Book Review: Soaring Above

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The Biola Eagle, known to his friends and family as Clyde, has long been a familiar face around campus, but recently he has become a recognized figure across the country with the release of his autobiography entitled Soaring Above: 7 Things I Learned From Leaving the Nest. The book is available at the Biola Bookstore with a 20% discount for students and it is well worth the read.

Many Biola students assume that Clyde was mascot material ever since the day he was hatched. However, his book tells a different story, a journey of trials, of faith, and overcoming enormous obstacles. Clyde also addresses the controversy surrounding his nickname "Moses," which some have attributed to him over the years.

MASCOT REVEALS TRAGIC PAST IN SOARING ABOVE

In his book, the beloved mascot paints a heart-breaking picture of a young eagle isolated in the wildlife around him. He was constantly fighting for the approval of his disappointed parents and was bullied for his flying disability, poor eyesight, and exceptional athletic talent.

The pain of being an outcast finally pushed him over the edge on August 12th, 1907, when he attempted to fly off a Yosemite cliff and failed. The incident led to his hospitalization where he hit an all time low. Amidst these trials he found solace in an unlikely place: the movie Space Jam. The film was playing on the TV in his recovery room and it turned out to be just what he needed.

He specifically points to the movie’s theme song “I Believe I Can Fly” by R. Kelly as the main inspiration that put him back on his talons.

Clyde was released from the hospital on June 1, 1908. He was ready to turn his life around, but he had no idea where to start. After much prayer and searching, he came across an ad in the Los Angeles Times about a job opening as a mascot for the Bible Institute of Los Angeles, which had been established earlier that year. After that, everything else was history.

In Soaring Above, Clyde shares his worst failures and greatest triumphs. His story is sure to be an inspiration to anyone who has ever felt alone in this world. Clyde is truly a testimony that if you believe, nothing can stop you from touching the sky.