Its title succinctly summarizes the objective of the book: to encourage young people to seek a collegiate experience more akin to Plato’s Academy than to John Belushi’s Animal House. Langan is well-versed in Platonic teaching and uses this philosophy as a starting point for the book. Yet, although the work is inspired by philosophical truths, it is by no means an erudite piece of philosophy; rather, it is very conversational, an easy read for the average freshman.

This slim paperback is first and foremost practical, with advice regarding, among other things, making a schedule, avoiding late nights, and creating a vision of one’s future a month, a year, and ten years in advance. However, Langan offers more than a “to do” list– he provides the philosophical basis for his admonitions, interspersing pragmatic suggestions with quotes and explanations from Plato, Scripture, and others. Not only does Langan present his material in a lucid manner, but he does so in an approachable way. For example, Langan writes a chapter on alcohol and its potential dangers in a balanced fashion, neither puritanical nor lax. Throughout his work, the author instructs young people in perhaps the greatest challenge of college, and indeed, of all phases in life: how to become virtuous.

By the end of the work, Langan establishes the building blocks upon which an individual may embark on the struggle of virtue. Utilizing a model he learned from Coach John Wooden, UCLA’s ten-time NCAA basketball champion, Langan describes the “mountain of virtue,” which contains a triangle of fifteen virtues arranged in a certain order. One finds virtues such as humility and sincerity lining the base of the mountain, with charity at its peak. Theory becomes practicality as Langan describes the implications of virtue, which extend to all areas of a student’s life. One such area is one’s friendships and romantic relationships. In a time of true crisis regarding courtship and marriage, the author provides fresh insights into the secrets of how to build strong relationships based in virtue. Langan’s discussion of virtue and its implications for the college student’s life offers an excellent conclusion to an entertaining and formative book.

Written for the college freshman, From Animal House to the Academy provides a guide to living a virtuous life and succeeding in college and beyond. It is so helpful that indeed most anyone in any stage of life could benefit from the author’s wise words. So whether as a present to a graduating high school senior or a fun read for anyone wanting to live a more virtuous life, From Animal House to the Academy does not disappoint.