The Company He Keeps: A History of White College Fraternities (Gender and American Culture)
"Stunning. . . one of the finest 'masculinity histories.' . . . This well written, carefully argued, and (in the conclusion) deftly polemical book is an excellent example of what modern historiography can achieve. It should be required reading for campus administrators, if not the parents of prospective fraternity members, and will in addition be of use to any American Studies scholar interested in gender, masculinity studies, social history, institutional history, literary and cultural studies."--American Studies"Syrett's portrayal of how fraternities have evolved before World War II is as sound and vivid an evocation of college student life as we have.The Company He Keepsis careful, convincing, and well grounded in primary sources."--History News Network"Vibrantly written. . . . To a remarkable degree, Syrett connects developments within both American society generally and American higher education specifically to explain the behavior of white fraternity men. . . . One of the best histories of college student life in recent years."--History of Education Quarterly"[An] engaging, readable, and ultimately disturbing history of white college fraternities."--Journal of Southern History"By researching fraternities found throughout the country and over two centuries, Syrett is able to make a comprehensive and important contribution to the history of sexuality, social life, and gender on college campuses. . . . He has helped to open the door for scholars to research fraternities and parts of extracurricular life as worthy historical topics."--H-Education"A welcome addition to gender history and the history of education. . . . Masculinity specialists, historians of the nineteenth century, and historians of education will value Syrett's extensive research, impressive contextualization, and convincing argument that fraternities participated in the changing ideals of manhood."--Journal of American History"Six crisp, deeply researched chapters trace changes from the ideals of brotherhood and genteel manliness that gave birth to fraternities to those of masculinity linked to athleticism, sexual prowess, and the like that appeared by 2000. .  . . Highly recommended."--Choice"What makes this work stand out among studies of fraternity culture is the evolving definition of masculinity that serves as the conceptual lens for this book. . . . This is a fascinating perspective and offers college educators an insight into how the fraternity men on our campuses today may see themselves."--Journal of College Student Development"Provides the first historical study that charts the growth of fraternities in the United States. He uses this dazzling assortment of evidence in order to evaluate how white men's ideas and enactment of, what he calls, 'fraternal masculinity,' changed over time. . . . Brilliantly articulates how this notion of masculinity changed and when it changed."--Committee on Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Transgender History"There is a lot to learn from its pages; what is so rewarding about the text is its speculations about the advance--and possibly the decline--of American culture that it provokes. The more deeply Syrett probes, the more one wonders: what is our world coming to?"--American Historical Review"The first [history of white fraternities in America] of its kind."--Greeley Tribune"Careful, convincing, and well grounded in many primary sources. . . . Highly readable."--History News Network