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Pecking Order

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New York Times bestselling author Omar Tyree continues to write captivating novels with Pecking Order, the tale of an ambitious young accountant, Ivan Davis, who jumps into the high-stakes racket of industry promotions and celebrity parties in Southern California. Starting with a simple plan to promote business network events among the rich, famous, and frivolous clients he works with, Ivan begins to make a name for himself. He soon comes face-to-face with Lucina Gallo, the reigning diva of San Diego's nightlife culture. She needs a new partner she can trust, and one who knows everything about money. For this dollar-hungry entrepreneur, the timing couldn't be better. Who wouldn't want to be partners with the most glamorous girl in the city? Ivan quickly teams up with her for business -- and for possible pleasure. However, for Lucina, business is business and nothing extra. Or is it? After throwing a sizzling-hot birthday party for a popular San Diego Charger, Ivan finds himself babysitting Lucina's so-called girlfriends, some of the most spoiled and exotic women he has ever encountered. That's when the business deals begin to fall outside the bounds of simple promotion and parties. Ivan finds himself thrust into the limelight and lands at the doorstep of easy access to women, cash, cars, private jets, and multimillion-dollar real estate. But as the ridiculous amounts of money and power start to pile up, leaving a trail of broken hearts, fractured egos, and challenged loyalties, Ivan is forced to ask How much money is enough? Pecking Order, with its perfect blend of money, plot, sex, and vulnerability, is another urban classic novel as only Omar Tyree can write them!

514 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2008

13 people are currently reading
571 people want to read

About the author

Omar Tyree

103 books920 followers
Omar Tyree, a New York Times best-selling author, a 2001 NAACP Image Award recipient for Outstanding Literature in Fiction, and a 2006 Phillis Wheatley Literary Award winner for Body of Work in Urban Fiction, has published 16 books and has sold nearly 2 million copies worldwide that has generated more than $30 million.
With a degree in Print Journalism from Howard University in 1991, Tyree has been recognized as one of the most renowned contemporary writers in the literary community. He is also an informed and passionate speaker on various community-related and intellectual topics. Now entering the world of feature films, business lectures, and children’s books, Tyree is a tireless creator and visionary of few limitations.
Tyree is a popular speaker on the university and corporate circuits. In his “Equation for Life” lecture, Tyree weaves together a full-proof formula for attaining lifelong success in business, as well as everyday living. Ideal for innovation, corporate sales and marketing teams, one attendee who heard the lecture commented, “Omar Tyree’s Equation for Life speech made me rethink my whole life - it has given me the focus I need.” The success of the speeches over the last 11 years landed Tyree his first nonfiction book deal with John Wiley, the number 1 business publisher in the world. The Equation: Applying the 4 Indisputable Components of Business Success, is being released in early January 2009.
As an author, journalist, performance poet, songwriter, screenwriter,entrepreneur, innovator of various creations, and an energetic and fiery speaker, Tyree is no stranger to the world of contemporary urban influence. Tyree became one of the dominant literary promoters of the 1990s, leading to offers of publishing deals by a number of influential mainstream book publishers. In 1995, he signed a lucrative two-book arrangement with publishing powerhouse Simon & S chuster. A few years later, Tyree signed an undisclosed long-term contract that established him amongst Simon & Schuster’s top authors.
His journey as an entrepreneur began in his early 20s when he started the book publishing company Mar Productions, to release his earliest works of fiction. Tyree’s entrepreneurial ventures have evolved to include the Urban Literacy Project as a nonprofit organization to inspire reading, writing, thinking,visualization, application and financial literacy skills among disadvantaged youth and adults. He has also formed Renaissance Entertainment Group, a partnership with self-made multimillionaire Arthur Wylie, to produce Tyree’s body of fiction novels into feature films.
Tyree’s articles have been published in the Washington Post, Essence, Upscale, Ebony, TheDailyVoice.com and several other publications

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5 stars
142 (33%)
4 stars
133 (31%)
3 stars
89 (20%)
2 stars
42 (9%)
1 star
22 (5%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 45 reviews
Profile Image for Bill.
Author 57 books207 followers
July 10, 2010
I have so many problems with "urban fiction," I could spend all day ranting about it. Mostly, I just can't stand the low quality of gibberish that passes itself as "writing" within this genre. So many writers within the urban clique don't even know enough about the actual craft of writing to construct a grammatically correct sentence let alone realistic characters and plots.

Fortunately, Tyree at least knows how to write a sentence. But a book?

Well, not quite. The self-proclaimed "Godfather of Urban Fiction" obviously skipped eighth grade, where the rest of us learned that stories must contain conflict--man vs. man, man vs. nature, man vs. himself.

