The Pink Marine
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4.5 • 53 Ratings
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- $9.99
Publisher Description
Now a Netflix Original Series - BOOTS
Based on the memoir The Pink Marine
In The Pink Marine, Greg Cope White's sharp, funny, and unexpectedly moving memoir, he recounts how an insecure New Orleans weakling transforms into a Devil Dog Marine. A coming-of-age story set in the most unlikely place: boot camp.
When Greg's straight best friend Dale tells him he's spending the summer at Marine Corps boot camp on Parris Island, all Greg hears is "summer" and "camp." So, he signs up too. Never mind that he's underweight, out of shape - and gay, which is illegal in the U.S. military at the time.
Yes, it's insanely dangerous for both of them. But as fate would have it, the Few and the Proud turn out to be a bunch of oddballs and eccentrics - and a brotherhood is born. In a world where the landmines are both literal and metaphorical, this book takes a hard - and hilarious - look at masculinity and what it really means to belong.
"An inspiring memoir that displays a balanced, surprisingly reverent view of the Marine Corps and military service." - Kirkus Reviews
Greg's chaotic childhood hasn't prepared him for military life. He packs five suitcases for thirteen weeks of training. The U.S. Marines strip him of all of it, shave his head, and put a rifle in his hands. At first, he struggles to keep up - afraid that his secret will be discovered. But as the weeks go by, the desire to survive and earn the title of Marine triumphs over fear.
He learns that everyone enters the Corps feeling different - judged for the color of their skin, their weight, or their past. Some even choose boot camp over jail. This will push every man past his limit and strip away who he thinks he is. What breaks them also binds them. Nobody comes out the same. Something shifts for Greg. For everyone.
Told with disarming honesty and biting wit, The Pink Marine follows Greg and his new brothers as they navigate the brutal system of recruit training. Greg must prove he belongs - and figure out who he really is.
While I served in the military, the Air Force was a social club compared to the Marines. I've known Greg Cope White for some thirty years, and have admired him every minute throughout. That he could write as intriguing and honest a book as The Pink Marine is no surprise. Norman Lear
The Pink Marine is a beautifully detailed passionately written and very necessary book—it's the fascinating and surprising story of a gay man in the military, told with respect, wit and insight. Paul Rudnick
A great story beautifully told-surprising, funny, courageous and inspiring. David Hyde Pierce
Greg is as inspirational as he is hilarious--I love this book! Margaret Cho, Comedienne
White recalls the grueling yet confidence-building three-month Marine Corps boot camp training he endured as a still-closeted teenager in 1979. "I learned that I had to respect myself if I wanted others to respect me." The author demonstrates that respect and delivers a heartening coming-of-age story, an inspiring memoir that displays a balanced, surprisingly reverent view of the Marine Corps and military service. Kirkus Reviews
This is the story of how, through pure gumption, a most unlikely Marine candidate rises to the occasion to show his true colors! Jane Lynch, Actress
APPLE BOOKS REVIEW
Greg Cope White’s engrossing memoir is proof that achieving success as a U.S. Marine transcends religion, sexual orientation, and stereotypes. In the late 1970s, White followed his best friend into the U.S. Marine Corps—a risky proposition for a gay teen. But instead of breaking his spirit, White’s basic training experience provided him with self-esteem and discipline that he still carries with him as a Hollywood writer. It’s fascinating to read along as he describes the constant threat of having his sexuality discovered at a time when it was illegal in the military. And yet, his story is even more about the bond his unit formed out of shared misery and triumph, with his affection for the USMC coloring his narrative with exuberance and warmth. The Pink Marine wears its semper fi spirit loudly and proudly.
Customer Reviews
A story of navigating identity and a bond of friendship
In "The Pink Marine," Sergeant Greg Cope White presents a gripping narrative set in the 1980s Marine Corps, highlighting the extraordinary journey of a gay teen navigating the harsh reality of a military culture that frowned upon his identity. This book delves into the challenges of acceptance, self-discovery, and the profound bond between comrades.
The story follows Greg, an unconventional recruit, as he defies societal norms to join the Marine Corps alongside his straight best friend, Dale. The narrative sheds light on the audacity required to challenge the norms of masculinity during a time when being gay was not only frowned upon but could lead to severe consequences.
The lifelong friendship between Greg and Dale is the heart of the narrative, showcasing Dale's exemplary character and the courage it took for both to embark on this journey in the face of societal prejudice. The authors paint a vivid picture of the immense strength required to forge such bonds in the year 1979, where acceptance of one's true self was a rare feat.
The book skillfully explores Greg's internal struggle and the lengths to which he had to go to hide his true identity. It captures the tension of boot camp, where individuals from diverse backgrounds converge, each facing their own battles for acceptance. The repetitive physical punishment and the pressure to conform create an environment that tests not only physical endurance but also the strength of character.
"The Pink Marine" challenges preconceived notions about identity and highlights the universal quest for belonging. This review only scratches the surface of the rich narrative that unfolds within the pages of this compelling book.