The Old U(VA) and I: 1961-1965

by Frank Briggs

The author lays the foundation in his account of his own life as a student during the last years of the "Old U"-a period that came to a natural end. His telling is rich in details - in the names, dates, and places that will be familiar to anyone who was a student in those days, and he is strikingly candid. His stories of party weekends and road trips and life in the Beta house ring true because they are so convincingly his stories, even as they are also our own stories. His tales of coming of age, of the courses almost (and not quite) failed, friendships that endured, successes and failures that tied him to the place, and of the love affair that defines his entry into adult life come in powerfully honest forms. Frank tells what every reader who was there will remember about the Old U but tells without arguing the past was better than what came after. That's a rare quality in a tale of growing up, and a good reason to read and follow Frank through the process.
About the Author Frank Briggs was born in New Jersey and raised in Rhode Island, Montreal, Virginia, Houston, and Pittsburgh. He graduated from Blair Academy in 1961 and the University of Virginia in 1965 with a BA in English. After graduation, he moved to Atlanta, became a financial planner, and never left. Frank's wife and three children are all Virginia graduates. He has been involved in numerous professional, civic, and Christian organizations. As a couple, the Briggs were instrumental in the establishment of the Atlanta Youth Academy to provide an academically superior education to underserved children in a Christian environment. A former commodore of the Atlanta Yacht Club, the Briggs have been avid supporters of sailing since their marriage in 1966. They enjoy their lake cabin whenever possible, often with some of their ten grandchildren.

332 pages, Hardcover

Published January 12, 2021

Reviews

[Tim Jarrett · Rating 4 out of 5]

A memoir fascinating, funny and infuriating by turns. I was a UVA grad but not part of the fraternity system, and Mr. Briggs’ stories about pledging Beta and some of the subsequent hijinks recounted remind me why I made that choice. Points given, though, for the honesty with which he recounts his attitudes as a student toward matters such as desegregation and the Civil Rights movement. It would have been very easy to tell a rosy story in hindsight rather than acknowledging the painful truths that these matters received no attention from most UVA students in the early 1960s, including himself. Ultimately the honesty and depth of story means that it’s a worthwhile read even though it left me not knowing whether to yell at Mr. Briggs or to shake his hand.

[Frank H · Rating 5 out of 5]

Splendid story of college life in the 1960s

Admittedly, as the author, I am quite biased and make no apologies for it.
That being said, I am continually gratified by the volume of communications from readers who have enjoyed the book for a variety of reasons. Young readers marvel at the freedom and antics that were commonplace.
The mature reader enjoys reading about her, or himself, while comparing the current with the past.
A surprise for me was how many enthusiast of the Book found the love story wound into the narrative to be engrossed as it weaves through the book.
Yep, I enjoyed writing it and hope you enjoy it as well!