_Pecking Order_ contains none of that, or so little to be absolutely negligible. The main character, Ivan David (misspelled on the cover, no less), goes from an upper middle-class existence to becoming stinking rich. He decides to start throwing parties, meets a beautiful woman who helps him out, and voila! he's the biggest success the city has ever seen.

Every idea he has is golden. Every person he meets wants to work with him. Every woman loves him. Nothing bad ever happens to the man. He's not struggling to carry out his vision, his higher purpose. His only purpose is to make money. Every woman he wants sleeps with him, and they pretty much just slink off into the background when he discards them. He's a total pig, but these women only give him a little "drama" and then fade away. We don't even get the satisfaction of boy-meets-girl, boy-gets-girl, boy-loses-girl, boy-gets-girl-back. Nope. The woman he wants we know always wants him, and, when he finally makes his move, she's his.

I don't know. Maybe there are people who live such charmed lives that everything always goes their way. They never have any kind of inner nor outer turmoil. They never learn any important life lessons because they've learned all that life has to offer. Maybe I'd like such an existence, though I doubt it. But I do know, I don't want to read a book about such a life. It's one of the most painfully boring and depressing thing one can ever read.

The only thing more depressing than this book's lack of quality is the fact that, within "urban fiction," Tyree is actually one of the more talented writers. Go figure.
Profile Image for K2.
637 reviews13 followers
June 6, 2018
It did nothing but bore Mi🤭
Profile Image for Kim.
1,292 reviews38 followers
February 12, 2009
Ehh. Didn't do much for me. This guy suceeded. No hold-ups, no set-backs. Kinda boring.
Profile Image for Cam.
10 reviews
September 12, 2014
I had such high hopes for this book. Omar Tyree is a favorite of mine but this book just did not deliver. First of all, it was super long and did not have enough depth to it. It just kept going on and on and on! I respect Ivan David's hustle but found it somewhat far-fetched. He just HAPPENED to know star atheletes so it was no surprise that his career took off the way it did.

The book was quite boring. It broke down every detail of every deal and there was never a climax nor a setback for the main character. He never fell off his "high horse" or anything. He even got the girl at the end!

I look forward to reading another Tyree book so he can redeem himself!
Profile Image for Tim.
2,487 reviews323 followers
February 6, 2013
I love this exciting, positive story of life, fortune and love! 10 of 10 stars
12 reviews
July 4, 2019
This was a good read but very long and slightly boring. Then the ending was a typical black man who become successful story.....you know become a rich and ends up with the exotic girl. I guess as a black author I'm a little disappointed that all the black women in this book was portrayed as either jealous and negative, eye candy or just pro-black and average but none seeming to be good enough for Ivan David the accountant turned the man you want to know. Why couldn't his success be complicated by a successful beautiful black woman that he met as a investor or so ? The woman he ends up made him chase her for like 4 years lol so Omar come on man. Then the books point and message was very encouraging and possible it was nice to watch Ivan' s progress and growth but it was a very long read. Alot of parts could have been excluded because mind you your reading his 4 year success story. I'm glad he didn't lose it in the greed or anything but I'm not very happy with this book or it's ending simply because of the way the black women were represented and that's kind of unacceptable considering the majority of his readers ( I bet anyway) are black women.
Profile Image for Sherise.
24 reviews
January 23, 2015
Pecking order was my first Omar Tyree book. I pray to that IF I read another one its better than this one. I keep waiting for the climax, which never happened.
SPOILER ALERT
It was endless money making with no lows at all. How can anyone be that lucky and not make one bad deal. No crazy woman drama. No police action not even once at an event. I just kept waiting for the shoe to drop. Like the only bad thing in his life is his brother. I am all being for persistent, but something needed to give. If this was the matrix I would wake up because I wouldn’t believe it.
5 reviews
December 6, 2010
This was one of the worst books I have ever read. I chose this book because I thought it would be a good read. It was a waste of money.
18 reviews
August 5, 2011
this book was great! it can inspire a lot of people to go out and become something. i really loved the character Ivan. i loved his energy, and his drive. keep up the good work mr. Tyree
Profile Image for Ta.
381 reviews4 followers
October 15, 2020
Loooooooong and predictable.
Profile Image for KyaP_Stacey.
46 reviews
October 30, 2012
I haven't read a good Omar Tyree book in a while, so I was glad when I discovered a copy of "Pecking Order" (2008) at my local library. Two of his previous novels, "Just Say No" (2001) and "Diary of a Groupie" (2003) are easily amongst my favourite books of all times...this one also didn't disappoint.

Overall, I found the book to be a bit too long. I loved the story, and was definitely interested in seeing what would happen to the overnight sensation, commoner-turned-celebrity promoter Ivan David...but I found that it took a long time to get to the end.

Around 500 pages in length, "Pecking Order" is a story about a California accountant who is tired of being just a regular guy. He wants to be on the VIP list. He wants to side-step the lineup at the club. He wants to ball with the ballers and begins to yearn for recognition and status in the town of San Diego where he works and resides.

After glimpsing the beautiful and intriguing Lucina Gallo outside of a local event, he is jump started into his mission to be a top-a-top man in his city.

His journey is interesting: he plans, he networks, skillfully builds relationships--and surrounded by gorgeous women, professional athletes, and the city's richest business people, he quickly rises to the top of his game.

What I love about the Omar Tyree books that I've read thus far is the element of entertainment fantasy. By reading these three novels (by no coincidence) of his over the years, I really and truly appreciate how he recreates the "inside look" into the lives of the rich and famous. It's fascinating to me in real life...and fasinating to me in fiction as well.

However...and this is a big however...as much as I enjoyed the book, a part of me was waiting for at least a tiny glimpse of reality. As Ivan David rose to the top of his game, hooked up with models, and secretly yearned for his business partner Lucina...I kind of expected at least something to go wrong. I mean...isn't that how stories go? There's a rise...maybe a little fall...a bit of redemption, and then inevitably a lesson learned or some relief/redemption at the end?

Not this story. Ivan got bigger and better, his website IDPromotions.com blew up to a multi-million dollar corporation. Even situations with females didn't turn out as disastrous as they could have (and should have!)...and in the end, well, Ivan is on top of the world.

Everyone loves a happy ending, but something about the constant success, and consistent ease with which Ivan's success came proved to be a little bit disappointing almost.

Furthermore, I didn't even really like Ivan. He got cocky, he hardly showed any sentimental moments that made me trust and believe in his integrity...he just continued to be a hard ass business man with a brilliance for numbers and accounting. And I guess that's why he became the face of San Diego...and not just another accountant stuck behind a cubicle, wishing for "more" of out life.

Nonetheless, it was a great read, and I truly did need to get to the end of that book (desperately) to see if Ivan would fail. But he didn't. And he even got the girl. No problem. Easy stuff.
Profile Image for Robin.
719 reviews4 followers
April 23, 2014
So the library had a table and on it were several books wrapped in red paper. They had a brief synopsis...but not quite what would be on the back cover... of what the book was about. It was all a mystery and if you were brave enough you could check it out without even unwrapping the paper to be surprised at home. So I did. I don't think I would have been attracted to this book otherwise.

Having said that, it wasn't half bad. I would probably give it another 3/4 of a star if I could but its not a 4 star book in my opinion.

The book was pretty good considering it was on a subject (party business) I didn't much care about, and was better than ok.

Ivan David decides to make something of himself after one night of not being let into a party in San Diego. He decides he will be the one to be putting people's names on a list instead of hoping that his name made the list.

He becomes a party planner and promotions guy. I thought maybe he'd screw up big time, make the big fall and then climb back up the latter, but no this is a story of how a black man (not because I'm being prejudiced but because it is important to his story) starts at the bottom and makes something of himself.

It just seemed like it all flowed to easily for him. It was half interesting, half boring. Good, better than ok but not "WOW now I'm motivated!".
3 reviews2 followers
November 28, 2009
Tyree writes a fictional interpretation of how humans regard each other as civil and more intelligent than the rest of the animal kingdom. Nevertheless, when it comes to the natural resources we are all forced to compete for, we have yet to eradicate our true animal nature of the "pecking order". We seem to admire it and are forced, by man-made hierarchies and value systems, to accept our place in line. It follows the old addage "there are those who stand on the sidelines and watch things happen, and those who go out and make things happen". So far it definitely reiterates how much stronger I have to be to get where I want to be.... I finished the book in about a week to 2 weeks; it did not draw me in as much as his other stories as the story tempo was drawn out and dealt with a lot of the accounting and website company world. However, I am glad the protaganist was able to have a happy ending and get what he worked so hard for.
62 reviews6 followers
December 12, 2012
At first, I was a little overwhelmed by the fact that the book was 495 pages but I was willing to take the chance because it was Omar Tyree. I have been hooked on his books since Fly Girl. Pecking Order is good read. I am glad that I took the chance. The story begins with a man who decides to change his life after being refused entry into a party. He decides to go from being an accountant to a party promoter. This is something that is completely out of his character. The book describes how he goes about making this happen and the results of his actions. I felt that the story was a motivational one. It helps you realize that you can achieve anything as long as you have the drive and remain focused on your goals. You must do this even though people say that you do not have a chance. It also speaks about how you should find the path that is meant for you. This path will present itself to you at a time when you are ready to travel it.
Author 3 books5 followers
September 12, 2013
I have never heard of Omar Tyree, but i'm participating in an event in which he is also participating in January, so I decided to see what he's about.

I read some reviews on Goodreads of all of his works. They weren't that glowing, overall. I like his writing style and story. The book kept my interest.

