As National Memoir Writing Month celebrates personal storytelling, 88-year-old Armenian-American author Shahen Guiragossian demonstrates that age presents no barrier to sharing one's life experiences. His debut memoir, The Hawk, explores themes of survival, heritage, and hope while proving that lived experience constitutes a powerful form of legacy. Born to survivors of the Armenian Genocide, Guiragossian grew up surrounded by silence and unspoken grief, creating a childhood environment where trauma remained largely unexpressed.
The Hawk traces Guiragossian's journey from the shadow of inherited trauma to building a life grounded in loyalty, love, and perseverance. The memoir serves as both an immigrant's story and a universal reflection on family, identity, and the human spirit's capacity for healing. "Resilience runs in our blood. My parents had it, I had it, and I hope others see that they have it too," Guiragossian stated, emphasizing the intergenerational transmission of strength that characterizes his family narrative.
Combining elements of refugee memoir with testament to brotherhood and chosen family, The Hawk captures a lifetime of endurance spanning from rebuilding after loss to discovering meaning in later life. Written during his eighth decade, the work underscores how survival stories don't diminish with age but rather gain depth and perspective. This timing highlights the importance of documenting personal histories regardless of age, particularly for communities with traumatic historical experiences.
Guiragossian's philanthropic approach to his literary work reflects his personal values, with proceeds from book sales supporting both historical preservation and humanitarian causes. He directs donations to the Armenian Relief Society and the 9/11 Memorial & Museum, honoring both his family's heritage and the memory of his nephew lost in the September 11 tragedy. This dual commitment connects different historical traumas while supporting organizations that provide assistance and remembrance.
The memoir's availability in multiple formats through Amazon ensures accessibility for diverse readership preferences. Readers can find The Hawk in paperback, hardcover, and eBook formats, allowing for both traditional reading experiences and digital convenience. Additional information about the author and his work can be found at https://www.thehawkmemoir.com, providing context for those interested in learning more about his background and literary contributions.
This publication arrives during National Memoir Writing Month, emphasizing the importance of preserving personal narratives before they're lost to time. For descendants of genocide survivors and other historically marginalized communities, such memoirs serve as crucial documentation of experiences that might otherwise remain unrecorded. Guiragossian's work demonstrates how individual stories contribute to collective historical understanding while offering inspiration across generations.
The timing of this memoir publication carries particular significance as firsthand accounts of twentieth-century historical events become increasingly rare. For Armenian diaspora communities, such personal narratives provide essential connections to cultural heritage and historical memory. The book's philanthropic model also establishes a precedent for how authors might leverage their creative work to support causes aligned with their personal values and experiences.
