What is book and snake?

Book and Snake is a secret society at Yale University, founded in 1863. Its members are known as "snakes" and are chosen for their academic excellence, leadership, and societal contributions. The society is marked by its depiction of a serpent, coiled around an open book. The organization is dedicated to academic excellence, intellectual exploration, and philanthropic work. Members of Book and Snake are generally respected and influential within the Yale community, and the society has a number of prominent alumni, including former President George H.W. Bush and the philosopher William James. The group has maintained a tradition of secrecy and confidentiality that has kept its activities largely unknown to outsiders.