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American Fraternity Man
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Charles Washington, a college grad brimming with energy and idealism and promise, is swept up in the Compassion Boom. At the height of the financial meltdown, he spurns the prescribed job market to take a job with a not-for-profit, sacrificing salary for the selfless mission of his first post-college employer. Charles is out to save the world - the world of fraternities! C
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Paperback, 436 pages
Published
June 3rd 2013
by Beating Windward Press, LLC
(first published May 27th 2013)
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I feel weird about writing a review for my own book, but what the hell? Why not?
Obviously I can't give the book a critical review, so I won't pretend to do that. I can only say that I worked on the manuscript for almost seven years, constantly revising and re-shaping and refining (to the point where I'd nearly driven myself crazy), and by the time I did my final read-through of the uncorrected proofs, I honestly enjoyed reading every page. That might sound disingenuous: every author should promo ...more
Obviously I can't give the book a critical review, so I won't pretend to do that. I can only say that I worked on the manuscript for almost seven years, constantly revising and re-shaping and refining (to the point where I'd nearly driven myself crazy), and by the time I did my final read-through of the uncorrected proofs, I honestly enjoyed reading every page. That might sound disingenuous: every author should promo ...more

Incredibly engaging and funny read. It definitely didn't feel like 400 pages.
I was hesitant to read this book because it was about Fraternities, but the frat world was just the setting for a very character driven story. Instead of putting me off, the frat setting offered me a nice glimpse into a world I never got to experience and was not familiar with.
Ultimately, this is a great story about the disillusionment of moving from the comforting college world of idealism to the harsh business world ...more
I was hesitant to read this book because it was about Fraternities, but the frat world was just the setting for a very character driven story. Instead of putting me off, the frat setting offered me a nice glimpse into a world I never got to experience and was not familiar with.
Ultimately, this is a great story about the disillusionment of moving from the comforting college world of idealism to the harsh business world ...more

Both a quarter-life crisis Bildungsroman for the Gen-X/Millennial threshold and a picaresque romp through the strata of fraternity life across the country, Nathan Holic's American Fraternity Man paints a blackly comic (but not heartless) portrait of a young man and the (often fiery) trajectory he describes in his attempt to escape the no-man's land between his best intentions and his worst impulses, between his self righteousness and his self interest.
Newly-minted college graduate and fraternit ...more
Newly-minted college graduate and fraternit ...more

I couldn't care less about fraternities. I was never in one, I never bought into it, and I remain more or less ambivalent. I can see why, because of its content, this book might be overlooked by certain fans of indie lit or literary fiction in general. Frats? Meh...
But this novel does exactly what good literary fiction is supposed to do: presents an honest and nuanced portrayal of Greek Life. The best part is that it isn't simply a polemic about the cognitive dissonance between the vapid Greek ...more
But this novel does exactly what good literary fiction is supposed to do: presents an honest and nuanced portrayal of Greek Life. The best part is that it isn't simply a polemic about the cognitive dissonance between the vapid Greek ...more

Sure, with its over four hundred pages, American Fraternity Man may seem like it would be a long read, but honestly, I finished one third of the book in a day.
The only other books that have kept me turning the pages so frequently are the much beloved Harry Potters. In fact, now that I think about it, there are a good deal of similarities between Nate Holic’s novel and JK Rowling’s series. Both are coming-of-age stories (Holic’s main character Charles Washington, a recent college graduate, is old ...more
The only other books that have kept me turning the pages so frequently are the much beloved Harry Potters. In fact, now that I think about it, there are a good deal of similarities between Nate Holic’s novel and JK Rowling’s series. Both are coming-of-age stories (Holic’s main character Charles Washington, a recent college graduate, is old ...more

Nathan Holic’s book gives a rare and valuable glimpse into the fraternity world, and it’s probably not the one you know. Charles Washington is out to change the world, one fraternity at a time. The problem is, he’s internalized a lot of nonsense about what it means to be an adult and a professional. He tries desperately hard to make himself into someone he’s not. He tries to be calculating, but he’s not very good at it. He tries to be straightlaced and uptight and a paragon of the kind of soundb
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Every sentence counts in American Fraternity Man. This novel has rich, vivid imagery and endearing characters that are flawed and sympathetic. Dive into this page turner and follow Charles, a recent grad transitioning to the real world and searching for clarity and meaning in his life. The novel provides a sensible view of fraternity life and is engaging, insightful, and well-paced. Definitely an entertaining read for even the most inexperienced when it comes to fraternity life.

