That Book about Harvard: Surviving the World's Most Famous University, One Embarrassment at a Time

by Eric Kester

One of the most thrilling and terrifying days of your life is the first day of college, when you step onto campus filled with the excitement of all the possibilities ahead--and panic about if you'll make it and how you'll fit in.

Now imagine that same feeling, but you're in the middle of the lawn at the world's most prestigious university.

In your underwear.

Thus begins one of the craziest years ever at Harvard, in which Eric Kester finds himself in a cheating scheme, trying to join a prestigious Finals Club, and falling for a stunning type-A brunette...who happened to be standing there in shock that first day when he made his red-faced stroll across the Harvard Yard.

That Book about Harvard is the hilarious and heartwarming story of trying to find your place in a new world, the unending quest to fit in, and how the moments that change your life often happen in the most unexpected ways.

Eric Kester graduated from Harvard in 2008, where he wrote a popular column for the undergraduate newspaper, The Crimson. Now a featured writer for CollegeHumor.com, Eric has also contributed to the Boston Globe, someEcards.com, and Dorkly.com.

Genres: Nonfiction, Memoir, Humor, Biography, Education, Comedy, College

352 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2012

About the author

Eric Kester was born in Boston and attended Harvard University, where he wrote a column for the undergraduate newspaper, The Crimson. Now a featured writer for CollegeHumor.com, Eric has also contributed to the Boston Globe, someEcards.com, and Dorkly.com. His writing has been described as a perfect blend of Twain, Salinger, and Sedaris from critics such as his mom. He lives in Boston with his two sons, XBOX and PlayStation.

Reviews

[Tiffany · Rating 3 out of 5]

What happens behind the fated gates of Harvard? More mishaps than you might think. That Book About Harvard is about one guy's misadventures through his freshman year at Harvard, including:

1) walking across the Harvard Yard in his underwear
2) failing calculus
3) getting arrested
4) trying to get into a Finals Club (the Harvard equivalent of a fraternity)
5) surviving the world's most (in)famous university, one embarassment at a time.

Okay, so that last one was the book's tagline. It's kind of kooky, but it works well with the book. Really.

The thing I liked best was actual development in the character. He starts off all pessimistic because he's failing calculus and not fitting in and whatnot (kinda like an anti-hero!). But he doesn't just dissolve into a puddle of self-loathing. And you can call me biased, but I just love these kinds of feel-good books. Especially if they're as funny as this one.

[Meg - A Bookish Affair · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love just about any book that can make you laugh out loud and this book did that to me a lot. Luckily I was in the safety of my own home with no one to hear me laughing really, really loudly except for my husband and my cats, who are quite used to it, unlike the grumpy people on the Metro.

When Mr. Kester goes to Harvard for football, he knows that he's in for an uphill climb. Harvard has a reputation of being one of the most difficult schools to get into in the country and is known for rigorous classes. Eric knows that he has a lot on his plate. He manages to embarrass himself in the first hours that he's on campus. He gets himself into some hilarious and absolutely ridiculous situations while he's just trying to fit in and look good in front of his fellow Harvard students. All I can say is that at least this guy seems to have a really good sense of humor!!! I would be forever embarrassed but he seems to simply roll with the punches. If you're looking for a book to give you a good laugh, this is the perfect choice!

One of my favorite stories from the book was the one about the NCAA testing and the calculus test with Dr. Phlegm. It's one of those situations that is absolutely hilarious if it happens to another person but red face inducing if it happened to you.

This is a very funny memoir. I loved Kester's writing style. He writes like he's talking to a friend. There are no bars held. This would be a great book for anyone who likes funny memoirs. It could also be a really funny book for anyone in college or who will be going to college. If the new college students have any fears, Kester will alleviate them by making the college students glad that what happened to Kester did not happen to them.

What I really want to know is whether or not Eric ends up with Hannah??? He does say that he wrote this book for a girl, so...

Bottom line: Laugh out loud funny!

[TheBride · Rating 1 out of 5]

I struggled through the first half. The tone of the book was so frat-boy trying to be jocular, and there were sexist stuff like slapping a woman on the ass that I only hope he was joking about or immature attitudes towards other ethnicities like his giggling over his calculus teacher's accent. It got better after the middle when he started talking about his anxieties, but even these skimmed the surface. He visited a counsellor, rolled his eyes at the experience and said he was better after that only so he didn't have to go back. Okkkay. And in the grand tradition of all popular literature today, he met a girl. I shouldn't complain, I got something out of it for an article I'm working on, but really, this could have been so much more if he'd probed his angst a bit instead of trying to make it into one big joke.

