Skywriting: A Life Out of the Blue

by Jane Pauley

“Truth arrives in microscopic increments, and when enough has accumulated–in a moment of recognition, you just know. You know because the truth fits. I was the only member of my family to lack the gene for numbers, but I do need things to add up. Approaching midlife, I became aware of a darkening feeling–was it something heavy on my heart, or was something missing? Grateful as I am for the opportunities I’ve had, and especially for the people who came into my life as a result, I couldn’t ignore this feeling. I had the impulse to begin a conversation with myself, through writing, as if to see if my fingers could get to the bottom of it. It was a Saturday morning eight or ten years ago when I began following this impulse to find the answers to unformed questions. Skywriting is what I call my personal process of discovery.”And so begins this beautiful and surprising memoir, in which beloved broadcast journalist Jane Pauley tells a remarkable story of self-discovery and an extraordinary life, from her childhood in the American heartland to her three decades in television.Encompassing her beginnings at the local Indianapolis station and her bright debut–at age twenty-five on NBC’s Today and later on Dateline–Pauley forthrightly delves into the ups and downs of a fantastic career. But there is much more to Jane Pauley than just the famous face on TVs. In this memoir, she reveals herself to be a brilliant woman with singular insights. She explores her roots growing up in Indiana and discusses the resiliency of the American family, and addresses with humor and depth a subject very close to her discovering yourself and redefining your strengths at midlife. Striking, moving, candid, and unique, Skywriting explores firsthand the difficulty and the rewards of self-reinvention.

Genres: Memoir, Nonfiction, Biography, Biography Memoir, Mental Health, Journalism, Autobiography

320 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2004

About the author

Margaret Jane Pauley is an American television journalist, and has been involved in news reporting since 1975. She is most known for her 13 year tenure on NBC's Today program and later 12 years of Dateline NBC, and has acknowledged publicly her struggle with mental health and bipolar disorder.

Reviews

[Sandra Strange · Rating 2 out of 5]

In this autobiographical exploration, Jane Pauley, the network news and features commentator, records her memories of the years she spent climbing the ladder to the heights of daily TV. She explores her own psychological problems, as well, including her psychological breakdown and diagnosed bipolar disorder, speculating about the effects of her experiences—her family, childhood, teen years, and career. The narrative is unassuming, and that presents the problem. Her life, a life meeting and interviewing and writing about premier contemporary leaders, both political and cultural, comes across as ordinary, even trivial, because of the way she views herself and her experiences. The narrative is pleasant, and the reading painless, but it is not gripping writing. The story begins with her psychological problems and hints at causes in her childhood, but the beginning is more exciting than the rest, so the book ends up a bit disappointing.

[Ruth · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is special to me because both Jane and I are from Indianapolis. When I was a kid I watched her on WISH-TV news, along with Mike Ahern, my favorite male broadcaster. It was cool to see a woman presenting the news. I might have seen her a few times on the Today show and Dateline, and it was always good to see her familiar, smiling face. As I was on a walk I saw Skywriting in a Little Free Library and immediately pulled it out. It's a bit hard to follow, as it's not chronological, but I enjoyed reading it and finding out about her discoveries of self. It takes tremendous courage to share one's mental health history and I admire her doing so and am appreciative as this helps to lower the stigma associated with it. I had just finished reading {An Unquiet Mind: A Memoir of Moods and Madness|361459} and that Jane had medication-induced manic depression was very interesting to me. Jane's family also had hidden problems, like many of us. I wish her all the best.

[Christine Fay · Rating 2 out of 5]

Well, it’s helpful to know that one of America’s most normal-appearing television sweethearts suffers from BPD. The beginning of the book starts off with her diagnosis, and what happened during the course of her treatment for hives, and how a course of steroids put her into a full-blown mania, buying houses for people, writing a book, etc.. The rest of the novel is an informal recollection of childhood events, but without any seeming cohesion to them. When she says that she is not known for being the best writer, she speaks the truth as it shows in her memoir. I read this book in one sitting on a plane to Florida, and was really unimpressed with the style, and the story was a bit lackluster. Perhaps with an assistant, she could have put together a better, more cohesive story. Not really recommended reading. There are better memoirs out there.

[Tracy Antol · Rating 2 out of 5]

I wanted to like this book more than I did. Jane seems like a lovely person. Her life seems pretty charmed from the outside. I was expecting more detail around her mental illness and how she's working through it. Alas it was more of a memoir a kind of boring memoir from a pretty girl. I really wanted to like it!

[Rick Ludwig · Rating 4 out of 5]

Having suffered from severe, suicidal depression myself, I found great resonance in jane's experiences. her ability to view things with a writers detachment while still clearly conveying the impact on her life made this a very compelling read and should help others to face their own issues with depression.

[Sue · Rating 3 out of 5]

I found this book at the D.I. for .75 so thought I couldn't lose.

