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Surviving An American Gulag
Welcome to Ft. Gordon, Ga - the Special Training Unit. It's 1967, the height of the Vietnam War and Private Winslow Gibbs has been drafted. He's two-hundred and seventy pounds and a bundle of nerves. He also has issues of a different nature, but in these days before the "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy, these are dealt with in the American Gulag, the Army's answer to the problem. What they don't count on are the ones like Private Gibbs, who want to survive it and serve. Based on the author's own experiences, Surviving an American Gulag is a story that the military would prefer remain a footnote. However, it is a defining moment and should not be lost to posterity. Also included with this work is "A Dime a Dip," a tale of the author's grandmother and her considerable efforts on behalf of thousands of migrant worker children.
230 pages, Paperback
First published June 25, 2008
About the author
Edward C. Patterson
60 books37 followersEdward C. Patterson has been writing novels, short fiction, poetry and drama his entire life, always seeking the emotional core of any story he tells. With his eighth novel, The Jade Owl, he combines an imaginative touch with his life long devotion to China and its history. He has earned an MA in Chinese History from Brooklyn College with further post graduate work at Columbia University. A native of Brooklyn, NY, he has spent four decades as a soldier in the corporate world gaining insight into the human condition. He won the 1999 New Jersey Minority Achievement Award for his work in corporate diversity. Blending world travel experiences with a passion for story telling, his adventures continue as he works to permeate his reader's souls from an indelible wellspring.
Published Novels by Edward C. Patterson include No Irish Need Apply, Bobby's Trace, Cutting the Cheese, Surviving an American Gulag and Turning Idolater. Poetry includes The Closet Clandestine: a queer steps out and Come, Wewoka - and - Diary of Medicine Flower.
From my mind to your imagination . . .
Published Novels by Edward C. Patterson include No Irish Need Apply, Bobby's Trace, Cutting the Cheese, Surviving an American Gulag and Turning Idolater. Poetry includes The Closet Clandestine: a queer steps out and Come, Wewoka - and - Diary of Medicine Flower.
From my mind to your imagination . . .
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May 31, 2010
I've liked all of the books I've read by Edward C. Patterson. "Surviving an American Gulag" is the first one that actually made me cry.
Patterson's protagonist, Private Winslow Gibbs, is an overweight draftee soldier during the Vietnam era. He is assigned to a special training unit at Fort Gordon in hopes of returning to regular basic after he has lost some weight. Gibbs' interactions with the other soldiers on the STU range from the antagonistic to the friendly as he becomes more physically fit and gets to know himself better in the process.
The additional short story at the end of the book, "Dime a Dip," is particularly poignant as it deals with migrant workers. In today's political environment, this compassionate look at those in need should not be overlooked.
Patterson's protagonist, Private Winslow Gibbs, is an overweight draftee soldier during the Vietnam era. He is assigned to a special training unit at Fort Gordon in hopes of returning to regular basic after he has lost some weight. Gibbs' interactions with the other soldiers on the STU range from the antagonistic to the friendly as he becomes more physically fit and gets to know himself better in the process.
The additional short story at the end of the book, "Dime a Dip," is particularly poignant as it deals with migrant workers. In today's political environment, this compassionate look at those in need should not be overlooked.
April 5, 2013
What a lovely, charming book! I grew up on the outskirts of a military base in Albany, Georgia, and found Mr. Patterson's descriptions of that time to be dead-on. The story of Private Gibbs starts fat, sad, and lonely. Then slowly, Gibbs starts to put his life together. I found the characters to be very real and wonder if this is based upon a true story. Although this tale sensitively touches upon being gay in the 1960s, I really wouldn't want to classify "Surviving an American Gulag" in such a small box; it is much more about hope and humanity in general. Truly an inspiring work, Mr. Patterson. Thanks!
March 14, 2009
Winslow Gibbs has no business being the army. He’s overweight, out of shape, lonely and different. Unable to get past the first rung on the monkey bars, Gibbs quickly earns the nickname Pillsbury Doughboy in the mess hall. Of course, he doesn’t want to be in the army at all, but in 1967, the draft had other ideas. Unable to cut basic training, Gibbs is moved to a new platoon in the Special Training Unit One – the last stop before either making it back to basic or getting a Section 8 which would haunt him for life. He quickly learns that his new unit is the army’s equivalent to the land of misfit toys – not just the troops but the sergeants as well. The group also has something else in common, they’re all gay. Well all but Gibbs, or so he believes.
