Status
Available
Genres
Publication
Beacon Press (2015), Hardcover, 272 pages
Description
"This story is rooted in the power of sport, but it is not a sports memoir. Yes, Course Correction chronicles one young woman's transformation from a couch potato-in-training into an elite athlete who reached the highest echelon of her sport. In addition, the book offers a persuasive example of the enormous impact of sports participation on the rest of life and validates the power, import, and necessity of Title IX. Just like Ginny, girls everywhere deserve the chance not only to dream of athletic stardom, but to reach for it. Ginny discovered rowing as a freshman at Yale. From her first strokes as a novice, Ginny found herself in a new world. Starting with her first practice, she trained alongside two Olympics-bound rowers. Then a mere handful of months into her freshman year, she participated in the now renowned Title IX naked protest on campus. That event not only forced Yale to provide equal access to sports facilities for its women athletes, but helped mold the future of women's crew programs across the country. Course Correction recounts the physical and psychological barriers Ginny had to confront and overcome to achieve the extraordinary. Taking place against a backdrop of unprecedented cultural change, Ginny's story personalizes the impact of Title IX, demonstrating the life-changing effects of lessons learned in sports far beyond the athletic fields of play. Her journey wends its way to the Olympic podium in 1984, detouring through the 1980 Olympics, which the United States boycotted at then-president Jimmy Carter's insistence, carries her through family tragedy, strengthens her to face her own demons and truths, and ultimately frees her to live her life despite her persistent fear of loss"--… (more)
User reviews
LibraryThing member nneylon
I received "Course Correction" by Ginny Gilder through the Library Thing Early Reviewers program. I love history, sports, legal issues, etc., and so was intrigued by this book. On the positive side, I found the rowing details fascinating, as well as the general Title IX equality struggles. The high
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points are those involving her parents and their family problems - something to which we can all relate. Very moving stuff. Unfortunately the book contains far too much amateur psychology and too many rah-rah self-help platitudes for my taste. I also think the author glosses over her end-of-the-book life choice considering how many others it likely effected. Good for her that she made the choice, just treat it with the gravity it deserved. In the end the book was a bit of a disappointment, but probably still worth the read. Show Less
LibraryThing member marilynsantiago
Course Correction is a wonderful story about how one woman, against many internal odds, fought her way to an Olympic medal. She first saw a rowing shell at 16 and fell in love. She writes about how she became part of the Yale Women's team and later part of an Olympic team who won the silver in Los
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Angeles. She talks a lot about her internal fears and how they sometimes were able to hijack her progress. "Gilder ends her book with"no matter what sport, the take-aways are fundamentally the same, never give in to you fear or up on your dream, go the extra mile, planning and hard work consistently pay off, and the power of teamwork is tough to beat"..... Show Less
LibraryThing member sallylou61
Ginny Gilder writes about her life struggles in Course Correction -- both in rowing and in coming to terms with her identity as a lesbian. She becomes passionate about competitive rowing as women are becoming more involved in sports following the passage of Title IX, and describes her relentless
Most of the book is very interesting when Ginny is telling the story of her rowing. However, near the end when she struggles with her identity as a lesbian, the book becomes rather disturbing. Throughout the book until her final lesbian relationship as an adult, Ginny identifies people by name. Her description of her treatment of her first lesbian lover is unnecessarily cruel and she marries her husband against her better judgment –- she calls both of these important people in her life by name. When she briefly describes her relationship with her current companion, she calls her only by her first name, and does not mention the name of the woman’s former husband. I think that Ginny should have shown the same respect for their privacy to her first lesbian lover and her husband.
Both a glossary of rowing terms and an index would have been helpful.
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efforts first to make the Yale University Women’s rowing team and later to make the Olympic Team and win an Olympic medal. However, at times she appears to be her own worse enemy by not taking care of herself physically, and by trying too hard to please her father. Most of the book is very interesting when Ginny is telling the story of her rowing. However, near the end when she struggles with her identity as a lesbian, the book becomes rather disturbing. Throughout the book until her final lesbian relationship as an adult, Ginny identifies people by name. Her description of her treatment of her first lesbian lover is unnecessarily cruel and she marries her husband against her better judgment –- she calls both of these important people in her life by name. When she briefly describes her relationship with her current companion, she calls her only by her first name, and does not mention the name of the woman’s former husband. I think that Ginny should have shown the same respect for their privacy to her first lesbian lover and her husband.
Both a glossary of rowing terms and an index would have been helpful.
