Rating: 
Summary: For Those Interested in Greek Life
Review: I was very disappointed in the book. I felt that the book was written for the benefit of people interested in Black Greek Life or men interested in Alpha. For all of the hoopla surrounding this book, it's written more like several long drawn out magazine articles than it is a book(I am still trying to figure out the point of including an interview section). I found that it did not read as smoothly as a "real" novel would. I found it interesting that he spent double the amount of pages talking about his organization, Alpha Phi Alpha than any other(40 vs. 20). I found him to be biased in his view of some of the fraternities in regards to what he included. Also, some of the "history" that he included about those fraternities is questionable. And finally, I found that the interview section of supposed prominent greeks to be uninteresting. Had he spent more time on research and actually learning about the other organizations as opposed to taking things out of their history books, I would have enjoyed the book. So, basically, I would recommend the book to someone trying to get an insight onto Black Greek Life but not to a fellow Black Greek(It's just not worth the $30).
Rating: 
Summary: The Divine Nine
Review: I gifted myself with a copy of The Divine Nine: The History of African American Fraternities and Sororities by Lawrence C. Ross, Jr. It is a must have book that all Black Greeks and African Americans in general should display on their bookshelves! The author is a 15 year member of Alpha Phi Alpha, married to a soror of Delta Sigma Theta and is a journalist who has written for many newpapers. He realized that the history of our organizations is an important part of the history of our people in this country in this century and should be told. The time and effort that he put into compiling the information in the book must have been mammoth. The book is divided into sections profiling each sorority and fraternity. Each section contains a historical overview, interviews with an undergraduate and a graduate chapter, profiles and lists of prominent members, messages from the national president/basileus/polemarch and pictures dating back to the early years. This is followed by a section entitled Achievers Talk which consists of interviews with members such as Spencer Christian, Nikki Giovanni, Gwendolyn Goldsby Grant, Cynthia Horner, John H. Johnson, Julian Malveaux, Shaquille O'Neal, Tavis Smiley, Faye Wattleton, just to name a few. They each speak about what membership means to them and impart an important message that they feel fraters and sorors should hear. The author follows this section with information from the National Pan Hellenic Council and procedures for those who are seeking membership. Our organizations could not have done a better public relations job. There are no secrets revealed, just great accomplishments. The recurring theme is our achievements as organizations and those of individual members. We all know about the projects that our own sorority/fraternity have championed and are proud. When you look at the collective activities, our contributions to our people and communities have been and continue to be monumental. It's only appropriate that this book was written at this time when we are in the process of changing centuries and approaching the anniversaries of 100 years of existance. This is something I think we all need to support and applaud. LTB
Rating: 
Summary: From a novice POV...
Review: I searched high and low for a copy of "The Divine Nine" in my area in hopes of learning more about all of the black greek letter organizations. Having no direct affiliation, I hoped that the book would give me valuable information in my hunt for the right organization for me. I was so hungry for information that I read the book in its entirety in about 2 days. I was not disappointed. Despite the fact that interjecting segments (ie. Tidbits, Famous Brothers/Sorors) were somewhat distracting, this did not deter me from getting what I ahd planned to from the book. I highly recommend "The Divine Nine" to anyone who is even beginning to think of joining a black greek letter organization!
Rating:
Summary: From a novice POV...
Review: I searched high and low for a copy of "The Divine Nine" in my area in hopes of learning more about all of the black greek letter organizations. Having no direct affiliation, I hoped that the book would give me valuable information in my hunt for the right organization for me. I was so hungry for information that I read the book in its entirety in about 2 days. I was not disappointed. Despite the fact that interjecting segments (ie. Tidbits, Famous Brothers/Sorors) were somewhat distracting, this did not deter me from getting what I ahd planned to from the book. I highly recommend "The Divine Nine" to anyone who is even beginning to think of joining a black greek letter organization!
Rating:
Summary: The Divine Nine
Review: This was a great book. I was debating about which sorority I wanted to join and this book offered so much help. The Divine Nine is a wonderful book because it is not biased. It tells the history of each sorority and fraternity equally. I would reccommend this book to anyone who is considering to become a greek, or to someone already a greek.
Rating:
Summary: If you have questions concerning Greek life, this is the it!
Review: This book was not only a great read but it also answered questions that are vital for future Greek life participants. I shared this book with all my friends and we all shared the same expeience. I don't think the book was favored to any sorority or fraternity... in fact it gave a good history of all of them. If you think it was a bit biased due to his fraternity (the Alphas) it was probably due to their importance and origination of it all. Thanks Mr. Ross I thoroughly enjoyed!
Rating:
Summary: The Divine Nine
Review: This is one of the most concised recording of our greek history I have ever read! I also had the pleasure of meeting Mr. Ross at a book sign in Atlanta (CAU bookstore). I was not only impressed by the book but also by the author. Before the end of the book signing, I purchased 15 hard cover copies-gifts for friends and family members. This is one book EVERY greek member should have...
Rating:
Summary: Good job Mr. Ross
Review: I read The Divine Nine when it was first published. I was very excited about the book having read a lot of the pre-print hype on various email lists. I read the book in about 2-3 days. It was thrilling to read the histories of the nine BGLO all in one book. I have recommended the book to all of my BGLO friends and have given the book as gifts to several of them.
I thought the work was good. I read old and new information which was to be expected. After all, no need in reinventing the wheel. I cannot recall one textbook used in my undergraduate or graduate studies that was a true original writing. Nevertheless the information presented was worthwhile. Considering Mr. Ross had to get some information from the various National offices, along with permission to use some of the information, and had to arrange interviews with members from across the country on their time I think he should be commended.
The interviews with the undergraduate and graduate chapters was very interesting. Since there appears to be this mindset that the two levels are different, in reality they are the same. They may have different approaches in achieving their organization's objectives, the interviews bring clear that they are both striving to achieve the same goal and that is to uplift their respective organizations. I think this book will lay the foundation for other books that wish to dwell into the analysis and mindset of our founding members. For the record I am a proud 20 year member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc.
Rating:
Summary: Lacks Analysis
Review: This book presents the histories of black sororities and fraternies, but does not include any analysis of the groups. What about class and colorism? Do Greek organizations benefit blacks or encourage divisions? The work does include an amazing amount of information and will be of particular interest to members of these groups. But Paula Gidding's history of Delta Sigma Theta is a better examination of the contributions of sorors.
Rating:
Summary: A Special Book, and I don't even like Black Greeks!
Review: I normally don't post reviews, but when I read the previous review, I couldn't help but laugh. This brother picked out all of these "horrendous" errors. Relax brother, the book is nearly 500 pages. All books have errors. They're not a personal affront to you! I would imagine that the errors you picked out should be directed to the editor, not the author. But hell, I'm a education major, so what do I know? LOL As for the book, I bought it this fall after my roommate told me that he was interested in going on line next year. Originally I was going to give it to him to read, but I ended up taking a look at it. I'll tell you that I really couldn't stand Black Greeks, but when I read the book, I got a little better perspective on them. Ross does a good job of letting people know about their organizations, the people in them, and the history. I gave it five stars because I've never seen a book like it. And now I've got to say that even though I don't agree with everything these fraternity and sorority members do, I now have a greater respect for them after having read The Divine Nine. Kudos to Ross for writing the book.
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