[Deb Noack · Rating 3 out of 5]

It mostly enjoyed this memoir of freshman year at Harvard. Most importantly, it made me laugh out loud fairly frequently, and there’s nothing healthier than that!

[Hannah Ens · Rating 3 out of 5]

By turns irreverent, crude and hilarious, this book offers a glimpse behind Harvard's glossy sheen. Anybody who has ever struggled to pass a class, fit in or find their identity will be able to relate to Kester's experiences. His story is chock full of horrific embarassments that readers(as distant spectators) can derive great mirth from. If you have an aversion to strong language, avoid this book. If that's not a problem, it will have you laughing within the first few pages and not let you stop until it reaches its unexpected, yet poignant ending.

[Beatrice · Rating 4 out of 5]

That Book about Harvard follows a college freshman as he goes through many embarrassing and character-shaping experiences. Eric Kester writes a memoir involving self-deprecating humor and admirable honesty. There was not a boring moment in this book, and on a few occasions it even made me laugh out loud. I thoroughly enjoyed this largely real story, and have acquired interesting, if not slightly frightening, insight on the average daily life of a student at university.

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of the funniest books I've read in a long time. Eric's voice makes you feel like you're a friend catching up at a party. All the info about Harvard was extremely interesting. Absolutely I will recommend this book to other people.

[Clare]

sounds funny but crude... worth it?

[Lois · Rating 5 out of 5]

Eric Kester thrives upon styling himself as somewhat of a jock from the very first page of this hilarious account of his freshman year at that, arguably, most prestigious of all universities―Harvard. His rollicking account has one amused from start to finish of this autobiographical account of what it means to be a newbie at a tertiary-level educational establishment that is renowned throughout the world for its academic excellence. Kester elicits our sympathy for any student who embarks on the pathway of further learning, and who is not quite sure of where or how to tread next, let alone whether he will prove himself capable of doing so at all.

At first, Kester’s apprehensions are humorously played out in That Book about Harvard: Surviving the World’s Most Famous University One Embarrassment at a Time by imagining the letter of rejection that he fears he will receive from his university of choice. Delighting in turning scholarly conventions into the fitting subject of his sharp wit, he parodies the use of footnotes that are so prolific in academic writing. In declining him (and any of his future offspring) an offer of admission to Harvard, the office of Harvard Admissions (in his imagination) writes: “This was not an easy decision, but ultimately we concluded that it reflects poorly on the Harvard brand to admit a student who would be better served attending a lesser school, perhaps as a janitor.” Declaring himself more of a “Star Wars guy” than a “loser Trekkie geek,” Kester finds his first dilemma in res is how to retrieve a box of fantasy video games from a hallway while dressed in only his boxers. Though he has prepared himself academically for varsity life by swatting up on mathematical constants, he confronts the rigors of dorm life with a great deal more concern than he does nonchalance. And so the book goes on, from anecdote to anecdote. As refreshing as Cold Comfort Farm was respecting (?) the close-set agrarian community, That Book about Harvard opens up the stifling mythologically bound ivory towers of academia to refreshing gales of laughter. Since such heady and halcyon days, the author has continued to adopt a bright and breezy approach to life, writing for CollegeHumor.com and for the Boston Globe.

That Book about Harvard: Surviving the World’s Most Famous University One Embarrassment at a Time is well worth a read by anyone with the vaguest pretension to a college upbringing―this work’s zestful cogency is bound to sweep away many a sagging cobweb that festoons the darker nooks and crannies of many an august higher education establishment.

[Todd Benschneider · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hilarious memoir about the Harvard experience by a self described "socially awkward" football player. Great look inside the head of an 18 year old trying to fit in. However the online catalog description hints that the book will explain the prevelance of cheating and performance enhancing drugs on campus; but, inside the pages the author hints at those topics but stops short of admitting to participating. After the finishing the book, I read his Bio and found that his father is a current Harvard Professor, a very relevant fact that is completely omitted from the book and explains why the author sugar coated some of the less flattering observations of his professors and the Harvard administrators such as specific details about the pressure to use steroids by his football coach. Regardless, Kester is a great storyteller and the book keeps you interested from the first to the last page and leaves you wanting him to write a sequel to find out what happened next.