Life in Special Unit One is a nightmare. Gibbs is taunted daily by his sergeant. The PT course and twenty-mile walks, turn his body into an aching chafed amorphous blob. Throughout it all though, Gibbs fails to give in continuing to work his body and forge friendships which provide him support and confidence as he takes on each challenge. One day, Gibbs finds his ribs again as his physique takes shape and he frees himself from the physical bondage of his former body. But what of his emotional bondage?
While reading Surviving an American Gulag by Edward C Patterson, I was reminded of Neil Simon’s Biloxi Blues. Patterson provides a memoir-like novel whose protagonist searches for who he is amidst the chaos and challenges of basic training. This is a poignant novel about how the military treated it’s gay recruits and how a rag tag group struggled to overcome substantial obstacles. I found myself cheering for Gibbs in the novel’s closing chapters as his confidence and abilities grew along with his self discovery. While Surviving an American Gulag primarily refers to Special Unit One as the Gulag, the parallel gulag is the one Gibbs has created for himself regarding his admission and acceptance of his own homosexuality. Patterson masterfully crafts these two gulags together and Gibbs’s triumph over each.
Finally, Patterson gives readers a special treat at the end with a small story called A Dime a Dip. I won’t give away it’s premise, but suffice to say it was a perfect companion story and closing chapter which brought a tear to my eye. Well done Mr. Patterson.
Life in Special Unit One is a nightmare. Gibbs is taunted daily by his sergeant. The PT course and twenty-mile walks, turn his body into an aching chafed amorphous blob. Throughout it all though, Gibbs fails to give in continuing to work his body and forge friendships which provide him support and confidence as he takes on each challenge. One day, Gibbs finds his ribs again as his physique takes shape and he frees himself from the physical bondage of his former body. But what of his emotional bondage?
While reading Surviving an American Gulag by Edward C Patterson, I was reminded of Neil Simon’s Biloxi Blues. Patterson provides a memoir-like novel whose protagonist searches for who he is amidst the chaos and challenges of basic training. This is a poignant novel about how the military treated it’s gay recruits and how a rag tag group struggled to overcome substantial obstacles. I found myself cheering for Gibbs in the novel’s closing chapters as his confidence and abilities grew along with his self discovery. While Surviving an American Gulag primarily refers to Special Unit One as the Gulag, the parallel gulag is the one Gibbs has created for himself regarding his admission and acceptance of his own homosexuality. Patterson masterfully crafts these two gulags together and Gibbs’s triumph over each.
Finally, Patterson gives readers a special treat at the end with a small story called A Dime a Dip. I won’t give away it’s premise, but suffice to say it was a perfect companion story and closing chapter which brought a tear to my eye. Well done Mr. Patterson.
January 10, 2009
Spending Time in an 'American Gulag'
By Esmerelda Luv (Seattle, WA)
What I expected from this book was a behind-the-scenes look at life in military basic training. What I got was an education of human nature in it's purist form. Through Private Gibbs, I met each character, I learned to accept and be accepted by all of them, I made mistakes and I corrected them, and I learned to love myself and then broadened that love to include others. Failures and successes were ever present and I learned to pick myself up when necessary and when to raise my hands and cheer. I ask myself, "Did I feel what the author wanted me to feel?" The answer is yes, his writing is that good.
Patterson's novelized memoir read just as that, a memoir. When I opened the first page, I felt as though I was sitting next to him, and when I closed the book, I shook his hand and thanked him for sharing the memories. It was easy to read, the story flowed, the characters were easy to keep track of, and the author never strayed from the path. All in all, I enjoyed my time spent in the 'American Gulag'.
By Esmerelda Luv (Seattle, WA)
What I expected from this book was a behind-the-scenes look at life in military basic training. What I got was an education of human nature in it's purist form. Through Private Gibbs, I met each character, I learned to accept and be accepted by all of them, I made mistakes and I corrected them, and I learned to love myself and then broadened that love to include others. Failures and successes were ever present and I learned to pick myself up when necessary and when to raise my hands and cheer. I ask myself, "Did I feel what the author wanted me to feel?" The answer is yes, his writing is that good.
