Published: June 28, 2008
Words: 69,329 (approximate)
Language: English
ISBN: 9781452300900

Short description

Private Winslow Gibbs has been drafted in 1967 at the height of the Vietnam war. He is out of shape, 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 according to the book. Welcome to the Special Training Unit where the misfits are driven in the American Gulag.

Extended description

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.

Revised for 2010. (Read more) 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.

Revised for 2010.

Review from Rainbow Reviews:

This story is a diamond . . . in the rough. Private Winslow Gibbs is a caterpillar. The special training unit essentially is his cocoon from which emerges the butterfly. Through those around him, Gibbs is able to realize who he is inside. The below exchange is magnificent in how it encapsulates the journey Gibbs is traveling.

"What should I do?"

"Nothing," Avila said. "Love yourself. That's what's happening here. You're learning to love yourself. Loving others will come naturally after you learn to love yourself."

"But how do you do it? "

"One day at a time. No great plan. I wake up and see the sunshine or the rain and ..."

Gibbs does learn to love himself and the rest follows as Avila promises. As this story is based on real life, it seems untidy. But that is how life is and the story has that indefinable air of truth because of it.
(Less)

Adult-content rating: This book contains content considered unsuitable for young readers 17 and under, and which may be offensive to some readers of all ages. For more information, see the Support FAQ.

Tags

adventure, gay, military, memoir

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Reviews

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Review by: John Falch on April 04, 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!
(reviewed within a month of purchase)

Review by: MoshPit Publishing on July 26, 2011 :
As an Australian woman born in the 1960s, I found this not only enjoyable (and yes, I did cry at the end!), but also highly educational. The things that occurred in this book were at a time when I was growing up and they were only in the periphery of my awareness then, so this helped expand on my knowledge of society's, and the military's, attitudes in those times.

While I'm sure there was some poetic licence employed to entertain the reader, the issues raised in this book were deftly handled. This is an honest, but sensitive, and very entertaining story. I shall be looking out for more of Mr Patterson's works now that I've been introduced to him!
(reviewed within a month of purchase)

Review by: qbeeqt on Jan. 20, 2011 :
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!
(reviewed long after purchase)

Review by: EdwinT53 on Sep. 09, 2010 :
Well written. basically a man forced to change and learning to accept who he is, I liked all the different engaging characters and the hints that homosexuality was more common than you think in the military.
(reviewed long after purchase)

Review by: Sharon E. Cathcart on June 10, 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.
(reviewed long after purchase)

Review by: Scott Collins on May 27, 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.
(reviewed within a month of purchase)

Review by: David Mason on May 21, 2010 : (no rating)
Service life usualy brings out the best in people. There is a bond formed that is quite unique. Private Gibbs may have started out as a nerd, but he ends up as good a soldier as any. A lot of rough stuff - but this is about the Marines - not for softies. A good read.
(reviewed within a month of purchase)

Review by: Karen Bell on May 06, 2010 :
I loved this book. It's very real and very touching.
(reviewed within a month of purchase)

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