During the 1960's a young soldier struggles with basic training, a bully sergeant and his own inner demons. A tale of struggle, redemption and survival.
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.
Professional Reviews 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'.
A Testament to Fortitude
By Timothy Mulder (Los Angeles, CA USA)
Reading Gulag was both a pleasure and a source of inspiration.
From a practical perspective, the story is well constructed with characters rendered in such exquisite detail that the reader can feel their defiance, heroism and pain. While subjectively, Surviving an American Gulag is nothing short of a heart and gut wrenching exploration of true human fortitude.
Private Gibbs, the central, autobiographical character goes through a literal rebirth, an evolution of self, born of the instinctive need to survive and grow.
Caught in a time when the basic civil rights of individuals, who do not meet the exacting standards of the military, are routinely denigrated and dismissed from duty, the rich cast of characters are a testament to personal pride and courage.
The fact that, forty years later, circumstances in the American military are only marginally better, leaves this reader plagued with doubt.
Yet, I have only to recall the bravery and resourcefulness of the members of B Platoon, to have my faith restored.
This is a story of what it means to be both human and a soldier. Courage, compassion, honor and the innate need to pursue happiness, regardless of where that path takes you.
A thoroughly enjoyable read!
A Unique Perspective on Military Life
By Michael R. Hicks (Annapolis, MD USA)
Having served in the Army myself, I thought that this book provided a rather fascinating perspective of what for many is a very pivotal point in their lives: military basic training.
The story is told from the point of view of Private Winslow Gibbs, who seems totally unsuited to the military, particularly in the Vietnam-era draft: he is terribly overweight, emotionally soft and - although unbeknownst to himself at the time - homosexual, at a time when being "queer" in the military could land you in prison.
Patterson's telling of the story conveys the primitive conditions and harsh life experienced in basic training, from the total lack of privacy in the barracks to the grueling physical fitness training and the terror of night-time battle drills. Anyone who has ever had to spend time in one of the Army's many "splinter villages" will know from Patterson's words that he's been there himself. And those who haven't experienced the trials and tribulations of military training can gain a better understanding - and respect - for what our young service members experience before they even place themselves in harm's way; and while those of Patterson's generation had no choice during the draft, young men and women today volunteer for such hardships to serve their country, which is something so many of their countrymen do not truly appreciate.
Like those men and women, Patterson's hero - Private Gibbs - learns that he is more than he ever thought he could be. The training he endures, while harsh, reveals his inner strength, which is tempered and honed by his drill sergeant and the members of his platoon.
As for the gay aspect of the story, to me it was almost incidental. Patterson is clearly trying to portray the extreme hardships borne by gay men in the military at the time, and this book certainly does that well in a very non-graphic way.
But the bottom line, in my opinion, is the same as for any other tale of men (and, today, women) who prepare for the ultimate test of war: it's a story of comradeship, a tale of survival against what so often seems to be overwhelming odds.
Interesting story line! Winslow Gibbs is an over-weight, out-of-shape kid struggling to survive basic training full of bullying superiors. Suddenly, he finds himself moved to a group of misfits with varying sets of problems and placed on a bare-bones starvation diet. 'Surviving an American Gulag' tracks Winslow's failures and successes, few as they may be, throughout an amazing, albeit slow transformation and awaking, in more ways then one. Dealing with a bully sergeant is not as difficult as dealing with his comrades, but through it all, he makes it and comes to a remarkable awaking in the end.
I enjoyed the writing style of Edward C. Patterson. Patterson tackles the Army's answer to the problem of sexual differences. The characters are very descriptive and strong. Patterson did an excellent job presenting each character. The characters personalities jumped off the pages. I will admit I did not see the surprise ending coming, but it fit the books story line perfectly. I will definitely read additional works by Edward C. Patterson.
I recommend "Surviving an American Gulag.' Definite thumbs-up!
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I enjoyed the writing style of Edward C. Patterson. Patterson tackles the Army's answer to the problem of sexual differences. The characters are very descriptive and strong. Patterson did an excellent job presenting each character. The characters personalities jumped off the pages. I will admit I did not see the surprise ending coming, but it fit the books story line perfectly. I will definitely read additional works by Edward C. Patterson.
I recommend "Surviving an American Gulag.' Definite thumbs-up!