Hello Darkness, My Old Friend

SANFORD D. GREENBERG

“Often his memories brought smiles; other times they left me near to tears. From the first page to the last, I was captivated by his bright mind, ready wit, and indomitable spirit.”

— SUPREME COURT JUSTICE
RUTH BADER GINSBURG

NEW RELEASE:

The inspiring story of a man who, after losing his eyesight to disease, finds the power to break through the darkness and fulfill his vision for a life of distinguished public service.

BOOK RELEASE: JUNE 30, 2020

NOW AVAILABLE FOR PRE-ORDER

PUBLISHER: POST HILL PRESS / DISTRIBUTOR: SIMON & SCHUSTER

"It's not always true that what doesn't kill you makes you stronger, but it can sometimes be true, and in Sandy's case it has been."

– MARGARET ATWOOD, AUTHOR

"This memoir is the story of a man brought from blindness to richness, from darkness to light, through his passion and his accomplishments, and from a deep commitment from those who loved him. This book renews life in us all."

– RICHARD AXEL, 2004 NOBEL LAUREATE IN PHYSIOLOGY

"Sandy plays the hand he got and tries to make the world a better place. He has aspirations and hope. Sandy is a role model for all of us."

– MICHAEL BLOOMBERG

FORMER MAYOR OF NEW YORK CITY

"When blindness is vanquished, and it will be, we will have Sandy Greenberg and his story to thank."

– SENATOR CHRIS COONS (D-DE)

ADVANCE PRAISE

“There is no greater measure of character than viewing one’s personal setbacks as a call to serve others. Sandy and Sue soared above their personal challenges and dedicated their lives to making a positive change in the world. We’re confident that this magnificent book will be one of the most inspirational you will ever read.”

– ELIZABETH AND BOB DOLE

"I was so deeply touched to read Sandy’s treatment of me in this magnificent book. I blush to find myself within his dimension. My friend is my gold standard of decency.”

– ART GARFUNKEL, SINGER, POET

"Often his memories brought smiles; other times they left me near to tears. From the first page to the last, I was captivated by his bright mind, ready wit, and indomitable spirit."

– SUPREME COURT JUSTICE

RUTH BADER GINSBURG

"An inspirational story of resilience, determination, achievement and, mostly, of the power of friendship and love. I could not stop reading this extraordinary book about an extraordinary journey."

– SUSAN GOLDBERG, EDITOR-IN-CHIEF, NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC

"An inspiring must-read for anyone facing challenges in life, as a guide to beating the odds and making your impact on the world."

– VICE PRESIDENT AL GORE

"Sanford Greenberg’s allegory, Education Embraced by the Human Spirit, is the story of his perpetual heroism."

– FRANK STELLA, ARTIST

"A majestic book, authored by the most ‘haimish’ of men. This should be required reading for every young person with a dream of helping their community."

– SENATOR RON WYDEN (D-OR)

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Sanford D. Greenberg is Chairman of the Board of Governors of Johns Hopkins University's Wilmer Eye Institute, the largest clinical and research enterprise in ophthalmology in the United States. He is a Fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences and a member of the Council on Foreign Relations.

In 2012, Greenberg launched End Blindness 2020—a campaign and prize of $3 million to be granted to the person or group who makes the greatest stride in ending the scourge of blindness.

SEE FULL BIO >>

HOW THE BOOK GOT ITS TITLE

A DREAM BECOMES A GOAL

From Sanford Greenberg's opening remarks at the convocation of his End Blindness campaign, held at New York's Rockefeller Center in May 2019.

Sandy and Art Garfunkel: “He’s not heavy; he’s my brother!”

Sandy with the compressed speech machine he invented and patented in the late 1960s.

Sandy with sons Jimmy on his shoulder and Paul in his arm.

Sandy goes up for a shot against former Sen. Bill Bradley, an all-American at Princeton and a long-time New York Knick. Sandy can sense the location of the basket by the flow of people around him.

Lyndon Johnson was thrilled to learn that four of the “Ten Outstanding Young Men in America” for 1967 were working for him. From left, they are Les Brown, William Carpenter, Sandy, and future HEW Secretary Joseph Califano. Carpenter was the famous “lonesome end” of the West Point football team.

Sandy, as a White House Fellow, visiting with then-Vice President Hubert Humphrey.

A presidential parentheses: Gerald Ford and Jimmy Carter on either side of Sandy.

Sandy with his invaluable mentor and friend David Rockefeller. The two met through the White House Fellows program, which Rockefeller helped found.

Sandy with congressman and former Buffalo Bills quarterback Jack Kemp, at left, and Justice William Brennan, during Sandy’s 1986 induction as a fellow of Brandeis University. Justice Brennan was one of Sandy’s “wise elders,” while Kemp’s advice to “throw deep” has played a key role in his life.

With President Bill Clinton, who appointed Sandy to the National Science Board, that oversees the National Science Foundation.

With then-Vice President Al Gore. The inscription reads: “For my great friend Sandy Greenberg, with deepest respect and appreciation for all your help.”

Sue and Sandy at his induction into the American Academy of Arts & Sciences, October 2016.

Sandy with Michael Bloomberg, left, and Columbia roommate Jerry Speyer.

Sandy and daughter Kathryn together in Sarasota, Florida, in 2018.

Sandy and Art Garfunkel retraced Sandy’s harrowing 1962 New York City subway ride for a 2016 National Geographic special issue on blindness. Photo by Brent Stirton.

With his Watergate neighbor and dear friend Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg in her chambers.

Sandy and Wynton Marsalis in the Supreme Court, 2017.

Sandy with the celebrated blind tenor Andrea Bocelli at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, 2015.

With Booker Prize winning novelist Margaret Atwood. As a Harvard graduate student, Atwood volunteered to read to blind fellow students.

Sandy and Sue dancing at their wedding, 1962. Sandy insisted that the band include some numbers featuring an unknown vocalist named Arthur Garfunkel.

Sue and Sandy at Davos, Switzerland, in 2007.