Thursday, July 24, 2014

Brothers in Blood is available!

In the 150th anniversary of the bloodiest years of the United States, exactly 151 years and three weeks after the pivotal battle of Gettysburg...

And in the 175th year of the existence of the Beta Theta Pi Fraternity...

It is with great delight we announce the publication of Brothers In Blood, the new historical narrative by former General Secretary and General Fraternity President, B. Hume Morris II, Centre 1968!

Here is the "blurb":

BROTHERS IN BLOOD is a historical narrative which examines friendship as exemplified by the American College Fraternities of the 1800s: friendship as seen on the canvas of their foundation and growth, and in particular during the Civil War, which may be more aptly called "The War Between the Brothers."

In today's world, friendship and manhood are misunderstood, virtues like self-sacrifice, wisdom, perseverance and courage are rejected. Here you will find these great ideas revealed in events which really occurred.

All too often these days, the focus is on men who fail. This book presents examples of men who succeeded, even in the most paradoxical manner.

In this fascinating insight into a little-known but rich part of American history, stories hitherto known only to fraternity lore-masters are recounted with a dramatic power which puts the reader right on the field - and there you will learn a little of why All Friendship Is Exclusive, and face up to the challenge our forefathers once faced: What Idea Would You Die For?

Click here to buy it.

Or visit here to order via AMAZON.

A note from your host: I am the editor of this book. You may recognize my name as the author of another Large Red Book which appeared 25 years ago. This book is an intense experience: rich in history, in fraternity lore, and that most important quality known as Human Interest. It will be of great interest to anyone interested in the Civil War, in the American College Fraternity, or in that most grand of human traits known as FRIENDSHIP...

Tolle, lege.

Wednesday, July 9, 2014

Summer Reading for Greeks (and a Status Update)

My brothers and sisters of the American College Greek-letter societies:

In this modern age few of us read Cicero in the original - that is, assuming we even KNOW who Cicero was. Yet it is even sadder that few of us read even a translation of one of his most important essays: his essay De Amicitia, which means "On Friendship."

Fortunately, that essay (in English) is available here, thanks to Gutenberg. It won't take you long, and you won't have to go hunting for a copy of a Lewis and Short Latin-English Dictionary, or even pull up an on-line translator.

We will have more suggestions soon.

I have just received the next proof of Brothers in Blood and have some final edits to perform, but it is looking great and should be ready very soon. Check back often!

Tuesday, July 1, 2014

A New Book...

Are you in an American College Greek-letter Society - that is, a fraternity, or sorority?
Are you interested in the terrible and terribly important events of the American Civil War?
Are you curious to know more about Friendship? About brotherhood, and sacrifice, and virtue? About dedication sworn to one's friends which not death itself can destroy?

Then here is some good news.

In just a few days a new book will be ready for purchase. It is called Brothers In Blood, and it is written by B. Hume Morris II, former General Secretary and General Fraternity President of Beta Theta Pi.

It tells a number of stories, not only about Beta, but about almost every College Society which existed prior to 1870. Good stories, and true stories. Many of them occur during the Civil War, which the author calls "the War between the Brothers" and these reveal the unsullied and unfaltering power of Friendship, not only in Beta Theta Pi, but in every one of these societies.


We will have more news when the book is ready. Stay tuned.