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LibraryThing member marcyjill
Course Correction is the story of the author's lifelong struggle to find her identity -- first as a woman athlete and then as a woman overall. The child of a bitter divorce she internalized the pain and blamed herself as happens so often with children at a certain age. As a result she suffered what
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I like to call "Disappointing Daughter" syndrome where nothing she did was ever good enough, everything she wanted she was afraid would not be accepted or approved of by her family. Many times she was the saboteur of her own happiness and/or success as she struggled to finally and painfully break free of the cycle. Her determined training was inspiring and her eventual courage to come out to her family as a lesbian is admirable. I enjoyed this book very much and while I think the writing could use more of an editor finesse it, the story was compelling enough to keep me interested throughout. Show Less
LibraryThing member JanaRose1
Ginny Gilder, an Olympic rower, recounts her life and adventure as she masters this elite sport. Although the book discussed one Title IX protest, it did not seem to delve much into the culture of the time or how that culture affected Ginny. It seemed that most of struggles she endured were created
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by her insecurities and battle to accept who she was. Overall, not a bad book, but not one that I would re-read. Show Less
LibraryThing member yukon92
This story about an Olympic rower and her struggle within her personal life was quite interesting to read. I didn't know anything about Title IX and this story filled in some of the background on it, but still was only a sideline in the main story. I think there were too many pages wasted on
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explaining the details of rowing and that was a little on the boring side. Show Less
LibraryThing member dallenbaugh
Ginny Gilder writes of her struggles with her fear, self-doubt, and need for approval after having lived through her parents difficult divorce which left her father seemingly indifferent to the plight of his children as their mother basically self destructs with alcohol and withdrawal of affection.
Her passion for rowing comes at a time when Title IX is just getting started to offer girls the same opportunities and support as boys, making it easier for them to follow their love of sports. At the same time Ginny battles her physical attraction to another woman and cannot allow herself to follow her own emotional needs. It was interesting to follow Ginny's battles and to learn more about the sport of rowing although it was difficult at times to feel sympathy for this woman who was so self absorbed. Fortunately the ending shows us that Ginny comes through her battles to a better understanding and acceptance of herself and her place in the world.
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Somehow Ginny gets accepted into Yale and becomes enamored with the sport of rowing and sees the intense physical and mental requirements as a way to combat many of her demons. She channels her emotions into a single minded determination to be the best in her chosen sport and comes very close, but she finds that her fear of not being good enough follows her every step of the way. Her passion for rowing comes at a time when Title IX is just getting started to offer girls the same opportunities and support as boys, making it easier for them to follow their love of sports. At the same time Ginny battles her physical attraction to another woman and cannot allow herself to follow her own emotional needs. It was interesting to follow Ginny's battles and to learn more about the sport of rowing although it was difficult at times to feel sympathy for this woman who was so self absorbed. Fortunately the ending shows us that Ginny comes through her battles to a better understanding and acceptance of herself and her place in the world.
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LibraryThing member SpaceStationMir
This book was not at all what I expected. The subtitle is "A Story of Rowing and Resilience in the Wake of Title IX" and I mistakenly thought it would be about a movement to establish a women's rowing team. Instead, the movement is already mostly won by the time Ginny Gilder joins Yale's rowing
Course Correction isn't the story of a movement; it's an autobiography. As autobiographies go, it's a good one, but you have to really be interested in the subject matter. Gilder writes eloquently about her passion for rowing, and how her experience with rowing helped her deal with the ripple effects of her parents' divorce. She also discusses how her people-pleasing tendencies lead her to suppress her sexuality.
I made it through the whole book, and I sympathized with Ginny, who pulls off the complicated feat of criticizing her family in a nuanced way, and maturely takes responsibility for her decision to marry a man when she knew she loved women. However, while I don't regret reading the book and definitely got out of it some keen social observations and some knowledge of rowing, I wouldn't read it again. It's too much about the sport of rowing and about her personal life story, and I just don't care enough about either of those things.
Recommended to rowing fans or perhaps fans of women's sports in general, but not a must-read for everyone.
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team. There is some discussion of unfair treatment, and a naked protest to get women's showers and changing rooms in the Yale boathouse, but that's a relatively small part of the story. Course Correction isn't the story of a movement; it's an autobiography. As autobiographies go, it's a good one, but you have to really be interested in the subject matter. Gilder writes eloquently about her passion for rowing, and how her experience with rowing helped her deal with the ripple effects of her parents' divorce. She also discusses how her people-pleasing tendencies lead her to suppress her sexuality.