I enjoyed it but found it a bit disjointed. I am a big fan of Jane Pauley who now writes for AARP. How did she and I get this old?

Anyway, it's a quick read, a nostalgic trip through her childhood and provides insight into her insecurities and personal struggles with medical induced bi-polar.

[Cyndy · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was kind of disappointed...she seemed to allude to a revelation about her family that never really happened. It was ok.

[Lucimar · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved this very honest account of her life and finally realizing she was bipolar. I totally appreciate the fact this book debunks alot of myths about what living with that diagnosis means.

[Stacy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I believe everyone's story deserves to be told, even when the story is as vanilla as this one is. Yes, there are interesting stories of familial illnesses and addition, but those happen alongside hard jump cuts to dinner parties with high-profile personalities where more attention is spent on what was on the plate than what was being talked about.

Relationships come and go without much dissection, and I think that is partly due to the respect she still holds for people and the fear of divulging too much. It reads like you are sitting across from a friend you only know from a few encounters trying to explain her story without giving too much away.

However, she freely admits that she is the recipient of many lucky breaks. She says herself she is low-key and hates the idea of too much travel or exerting too much energy on something.

This was one of the first celebrity memoirs I read, so I'm not sure of this style of discombobulated writing is normal, but it took me a while to get used to and accept that this book was not written to intrigue, but to explain the background of someone we only know through media (before the Internet).

I ultimately appreciated her unapologetic milquetoast personality during an age where everyone is trying to outdo each other in the crazy department. The irony that it is framed around her struggle with bipolar is not lost on me.

While I appreciated the departure from salaciousness, I would not recommend this book to someone looking for a good read.

[Mirra Price]

I have always been interested in Jane Pauley, both in her role as a trailblazer for women as the first woman anchor for a major network news show, Today, and then Nightline, and because she hails from Indiana, my home state. She was born in Indianapolis, 30 miles from my home. Her parents were each born less than ten miles from Shelbyville, Indiana, my home town, in small towns in Shelby County.

It was interesting to hear how she started as a broadcaster, graduating from my alma mater, Indiana University in Bloomington, Indiana, in political science, then as a Young Democrat, and a representative to Girls' State in high school, where she met Mike Ahern, an anchor for WISH-TV news in Indianapolis. It was her association with him as Girls' State governor in a charity they both worked with, that gave her the first break as a TV news anchor.

I enjoyed her unassuming, though competent manner, and was with her as she navigated the hard jobs of balancing family and her high powered job. She also has mental health issues with bipolar condition, which I had no idea she had.

A refreshing memoir/autobiography written in an accessible style. I feel a bit as if I know Jane. But that is her secret, isn't it? She comes off as the girl next door. And she is the girl who comes from next door to me...well, kind of...

A good read.

[Tess Mertens-Johnson · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is an autobiography that not only discussed Jane Pauley’s life and career, but her issues with being bipolar.
She spoke of a midwestern upbringing with a father who traveled (and was a closet alcoholic) and a homemaker mother and one sister. She spoke of her rise in the world of television journalism, marriage that has lasted, children and career ups and downs.
She also spoke of her mood swings, great sadness that would take her by surprise. It was her doctor who saw the change in her and recommended a path to wellness.
All through the book Jane stated she never wanted to pry into the personal life of anyone she interviewed. She did this also for herself in this book, giving a 30,000-foot view of per deep personal life.
I have always and still admired Jane Pauley. This book gave a face of bipolar disorder that even professionals who seems the have “had it all”, are just a susceptible to this disorder.

[Jeff Clausen · Rating 3 out of 5]

I honestly read this as an antidote to several books that I’d recently finished, both of which had slimy or petty or just plain felonious characters in them. I was pretty sure Jane was none of the above. Turns out not only was that correct, but her story had plenty to engage me. Her title of Skywriting is quite appropriate as a term that describes her experiences with her career twists and turns, which are the best part of the book. Her personal life, from an upbringing in Indianapolis to her family home in Manhattan, holds fewer revelations for me. As a lifelong consumer of news and interviews, I’ll happily read about her time with Bryant and Willard on Today, and then her long stint as the face of Dateline. And while she may claim to be just a decent journalist, and no more, I will recommend her book for its insightful writing about being a well-loved journalist.

[Jan Cole · Rating 3 out of 5]

Michelle Obama mentioned in the spring of 2020 that she was suffering from mild depression. As a hard core Sunday Morning fan, I was fascinated when Jane Pauley, television’s pleasant girl next door took time in her program to share about a time in her life when she suffered from depression and was eventually diagnosed and treated for bipolar depression.

Pauley is a good storyteller, but fails to convey how remarkable her life and career are. She touches on her illness, and the fact that since being medicated she has never had another reoccurance.

