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5 of 5 found the following review helpful:
 TRAILBLAZING: A Scorcher Jun 22, 2000
By James P. Tyler, Jr
Anderson's TRAILBLAZING burns a trail right into your heart. I had a hard time putting it down to get on with my day. I am a retired educator in music; not a sports fan. This story could convert me. Anderson is fun to read. I love the anectdotes. Most captivating is to see how he tells the story as related to his runners. Parents of the runners are heroes also. This is an important story for gay, straight and all concerned! It will move and shake you.
3 of 3 found the following review helpful:
Educational and Inspirational Nov 25, 2002
By Karen
I currently have a class with Gumby (Soc of Sport @ UCI), and reading this book was one of the requirements. However, it wasn't just another class textbook--in addition to being educational, it was extremely inspiring. I have not been exposed to many gays or lesbians (maybe a few lesbians and bisexuals here and there, but I was never close to them), in fact, I have been exposed to more conservative, anti-homosexual, and heterosexist views for most of my life, so many of the things Gumby brought up in his book were new to me. For instance, I never really thought about how hard it must be not just for a person to come "out of the closet" but how it would affect his close ones. Though I'm not close to Gumby, I learned a little more about how and why he thinks certain ways, mainly due to his treatment and experiences before and after "coming out". In addition to learning about issues on homosexuality, heterosexism, and how hegemonic masculinity can be, I learned more about how these issues are dealt with in the school administrative and sports arena through Gumby's experience. If you are interested in these sociological issues, or just want inspirational/motivational support in coming out as a homosexual, then READ THIS BOOK! It has definitely changed my view on homosexuality forever.
3 of 3 found the following review helpful:
Unbelievable true story Jun 23, 2000
As a parent of a former (hight school) track athlete, I have had the pleasure of getting to know coach Gumby, and knew something of the experiences he had as a coach at our local high school. I must say reading about it made it seem all the more amazing and incredible that anyone could perservere through all of this personal and professional adversity. Coach Gumby is a true trailblazer. The book is wonderful and a must read for anyone concerned about tolerance.
3 of 3 found the following review helpful:
 A book for everyone to read May 06, 2000
By Dale Giesige
"dgreatone"
An amazing true story about a high school coach who comes out to his athletes and school - and experiences the repercussions afterwards. This is not only a story of the homophobia track coach Eric "Gumby" Anderson experienced, but the homophobia his runners experience as well. But if this book was only about homophobia it wouldn't be a great book. This book is not only about track: it's not only about teamwork; it's also about dedication and friendship and especially being true to one's self. Qualities some people search for all their lives but never find. "Gumby" writes in a style that's welcoming, friendly, and easy to pick up and gets the emotions going especially when it involves his runners - or the homophobic school politics. You'll get really frustrated and angry at the school principal in this story! After reading this book you know Gumby's dedication to his runners, and the dedication his runners have for him. By the last chapter, you are cheering the runners on, and wishing Gumby and his runners the very best.
2 of 2 found the following review helpful:
Breaks the Ribbon Apr 23, 2001
By Randall Ivey
"Randall"
I am no fan of athletics or stories about same, but I found Eric Anderson's book an engaging memoir. He keeps the whining down to a minimum and provides instead a truly inspirational piece about an individual who would just not give up on attaining his goals, no matter what obstacles were strewn in his way. Sometimes I found myself skeptical at how easily and immediately accepting his friends, family, colleagues and students were of his homosexuality, but I am inclined to give Anderson the benefit of the doubt. He strikes me as an honest man. His life could certainly serve as some sort of model for young folks of all and any persuasions or predilections: perseverence is the key to success; hard work is unavoidable. I would liked more about Eric's personal life, but perhaps that would have thrown the book out of focus, because TRAILBLAZING is as much about the talented young runners as it is their hard-headed, hard-working young coach. And if we are lucky, Anderson might even be penning a sequel that gives us further details about his life and loves. Let's hope.
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