Author of STEEP
STEEP, A Black Neurosurgeon's Journey
...a new memoir, by Dr. Craig Yorke
Steep traces an odyssey from a poor Boston neighborhood to a neurosurgical practice in Middle America - a story of resilience and self-discovery that will resonate with anyone who has ever wrestled with their past and its demons as they chased the American Dream.
"Craig Yorke writes with the deftness of a brain surgeon and the ear of a concert violinist. Steep is the unforgettably moving story of one man's life and times. But it is also a wise and courageous commentary on our time."
– Cyrus Console, Professor of Liberal Arts at the Kansas City Art Institute, and author of Brief Under Water, a book of poetry.
“Craig Yorke’s memoir is skillfully woven into the times and places it describes, taking the reader on a fascinating journey through diverse cultures and a transformative period in American history. The people in Craig’s life emerge in his book as vivid characters. His perspective is thoughtful and insightful. Ultimately, it’s the compelling story of one person’s life that illuminates a shared human experience of the times. Once I picked this book up, I didn’t want to put it down.”
– Bryan Welch, former chief executive of Mother Earth News, Mindful magazine and the Utne Reader; he is also the author of Author of Beautiful and Abundant: Building the World We Want & The Gift of a Broken Heart: How Our Grief Can Connect Us
“Using honest lessons gleaned at both the kitchen table and in the operating room, Dr. Craig Yorke reflects on a life shaped by determination and choices made both for him and by him. In this compelling memoir of a black neurosurgeon, he shares powerful stories—offering a heartfelt look at the challenges and triumphs that define a life dedicated to healing.”
– Marsha Pope, President Topeka Community Foundation
About The Author
Dr. Craig Yorke was born in Boston’s ghetto. He received a BA from Harvard College in 1970 and an MD from Harvard Medical School in 1974. His parental directive insisted he avenge centuries of bigotry with a life of infinite success.
After a neurosurgical residency at the University of California at San Francisco, he and his wife Mary found their way to an unlikely destination. He practiced in Topeka, Kansas, for 25 years, wrestling with his history and the armored identity it had imposed. He and Mary raised two admirable boys, Zack who lives in Brooklyn and Chris who resides in Seattle.
Dr. Yorke brews Mary's coffee each morning in the colonial home they’ve occupied for 33 years. He’s a credible violinist and hits tennis balls with passion. Steep is his first book.