Lidsky learned that he was beginning to go blind at age 13, eventually losing his sight entirely by the time he was 25, he initially thought that blindness would mean an end to his early success and his hopes for the future. Paradoxically, losing his sight gave him the vision to take responsibility for his reality and thrive. Lidsky graduated from Harvard College at age 19, served as a Supreme Court law clerk, fathered four children, and turned a failing construction subcontractor into a highly profitable business.

Whether we're blind or not, our vision is limited by our past experiences, biases, and emotions. Lidsky shows us how we can overcome paralyzing fears, avoid falling prey to our own assumptions and faulty leaps of logic, silence our inner critics, harness our strength, and live with open hearts and minds. In sharing his hard-won insights, Lidsky shows us how we, too, can confront life's trials with initiative, humor, and grace.

©2017 Isaac Lidsky (P)2017 Penguin Audio

Critic reviews

"Isaac is inspiring. He triumphs in the face of great challenges, with grace and humility. I have seen how Isaac meaningfully connects with and touches those around him, and each of us is better for it. Because of his exceptional experiences, Isaac has much to teach readers about his practical yet expansive approach to life. They will greatly benefit from his book." (Sandra Day O'Connor, associate justice, US Supreme Court (Ret.))

"Few people have excelled in as many different ways as Isaac Lidsky has - and few have surmounted such hurdles. He has a fascinating, inspiring story to tell, and many practical, powerful insights to impart." (Gretchen Rubin, New York Times best-selling author of The Happiness Project and Better than Before)

"Moving and empowering." (Susan Cain, New York Times best-selling author of Quiet)

HelpfulIn multiple ways

As a person who is in the process of going blind, hearing this book of hope, encouragement, and open vulnerability was mind- and heart-opening. What I did not expect was learning a new way of approaching life in relationship to others. This is a wonderful book and I highly recommend it for anybody stuck and looking for a practical and sincere way to move forward.

One of the most inspiring books I've heard.

Remarkable book. So much to learn from. I've heard this twice already and will continue to come back to it. Stay blessed Isaac and thank you for writing and reading this!

great and different story

a great story in such a different Outlook under his circumstances for someone so intelligent.

The best motivation book I have ever encountered!!

I have put off for a month finishing a self-published informational guide. Isaac got me to finish it.

New perspective of life

I very much enjoyed listening to this audio book. He is a Great story teller and his story are intimate and relatable. The author gave me a new perspective towards my life as “funny “. There are times, that I took my life too seriously that became unbearable but with this new perspective I can give my self a new meaning to life.

Game Changer

Devoured this book. Mr. Lidsky's perspective is eye opening and game changing. I would highly recommend to anyone looking for a different lense to look at life through!

Such a GREAT BOOK!!

Loved this book! I love books read by the author, which this one is. This book is full of insight, knowledge and information as well as great stories. This book is worth purchasing the hard copy, for sure!

well worth the time.

I'm a little older than the author, which may be why many of his ideas and thoughts armoire welcome reminders than Revelations.

Inspiring story

Thank you for sharing you story. I was able to gain a number of insights with your words.

Having just had retina surgery, I experienced first hand the fear of losing my sight. While the surgery was successful, your story gave me strength that if something like losing my sight happened it would not be the end of my world.

I am in your debt.

I enjoyed it

The stories of his life and many of the lessons he linked to them were interesting and even inspiring. There were also some tenuous ones and a lot of unnecessary wordiness at times, but nothing intolerable.

When he started talking about his heroic father’s behaviors, he almost lost me. Luckily he was able to put those in the proper light soon after.

A book well worthy of a credit.