5.0 out of 5 stars Great perspective from Dan on an interesting time in AEPi history

A.C. · January 15, 2021

Dan’s story telling of self deprecating humor mixed with emotional moments provides a great back drop to fraternity living in the 90s. If you are a past or present member of AEPI Delta at the University of Illinois this is a must read. Dan takes the reader back to a different time and culture most likely not present today.From my perspective it brought back memories of my time in AEPi Delta and while I did not know all the players in the book it was a good read.I would recommend anyone in any AEPi chapter read this book. It would also relate to anyone in a fraternity from the mid 80s to 2000.It brought back good memories and how perseverance plays a role in all stages of life. I look forward to catching up with my fraternity brothers to discuss Dan’s book and recall old memories.

1.0 out of 5 stars Disaster

A.C. · January 31, 2021

This book is a mess. A fatally flawed attempt by the author to provide a "compelling chronicle" (his words, not mine) of fraternity life at the University of Illinois, it was neither compelling nor much of an effort to accurately, thoughtfully or interestingly chronicle his first year experience. Completely devoid of a plot or research of any kind, at best the book can be described as one person's superficial account of a few things he imperfectly remembers from 30 years ago - written in a poorly-constructed style that can only be described as lackluster diarrhea of the mouth by someone who did not, and still to this day does not, get it. In my opinion, more time spent in a writing class and less time complaining might have been the better way for the author to have spent his freshman year.While I applaud any author's courage to write and publish, I am disappointed with this effort. The book could have been more interesting if the author would have provided more (or any) depth on the people featured or to specific events or emotions experienced and, to that end, I believe he wasted a big opportunity to provide a work of any meaningful value.Bruce Sustein

5.0 out of 5 stars Great insight into fraternity life in the early 90s!

B.R. · February 9, 2021

Dan has an amazing recall of his time in Alpha Epsilon Pi at the University of Illinois. The intimate details he remembers from 30 years ago are remarkable. The captivating storytelling made this book a fantastic read. Every AEPi should read this book to compare their experiences. Anybody that spent time in the Greek system in the 90s will enjoy Glassenberg's book as well!

5.0 out of 5 stars The Preeminent Reading on the most critical era of AEPi Delta History!

J.B.C. · January 15, 2021

Glassenberg provides a very Glassenbergesque review of that year. I'd call the text almost Gurneean. You may agree with some of his perspectives. You may disagree. But I find it hard to imagine not being entertained - if you are a lover of the 1990-1991 AEPi Delta Chapter. I'm pounding the refresh button waiting for Chapter 2....

5.0 out of 5 stars GREAT Read - a Fraternity Going Through Massive Transition in the 90s

'.A.D.P.B. · February 7, 2021

This is an excellent read — an inside view into Fraternity life in the early 90s, when mobile phones didn't exist and fraternity life at the University of Illinois and in particular the AEPi Delta Chapter was going through a massive transition. For someone who lived this journey in the same pledge class of Dan, I can say that while people may have different perspectives on the experience, it was an accurate account of the pledge program and the changing state of the Delta Chapter that had started even before the 1990-91 school year. The author brings in humor, digs into the many complex and differing personalities within the fraternity, touches on the history of the Delta Chapter, shares insight into pledging and campus life, and provides a perspective and some lessons learned that goes beyond the Fraternity and college life. In many ways, this book is about the end of a foregone era in a Fraternity, and the first steps in paving the way forward to a new era at the AEPi Delta Chapter that would thrive for decades to come. Well done Dan, and looking forward to the next chapter.