To Do My Best: James E. West and the History of the Boy Scouts of America [Perfect Paperback]

Edward Rowan (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 30, 2007

James E. West stands out as the most important figure in the history of the Boy Scout movement. He created the organization we know today. Dr. Ed Rowan has been affiliated with the Boy Scouts of America for more than fifty years, and offers here a loving yet realistic portrayal of the man who was the driving force behind the Boy Scouts of America.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"The research and scholarship are outstanding."

Product Details

• Perfect Paperback: 224 pages
• Publisher: PublishingWorks; 2nd edition (July 30, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1933002530
• ISBN-13: 978-1933002538
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 6 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,393,547 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Thorough, interesting and very readable - I liked it!, July 25, 2006

By 

Terry Grogan - See all my reviews
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This review is from: To Do My Best: James E. West and the History of the Boy Scouts of America (Paperback)

James E. West verily "ruled" over the Boy Scouts of America for most all of it's first 30 years - yet there is scarce little to be read about him. West GAVE us the BSA vision (e.g., High-Adventure, Outdoor Skills, Good Citizenship, Cleanliness & Reverence), even if he himself may not have BEEN that vision.

After reading this book, take a look at the cover art for the Boys' Life magazines that West edited in the 1920's & 30's, and I think you will agree that James E. West was a major force in creating both the organizational structure and the image that made the BSA truly as "American as Mom & Apple Pie" for most all of the 20th Century.

Those of you who love scouting will find this book to be a wealth of information on those early formative years of the scouting movement that today is sadly too often just taken for granted.

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Insight, January 18, 2007

By 

R. C. Boller - See all my reviews
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This review is from: To Do My Best: James E. West and the History of the Boy Scouts of America (Paperback)

Every Professional Scouter should be required to read this book. It is the key that unlocks the door to why the movement operates the way that it does. Provides valuable insight as to why programs did or did not occur and the timing of their adoption into the approved program. The fact that James E. West hired a stenographer to record his every act is a wonderful piece of history coupled with his personal habits away from the public eye provided a foundation for the acceptable habits of BSA executives of today.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Fine read for lifelong Scouters, September 30, 2009

By 

William P. Carlucci - See all my reviews
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This review is from: To Do My Best: James E. West and the History of the Boy Scouts of America (Perfect Paperback)

Wonderful explanation of where the BSA came from, and the citizen lawyer who made it great. Warning: The book does not suggest that James E. West was as a perfect Boy Scout. He knew what he thought a Boy Scout should be, and he set out to create a program to support it. In the process, he created what has become one of the finest youth programs the world has ever known. For those who are life-long Scouters, this book will reveal the foundations of our program. For those who are not, probably a history book of little interest.