Customer Reviews

The Company He Keeps: A History of White College Fraternities (Gender and American Culture)

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"The Company He Keeps" is a fascinating book about an under-explored topic- the history of white college fraternities. The author, Nick Syrett, has a vivid writing style and presents his in-depth research in a compelling, entertaining voice. This is a must read for those interested in group behavior, gender relations through a specific historical framework and the embedded role of fraternities in American culture.

Great historical and cultural analysis. I assign this book in my Gender in Higher Education course, and use it as a supplementary reading in my Masculinity in the United States course.

The author has done a superb job of dealing with the little-known history of American fraternities, especially the less-edifying aspects of that history. The book is exceedingly well-researched and well-written. Especially interesting is the author's description of the all-white Protestant fraternity and the nature of the masculinity it promoted.