Florence native writes book on success, happiness
By ANGELA CROSLAND
Florence Morning News
Sunday, June 5, 2005
FLORENCE – There are so many people who would probably like to know what it would take to have a more fulfilled life financially, spiritually and otherwise.Florence native Dr. Earl Ernest Guile revealed in his book “Secrets to a Richer Life” what he and others the world over think are integral to having a better life.
In his book, Guile, now a resident of Saudi Arabia, answers questions related to parents, spouses, children, school careers, community lifestyles and much more.
“The book portrays a rich reservoir of information about basic issues of family, profession and things that can happen to people,” Guile said. “We can benefit vicariously through others.”
Having traveled the world, living overseas for 23 years and working in various countries, Guile said he is hoping he has found the key to life by living and interviewing people of various backgrounds.
From South America and Europe to Thailand and China, Guile and his family have met and toured nearly the entire continent. Guile brings forth a wealth of knowledge himself.
In 1984, Guile and his family of four moved to Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, so he could teach dentistry.
Back then, the dental profession was relatively new to Saudi Arabia. It was established in 1975 and produced its first graduates in 1981. During the years, the country’s knowledge has grown, he said.
Making his mark on the country, Guile is a diplomat of the American Board of Dental Public Health, a former associate professor at King Saudi University and a former member and chairman of the Board of Trustees at the American International School in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Back on his own turf, Guile and schoolmate Henry Thomas made their own history. The two are credited with integrating the Florence County Library while still seniors in high school.
One day, a group of black students were leaving school and discussing books, as they did on many occasions, Guile explained, when they decided two of them should go to the public library to check out some books.
“Based on the inspiration of the original sit-in movement that began in Greensboro (N.C.), we decided we should go try to check out books, even though we knew that blacks weren’t allowed to do so,” Guile said.
When the clerk told the duo they would not be able to check out any books, Thomas and Guile insisted on sitting at a table at the front of the library and browsing the books and magazines.
At 6 p.m., an announcement was made that the library was closing, but the two didn’t budge.
It took the threat of serving time in jail from police officers for them to leave.
The next day, the two’s plans to check out books were foiled by a sign that read, “Closed until further notice for indexing.”
It remained closed for months. When the boys found the doors open again, it was Feb. 22, 1960.
“It could have reopened before then, but we found the doors open and walked in that day,” Guile said.
This time when Thomas and Guile requested a library card, their requests were granted.
“From that point on, we were using that library,” Guile said. “There was no publicity, no fuss.”
Reading was Guile’s joy even as a child, which made his stand on the issue even easier, he said.
“He was the biggest bookworm you’ve ever seen,” said his mother, Evelyn Guile. “Every night, he would go to sleep with a book, and I’d have to go in and turn off the light.”
“Although my parents had limited resources, I think for me and my sister, our parents taught us the most important values: being honest, ethical principals, spirituality, Christianity, while also emphasizing the importance of education,” Earl Guile said. “There was never a question of whether I’d go to college, but when.”
In 2000, Earl Guile wrote and published his first book, “Secrets from the Cradle.” It gives insight about parental influence on children. Highlights of his upbringing, and that of his two sons, are included in the book.
Both of his books stress the importance of family and how each relationship can benefit the development of a child. His second book goes further to delve into all aspects of life and how they can work together for good.