Summary
Dobie's River is mainly about young men and women during their first two years of college life, including a certain amount of sex, and moderate amounts of destruction and rejection of authority. Some pre-viewers have characterized it as being a poor man's version of Animal House. And it definitely has close kinship to H. G. “Buzz” Bissinger’s best-selling book “Friday Night Lights.” You might recall that a movie was made of that book, which focused on a high school football team in Odessa, Texas.
More specifically, the book's focus is upon three young men who support each other toward obtaining a college degree and a better economic future than their parents. It should appeal to anyone who enjoys reading success stories and be of interest to various age groups, both genders. For example, the setting is centered about the coach and football, but a reader does not have to be a football buff or understand the game to enjoy the book. Why? Because it is written about people, not about the intricacies of football.
It is an easy reading book that is full of action and a never-say-die drive to achieve and succeed. And includes a good helping of romantic sessions, along with other interesting situations and dialogue between the sexes.
The overall theme of the book has to be motivational in nature: If rejected in your efforts, try and try again 'til you succeed. Never give up!
About the Author
Eugene (Gene) Gatwood played football for Coach T.D. (Dobie) Holden at Pearl River Jr. College (PRC); Poplarville, Mississippi for three years, 1958, 1959 and 1960. After receiving his associates degree from PRC in 1960, he attended the University of Southern Mississippi (USM); Hattiesburg, Mississippi where, in 1962, he received a Bachelor of Science in Math.
After graduating, Gene joined the Air Force. During his military career, among other assignments, he served as the commander of a 165-man Communications Squadron at Phan Rang Air Base, Republic of Vietnam in 1971-1972. Later, after returning to the U.S., he attended Troy University; Troy, Alabama where he obtained a Master's degree in 1976. He later commanded a 535-man communications group at Robins AFB, Georgia. Gene retired from the Air Force in 1982 and taught electronics, math, and introduction to computers for more than 21 years at Middle Georgia Technical College, located in Warner Robins, Georgia. During this time, he earned an Educational Specialists degree from the University of Georgia; Athens, Georgia in 1986.
Gene married Georgia Annie Jackson on June 9, 1966. They have two children: Stacy Leigh Vaughn and Jubal "Stonewall" Jackson Gatwood. Annie and Gene currently live in the Vinings area of Atlanta, Georgia.
