Customer Reviews

Baden-Powell : The Two Lives of a Hero

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Who would have thought that a general, who in his time achieved the same stature that Eisenhower did after World War II, would turn his attention when he was in his 50s to a completely new journey - and create a system to engage boys in purposeful fun at a time when so many were being offered only the mean streets of turn-of-the-century industrial England! Having recently returned from a trip to Kenya, where we visited Paxtu, B-P's last home, and his gravesite, we experienced a pilgrimage fulfilled. To see how this great man and his wife (who herself led the worldwide Girl Scout movement) lived in such simple, humble accommodations there, surrounded by their version of wealth - nature - provides a stark contrast to our end-of-the-century obsession with material wealth. This is about as good a read as it gets - whether you're involved in Scouting or not. I've used it as a gift for members of my Wood Badge patrol. The purchase price is worth every cent. Enjoy!

Having gone through almost the entire scouting program (from cub scouts, boy scouts, venture scouts, order of the arrow, and on to my eagle scout rank, philmont, national jamboree, and woodbadge leader training WE3-27-00) I never heard the whole story of Lord Baden-Powell. While attending woodbadge I was told of this book that was written by William Hillcourt (a.k.a. green bar bill)with the help of Olave, Lady Baden-Powell(his wife also founder of the girl scouts)and His mother. Green bar bill (Gbb) also wrote from knowing Lord Baden-Powell (B-P) and B-P own writting from his pamphlets, books, and notes. So in using first hand knowledge it was not weighed down with the fog that contimporary writers will place on their own books. I found it to be very delightful to read. B-P is the only person that I know of to be a true ledgend in his own time. B-P was not only a scouter but a spy, a british general, a writer,an artist among other things. He also knew famous people like Cecil Rhodes and Winston Churchill before their own fame. B-P really did live more than one life and he is certainly a hero.

I was thoroughly enchanted with this book as it added details to stories I already had read about. Having read just about everything about the man, it was nice to see a large volume like this. Written by someone who had first hand knowledge of B.P., it is somewhat less than objective in parts, however, any fan of this incredible hero will undoubtedly love it. It is a fairly easy read and one which holds a special place in my Scouting library.

Scouter Mike Reid Montreal, Canada

I bought this book for my husband who is active duty Army and an avid Boy Scout....he says about the book, "I haven't had time to read it all...but what I have read is insightful and interesting. I look forward to being able to sit down and read it all."

This is an awsome story. Even non Scouters would enjoy this. Baden Powell was an extraordinary person & a very good writer as well. I read this book several years ago & have wanted my own copy ever since. Thank you for making my dream come true.

If you are a Scouter, buy this book to learn about the origins of scouting. Read about the insights from the man who created the worldwide scouting movement over a century ago - Lord Baden-Powell. A must read for Scouters worldwide.

Robert S. S. Baden-Powell was a great man "out in the field". He was a
military genius of the British army in his time, and he brought his
ingenuity and experiences together at home for the boys of England
and founded the Boy Scouts. He is respectively referred to today as
the "Chief Scout of the World". This book tells you everything you
need to know about this particular "Hero"! Philip Loving

This is just an incredible book. I got my first copy at a Wood Badge Course and was told it was out of print. I was so pleased to see that Amazon had found a source for it because I use this book as a gift for all Eagle Scouts in my troop.

Two Lives of a Hero is a great read, the first time I had it I was not able to put it down and finished it after 12 hours of straight reading.

Robert Baden-Powell was an extroridnary man who has had a greater impact on the 20th Century than perhaps any other military figure in history.

I highly recommend this book to any Scout Leader or youth. In this day when we have lost all of our heros this is a book that restores faith.

A thorough discussion of the history of the man that started the Scouting movement in Britain, which spread throughout the World. This book gives the background on the man and his morals, and inspires us all to do better in all we do.

This book gives tremendous insights into the origins of the Boy Scouting movement. If you know anything about the practices of Boy Scouting and would like to know where the ideas came from, this book will clue you in.