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Gail Campbell Woolley
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Soar: A Memoir Kindle Edition

by Gail Campbell Woolley (Author), Nick Chiles (Foreword) Format: Kindle Edition
4.5 4.5 out of 5 stars 13 ratings
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“This is a book about life—about living it ravenously, fully, joyously, unendingly, even if you have a death sentence.” —Donna Brazile, former chair, Democratic National Committee
 
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 thirty-five. 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 twentieth 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 fifty-eight 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. 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.
 
“An inspiration for anyone confronting life’s challenges. Gail has left a legacy of courage and compassion, and her memoir represents a voice that desperately needs to be heard in America right now.” —Marc Morial, president and CEO, National Urban League
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  1. Print length
    272 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Sticky notes
    On Kindle Scribe
  4. Publisher
    Agate Bolden
  5. Publication date
    December 12, 2017
  6. File size
    3068 KB
  7. Page Flip
    Enabled
  8. Word Wise
    Enabled
  9. Enhanced typesetting
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Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Gail Campbell Woolley (1957–2015) grew up in Washington, DC, and was diagnosed with sickle cell anemia at age seven. She studied journalism and international relations at Syracuse University and worked as a reporter for the Washington Star, the Baltimore Sun, and the Washington Times before beginning a career in corporate public relations. She died at age 58, exceeding the life expectancy her doctor predicted by more than 20 years.

Nick Chiles has won more than a dozen major journalism awards, including a Pulitzer Prize as a newspaper reporter in New York City. He is the author or coauthor of 12 books, including two New York Times bestsellers, one cowritten with Rev. Al Sharpton and one with gospel superstar Kirk Franklin. He lives in Atlanta.

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B07429TPTK
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Agate Bolden (December 12, 2017)
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ December 12, 2017
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 3068 KB
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Sticky notes ‏ : ‎ On Kindle Scribe
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 272 pages
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.5 4.5 out of 5 stars 13 ratings

About the author

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Gail Campbell Woolley

Gail Campbell Woolley

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In this beautiful memoir, published posthumously by the loving husband of Gail Campbell Woolley, one woman's heroic journey through a fulfilling and eventful life is documented through stories & events while she battled Sickle Cell Anemia.

Please also visit us at:

Twitter: https://twitter.com/Soar_A_Memoir

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/soar.a.memoir/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/27096306/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SoarAMemoir

This memoir can be purchased on AMAZON here:

https://www.amazon.com/Soar-Memoir-Gail-Campbell-Woolley/dp/1572842385/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1509455793&sr=1-1&keywords=soar+gail+woolley

Customer reviews

4.5 out of 5 stars
4.5 out of 5
13 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

DF
5.0 out of 5 stars “I am a survivor.” Yes she was!
Reviewed in the United States on December 30, 2017
Verified Purchase
If you never knew the depths of sickle cell anemia's horrific toil on the human body, mind and spirit, read this book. If you're looking for inspiration or know someone who could benefit from another's tale of courage and love of life, get a copy of this book. Gail's story is a powerful one that needs to be shared. How many people could endure the litany of complications she so succinctly sums up in the book: seven hip replacements, two knee replacements, a failed ankle fusion, a partial leg amputation, two life-threatening infections, numerous surgeries to remove diseased organs, and a catastrophic lung episode that nearly smothered her to death? Not many people. Nor could they with the sheer will and determination that became her trademark. Reading “Soar” will make you want to learn more about sickle cell disease and, perhaps, make a donation to find a cure. It will also make you want to live your life to the fullest, as Gail had the delicious audacity to do.
8 people found this helpful
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Agnes Bundy Scanlan
5.0 out of 5 stars and always admired her will to not just live but to live as wonderfully as possible
Reviewed in the United States on December 28, 2017
Verified Purchase
“Soar” is about a journey taken by a very brave and determined woman. I knew Gail, and always admired her will to not just live but to live as wonderfully as possible. This is her story and a story about her love and support from her husband, Howard...this is a story you will embrace! Read it now and share the story with others!
6 people found this helpful
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BRC
5.0 out of 5 stars Living and loving life.
Reviewed in the United States on January 6, 2018
Verified Purchase
Great book by and about a wonderful, strong and inspiring woman. This is a woman that never let her illness slow her down and lived her life as full as possible. Her story is inspirational and humbling. You’ll learn how one woman turned her struggles into strength.
4 people found this helpful
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DC Ware
5.0 out of 5 stars Five Stars
Reviewed in the United States on December 20, 2017
Verified Purchase
Beautifully written, truly a love story from beginning to end. Perfect for any book club.
3 people found this helpful
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Gina Perini
5.0 out of 5 stars I loved every page of this truly inspiring and moving memoir
Reviewed in the United States on December 28, 2017
I loved every page of this truly inspiring and moving memoir. It is a story of a woman who lived boldly on her own terms — squeezing as much adventure into her life as she could — while facing extremely hard challenges. Most compelling of all was the epic love story of the life she shared with her husband. I look forward to sharing this memoir with my friends and family. Truly beautiful.
5 people found this helpful
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Jennifer Presley
5.0 out of 5 stars Optimism and Inspiration with Every Page You Turn
Reviewed in the United States on January 10, 2018
This is a beautiful, inspirational and powerful read for anyone from any background. You can relate to Gail in such major ways that as you continue reading her optimism shines through each page. And through her optimism you feel this surge of positivity that you then want to apply to your own life... immediately!
5 people found this helpful
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Skip Finley
5.0 out of 5 stars Loved the life she lived--lived the life she loved
Reviewed in the United States on January 12, 2018
I was blessed to have known Gail...the first 245 pages tell you how to live--and her lifemate Howard's Afterword tells you how to love. Totally inspiring--and well worth sharing with youngsters who may have Sickle Cell. Absolutely agree that there's SO much to share with book clubs.
4 people found this helpful
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