There were no earthshaking revelations, no deep personal insights. The mental illness section could have been expanded to educate the audience.

All in all, a good book, but nothing earthshaking.

[Bernie Stewart · Rating 3 out of 5]

Skywriting, an autobiographical examination of Jane Pauley’life, captured my attention at a used bookstore. As a fan of Pauley, and because of her secret grapple with mental illness, I purchased the text for a humble cost of $1.50. It’s a quick read but with minimum substance;
I found the book disappointing — very much day-to-day information about Jane’s upbringing, experiences, and achievements and very limited insight about her way of life with bipolar disorder.
Mark the price down to $.50!

[Sheila · Rating 3 out of 5]

After listening to JP on CBS Sunday, decided to read her book on personal experience with mental illness. Her life seemed very successful and “normal” but she felt restless and unsettled. Long story short, she sought inpatient treatment and began medication along with much self reflection. She also gained insight regarding her family nd their issues. Interesting in that she is a “regular” person dealing with a bipolar diagnosis successfully without all the drama that typically accompanied these stories

[Pam Nichols]

I needed a bio and there was Jane's on my shelf. A remarkable career which I still enjoy on Sunday mornings, this is a raw admission of a rough path to fame and fortune. Bipolar disorder is real and rough, but it is hopeful to know that through therapy and medications it can be managed. My husband has always had a crush on Jane and I am kinda okay with it. Good, quick read, although it is twenty plus years old now. I'd like to know how everyone in the Pauley/Trudeau household is living life now is 2025.

[Eileen · Rating 2 out of 5]

I never disliked or really liked Jane Pauley. And that's how I feel about this book. Neutral. Bland, vanilla, and just like the way she describes her childhood, career, and life. And what about her revelation that she suffers from bipolar disorder. She hardly even addresses this important diagnosis! Pretty disappointing memoir, especially when written by a journalist/broadcaster/communication professional.

[Zoann · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was a confusing book. Surprisingly, I found it poorly written. But her life is just interesting enough to make me want to keep reading. She says she feels that life came to her out of the blue and this account certainly makes it seem that way--she just floats through life while good jobs, a great husband, beautiful kids come her way. Surely it wasn't that easy.

Meh.

[Debbie · Rating 2 out of 5]

The story was good but just wasn't what I thought. This about the life of Jane Pauley from her childhood thru her adult life. She tells how it was growing up in her family. She also tells how she got into her career in television. She also gets us into her life after children all the while she is trying to learn to live with depression and bipolar disorder.

[Huguette Larochelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

A lady we see so many time on TV , she can write beautifully too.
a personal view of her private life.
a memoir about growing up,a candid story of self discovery ,
of one television,s most beloved figure

[~mad · Rating 5 out of 5]

This has been sitting on my shelf since 004 when publishd.

Very interesting persaon account of bipolar disorder and Jane Pauley's career.

Mental illnes interests me - if it doesn't you, don't bother.

[Sharon · Rating 3 out of 5]

Jane Pauley

I enjoyed this book, an important topic in these times of stress and uncertainty and a pandemic and a political climate that is undoing us all. Jane as host of CBS Sunday Morning is a perfect fit.

[JenAR · Rating 2 out of 5]

Sadly, I didn’t like this book. I’ve always loved Jane Pauley’s work on the TV show Sunday Morning sand her courage in revealing she was diagnosed with bipolar disorder. While that hasn’t changed I was disappointed to find this book disjointed and rambling. Oh well, I’ll still watch Sunday morning.

[Ellen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Is this her only memoir? She has led such an exciting life, but didn’t make that the focus of her book. Rather, it focuses on her childhood and bipolar disorder. So it’s an easy, pleasurable enough read, although it jumps around a lot time-wise. She seems well-grounded and likable.

[Linda Wall · Rating 2 out of 5]

Well-written book about Ms. Pauley’s life as a television personality, but disappointingly little info about her experiences with Bipolar III disorder, which was the whole reason, I took this book out of the library.

[Suzanne Mundy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I like to watch Jane Pauley on CBS Sunday morning, so I was eager to learn more about her. I enjoyed the biography. Not a stand out, but a good, informative read.

[Michele Simoneau · Rating 4 out of 5]

We watch the CBS Sunday Morning show. When Jane mentioned she had written a book, I checked it out of the library. I thought it was interesting, so I decided to read her other book, “Your Life Calling”.

[Cynincal · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 to 3 stars. Very quick light read. Not unpleasant although the writing isn't the best and is very disjointed. Some interesting aspects alluded to.

[Lucy Leigh J · Rating 3 out of 5]

Kindle: I’ve always like Jane Pauley. I still do after reading her book, which I found to be odd and a tad bit whiny. The layout, fonts and lack of consistency was confusing.

[Maryellen Cyr · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was kind of like a plate of appetizers, but worth the read.