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Rating: 
Summary: jaded lenses should do some research
Review: Hank Nuwer, the author of this book, WAS in fact a member of a greek organization. Although he wouldn't reveal to me which one, it would explain to me how he knew so much about the inner workings of a fraternity. And, incidently, he is not against the abolition of fraternities either - so before you go off on someone next time, do a little research, it helps.
Rating:
Summary: jaded lenses should do some research
Review: Having brought attention to the dangers of hazing in his first book Broken Pledges, Hank Nuwer expands on this work with Wrongs of Passage and makes another outstanding contribution to the literature on hazing. He elucidates the dangers of hazing from many angles, and while coining the term "greekthink," takes an important step in describing the often elusive dynamics which enable hazing to persist. Wrongs of Passage is a commendable achievement and a valuable resource for students, parents, teachers, school administrators and others. Having first hand experience with hazing as a victim, perpetrator and anti-hazing educator, I gained yet another perspective by reading Wrongs of Passage. The knowledge and sensitivity that Hank Nuwer brings to the subject of hazing is unparalleled. I found his history of hazing enlightening, his first-hand accounts heart-wrenching and his strategies for change a sorely needed call to action. This is not a "fraternity-bashing" tirade but rather an in-depth analysis of hazing from multiple perspectives. Hank Nuwer shames those who continue to participate in hazing, and lauds those that have taken positive steps to eradicate these deadly practices. This book should be required reading by students, teachers, parents, and anyone who works with and cares about the future of our nation's youth.
Rating: 
Summary: Skewing facts to prove a point
Review: I bought this book after surprisingly seeing a picture of my deceased aunt on the cover. This discovery was the first notice that anyone in my family was given of including our departed relative in the book. Mr. Nuwer created his entire account of hazing related to my family member WITHOUT CONTACTING ANYONE IN MY FAMILY. Needless to say, he took his liberties by piecing together stories from local press to suit the aim of his book. The negligent manner in which he wrote the story about my aunt makes me wonder about the diligence of the remainder of his research. My family was disgusted at his portrayal of the situation and saddened at this unauthorized rehashing. Worst of all, Mr. Nuwer presented a simple college prank gone awry as hazing. In this case, the incident was a playful joke amongst friends which ended very sadly. If he had gone through the proper channels and contacted the people actually involved, this would have become clear. Mr. Nuwer desperately wanted to prove his point about the evils of hazing and grasped at whatever available straw needed. Please do not support this author.
Rating:
Summary: Skewing facts to prove a point
Review: I bought this book after surprisingly seeing a picture of my deceased aunt on the cover. This discovery was the first notice that anyone in my family was given of including our departed relative in the book. Mr. Nuwer created his entire account of hazing related to my family member WITHOUT CONTACTING ANYONE IN MY FAMILY. Needless to say, he took his liberties by piecing together stories from local press to suit the aim of his book. The negligent manner in which he wrote the story about my aunt makes me wonder about the diligence of the remainder of his research. My family was disgusted at his portrayal of the situation and saddened at this unauthorized rehashing. Worst of all, Mr. Nuwer presented a simple college prank gone awry as hazing. In this case, the incident was a playful joke amongst friends which ended very sadly. If he had gone through the proper channels and contacted the people actually involved, this would have become clear. Mr. Nuwer desperately wanted to prove his point about the evils of hazing and grasped at whatever available straw needed. Please do not support this author.
Rating:
Summary: Wake up and smell the stale beer
Review: If national fraternities and sororities are truly earnest about ending hazing, they should distribute this book to pledges along with their organizations' pledge manuals. Think about it, pledges subject themselves to hazing because they think they have to. Better yet, why not just do away with pledgeship altogether and boom! hazing is a thing of the past. It's a simple solution that would improve Greek Life and end the hazing deaths of young freshmen every year.
Rating:
Summary: Jaded lenses
Review: If the challenge is to Greeks to read about the horrors of hazing, I think it should from a different source. I am quite tired of non-Greeks painting fraternities and sororities as these black-hearted, behind-closed-doors operations. National Fraternities (to my experience, since I am male) generally have anti-hazing speeches before pledging and have the pledges sign vows that they will report hazing. This text focuses on the ugliness and mistakes of a few and generalizes it to the whole population. I think that the hazing described here is from our parents' past and not what goes on now. I am sick of groups of men and women who rally behind a few Greek letters getting more criticism than any similar group (eg. athletics teams) who don't have such letters. Hazing for sports teams is still rampant... don't blame the Greeks.
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