Fraternity

An Inside Look at a Year of College Boys Becoming Men

By: Alexandra Robbins

Narrated by: Alexandra Robbins

* A Real Simple Best Book of 2019: "An essential read for parents and students." *

The New York Times best-selling author of Pledged is back with an unprecedented fly-on-the-wall look inside fraternity houses from current brothers’ perspectives - and a fresh, riveting must-listen about what it’s like to be a college guy today.

Two real-life stories. One stunning twist. Meet Jake, a studious freshman weighing how far to go to find a brotherhood that will introduce him to lifelong friends and help conquer his social awkwardness; and Oliver, a hardworking chapter president trying to keep his misunderstood fraternity out of trouble despite multiple run-ins with the police.

Their year-in-the-life stories help explain why students are joining fraternities in record numbers despite scandalous headlines. To find out what it’s like to be a fraternity brother in the 21st century, Robbins contacted hundreds of brothers whose chapters don’t make headlines - and who suggested that many fraternities can be healthy, safe spaces for men.

Fraternity is more than just a pause-resisting, character-driven read. It’s a vital book about the transition from boyhood to manhood; it brilliantly weaves psychology, current events, neuroscience, and interviews to explore the state of masculinity today and what that means for students and their parents. It’s a different kind of story about college boys, a story in which they candidly discuss sex, friendship, social media, drinking, peer pressure, gender roles, and even porn. And it’s a book about boys at a vulnerable age, living on their own for perhaps the first time. Boys who, in a climate that can stigmatize them merely for being male, don’t necessarily want to navigate the complicated, coming-of-age journey to manhood alone.

©2019 Alexandra Robbins (P)2019 Penguin Audio

Critic reviews

“Fraternity, an unfiltered, candid examination of toxic masculinity in Greek life, is absolutely a product of the #MeToo movement—yet there are no villains or clear bad guys. Writing an anti-fraternity manifesto would likely have been an infinitely easier choice for Robbins, but it wasn’t the path she took. Instead, she sought successfully to weave hope from chaos.” —Ms. Magazine

“Investigative journalist Robbins takes readers on an eye-opening tour of contemporary college fraternities. Highlighting the changing roles and unique pressures millennial males are currently facing, Robbins recounts a year in the life of two committed fraternity brothers...Her energetic prose and dramatic insider's perspective will keep readers both captivated and well informed.” —Booklist

“Compelling profiles of men navigating the processes and pressures of rushing, pledging, and troubleshooting the hypermasculine fraternity culture and the rigid guidelines of collegiate social engagement...Much of the material will be useful and informative for college-prep students and their parents (a final section provides advice for both groups). Real-life perspectives on the immersive, unifying, and chancy culture of fraternities.” —Kirkus Reviews

A Review of the 21 Century Fraternity

This book does a comprehensive job of looking at the modern day greek system.
As a member of a fraternity in the early 1970’s I was amazed at the things that had changed as well as the things that had not.
It is sad that the hazing system, while somewhat lessened, is still in place and condoned.
The focus on service should be strengthened as opposed to traditional conduct. The term “We’ve always done it that way” should be done away with along with the associated practices.
The book did an excellent job of pointing out how difficult the transition from high school boy to college man can be and the importance of recognizing the mental health issues which come into play.
A very informative book.

Love'em or Hate'm

Few authors understand the American college student like Alexandra Robbins. Whether you love, hate, or don't understand the Greek system, this book will enlighten you as to why boys join and what they hope to gain from it.

Qualitative AND Quantitative

As a former fraternity member, I found the stories throughout the book to be truthful and engaging, while the statistics and rationale of Greek life in the 21st Century are compelling. Parts of this book took me back to my own experiences, and I especially enjoyed the section on masculinity. Whether you are a proponent of Greek life or not, this is an insightful listen!