[Hasanah · Rating 5 out of 5]

I can use good laughs from this book. The writer keeps the readers continuously entertained with a good mix of jokes, sports, competitive academia, friendship and romance (though no clear ending? Lol). Definitely learnt something new about Harvard as well. And finally we have an open confession here from someone who makes you feel like you're not the only one who sometimes feels like a loser!

[Tammy Frew · Rating 4 out of 5]

What an interesting journey at one of the best Ivy League schools in the world. I had not fathoned the challenges students endure while attending a top notch school. The author definitely penned a a good story about his life at Harvard.

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed the insight into a culture that most of us know about but will never really know. This story is told with such candor and humor, it is difficult to put down. I couldn't wait to hear what happened next.

[Daniela · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is best read while sitting on the lawn chairs in front of the John Harvard statue mid Fall. Needless to say this book got me through my first mid-terms at the university and would recommend to de-stress.

[Knguyen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hilarious and well written. i laughed out loud so many times while reading this book.

[L · Rating 3 out of 5]

I laughed out loud many times while reading this book. Part of me wants to give it four stars, but it was just crude enough that I'd think twice before recommending it wholeheartedly to just anyone.

[Olivia Mccabe · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing!!

[James · Rating 3 out of 5]

Annoying at first, then somewhat entertaining.

[Zu Y · Rating 3 out of 5]

Started 2020 with light and funny read.
Nothing extraordinary but yeah it's funny..
Nice job Eric, I learned a thing or two about Harvard

[Clarisse Kilboy · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a fun (and eye-opening) read!

[Corwin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Entertaining read, stories a bit exaggerated tho

[Phoenix Blasted · Rating 3 out of 5]

Kind of cringe but it made me laugh sometimes. Also provided me a pretty good insight into the affairs of Harvard

[Layla Reejhsinghani · Rating 3 out of 5]

Hilarious and engaging as the author recounts his freshman year of college at Harvard. A little slow at times but everything came together in the second half.

[Siddhi · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is a funny memoir where-in author Eric Kester (Harvard grad '08) recounts his freshman year at the world's most famous university : HARVARD, almost every ridiculous as well as embarassing incident filled with character & life-shaping experiences!!! Right from crossing the green lawn of Harvard Yard in his Incredible Hulk Boxers on move-in day (he describes himself as a "half-naked troglodyte slogging across the pristine lawn") & performing miserably in Dr. Phlegm's Calculus test (he gives his professor's unintelligible accent as an excuse) to involving himself in a cheating scheme on his Calculus final & tolerating his football coach, Mr. Mac (he says he is more unstable than plutonium & Britney Spears combined) & loads of other funny incidents, this book offers some really interesting insight on Harvard & the in-side stuff!

I personally didn't find any boring moment in the book & yes, I give this one a thumbs up! Eric's dead-on writing did make me laugh-out-loud on several occasions! 😂 This is absolutely a hilarious read for college students & if you're looking forward to have some laugh-out-moments this vacation then this one's the right choice!

Ps. - As humorous as he is, Eric has two sons namely XBox & PlayStation.

[Max Provencher · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not The Book You Wanted… But The Book You Needed

If you are like me and if you choose to read this book, purchased this book, or are considering reading this book; it’s likely because you sought to gain insight into the world’s greatest university. That Book About Harvard is not that book, or at least not what I was expecting in terms of a book about Harvard. It is written by Eric Kester an actual Harvard graduate, class of 2009 or 2008, he doesn’t specify, but does reference some events. He has written one other book called Gut Check, I have not read it, but if you like this one it’s likely you will like that one. It’s not the book I wanted, but it’s the book I needed. Instead of a fluffy light book about how great Harvard is and all sorts of pro tips the book serves a healthy dose of reality and downright weird things about the university. A large portion of the book is focused on love and girls, another portion is focused on fitting in, and the final portion is about life on campus. From the secretive finals clubs to the three acts of Harvard to Harvard football, the book covered the good, the bad, and the absolutely terrible activities, groups, and things at Harvard.
As far as the text itself, the book is well written and filled with lots of SAT type words. The book is a quick read and easy to get through, nevertheless it starts off slow and picks up speed then it ends at 200 mph. The ending feels underdeveloped, not finished, and leaves the reader with a satisfying feeling of curiosity and wonder. The ending is the perfect example of something that brings up more questions than answers. Overall, the book has unique insight on the reality of life at Harvard, but it still feels as though I expected chocolate milk and got orange juice instead. A fully grown adult won’t get as much out of this book as for say a high schooler or college student and as such I would only recommend that anybody who wants to go college and has not gone yet, especially those that desire schools like Hararvd or any Ivy league, read this book. Anybody that likes humor should also read this book. The book is good, well written, funny, honest, insightful, inspiring, and it has the word Harvard on the cover.

