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

By Alexandra Robbins

Book Overview

This is the only exposé of one of the world's most secretive and feared organizations: Yale University's nearly 200-year-old secret society, Skull and Bones. Through society documents and interviews... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0316720917
• ISBN13: 9780316720915
• Release Date: September 2002
• Publisher: Little, Brown and Company
• Length: 240 Pages
• Weight: 1.04 lbs.
• Dimensions: 9.5" x 1.0" x 6.3"

Customer Reviews

Stash of Secrets of the Skull & Bones Alexander Robins

I thought Secrets of the Tomb Skull and Bones, The Ivy League, And the Hidden Paths of Power.was excellent. The president and his father are both members of Skull and Bones and so is Senator John Kerry who will run against George W. Bush in 2004 are all so called "Bonesmen". The author Alexandra Robbins writing style is incredibly smooth and the fact that she mentions that she is a member of "one of Skull and Bones kindred Yale secret societies" only makes it more fascinating. This is an enjoyable mystery within a mystery of a mysterious book.That is part of what makes it even more interesting The book it self is mysterious looking with a wild picture of "The Tomb" and the creepy but aesthetic skull and Bones symbol with the 322 draws the reader in. There are a lot of photos I've never seen before in this book. The reader will get a vivid picture of how the Society system works. This is a part of American culture that needed to be discussed not just through rumor. You also get a tour of the "Tomb" and the private island owned by Bones all as bizarre as the recent movie Skulls. In an interesting chapter on the initiation ritual the author takes inside this ritual but makes it interesting and yet manages clear up some of the rumors that surround it's secrecy. You get I think a real taste for what these initiates went through. It's funny to think of the president and his son and fellows Bill Buckley going through this ritual. The Networking of the Order is the who's who of the elite's and a must read for those who like to study how power structure works. In fact if you read The Wise Men Six friends and the world they made by Isaacon and Thomas you'll remember they mention Skull & Bones briefly but prominently in this mammoth work about the diplomats men of Wall street true insiders several of them were indeed Skull and Bones directly influenced the post WWII world. Secrets of the Tomb revels that connections still exist today. I charters of this are a who's who of the powerful. If you liked that movie the Skulls or even Harry Potter or even Rushmore or your an avid listener of Cost to Cost radio you'll love Secrets of the Tomb. I think even the most paranoid reader or conspiracy theorist will find the wealth of fasinating information within. It a wilderness of mirrors this Skull in Bones. Read about Skull and Bones the most infamous of all the Secret Societies.

If you don't have it, buy it!!

The detailed research was clearly evident from start to finish, shedding light on what was considered a "taboo" topic. The mystique of Skull & Bones has been uncovered, and done in such a thorough manner, with few questions left in the reader's mind. How could someone not appreciate the efforts of Ms. Robbins to bring such a subject under the microscope?

Misunderstood by the world

This book gives every detail you'd ever like to know -- the truth -- about such secret societies at Yale. I believe that this book will be misunderstood by those that aren't at Yale. There's something about the university, maybe a more mysterious atmosphere, I don't know. There will be people that will be upset by this book: it doesn't discuss world domination or demon worship, because there simply is none. Have fun reading this book. I finished it in two days.

Great Insight into America's Power Structure

More than just a book about Skull and Bones, more than than a book about Yale or the Ivy League, Secrets of the Tombs is an important, insightful window into how power originates and operates in this country. Lest that sound too serious, be assured that Robbins' book is not only interesting, it's a great deal of fun to read. Robbins' reportorial skills dig up a trove of insider stories and fascinating anecdotes about the power elite. Time and again, I was amazed at how Robbins got her interviewees to confess to the things she did. It's rare to find a smart sociological book that's as hard to put down as this one.

Best book I've read this year.

This book is absolutely excellent. When I bought the book I expected it to be mostly about conspiracy theories associated with Skull and Bones (for example, that Skull and Bones is part of a secret world government). But the book is so much more than that. Robbins deftly debunks much of the lore of this society, pointing out that, while its members - typically wealthy or high-achieving Yalies or children of prominent alumni - revel in their secrecy, the society is mostly a social club whose members go out of their way to assist one another after graduation. The author reveals the organization's secret initiation rites, and dissects their true impact on world affairs. I loved the way the she named names, to show how both Bush presidents helped - and were helped by - fellow Bonesmen. I also enjoyed the great irony: George W. Bush has called Yale a place of Northeastern intellectual snobbery and made fun of his education there. Yet Robbins documents how his ascent to the presidency is littered with Bonesmen. This is detailed, responsible journalism at its best. Every fact is documented. Every suspicious account is investigated with a critical eye. This book is a great read. Alexandra Robbins is a wonderful and entertaining writer. I recommend this book highly.