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Soar: A Memoir
When Gail Campbell Woolley was seven, a pediatrician told her mother that Gail suffered from sickle cell anemia, a rare blood disease, and that she would be dead by age 35. While others may have responded to this horrifying news by descending into a fog of self-pity, Gail went in the opposite direction. She decided to live an eventful, exciting life that ultimately included―despite a troubled home life and the systemic racism and sexism of the late 20th century―academic success, an impressive career, a long and loving marriage, and the ability to leave her unmistakable stamp on every person she met. By the time she finally succumbed to her disease at age 58 in 2015, she had ground that doctor's words into dust.
Soar , written in the last two years of her life, is Woolley's powerfully inspiring story, and its publication checks the last item off her extraordinary bucket list, which also included traveling to every continent except Antarctica.
Gail writes that from the time she was a child, she awoke every morning with the sound of the famous 60 Minutes clock ticking in the back of her mind. But those ticking seconds also formed her indomitable spirit in ways that can inspire each of us who still draw breath. Written in an engaging, no-nonsense voice with a directness that reflects her many years in journalism, Woolley's remarkable story not only will move readers to root for this irrepressible, quietly heroic woman but also will push readers to reassess their own approach to life.
Soar , written in the last two years of her life, is Woolley's powerfully inspiring story, and its publication checks the last item off her extraordinary bucket list, which also included traveling to every continent except Antarctica.
Gail writes that from the time she was a child, she awoke every morning with the sound of the famous 60 Minutes clock ticking in the back of her mind. But those ticking seconds also formed her indomitable spirit in ways that can inspire each of us who still draw breath. Written in an engaging, no-nonsense voice with a directness that reflects her many years in journalism, Woolley's remarkable story not only will move readers to root for this irrepressible, quietly heroic woman but also will push readers to reassess their own approach to life.
312 pages, Paperback
Published December 12, 2017
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
January 13, 2018
This book was interesting enough, but I just couldn't get past the unrelenting class bias of the late author. She wanted you to know that she was 1. highly educated and 2. not like those poor, poorly educated, sad sicklers with no hope, or degrees, or good jobs with good health insurance options.
I simply could not stand Gail's attitude towards other persons with sickle cell disease.
Gail may possibly have intended for her book to be uplifting for those left behind, and those living with chronic pain and chronic illnesses. Mostly, it just seemed to be her sh!tting on the SCD patients that didn't go to Syracuse, marry well, and travel in between crises. Her life was great basically because she willed it so, and others with SCD that didn't have great lives were to blame for their own failure at survival and endurance...that was my takeaway from this book. I don't begrudge anyone's success in difficult circumstances, but don't act like those who didn't have the same opportunities were just slackers that didn't work hard. If she actually got to know anyone else with SCD and learn how their lives unfolded, maybe she would have been less dismissive and arrogant. She did to go a support group once, and decided she was too good for everyone else in the room.
It's sad that she died, it was a triumph that she outlived her pediatrician's estimate by over 2 decades. It's also sad that she came off as thinking she was so much better than everyone else with SCD. Maybe that's not who Gail actually was, who knows?
I simply could not stand Gail's attitude towards other persons with sickle cell disease.
Gail may possibly have intended for her book to be uplifting for those left behind, and those living with chronic pain and chronic illnesses. Mostly, it just seemed to be her sh!tting on the SCD patients that didn't go to Syracuse, marry well, and travel in between crises. Her life was great basically because she willed it so, and others with SCD that didn't have great lives were to blame for their own failure at survival and endurance...that was my takeaway from this book. I don't begrudge anyone's success in difficult circumstances, but don't act like those who didn't have the same opportunities were just slackers that didn't work hard. If she actually got to know anyone else with SCD and learn how their lives unfolded, maybe she would have been less dismissive and arrogant. She did to go a support group once, and decided she was too good for everyone else in the room.
It's sad that she died, it was a triumph that she outlived her pediatrician's estimate by over 2 decades. It's also sad that she came off as thinking she was so much better than everyone else with SCD. Maybe that's not who Gail actually was, who knows?
March 13, 2018
What a remarkable story about a remarkable lady! The courage, conviction, and resolve depicted by Ms. Campbell Woolley is commendable and can be used as a teaching moment for my teenage daughter. I plan to share this book with as many people as possible...particularly those involved with teenagers as these written words can be a guide to keep reaching for the stars even when the night is cloudy.
March 19, 2018
This memoir is absolutely incredible and one of the best and most inspiring reads I have encountered in a long time! The conviction, passion, and courage of Ms. Campbell Woolley is truly astounding and will leave any reader amazed, and at times tearful, at the life of a woman who let nothing stop her from doing what she loved. I definitely recommend!
March 22, 2018
Excellent, informative, love story. A must read engaging memoir that also informs the world about the much needed attention and funding for researching the cure for the dreaded sickle cell disease. Well done!
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May 10, 2023Four words:
Soar
Sear(ing) - for the impact of her words on the readers
Scar - for the scars she developed on both her body and her soul
Soul - how she survived this life and trauma.
Having known of the eventual end for most of her life, Gail Campbell Woolley brings a journalist's mindset to this memoir. She brings her whole soul and mind to the job at hand: writing this testament to her life, her husband, and to the disease that touches them all so definitively.
Soar
Sear(ing) - for the impact of her words on the readers
Scar - for the scars she developed on both her body and her soul
Soul - how she survived this life and trauma.
Having known of the eventual end for most of her life, Gail Campbell Woolley brings a journalist's mindset to this memoir. She brings her whole soul and mind to the job at hand: writing this testament to her life, her husband, and to the disease that touches them all so definitively.
July 28, 2018
A life well lived. No doubt that Gail was a fighter and she fought her battle strategically and wisely. That is the underlying message of this memoir. Face the challenges head on and live life fully.
Having said that, the tone of the narrative could have been less arrogant and more compassionate. The quality of care she got was elite. I could not feel any discrimination she had to face because of her race or health. Few areas where she was not given access was because of the worry of her health, not otherwise.
She definitely comes from an elite lifestyle, where state of the art facilities were easily accessible, and if not easily affordable to get from abroad.
Many a times she blamed doctors for advising her or warning her about her disease. But that was part of their job. They were not trying to bring her spirits down.
Anyway, I liked this part the most-“ we hope it helps future generations of journalism students remember that average people can make a difference if they put their minds to it.” It’s not just for the journalism students though, everybody can take this message from Gail and contemplate.
Having said that, the tone of the narrative could have been less arrogant and more compassionate. The quality of care she got was elite. I could not feel any discrimination she had to face because of her race or health. Few areas where she was not given access was because of the worry of her health, not otherwise.
She definitely comes from an elite lifestyle, where state of the art facilities were easily accessible, and if not easily affordable to get from abroad.
Many a times she blamed doctors for advising her or warning her about her disease. But that was part of their job. They were not trying to bring her spirits down.
Anyway, I liked this part the most-“ we hope it helps future generations of journalism students remember that average people can make a difference if they put their minds to it.” It’s not just for the journalism students though, everybody can take this message from Gail and contemplate.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews