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Summary: America's Secret Establishment
Review: America's Secret establishments is about, wel what the title says it is. It is very well written and goes into great depth and explanation about the various societies. One of the more interesting ones is "Skull and Bones". A soiciety founded in 1832 in Yale University. There is now a movie very similar to it called "The Skulls". Although I have not seen the movie there seem to be similarities. In any case the people who join "Skull and Bones" would get a very large sum of money and a grandfather clock and would be forced to do some type of initiation. The book is extremely interesting and I really reccomend it! It is very very good. Hope this helps you in your decsion.
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Summary: Conspiracy Against God and Man at Yale?
Review: Anthony Sutton identifies the Yale senior society, Skull and Bones, as "America's Secret Establishment." Numerous sons of the wealthy and influential, many of whom became wealthy and influential themselves (e.g., both Presidents Bush), have belonged to this secretive fraternity. As the old joke had a professor saying of his student's term paper, it can be said that Sutton's book contains much that is good and much that is original. Unfortunately, much of what is good is not original, and much of what is original is not good.The best part of Sutton's book is the extensive reprinting of nineteenth-century exposés and criticisms of the Yale senior society, some based on a breaching of its "tomb" by members of "The Order of File and Claw." One of these docuents states that "Bones is a chapter of a corps in a German University... General R------ (Russell), its founder, was in Germany before Senior Year and formed a warm friendship with a leading member of a German society. He brought back with him to college, authority to found a chapter here. Thus was Bones founded." Based on this, Sutton erects a wild superstructure of conspiracy theory beginning with that perennial bogey, the Bavarian Illuminati. Since this is the first in a series of many conclusions to which he jumps, it is worth some examination. There were (and are) many collegiate corps or societies (Burschenschaften) in Germany. Why must anything connected with Germany necessarily trace back to the short-lived creation of Weishaupt? Would not a reputable historian have investigated the German travels of Gen. Russell, perhaps found which universities he visited, and looked there for the origins of Skull and Bones? The skull and crossbones is an age-old memento mori and not necessarily connected to the Illuminati at all. Skulls and skeletons were used in the ritualistic hugger-mugger of a number of fraternal orders. A German example was the proto-Rosicrucian Orden der Unzertrennlichen, founded in 1577. According to Christopher McIntosh ("The Rosicrucians"), "[i]n their meetings, a bible, skull, and hour glass stood on a table." From the Unzertrennlichen was conceivably descended (as McIntosh relates) the Gold- und Rosenkreuz, the most politically powerful of the eighteenth-century German secret societies (Wöllner and von Bischoffswerder, its leaders, were chief advisors to Friedrich Wilhelm II of Prussia, who was himself a member). In both the Unzertrennlichen and the Gold- und Rosenkreuz, the members took "decknamen," also a feature of Skull and Bones ritual. Ritual use of the skull is found in masonic Templarism, which is descended from von Hund's Strikte Observanz. The candidate's lying in a coffin is a familiar masonic theme. It is equally, if not more, likely that the content of Skull and Bones ritual was derived from one of these sources, than from the Illuminati. It is also likelier that the young Russell, a Protestant, spent time at one of the universities in the Protestant part of Germany, like Heidelberg or Göttingen, than at Ingolstadt in Catholic Bavaria, where Weishaupt held forth. These things attract no attention from Sutton, either out of ignorance, or more likely, because they do not press a hot button amongst conspiracy theorists the way any mention of the Illuminati will. Large sections of Sutton's book deal with things like theories of educational psychology, or the manipulations and misdeeds of international financiers. While these details are interesting in themselves, Sutton's effort to tie all of them back to Skull and Bones, Hegelian philosophy, and Illuminism is unconvincing. The liberal journalist Ron Rosenbaum has published a number of articles about Skull and Bones, amongst them one containing details, purportedly obtained by sophisticated electronic eavesdropping, of a recent initiation. If true, they reveal nothing more than the sort of crude and prank-like character associated with many college fraternities. In view of this, and also of the public personæ of the country's two most prominent Bonesmen, Bush père et fils, it is hard to imagine that the particular Yalies in question spend much time in rarefied discussion of Hegel's theory of history, or the psychology of Wilhelm Wundt. It is interesting to contrast Skull and Bones, which Sutton attempts to portray as a devious and destructive conspiracy, with the Cambridge Apostles, a society which produced two documented traitors (Guy Burgess and Anthony Blunt). Richard Deacon's book on the Apostles is a much more successful indictment of that society than Sutton's is of Skull and Bones. But even more tellingly, Deacon describes a group of men who were thoroughgoingly intellectual, and thus capable of being corrupted by ideas that were bad. One does not sense that Bonesmen are particularly interested in any ideas, nor that intellectuality is high on the list of criteria for selection of members (this is in some ways a comment on the difference between British and American universities!). If the conspiratorial, and indeed criminal or treasonable behavior alleged by Sutton has taken placer amongst members of Skull and Bones, it is more likely so merely because social élites naturally move mostly in their own restricted circles. Sutton's book appeals to the long-standing egalitarian distaste for élites that has been a feature of American society since the days when Aedanus Burke objected to the Society of the Cincinnati, or that sanctimonious old hypocrite John Quincy Adams lent his name to the Anti-masonic movement. So what else is new?
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Summary: Skull and Bones Updated to Bush and Kerry
Review: Antony Sutton in writing "America's Secret Establishment" two decades ago set in motion the analytical wherewithal for tracing its activities beyond his death. Sutton may be dead, but the important questions he raised about Skull and Bones and this secret society's impact on U.S. and world political and economic policies become more paramount with each passing year.
The 2004 presidential election was the first in history to pit two members of Yale University's super secretive Skull and Bones society against each other. In this case the word "against" may well prove to be a figure of speech. To quote the legendary British author Lewis Carroll, the 2004 race may well be proven historically to be, despite its feints and dodges in an effort to attain legitimacy, "a battle between Tweedledum and Tweedledee."
Some scrutinizing individuals, mindful of Sutton's work in this and other works indicating that often the left theoretically represented by the Democrats and the right theoretically represented by the Republicans are merely two wings of the same bird, representing the same establishment while going through the motions of seemingly democratic competition. These individuals were scoffed at in the same manner as those who were skeptical of the Warren Commission Report following its release, being denounced as "conspiracy buffs." The mainstream media denounces those who continue to pursue evidence of cheating in the 2004 presidential election in Ohio, Florida, New Mexico and elsewhere as "spreadsheet conspiracy theorists."
While belittling skeptics who wondered if democracy might well be seriously jeopardized by two Skull and Bones candidates vying for the presidency, it is insightful to note what occurred when Bush, seeking a four year extension after his highly controversial "victory" four years earlier against Al Gore by a one vote margin in the U.S. Supreme Court, was asked about Skull and Bones. "I can't say anything about that," Bush responded with a nervous expression in contrast to his widely reputed swaggering manner.
Sutton acknowledges that he had inside sources providing his information on Skull and Bones. An established element is that members are sworn to secrecy. The question should be asked: Does the vow of secrecy presumably taken by both Bush and Kerry supersede any implied covenant with the American people to operate on its behalf as part of what is labeled a democratic nation? Do Skull and Bones pledges of secrecy apply to the "new democracy" Bush and his neoconservative operatives led by Dick Cheney purport to be building in Iraq and throughout the Middle East?
Sutton's conclusions dovetail with those of other courageous authors seeking to pierce the Skull and Bones veil of secrecy. As Sutton notes, prospective pledges are contacted in their junior years and, if accepted, belong to the organization only one year at Yale as seniors.
