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MWSA Review
Chasing the Daylight is the courageous story of one woman’s desire to overcome any obstacle to serve in her adopted country’s military.
Joanna Rakowski was born in Poland, and grew up devoted to studying ballet. Eventually understanding that she would never have the opportunities in Poland which existed in America, she emigrated to the United States after marriage. Not content to just enjoy our freedoms here, she was driven by the desire to give back, and enlisted in the US Army.
The journey through recruit training and Officer Candidate School brought her face to face with her limitations, but also taught her about herself and most importantly her strengths. Using the tenacity required to master ballet dancing, she slowly moved forward, conquered language and physical barriers, and achieved her dream of becoming an Army Intelligence Officer.
The author’s writing style is memorable, her journey personally meaningful, and the results inspirational. Fans of military memoirs, especially those written by female members of the armed forces, should find this a worthwhile and enjoyable read.
Review by Rob Ballister (June 2024)
Author's Synopsis
What is it like to belong to the world’s most powerful armed forces at the dawn of the 21st century? Does a military tale have to be about the soldiers going to war? You’ll find out here.
Joanna is a fragile, romantic, former ballerina. After a painful rift with her beloved friend and mentor of many years, she joins the U.S. Army. Her dream is to become an Intelligence Officer. She faces a formidable task, but she embarks on a four-year journey to accomplish her goal.
Obsessed with a vision of darkness, Joanna pursues the light, her goal of being part of something bigger than herself. In her journey, often plagued by flashbacks of painful memories of a lost friendship, she conquers obstacles despite her physical shortcomings, discrimination, and abuse. It’s a coming-of-age story where Joanna transforms from a hopeless romantic into a soldier, as her responsibilities as an Intelligence Professional in the Army develop.
Chasing the Daylight is an account of Joanna’s four-year military service where her love for America, love for her husband, and love for her friend are seamlessly interwoven. The story whirls us into the center of the rigorous army training, and with the intricate details, transports us into the reality that only less than one percent of the U.S. population is experiencing.
Format(s) for review: Paper and Kindle
Review Genre: Nonfiction—Memoir/Biography
Number of Pages: 412
Word Count: 144000