The book follows a young entrepreneur as he moves up in the world, and forgets some of his values. He becomes a bit shallow as the book progresses. Overall, I found the explanations of the character's business thoughts and plans intriguing and interesting. I guess I haven't really read "urban fiction" before.

I wasn't crazy about the ending. I felt that the book picked up speed and zoomed around a bit at the end. All in all, I liked the read, and i'm now reading another of Omar Tyree's books.

Profile Image for Crystal Marie.
30 reviews8 followers
September 30, 2008
I bought the book because I saw the author at a signing, and when I was younger, I was a fan of his book, Flyy Girl. THe book is not challenging or even really exciting in any way. It's suitable for a read on a long commute, or extremely relaxed leisure reading.

I didn't learn anything from this book, but I won't say that it wasn't mildly entertaining.

If you're interested in the party promoting world, or if you're an accountant, you may find it interesting. Moreover, if you're a fan of Omar Tyree or other low-pace novels with predominately African-American characters, this is a book you'd enjoy.
Profile Image for LaFreddie B.
Author 4 books7 followers
September 2, 2010
After three attempts, I was finally able to get into this book. Once I got past the first chapter, I did find it hard to put it down. Seeing how fast Ivan was able to jump into the event promotions industry and make it work for him and the money he was bringing in with Lucina made me question my own line of work. Ivan had the right idea that you can't put all your eggs in one basket. I really enjoyed this book and glad I gave it another chance.
Profile Image for Johnetta.
14 reviews
July 10, 2013
This book was...ok. No real plot, no surprises, no suspense, no climax, nothing. Minimal romance, maybe. There was nothing to really look forward to. Just a story about how a man built his multi million dollar business while having a 'thing' for his hard to get business partner. Because the story line was weak, I had a hard time finishing the book cause there was nothing to really look forward to.
Profile Image for Judi.
597 reviews49 followers
July 25, 2010
And now for some light fare. This is a book on tape. I shall see how far I get with this one.

A step by step accounting guide to excess consumption, defined here as "having made it". No character development. It was recorded back in 2008, likely written in 2006 when success was defined by the car you drove, the clothes you wore and the house you lived in. Not even entertaining.
Profile Image for Cheryl A..
125 reviews1 follower
September 20, 2022
I was disappointed with this book. I did not understand the point of the story. It was basically about the rise of this promoter... but that was it. There was nothing else to it than him gaining success in the party promotions industry. No real plot. Left wanting a whole lot more and knowing a whole lot more could have been done with this story.
Profile Image for Coleen Bucknall-Brown.
4 reviews1 follower
October 26, 2012
This was an ok to read book. I liked the story about a young man rising up the ladder thanks to honest labour but I actually had expected more from the characters. When I was finished I felt like I was still waiting on the end. So much more could have done with Ivan and Lucina. Despite the disappointment I am still a Omar Tyree fan.
Profile Image for Tess.
32 reviews
March 13, 2015
This is the second book I've read by Omar Tyree, and both have been so inspirational to me; I'm an unemployed college grad, and these books have inspired me to get out my resume and make things happen. I'm reevaluating my plans and goals, feeling confident, and I thank Mr. Tyree for putting these (fictional) success stories out there to get us all thinking about how to find our own successes.
Profile Image for Jeanna Brown.
27 reviews1 follower
August 30, 2016
Pecking Order is about an accountant who decides to enter into the party promotion business. He soon partners up with one of the biggest party promoters in the greater Los Angeles area. But, the promoter sees him as a love interest and he begins to receive many advances from her as well as other female admirers; soon this all starts to overwhelm him.
Profile Image for Cathy.
355 reviews
November 23, 2016
I enjoyed this story a lot! It was very positive. The story of a young Black man deciding to take charge of his life and how he did it. It was fictional in regards to the few setbacks he came across but so positive in his desire to achieve success without expecting help from anyone but himself. The connections and goals he made for himself and the people that worked for him was inspiring.
Profile Image for Diane.
250 reviews3 followers
March 27, 2009
Really liked this book. It's inspirational, showing how a nobody turned into somebody. Tried of sitting around looking and envying what other people had, the protagonist Ivan David gets off his butt and turns himself into a multi-millionaire. Makes you want to go out and pursue your dreams!
Profile Image for Brandi.
109 reviews18 followers
October 18, 2008
Pecking Order was an ok read for me. I admired Ivan's ambition but his relationship with Luciana was very tiring. The story discussed accounting in too much detail.
Profile Image for Kendall.
440 reviews6 followers
November 29, 2008
Seemed like it was heading for a great story but it was just too slow moving for my taste.
Profile Image for Lisa.
33 reviews
January 20, 2009
Good read although you have to remind yourself that it's a book because does this really happen in the real world?
Displaying 1 - 30 of 45 reviews

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