Author, Speaker, Journalist, Consultant. Best Nonfiction Book of the Year – Goodreads Choice Awards

A Real Simple Best Book of 2019. A New York Times Book Review New and Noteworthy Book. A People Magazine People Pick.

The only contemporary book about what it’s really like to be in college. An unprecedented fly-on-the-wall look inside fraternity houses from current brothers’ perspectives—and a fresh, riveting must-read 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.

Fraternity is more than just a page-turning, 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.

Reviews

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

An essential read for parents and students.
– Real Simple, A Best Book of 2019

A riveting read.
– Shelf Awareness

A thoughtful, important take.
– People Magazine

I truly believe that Alexandra Robbins is the greatest non-fiction author of our time. By focusing her writing on the subjective narratives of “characters” who appear as case studies, her books read as novels with critical analysis essays interspersed throughout. Her craftsmanship is unparalleled. I appreciated this book for its perspective – and for what I know will challenge mainstream audiences to think more deeply about masculinity.
– Melissa Fabello, PhD., former Managing Editor of Everyday Feminism and author of Appetite, on FRATERNITY

Skillfully paced. This engaging behind-the-scenes account of fraternities, their traditions, and how they influence (a certain strain of) American men will interest college-bound students, their parents, and readers contemplating American culture.
– Publisher's Weekly

As always, her writing and storytelling is wonderful and research insightful… I could not put this book down.
– Jill Grunenwald, author of Running with a Police Escort and Reading Behind Bars

One of the 13 “can’t-miss, shouldn’t-skip books of the past 12 months.”

– Daily Union

Alexandra Robbins… spent a year documenting Greek life for her excellent new book, Fraternity…. Robbins makes the case that fraternities are not monolothic and that, done right, they can be healthy spaces.
– Mother Jones

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