Rating: 
Summary: With factual inaccuracies, Graham has something to prove
Review: While reading this book, what struck me is Graham's need to prove that he is "Their" Kind of People. Throughout the book he interjects his or his wife's credentials to prove that he is A Member of the Club. It becomes apparent that these people's credentials impress him, and he desires to be on their level. There is no doubt that some of the people mentioned in the book have accomplished amazing feats given their color and the social and political history of the United States. However, Graham does not do much to critique or analyze this segment of American life. He merely presents it.With regards to factual accuracy, I wonder how recent is some of Graham's research. In the section on the white colleges to which the Black elite sends their children, he mentions Wellesley College and Ethos, the organization for students of African descent. As a current undergraduate I am appalled by the untruths in his account. First, Ethos is not a society like Tau Zeta Epsilon or Zeta Alpha, but a student organization that anyone who considers themselves of African descent is automatically a member. On the other hand the societies have Teas and choose their new members based on a vote by current members. Secondly, Harambee House where we hold our meetings and many activities is not owned by Ethos, but by Wellesley College and anyone can use the house. Conversely, the societies own their own houses and have the right to restrict access to them. It is also untrue that Ethos women turn away dark-skinned men or men from the "wrong" school at the doors to our parties. Part of Ethos is that it's a business, and raising money allows us to fund the activities not covered in our budget. As a business we provide the service of entertainment to the greater-Boston college community. In that capacity, ALL people are welcome at our parties as long as they can produce a valid college I.D. Maybe what Mr. Graham described when he entered Ethos parties was true in the 1980s. However, if he attended one of our parties now, then he would see that it is not only light-skinned, long-haired girls who sit at the door, but Black women of all shades, hair lengths, and socioeconomic backgrounds. On the dance floor there is not a dark chocolate outside standing on the wall with dark-skinned sisters dancing by themselves, and a creamy caramel center where all the fun occurs, but an intermingling of all regardless of skin-color. Since listing credentials seems to be the order of the day with Mr. Graham, as a member of Wellesley College's Class of 2000 and Senator to Wellesley College Government representing Ethos; a third-generation member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. the Wellesley, Harvard, MIT chapter mentioned in the book; a Jack and Jill alumna; daughter of a Harlem physician and Boule member; etc., etc. who has grown up in the world of the Black Bourgeoisie I am appalled that Mr. Graham was not more thorough with his Princeton University and Harvard Law School trained research and did not apply more critical thinking.
Rating: 
Summary: Too little analysis. Exhibitionistic.
Review: I grew up in the environment that Graham describes. However, I am not impressed with the book. The author has great material for a study and botches his effort by offering little analysis. He drops names and places, letting us know that he knows this world, but he does not offer much critical insight. He confuses time periods, talking about the Palmer Institute, or Camp Atwater or the importance of certain historically black colleges (Spelman, Howard), without volunteering key facts, such as that Palmer doesn't even exist any more. He doesn't touch on or analyze the tensions between Northern and Southern black elites. Ultimately, the book reads like a show and tell exhibit for white people and blacks who are not part of this world. It doesn't tell insiders anything they don't already know, and it doesn't offer the world at large any coherent ideas other than "See, these people exist." This simple notion does not sustain a whole book.
Rating:
Summary: All this fuss over one silly book!
Review: I had the good sense to take this book out of the library, instead of buying it. What a great decision! The contents of this book could have been summed up in a 5 page article!! I've seen Mr. Graham's other writings (e.g., U.S. News & World Report) and he seems obsessed with proving he belongs to the "right" group of people and distancing himself from blacks who haven't, in his eyes, "made it". Ho hum. We've gotten your message, Larry. I don't know why people are getting so upset about this silly piece of self-promotion. WHO CARES? If these people want to obsess over such trivial things as hair and skin color, college degrees, summer homes, who is "in" and "out", etc., I say, let 'em. I have more important things to worry about!
Rating: 
Summary: Interesting but NOT a tome on the Black Aristocacy
Review: This book is an interesting read, if you don't take it too seriously. If you are looking for a true sociological study of the Black upper class--read something else. The editing could have been better (there were misspelled names, grammatical errors, e.g., female graduates referred to as "alumnus" rather than the correct term "alumna or its plural, alumnae", etc.). But most importantly, Mr. Graham fails to clearly define what is the "upper middle-class". The definition has tended to be different for Whites than for Blacks. When he does offer a brief definition, it is inconsistent with the examples he uses. Membership in certain social groups i.e., The Boule, The Links, sororities, or fraternities does not confer that status. Many members of the upper class belong to none of the above. The book more often than not is a reflection of Mr. Graham's social history and aspirations--not those of the Black upper class. This is a great book to read on the beach (Ink Well or wherever), but do not look for historical or sociological insight. It is not here.