Patterson's novelized memoir read just as that, a memoir. When I opened the first page, I felt as though I was sitting next to him, and when I closed the book, I shook his hand and thanked him for sharing the memories. It was easy to read, the story flowed, the characters were easy to keep track of, and the author never strayed from the path. All in all, I enjoyed my time spent in the 'American Gulag'.
May 24, 2010
I don't normally give 5 star ratings to authors that haven't established a track record in my library, but I've got to make an exception here. Maybe it has something to do with the fact that DADT is being voted on soon, or maybe that the vote is long overdue, but this novel really struck its mark with me.
The story relates the trials of Private Winslow Gibbs, an obese and fumbling mess of a soldier, and his development as both a man and a soldier. Fantastic read. Thank you Ed.
The story relates the trials of Private Winslow Gibbs, an obese and fumbling mess of a soldier, and his development as both a man and a soldier. Fantastic read. Thank you Ed.
August 26, 2013
I got this book as a free book and didn't really expect much from it. However, I read this book in one sitting and enjoyed it very much. Having gone through bootcamp in the 60's, I can relate to much of what happened although I wasn't in a 'remedial' company.
September 19, 2011
This is the second of Edward Patterson's novels that I've read. I began it not quite knowing what to expect. I enjoyed the other of his novels immensely, so I did not think I'd be disappointed. I was not.
The book follows Private Winslow Gibbs all the way through his difficult basic training journey. I also went to basic training in Georgia, and the descriptions were precise. Much of it is exactly how I remember. Private Gibbs takes his own side trip through "Special Training Unit" which is the landing place for homosexuals, overweight soldiers, and misfits in general. It's supposed to make them or break them. He makes many friends there and finds out a lot about himself. One scene near the end of the book is so well written that it gave me chills. I won't spoil the plot, but I think you'll know the scene when you get there.
What strikes me the most about this book is the autheticity. The dialogue sounds like soldiers sound. The personalities are like people I know. The places felt like places I've been. Mr. Patterson paints a picture unlike many other authors I've read. This is a book that is well worth reading that sheds light on a little known aspect of the military experience. I recommend it highly.
The book follows Private Winslow Gibbs all the way through his difficult basic training journey. I also went to basic training in Georgia, and the descriptions were precise. Much of it is exactly how I remember. Private Gibbs takes his own side trip through "Special Training Unit" which is the landing place for homosexuals, overweight soldiers, and misfits in general. It's supposed to make them or break them. He makes many friends there and finds out a lot about himself. One scene near the end of the book is so well written that it gave me chills. I won't spoil the plot, but I think you'll know the scene when you get there.
What strikes me the most about this book is the autheticity. The dialogue sounds like soldiers sound. The personalities are like people I know. The places felt like places I've been. Mr. Patterson paints a picture unlike many other authors I've read. This is a book that is well worth reading that sheds light on a little known aspect of the military experience. I recommend it highly.
October 7, 2013
No one wants to end up in Special Training Unit One, also known as the Gulag. It sounds devastating. But by then Patterson was known as the Pillsbury Dough Boy. It wasn’t his fault. The Army had drafted him and he was forced into basic training. He was overweight, without confidence, and not suitable to the life but he also didn’t want to get a Section 8 out of the Army. Surviving an American Gulag is a poignant tale of a gay man that overcomes the worst the Army can serve and in the end it is a redemption story of sorts. It is a good emotional book that will leave you rooting for Patterson and his platoon of misfits.
December 30, 2014
good read but propaganda
I did like the character of Gibbs and his trials in boot camp. What I didn't like was how the author implied that just by receiving kindness anyone can be made queer. I think we need to do more to reach these people and lead them to God.
I did like the character of Gibbs and his trials in boot camp. What I didn't like was how the author implied that just by receiving kindness anyone can be made queer. I think we need to do more to reach these people and lead them to God.
December 12, 2010
So good. So very, very good! The author introduced me to his characters, misfits all, and made me cry with them, cheer for them and feel with them. Brilliant!
October 4, 2014
Very cleverly written military training book.
Excellent.
Excellent.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews