Secrets of the Tomb: Skull and Bones, the Ivy League, and the Hidden Paths of Power

I purchsed this book, as many others may have, because of the movie "Skulls" from a few years back. The movie invoked an interest in the consipracy type of theory to revolve around important issues. I was plently pleased with the way Robbins wrote the book, I was expecting text book style but this is more of a detail log of how she got the information she wrote about. I would recommend this book for anyone interested in a mind opening explosion. One of those books, you really just don't want to put down!

This was our third book. . .wore the others out from use as so few people had ever paid much attention to this "Secret Society".The Author made reading very enjoyable. Don't see how they can equate Skull and Bones Society with the Christian Principles of Yale though.Guess it is like everything else that came over from Europe. . .

Well written, informative, entertaining. Many Bonesman have risen to power through this organization. You can judge for yourselfIn enjoyed it so much I will read it again.

Highly recommend this book and author. Great research and knowledge. Wonderful presentation.

It is goodBut, a bit long and felt like going all around and not really focusing on the topic

My first job post-USAF was as a radio news reporter at WELI. The call letters say a lot about the roots of the station. Besides covering the New Haven Board of Alderman I also reported on a lot of what was happening at Yale (i.e. strikes, political union, etc.) Having an intern who was a junior at Davenport (one of several Yale residence colleges) made my work a bit easier. Interestingly, Skull & Bones was never a topic of conversation during the many hours I spent on campus. However, in the early 80's the tension associated with the academic and social competitiveness outlined by the author in 'Secrets of the Tomb' was palpable.The book is really a deeper dive into an article about Yale's secret societies, Skull and Bones in particular, that Alexandra Robbins, Yale '98, wrote for The Atlantic. Unlike the magazine, the book isn't bound by column inches. The result is an historical narrative of the school's roots and how the institution's founding principles have evolved. Depending on one's point of view 'plus ca change, plus ca la meme chose' or 'the more things change the more they stay the same'.It's unsettling to this reviewer how many 'snubbed' (only 15 seniors are 'tapped' [chosen] yearly) but otherwise gifted students are emotionally and in some cases psychologically scarred for not being selected. What is irrefutable is the long list of Bonesmen who have occupied and continue to hold significant positions of public and private sector power. Conspiracy theories abound about their influence ranging from the Trilateral Commission to the highest corporate and political offices in America.While there's a lot of seemingly well-researched and well-documented information in the book, there's a reason why there are so few windows in 'The Tomb' on High Street. Myths and / or truths can be self-perpetuating if for no other reason than to grow in stature or infamy for their own sake. 'Secrets of the Tomb' does an admirable job of providing the significance of '322' beyond simply being prime numbers.

Messed up but immediately made it right.

Great read loved it

Great and very honest telling of the actions of this very secret society . The only well researched and factual book on this subject.