I found this novel to be very compelling and Charles Washington to be an engaging guide to a world I knew little about. While this book is a bit on the long side, the plot and characters really pulled me in—I got so wrapped up in the story that I read the last hundred pages all in one sitting! The writing was poignant and the details so vivid that I felt I was right there in Charles’ world. Highly recommend!

Title: American Fraternity Man
Author: Nathan Holic
Genre: Adult Contemporary
Publisher: Beating Windward Press LLC
Length: 436 pages
Original Publishing Date: June 3rd, 2012
Series: Standalone
Where I got it: NetGalley
Links: Goodreads Amazon Author's Website
Synopsis from Goodreads:
"Charles Washington, a college grad brimming with energy and idealism and promise, is swept up in the Compassion Boom. At the height of the financial meltdown, he spurns the prescribed job market to take a job with a not-fo ...more
Author: Nathan Holic
Genre: Adult Contemporary
Publisher: Beating Windward Press LLC
Length: 436 pages
Original Publishing Date: June 3rd, 2012
Series: Standalone
Where I got it: NetGalley
Links: Goodreads Amazon Author's Website
Synopsis from Goodreads:
"Charles Washington, a college grad brimming with energy and idealism and promise, is swept up in the Compassion Boom. At the height of the financial meltdown, he spurns the prescribed job market to take a job with a not-fo ...more

[This review was first posted on Quite Spectacular]
Charles Washington, former president of his fraternity and graduate of Edison University, is on a mission. A mission to save fraternities across the land and restore them to their original purpose of safe spaces promoting brotherhood and good citizenship. However, everything from his vision to his relationships to his very moral fibre is challenged and tested as he travels the country, meeting his brothers - young and old -, and uncovers what is ...more
Charles Washington, former president of his fraternity and graduate of Edison University, is on a mission. A mission to save fraternities across the land and restore them to their original purpose of safe spaces promoting brotherhood and good citizenship. However, everything from his vision to his relationships to his very moral fibre is challenged and tested as he travels the country, meeting his brothers - young and old -, and uncovers what is ...more

Note: I received this book for free from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
Now that Charles has graduated, it is time to face the real world. He is all fresh-faced and eager, all ready to take on the world. Except, he is not ready to leave his fraternity behind. His alumni network won't cut it, and so he has decided to work for Nationals. He strongly believes he can change the culture of Greek fraternity life. Thou ...more
Now that Charles has graduated, it is time to face the real world. He is all fresh-faced and eager, all ready to take on the world. Except, he is not ready to leave his fraternity behind. His alumni network won't cut it, and so he has decided to work for Nationals. He strongly believes he can change the culture of Greek fraternity life. Thou ...more

An in-depth look at the world of Millenials inside and outside of fraternity life. Was fascinated by the story and was rooting for Charles Washington all the way through the book as he struggled to find himself. I'm glad he didn't go back to his college girlfriend. I know he will change the world of college student life when he grows up! A great book! Thanks to my publisher Matt Peters of Beating Windward Press for publishing this!
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I feel bad giving this book 3 stars. I wanted to give it more, but it was so long and got pretty boring at times. In the end, I can see why people rave about it, but I was waiting for it to end so I have to stick with 3 stars. More of a book for people who were a part of a fraternity or sorority I suppose.

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Jul 08, 2013
Bi Ho
marked it as to-read
good

Jul 10, 2013
Lavinia Ludlow
rated it
really liked it
Shelves:
contemporary-fiction,
literary-fiction
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Nathan Holic lives and writes in Orlando, Florida, where he teaches writing courses at the University of Central Florida, and drives from 7-Eleven to 7-Eleven in search of the perfect fountain-poured Diet Coke.
He is the author of the novel American Fraternity Man (Beating Windward Press) and the novella The Things I Don't See (Main Street Rag), and he is the editor of the annual anthology 15 Views ...more
He is the author of the novel American Fraternity Man (Beating Windward Press) and the novella The Things I Don't See (Main Street Rag), and he is the editor of the annual anthology 15 Views ...more
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