Through vignettes proceeding through life, the author depicts his struggles, as a boy, teen and man, with excruciating shyness and his progress in conquering his affliction. Raised Catholic in the D.C. suburbs, little Jimmy finds himself literally and figuratively on a runaway go-cart, with only the vaguest idea of how to control braking or steering. Arriving at William and Mary, Jim is fascinated by an unrepressed girl, but must free his barricaded thoughts to form a relationship. Fueled by his desire to participate fully in life, his efforts include a stint as a crisis counselor, who must help a potential suicide embrace a trying life. Jim marries, strives to become an Atlanta mega-firm lawyer, fathers three children, and confronts the everyday challenges of contemporary life.