There is a phenomenal book out there about BGLO's and the D9 called
African-American Fraternities and Sororities: The Legacy and The Vision by Tamara L. Brown and others (you can buy it from amazon.com). This book is less popular than the Divine Nine book but this book has so much more depth to it because it examines and historically provides insight into the WHY's of BGLO's. It only provides a brief history of each D9 org but it really gives you a history and in depth look into answering the following questions:
1. WHY were BGLO's founded?
2. WHO was the first BGLO?
3. How have the BGLO's helped to change the fabric of America?
4. WHY do BGLO's have hand signs?
5. WHY do BGLO's have calls?
6. WHY do BGLO's pledge?
7. WHY do BGLO's have line numbers and names?
8. WHO are the members of the D9?
9. WHY do BGLO's step and how did it get started?
These questions and many more are answered or examined closely in this book written by D9 college professors and scholars.
I'm a firm believer that you should know WHY you're doing something and the history behind it as opposed to just doing it for the sake of doing it so you can really appreciate the shoulders that you're standing on. This book is a great read for D9 members and non D9 members alike.
Link to book:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/reader/0813...46#reader-link