Rating:
Summary: ......
Review: I read far enough in this book to become annoyed at the representation of my boarding school Madeira (McLean, VA). The author would have done well to have provided better documentation as to what time period he was dealing with in discussing Madeira's hostility towards black women. I experienced Madeira as one of the most liberal and diverse all female boarding schools on the East Coast. Such statements, without more background information, are a disservice to all the black women, like myself, who found success and close friendships during their sojourn on campus.
Rating: 
Summary: This book is truly a review of the Black upper class.
Review: This book tell all the things about the Black upper middle class and the things that they valued in raising their children. I truly enjoyed reading it because it reflected all the things that I had tried to instill in my children.
Rating:
Summary: I love this book
Review: This book helped me understand a lot better what is going on inside the total African American Community that I am/am not apart of today! I truly enjoyed it because the same attitude about race, color, education and money that Graham spoke about was passed on to me by members of my family and we were from lower class to upper middle class families. So i see bits and pieces of myself in this book and i feel connected to the attitude the elite hold. Yet I feel so far beyond them in understanding the common respect we owe each other because technically we all did come from the same place. Slavery. One itty bitty detail that Graham gave in his book is our class structure when we were in africa. how this mentality was already established there, although eventually, beaten out of us when we arrived here. so, we as a race, and just like any race, had and still will have our own issues with caste systems!!! so, i learned a lot from Graham. I feel like i can truly approach this man and he WILL talk to me, because he is of the minority of the black elite class and he feels (at least i hope he does) the equality on all levels for all blacks from all walks of life. This book is just one of many that talks of this unique group. We cannot critized it like its a text book, but we can take a lesson or two from it... If we would like to see the black elite have an open mind, so should we keep our minds clear and not fall in the same trap they fell in of taking it upon themselves to decide who is in and who is out. Although, I didn't get the impression that they hated blacks of the lower class. just that they don't wanna "kick it" with them. LOL But, i wanna see one of the bold woman of this class write a book on the sociological and pschycological effects this had on the young girls and females. i am sure they had to deal with infidility and children who went wayward (among other things) just like the rest of us (is the spelling incorrect in this sentence? sorry didn't make it to Spelman or Fisk! lol) So, I don't take these people to be all happy. Secured, maybe. Content, surely. I can read between the lines...they are just like me...just a couple of million dollars richer.
Rating:
Summary: Overall, worth the read, but take it with a grain of salt
Review: I liked Mr. Graham's book. He writes very well and is brutally honest with himself at times. He seems to throw his observations of his experiences out to us and let us draw our own conclusions. I wonder if the irony of the black upper class experience is lost on him, though. Imagine, the Waldorf wouldn't let the ladies hold a function in its facilities until they found out if they were the "right kind" of black people, and the ladies were downright insulted. Then, these same ladies turn around and spend their time finding only the "right kind" of black people to belong to their exclusive clubs. It just goes to show that snobs come in all colors.
Rating:
Summary: Some interesting facts about famous blacks in history
Review: The book is not worth the money I spend for it. In summary all the famous and accomplish blacks written about in the book, made me care less about them. Old money, new money whats the difference. The brown paper bag test, the straight hair, the light complexion, very trivial. The big fur coats,the diamonds,the expensive cars,and vacations tells me these folks are not use to having money. Mr.Graham background didnt seem so bourgie, it seems as if he was walking on eggshells untill he so called made the grade. With the money these folks have they should go to the best schools, whats the big deal. The money they so called donating for black causes doesnt seem sincere, to me its more like a tax write off. If a underprivilege kid becomes sucessfull, they do not meet the requirement for any of the clubs mention in the book. Why do we blacks continue to separate ourselves. Some of these successful blacks build their nest on the less fortunate blacks. What should happen is that we should stop frequenting these establishments, and businesses. If certain blacks are not your kind of people, then dont count on their money and business to be yours. Next time Mr. graham, write a book on people like Ebony and Jet owner John H. Johnson, a man who was impoverish and became sucessfull, he made the grade in my book.
Rating:
Summary: Mr. Graham achieves his purpose...leave him alone
Review: Mr. Graham's book is ranked 538 in sales and rapidly climbing. He has undoubtedly aroused some very controversial feelings while accomplishing his objective. I find it interesting that none of the disgruntled readers indicate that they have sought a refund, nor has anyone sought any reparations lately. William Lynch 1772 would give himself a "high-five" if he could read some of these comments. Mr. Graham did not originate the theory. He is just one more victim living the theory, but indeed he will not go uncompensated for his efforts. He is not the blame.
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