Date:
10/13/2004
Contact: Wendel Sloan at 505.562.2253
Reporter: Helena Rodriguez
PORTALES—Journalist and best-selling author Alexandra Robbins has just released a new book, "Conquering Your Quarterlife Crisis," geared toward the college-age crowd. She is still riding off the success of her previous book, "Pledge," and has also been in high demand this election year because of her 2003 title, "Secrets of the Tomb," which investigates the hidden paths of power in politics that goes back to a secret Yale society in which she says both George W. Bush and John F. Kerry were members.
The young author will make two presentations at Eastern New Mexico University on Wednesday, Oct. 20. Her first presentation at 5 p.m. is a leadership workshop with a catered dinner, titled, "Quarterlife Crisis," inside the Zia Room at the Campus Union Building. During this session, the 28-year-old Robbins will try to help students answer the question, "What if I don't know what I want?"
She will also speak on Oct. 20 at 8 p.m. inside of the Campus Union Ballroom on "Skull and Bones... The Hidden Paths of Power" and there will be book giveaways and signings during both sessions.
Robbins' "Quarterlife Crisis" book is the first successful publication to specifically address the unique dilemmas people in their 20s and early 30s face as they finish college and prepare to venture out into the "real world." During her talk at Eastern, Robbins said, "I hope to share some easy-to-use, already tested tips with students to help them learn how to deal with the 'real world' after school."
With the current presidential election referred to as a "double Skull and Bones election," Robbins said she has been receiving many interview requests, both here and abroad, particularly from European publications. Robbins, a graduate of Yale herself, wrote "Secrets of the Tomb" long before the current presidential election. She said her intention was to be the first author to treat Skull and Bones as a legitimate subject of mainstream investigative reporting. "Basically, I wanted to separate the truths from the rumors about the society," she said.
Yale's infamous Skull and Bones society was founded in the 19th century and housed in an ominous building referred to as the "Tomb." According to Robbins' book, the society secretary taps for membership a small amount of students who are sworn to secrecy about what goes on inside the Tomb and how powerful the organization is. It has been said that Skull and Bones is the "dark heart of the secret world government," with many members serving in high positions - from U.S. senators and CIA officials to cabinet members and heads of major international corporations."
Robbins said her book is more about the society itself than the two presidential candidates.
Before launching a successful book-writing career, Robbins worked for The New Yorker magazine and has also written for The Atlantic Monthly, The Washington Post, USA Today, and Cosmopolitan. In addition, she has appeared on TV shows such as "The Oprah Winfrey Show" and "60 Minutes." Her most successful book to date," Pledge," which is about the secret life of sororities, is a New York Times bestseller and has sold more than 100,000 copies.
Space is limited for Robbins' 5 p.m. presentation and dinner inside the Zia Room. People can RSVP at 505.562.2242.