What do you think?
Rate this book
Soar: With a foreword by the Reverend Jesse L. Jackson Sr
Simon Woolley is a member of the House of Lords, the first Black man to head an Oxbridge college, and a policy changemaker who has the ear of prime ministers and the future King. But this is a Lord who wants to shake up the establishment; an outsider who knows how important it is to bring underrepresented voices to the table.
Raised by loving white foster parents on the impoverished St Matthew's Estate in Leicester, young Simon soon learnt about politics while in line at the barber's and about racism as one of the few Black children in the neighbourhood. The desire to make the world better was awakened during a trip to South America, where he saw revolutionary politics first hand, and discovered how activism could change people's lives. Inspired, he co-founded Operation Black Vote in 1996, credited with encouraging thousands of Black men and women to exercise their right to vote over the past 25 years.
Soar is a story of courage and commitment, of perseverance and remaining positive despite the challenges of institutional racism. It's about becoming a father and honouring your heritage. But most of all, it's about being your own role model, when no others have been available to you.
Raised by loving white foster parents on the impoverished St Matthew's Estate in Leicester, young Simon soon learnt about politics while in line at the barber's and about racism as one of the few Black children in the neighbourhood. The desire to make the world better was awakened during a trip to South America, where he saw revolutionary politics first hand, and discovered how activism could change people's lives. Inspired, he co-founded Operation Black Vote in 1996, credited with encouraging thousands of Black men and women to exercise their right to vote over the past 25 years.
Soar is a story of courage and commitment, of perseverance and remaining positive despite the challenges of institutional racism. It's about becoming a father and honouring your heritage. But most of all, it's about being your own role model, when no others have been available to you.
269 pages, Hardcover
3 people are currently reading
37 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
January 15, 2025
A wonderfully accessible portrait of how to effect change and how power works in the UK, written in an endearing and honest voice. Simon is one of our most important leaders and has done well to document his story for others to understand how such a journey happens.
August 17, 2022
From humble beginnings, with little in his favour, Simon got on the road of life. He juggled and parried the strokes and opportunities to reach the House of Lords. An inspiring read.
December 30, 2023
Fascinating and shocking about our times, politics and social history. A must read.
I have a stronger view of Theresa May abilities and wish she had stayed on power longer.
I have a stronger view of Theresa May abilities and wish she had stayed on power longer.
January 8, 2026
A fascinating look into a man who changed politics for the BAME community.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews