Breaking the Surface

by Greg Louganis and Eric Marcus

Book Overview

Champions aren't born, they're made. The haunting, searingly candid New York Times bestselling memoir of Greg Louganis' journey to overcome homophobia, colorism, and disability to become one of the... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0679437037
• ISBN13: 9780679437031
• Release Date: March 1995
• Publisher: Random House (NY)
• Length: 290 Pages
• Weight: 1.45 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.1" x 6.4" x 9.5"

Customer Reviews

Insightful and interesting.

The reason that I first read this book was that I wanted to read a book written by a gay author. I knew nothing about Greg Louganis or the fact that he smacked his head during the Olympics. All I knew was that he was gay and was a swimmer. I checked it out from the library and ended up reading it in two days, which is a record for me because I procrastinate. Greg and Eric put together Greg's story very well, never once causing me to wonder what was going on. From the very beginning I was amused by Greg's thoughts and concerned although he was talking about something that had happened over a decade ago (seven years ago when the book was written). Greg did not tell his story from a casual perspective. He was upfront with his emotions and I felt like I really got to know who this guy was and I came to care a great deal about him. Greg Louganis is the sort of person that should be admired and respected not only for his athletic and acting (let's just think about Jeffrey here...) accomplishments but for his strength and courage. For someone who used to have such a distorted self-perception he grew into a rather wise and very beautiful man. He tells his life story with such compassion, humour, and care that it's difficult to believe he used to think so poorly of himself. This man is one of my role models and I highly suggest that anyone and everyone read this book.

To The Winner

This book was about an Olympic diver that overcame many life difficulties such as is sexuality, depression,ect.. As an athleate Greg Louganis was the best diver ever in U.S. history. I thought this book was very interesting because i got to see how homosexual people view life. This book is easy to read and i think many people could relate to this book such as athletes or just people.

Excellent tale.

I read this book only months after I came out. It helped a lot. This book helped me see many sides of the gay community and how difficult it can be for anyone to come out of the closet.I also used this book to help my parents understand why I feel the need to come out. They didn't want me to tell many people, they wanted me to keep it under wraps. I read a few passages from this book to help them understand why I can't continue to hide. They didn't understand at that moment, but over time they have grown to understand the pain that I and many other gay people feel when they have to remain in the closet.I am very grateful that I bought this book. It helped me find a new, higher lever of self-esteem that I never thought I could have before. Also, it has helped my family be more comfortable with my being gay.

A touching, real life story

I remember watching Greg Louganis in 1988 and his last dive that gave him his fourth Olympic gold medal. I was only 7 years old and had no idea about what a struggle he had. When I found out that he was HIV-positive and gay, I was shocked. I don't know why. I read the book during my junior year in high school and enjoyed it. The information on diving was informative and I enjoyed that part. The part that surprised me the most was the way he talked openly and frankly about his lovers and his feelings for them. It was the first time I had ever read anything like that and it shocked me but then I got used to it. Sure, I've seen "Philadelphia" and the dancing scene but I always figured that they're actors and it was part of their jobs to do stuff like that. Call me naive; I was. But this, the things in the book, happened to a real person, one who is a vivid part of my childhood memories. In many parts, I was crying, trying to picture what Greg's life must have been like all those years and how it hurt him-all the teasing, taunts, rumors and other things he must have endured. I think he has a lot of courage to come out and write this book; to me it shows a person who is confident of where he is now in life and wants others to accept him for who he is.

One of the most heart-felt and sincere books yet.

Greg has written a book that is touching the hearts of so many people. As a young college student, I myself have had to overcome my sexuality and my HIV status. I finally met Greg on February 15th at the University of Miami, and it reinforced the idea of what a wonderful person he is. Greg's book is definitely one in a million. It's a must read for gays and straights, and people who are HIV positive and negative. His strength is capable of helping all of us live a more productive life... and to be happy with ourselves.