[Keiju · Rating 3 out of 5]

What was this book about?

That Book about Harvard is full of incredibly funny stories from Eric Kester's first year at Harvard. It tells a story about not quite fitting in and still somehow surviving. Kester tells his story as it is, at least that's what it sounds like. The language and stories resemble quite well the minds of college-aged boys.

My review

At the beginning, I thought that this book was the funniest one I've ever read. Then towards the end the book started to feel a little, well, boring. I remember having the same feeling also last time I read this book. I kind of wanted this book to be full of funny stories, but that wasn't all the reality of Kester's first year at Harvard.

Favourite quotes

"You know you are in an intense academic environment when a bomb threat actually relieves stress."

"You're such a libertine. I freaking love it!" he exclaimed. I smiled and nodded, taking a mental note to look up that word later."

"After much deliberation, I narrowed down my final schedule to a history class about gladiators, an English course on fairy tales, a science lecture about dinosaurs, and an anthropology seminar about space aliens."

"Sadly, I realised, I had reached the point at which Jen seeing me being escorted into the Science Center with a cup of my own urine would actually be an improvement of her perception of me."

[Angela · Rating 3 out of 5]

In the few days that have passed between finishing That Book About Harvard and writing up this little blurb, I've forgotten almost all details and am left only with my overall impressions -- which is telling in and of itself. That Book About Harvard is a quick, (mostly) enjoyable, and ultimately forgettable read. An insider's view of Harvard would be interesting on its own, but an insider's view from an insider who is less than enamored with the revered institution makes for an interesting angle. Kester is not afraid to point out the less-than-glamorous aspects of the Harvard experience, nor is he afraid to poke fun at himself. Unfortunately, some of his humor, especially revolving around male-female dynamics, falls flat. His description of the typical Harvard woman (versus his "smokestack" of a dream girl) might be true, but feels more sexist than funny. At other times, he tries too hard for the joke. Still, That Book> isn't aiming for literary greatness, and this quick read largely meets its modest goals. And as Kester himself would likely agree, greatness can be overrated.

[Rob · Rating 3 out of 5]

What can I say? This is one of those odd-ball books that isn't quite good enough for four stars, but isn't quite bad enough for only three and the reception of the book is likely to say more about the person reading it then the book itself. Those readers that live(d) in and around Cambridge and are familiar with the goings on at Harvard will find themselves nodding along at various places. For those that have had actually attended Harvard, well, what can I say?

With regards to the execution of the book itself, it is written in a very self-deprecating tone that you would expect for a book that is largely about the (mis)adventures of the author. The author seems to have either developed the knack for knowing when to shut-up about something, or he had a really good editor - either way, someone did a good job.

It is definitively meant as humor and should be taken as such, don't read this because you are expecting a high-brow overview of life at Harvard College; however, read it expecting a laugh and maybe a nominal insight or two.

[Kevin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Easily the funniest book I've read since Tina Fay's "Bossypants". And you don't have to be a Harvard grad to appreciate it. The themes are universal.
Eric Kester has an easy writing style that pulls you in from the start and takes you on the journey like a self-deprecating friend filling you in on what he's been up to for the past year. He portrays himself as having little or no social juice, all to comic effect, of course, but that's a little hard to believe because the guy is laugh-out-loud hilarious. His football coach, "Coach Mac," is one of the funniest characters I've ever read.
Harvard University "does not endorse" the book (officially), because it talks about the tricky side-effects and inevitable dark side of being at the world's most prestigious university. But that's another reason this is such a fun read. We get to go inside the belly of the beast. And it's funny in there.

[Ellen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Disclaimer: I was sent this through First Reads on goodreads.

I really enjoyed this memoir. Being college bound myself in about a month, I thought it would be a really great read and it was! I was so excited when I found out I won it! And the author signed it for me which was really nice.

The book is very funny, but poignant and thoughtful too. There are many cringe moments, parts that, for the author's sake I hope are embellished, but also a lot of very helpful self-reflection. He remarks and the first year of college in a way that is very accessible. It definitely was not all fun and games.

He tells the story of his time at Harvard, which at first I was wary of, but he exposes the beauty of Harvard as well as it's shortcomings. He shares his challenges as well as the great parts of his freshman year.

I really enjoyed this read!