I made it through the whole book, and I sympathized with Ginny, who pulls off the complicated feat of criticizing her family in a nuanced way, and maturely takes responsibility for her decision to marry a man when she knew she loved women. However, while I don't regret reading the book and definitely got out of it some keen social observations and some knowledge of rowing, I wouldn't read it again. It's too much about the sport of rowing and about her personal life story, and I just don't care enough about either of those things.
Recommended to rowing fans or perhaps fans of women's sports in general, but not a must-read for everyone.
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LibraryThing member KamGeb
The author is a very impressive rower with an interesting childhood. In addition she struggles with her sexuality and societal pressures. However, the book itself is hard to get through.
Having been a rower in college, I hoped it would be filled with fun stories about the crews she rowed on --
Having been a rower in college, I hoped it would be filled with fun stories about the crews she rowed on --
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something that would remind me of my rowing days. For example, in her Junior Year the Eastern Sprints were canceled due to extreme weather. She just tells us in a matter of fact way without any details or interesting vignettes. It left me wishing for more. Show Less
LibraryThing member Jjean7
I found this book to very interesting - I really know nothing about "rowing" but she writes about the many obstacles to become a Winner - wonderful description of rowing & the workouts - you feel the emotional traumas as she improves & grows in the sport and life - excellent memoir of a female
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rower. Show Less
LibraryThing member mryan40
I often find myself reaching for memoirs written by athletes who were able to beat the odds and achieve their Olympic aspirations. This book is an intelligent and well written one. It is the story of a woman who begins rowing at Yale in the late 1970's- a time when new opportunities were arising
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for women. However, in life it is not always easy to follow your heart and mind, and it takes the author years of hard work, self reflection and courage to achieve her dreams and live her life in accordance with her true self. This is a multifaceted story and I recommend it. Show Less
LibraryThing member awolfe
Excellent book on how Title IX changed the lives of women and gave them a much broader choice in life. Great read for any sports enthusiast
LibraryThing member ElizabethLynnPrice
I grew up in the era before Title IX. I remember vividly playing basketball on the school playground, and swinging a bat during high school gym classes. But the only teams we rooted for were all boys, and the positions of importance were the cheerleaders. By the time Title IX was fully enforced, I
I read this ARC courtesy of Library Thing and the publisher, Beacon Press.
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was out of school, but oh, my, were things different for my children! Ginny Gilder's story of resilience and determination struck a chord with me. What a remarkable telling of the overcoming of many prejudices on the road to Olympic Gold.I read this ARC courtesy of Library Thing and the publisher, Beacon Press.
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LibraryThing member oddandbookish
I received this book for free through LibraryThing's Early Reviewers.
This is not typically a book I would read. I'm from California, so rowing is not a big sport here. I also had never heard of Ginny Gilder before either.
I was pleasantly surprised by this book. It was incredibly well written. It
Overall, this book showcases what it was like being a female athlete in the early days of Title IX. In addition it also highlights struggling with sexuality.
This is not typically a book I would read. I'm from California, so rowing is not a big sport here. I also had never heard of Ginny Gilder before either.
I was pleasantly surprised by this book. It was incredibly well written. It
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was a bit melodramatic at times. I found the parts about her personal life to be more interesting than the parts on her rowing life and career. This is probably because I know very little about rowing. Speaking of her family life, her childhood reminded me of Melanie Martinez’s song “Dollhouse”. That song features an alcoholic mom and a cheating dad, which is what happens to Ginny’s parents. Overall, this book showcases what it was like being a female athlete in the early days of Title IX. In addition it also highlights struggling with sexuality.
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LibraryThing member whitreidtan
I was lucky enough to grow up in an era after Title IX so I never had to worry about whether or not I could participate in the sport of my choice. For me, that sport wasn't rowing; it was swimming. Despite not ever rowing beyond banging about in a rowboat as opposed to a scull, I have always been
Ginny Gilder fell in love with rowing when she was sixteen and saw a race on the Charles River. Completely hooked, when she went off to Yale, she was determined to have the chance to row. Not everything in her life was as easy as that decision (and achieving that one was by no means easy either). Rowing in the age just after the passing of Title IX, Gilder's path to a rowing shell was complicated and often unhappy. She came from a terribly dysfunctional family and had an unhappy childhood she desperately wanted to escape. Finding rowing, she found something she could pour her entire heart and soul into even as she had to fight the sexism of fellow athletes and coaches, fight her own personal demons, and fight the injuries that threatened to derail her secret dream: to row in the Olympics. Then she still had to endure world politics when we boycotted the 1980 Olympics.
