Secrets of the Tomb: Skull and Bones, the Ivy League, and the Hidden Paths of Po
by Alexandra Robbins
book data
115 ratings, 2.77 average rating, 17 reviews
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published
September 2003
(first published 2002)
by Rebound by Sagebrush
binding
Unknown Binding
isbn
1417707755
(isbn13: 9781417707751)
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other reviews (showing 1-20 of 199)
Read in May, 2008
Read this book in a day, skimming some parts. Definitely find it interesting how a club that takes only 15 members a year has "produced" 3 US Presidents (Taft, Bush 1 & 2 - plus John Kerry), Secretaries of State and Defense, members of the CIA, heads of every major bank, and a laundry list of employees in both Bush White Houses. Definitely confirms what an "old boys club/old money club" our country and our political system really is in many respects. In short doesn't s...more
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Read in November, 2007
I hated this book! I had previously read one of the author's book and enjoyed that book. But this book was a real let down. I felt led on, that I was going to find out all these secrets! I think I learned more from the movie "The Skulls". Big disappointment for me!
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Read in July, 2006
I have enjoyed Robbins other books, so I was surprised to find this one to be such a painful read. Parts of the book were great; but the rest I had to force myself to read.
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Read in January, 2007
This book read like a term paper, and was just as interesting.
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This is a book about Yale's Skull and Bones Society. Subtitled The Ivy League and the Hidden Paths of Power. This book delves inside some of the mysteries of the Skull and Bones Society, the building called the Tomb, where they hold their secretive meetings and their bizarre rituals. Where a Yale degree, power and money is all you need to join, besides total devotion to the society. How George W Bush got in ( a family affair ), his secret name is "Temporary". Many of the Neocons are...more
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Read in June, 2004
An interesting one to read after Goat. This book purports to tell the truth as to what really goes on behind the locked doors of the Skull & Bones Society's Tomb. The answer? Not a hell of a lot. Almost all the conspiracy theories are false. In truth, membership in the Gones doesn't entitle you to riches, just a lot of connections. Robbins' description of society life in general and tradition-bound life at Yale is really interesting, but the book overall was kind of, well, boring. I guess I ...more
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Read in October, 2007
I always enjoy Alexandra Robbins' books, but this one was not quite as compelling as her others (notably The Overachievers and Pledged). That was mainly due to the lack of one overarching narrative or cast of main characters. It was still a fascinating read, and worth a look, but it just didn't get me as emotionally invested as some of her other work. Still, very interesting.
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Read in November, 2008
This book sucks. It's disorganized and doesn't seem to have much of a point; she seems to wander around various topics and throws details together as though she is doing a last-minute research paper. This review here best critiques it.
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Read in January, 2004
Not the best written book of all time, but it's always fun to read about things supposed unknown and unmentioned. Reading this during the 2004 election cycle and learning that both Bush and Kerry were members of the same club... just makes a person think about politics and the world we live in.
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Read in January, 2003
Kind of scary how connections that start way back in college, especially among the wealthy and privileged, can have such great influence without the general public really knowing what is going on. Kudos to her for teling people about Skull & Bones.
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Read in September, 2008
I don't know what I wanted from this book, but I'm pretty sure I didn't get it. There's no real secrets divulged...I think that's my problem. I wanted to know secrets, and I didn't get any.
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This subject really piqued my interest but the book was a let down. It is so secret that I guess no one will really talk about this fraternity.
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Good read for travel. If your reading time is limited, don't grab this book. It doesn't suck, but it's not ground breaking either.
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I knew very little about the Skull and Bones brotherhood, so this book was interesting to read.
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Read in September, 2007
it's....interesting so far. i'll let you know if i think others should read it.
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