On My Honor: Why the American Values of the Boy Scouts Are Worth Fighting for

Features

• Cover Type: Hard Cover with 241 pages
• Published by: Stroud & Hall Publishers February 12, 2008
• Written in: English
• ISBN 10 Number: 0979646227
• ISBN 13 Number: 978-0979646225
• Book Dimensions: 8.9 x 6.2 x 1 inches
• Weighs: 15.2 ounces

Reader Reviews
EDITED REVIEW. As a long time scout and scouter, I have delved into the scouting movement and its history and have a large personal library of both BSA works and books about the BSA. While this work is well written (much better then Hans Zieger's work), it is flawed by the misinformation given, and to a degree the author's beliefs and biases. The author is entitled to his views, but the misinformation is more problematic. THIS REVIEW DEALS ONLY WITH THE FACTUAL ERRORS OF HIS BOOK, not the 'truths' (his views) that he puts forth. Some examples. * Baden-Powell did NOT create scouting to train future soldiers. He created scouting to create better individuals and citizens. As an officer, he was very different from the stereotype of the british solder. His military scouting program was different from the typical drilling/boot camp type of training. In it, small groups of men learned self reliance and independence thru activities and games. B-P thought military training was inappropriate for youth ("drilling is not scouting") and spent a lot of time adapting his scouting program to be appropriate for youth. Even after he established scouting, some critics claimed he was trying to create future soldiers, and formed rival groups like the "Peace Scouts". Other critized B-P for failing to create future soldiers and formed rival groups like the "Empire Scouts". * William Boyce did not get lost in the fog of London, that is a myth created by James West. Boyce was lost in London (but no fog) and was helped by a scout and later taken to scout HQ. But he did not meet B-P or the like. That's all embellishments and such added by West. Furthermore, Boyce had little involvement with the BSA after it was incorporated. It was others who got involved and saved the org and brought on board James West. * the information on page 49-50 on the senior scouting programs is full of errors. I've researched this area extensively and have a website on it. * B-P's wife Olave did NOT start Girl Guides. B-P did before he was married, then turned the program over to his sister Agnes. Olave got involved later. Juliet Low had been involved with the Girl Guides in the UK and brought it to the states, renaming it the Girl Scouts of the USA. I did like it for its celebration of scouting and its positive values. But I am always annoyed by misinformation given about scouting. Comments (3) | | (Report this)