Starting in the 70s, this memoir is both a very personal story for Gilder and a history of what Title IX has meant for all the women who have followed its passing. It is a testament to the powerful way that sports can impact a life. Gilder's story of her quest to become an Olympian, the way she pushes her body beyond, and her fierce determination to win and to come back after an injury interweaves with her own self-realization, an awakening to who she really is, going far beyond her amazing athletic career. She traces the roots of those things that hold her back and chronicles how she first pushes past them and then circles back to examine them closely. Sometimes this introspection and examination of her self doubt slows the narrative down a little too much. It is a testament to Gilder's spirit and the many course corrections she undertook along the way that she overcame such a troubled childhood and the inertia of a life she created but that wasn't the right life to ultimately find a contentment and a mission supporting women's sports. Gilder tackles the many social issues that shaped and continue to shape her life: infidelity, alcoholism, sexism, and homosexuality to name a few. And she holds the politics of sport up to the light. This is a celebration of not only rowing and reaching her dream but of accepting her life and who she is. Sports fans and those with a keen interest in the impact of Title IX will find this a fascinating read.
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incredibly intrigued by it. I gobbled up The Boys in the Boat and wished again that I was not too old to try to take up rowing. I know; it's never too old to learn something but I suspect that anyone seeing my rotund, short self trundling down to get in a boat with them would be flat out horrified. Instead, I just find books to feed my interest and Course Correction, Ginny Gilder's memoir about rowing, Title IX, and her Olympic dreams and experience, fit the bill for sure.Ginny Gilder fell in love with rowing when she was sixteen and saw a race on the Charles River. Completely hooked, when she went off to Yale, she was determined to have the chance to row. Not everything in her life was as easy as that decision (and achieving that one was by no means easy either). Rowing in the age just after the passing of Title IX, Gilder's path to a rowing shell was complicated and often unhappy. She came from a terribly dysfunctional family and had an unhappy childhood she desperately wanted to escape. Finding rowing, she found something she could pour her entire heart and soul into even as she had to fight the sexism of fellow athletes and coaches, fight her own personal demons, and fight the injuries that threatened to derail her secret dream: to row in the Olympics. Then she still had to endure world politics when we boycotted the 1980 Olympics.
Starting in the 70s, this memoir is both a very personal story for Gilder and a history of what Title IX has meant for all the women who have followed its passing. It is a testament to the powerful way that sports can impact a life. Gilder's story of her quest to become an Olympian, the way she pushes her body beyond, and her fierce determination to win and to come back after an injury interweaves with her own self-realization, an awakening to who she really is, going far beyond her amazing athletic career. She traces the roots of those things that hold her back and chronicles how she first pushes past them and then circles back to examine them closely. Sometimes this introspection and examination of her self doubt slows the narrative down a little too much. It is a testament to Gilder's spirit and the many course corrections she undertook along the way that she overcame such a troubled childhood and the inertia of a life she created but that wasn't the right life to ultimately find a contentment and a mission supporting women's sports. Gilder tackles the many social issues that shaped and continue to shape her life: infidelity, alcoholism, sexism, and homosexuality to name a few. And she holds the politics of sport up to the light. This is a celebration of not only rowing and reaching her dream but of accepting her life and who she is. Sports fans and those with a keen interest in the impact of Title IX will find this a fascinating read.
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LibraryThing member lisa.schureman
I found this book very interesting. Gilder's family history left her somewhat self-destructive as she let her fear that she might become like her mother rule her. She would practice even when her doctor and coach told her not to, that she needed to rest her body so she could be healthy for rowing
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trials. She didn't say how her parents took her coming out as gay, but then her relationship with her mother was distant at best while her father was brusque but supportive. I kept reading to find out how she reached the Olympics and the races put her crew in Silver medal position. I also liked the way she titled the sections of the book; Catch, Drive, Release, and Recovery, the terms for the different parts of a stroke. Show Less
LibraryThing member DianneBottinelli
I received this book as an early reviewer. It provided a good historical perspective about the wake of Title IX and how women had to fight to receive equal funding as their male counterparts. I learned a lot about rowing and the teamwork involved with the crew.
Awards
ALA Over the Rainbow Book List (Selection — 2016)
ISBN
0807074772 / 9780807074770
Local notes
sports
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