Contrasting Skull and Bones with other fraternal organizations, Sutton points out the important distinction of obtaining pledges for only the final critical year at Yale, whereas fraternities are known for seeking pledges as freshmen. Sutton's point is well taken, that the reason for concentrating on seniors is the focus on their lives beyond Yale. As John Huston, playing a corrupt corporate magnate who controls Los Angeles in the 1974 film "Chinatown" replies in response to a question from private detective Jake Gittes, played by Jack Nicholson, as to why he is so power hungry when he is able to buy anything he could ever reasonably want: "The future, Mr. Gittes, the future!"
The future appears to have been well taken care of by the coalescing of Skull and Bones members. Sutton explains that the organization follows the dialectical line of reasoning of German philosopher Hegel, in which 1) thesis and 2) antithesis are ultimately integrated into 3) synthesis. He points out that this is what makes otherwise contradictory behavior explainable, such as major Wall Street brokerage firms such as Brown Brothers-Harriman, where George W. Bush's grandfather Prescott worked alongside famous Democratic Party name Averell Harriman as needed funds were supplied to both Hitler's Third Reich and Stalin's Soviet Union.
Follow Sutton's line of reasoning and fill in the blanks. It makes the seemingly politically incomprehensible emerge as highly plausible and chillingly prescient.
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Summary: An Uncensored Examination of The Skull & Bones Order
Review: Antony Sutton, rogue historian, has done a nice job examining the history, motives, and methods of the Skull & Bones Order. The Hegelian dialectic is seen as a chief method of their manipulation of society, and the presence of Skull members G.W. Bush & John Kerry on opposite sides of the 2004 election campaign would seem to support this contention. Sutton was apparently supplied with documentation of Order membership and some other aspects of Skull & Bones history. Some of his ideas are speculative, though it is clear that Sutton looks for the most logical explanation, no matter how unpleasant or politically incorrect that conclusion may be. Sutton died in the year this latest (2002) edition was published, and he has left a legacy of books that document the presence of establishment elite conspiratorial activity. This is an excellent book for those seeking a meaningful understanding of history and current events.
Rating:
Summary: An Uncensored Examination of The Skull & Bones Order
Review: Antony Sutton, rogue historian, has done a nice job examining the history, motives, and methods of the Skull & Bones Order. The Hegelian dialectic is seen as a chief method of their manipulation of society, and the presence of Skull members G.W. Bush & John Kerry on opposite sides of the 2004 election campaign would seem to support this contention. Sutton was apparently supplied with documentation of Order membership and some other aspects of Skull & Bones history. Some of his ideas are speculative, though it is clear that Sutton looks for the most logical explanation, no matter how unpleasant or politically incorrect that conclusion may be. Sutton died in the year this latest (2002) edition was published, and he has left a legacy of books that document the presence of establishment elite conspiratorial activity. This is an excellent book for those seeking a meaningful understanding of history and current events.
Rating:
Summary: An Uncensored Examination of The Skull & Bones Order
Review: Antony Sutton, rogue historian, has done a nice job examining the history, motives, and methods of the Skull & Bones Order. The Hegelian dialectic is seen as a chief method of their manipulation of society, and the presence of Skull members G.W. Bush & John Kerry on opposite sides of the 2004 election campaign would seem to support this contention. Sutton was apparently supplied with documentation of Order membership and some other aspects of Skull & Bones history. Some of his ideas are speculative, though it is clear that Sutton looks for the most logical explanation, no matter how unpleasant or politically incorrect that conclusion may be. Sutton died in the year this latest (2002) edition was published, and he has left a legacy of books that document the presence of establishment elite conspiratorial activity. This is an excellent book for those seeking a meaningful understanding of history and current events.
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Summary: Establishment history put in some context
Review: Ever wonder how a bankrupt country with 5000% inflation could build the world's premier military in 'secret' and then conquer half the globe? Ever wonder why the Roosevelt/Truman administrations built the Industry (illegally under Lend Lease) of history's most vicious despot calling him friend then SURPRISE he's NOW suddenly not our friend but still sit back let them have most of Central Europe? So this Police State can't build a car or telephone that works to save it's life but it paces Western military technological development for 50 years? It's almost as if a group of people promote conflicts in order to profit from the conflicts then use the same conflicts as an excuse to curtail the rights everyone worldwide in order to profit yet more. The author like myself wanted to believe the government sponsored history but was always haunted by a voice in the back of his head saying, 'This doesn't add up ... this is too convenient'. Well be haunted no longer - lift your viel. This is not a book that reads like a novel. By the author's clear warnings it is a collection of memoranda - a collection of study. It is heavily sourced - footnotes and quotes litter the pages. Most of the information is public but has just not been advertised and/or compared to other public pieces of information to form a coherent modus operandi. Conclusions are drawn by the author that are not supported by the evidence of a smoking gun. The subject is afterall a secretive network so there are no memos reading, "Dear American People: Joe, Bill and I are currently working together to defraud your treasury and enslave your children, sincerely yours Bob." Yes, part of it is circumstantial evidence. But when the same group of people are linked to every suspicious event in world history since just before the US Civil War perhaps you should investigate them! After all aren't most criminal cases decided by circumstantial evidence? Jury's use their own common sense to connect the dots and come to a verdict. Common sense!
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Summary: Ummm, this isn't exactly scholarly people...
Review: I bought this book, in part because of the glowing reviews others have left for it, and in part out of a general interest in the subject, having read several fictional books which dealt with it. I was completely shocked, however, to find a poorly written, trite piece of crap. Seriously. Now, I'm not claiming to be a great writer myself - I'm sure this review will be ripe with spelling & gramatical errors - but I'm not a professional author, so I shouldn't be held to a strict standard. Mr. Sutton, who claims many academic credentials, certainly couldn't name "writing ability" amung them. He regularly reverts to the passive voice, uses academic cliches repeatedly (in one paragraph he mentions the "Hegalian Dialectic" 3 times...), and puts words he thinks are particularily important in bold, like an elementary school text book. Furthermore, his conclusions are very poorly supported, given the nature of his supposed "research", and he is prone to refer to evidence which doesn't support his point whatsoever. I have no problem with the idea that skull and bones, and secret societies in general exist; but Mr. Sutton's work doesn't exactly pull it all together or even convince me that our lives and the American government are really puppets of the above mentioned orders. One of Mr. Sutton's first assertions is that he is going to use "Occam's Razor" - that the simplest explenations are usually correct. Fine. But he overlooks the simplest explenation of them all - rich people who go to elite schools help out other rich people. Wealth and power in America (and throughout most of the world) are self-perpetuating. People in power assist others to stay in power. Its not a secret, its sociology. Don't waste your time, - and don't belive the inevitable conclusions that I'm part of the "conspiracy" for speaking ill of this book. I didn't go to any Ivy League school, btw.
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Summary: Perpetual War for Perpetual Peace?
Review: I was struck by the above phrase used recently by Dubya(whose father and grandfather apparently were Bonesmen) and its use by the author as the objective of the Order for a New World Order. I had read two of Sutton's Wall Street books, and the linking of the figures involved in them with the Skull and Bones was quite scary.
The supplementary material from the 1870's explaining the Yale senior societies and some of the critiques of the Bones was also fascinating.
Basically, the thesis of the book is that there is a secret society(Skull and Bones) motivated by Hegelian philosophy(state is supreme, and change is generated by conflict) that has infiltrated the elite control groups(CFR, Bilderberg, finance, law, politics) that has brought us to the sorry state of affairs today. An interesting thesis, not really proven, but with enough supporting evidence that points in the right direction of the truth than the media and historians give.
One interesting point, I did a search on the Bones of 1985, and the names I could find did confirm that they graduated from Yale in 1985. Two of them were the SOLE representatives for the '85 reunion class, and one of them is a big wig at Goldman Sachs. Coincidence? Buy the book and make up your own mind.
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Summary: Shocking!
Review: If you like reading about American history, this book will be a page turner for you. What surprised me the most about this book is the evidence that Sutton displays to back up his facts. I recomend this book to anyone who is interested in history.
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