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Four Percent: The Story of Uncommon Youth in a Century of American Life [Kindle Edition]

Michael S. Malone
4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (16 customer reviews)

Digital List Price: $9.99 What's this?
Print List Price: $25.95
Kindle Price: $9.99 includes free wireless delivery via Amazon Whispernet
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Book Description

2012 WINNER of USA Book News' award for Best Non-Fiction eBook

Four Percent is one of the most complete histories of the Boy Scouts of America ever written – and the first to focus on the remarkable story of Eagle Scouts. Award-winning author Michael S. Malone, himself an Eagle, brings the eye of a veteran journalist to a story that for too long has been wrapped in myth and prejudice – and uncovers one of the most important, but least celebrated, movements in modern American history.

Four Percent is more than just a history of the Eagle Scout rank, but also the story of many Eagles – a President of the United States, dozens of astronauts (including Neil Armstrong), Medal of Honor recipients, Nobel prize winning scientists, authors, movie stars, titans of industry, Senators, Congressmen and Governors, civil rights leaders, and community activists – who have transformed the face of America over the last century. One of Malone’s major contributions in this book is his discovery that the community service project requirement for the Eagle rank has resulted in the great youth service initiative in history: more than 100 million hours devoted to improving the nation’s communities and neighborhoods.

Filled with vivid historic anecdotes, compelling profiles, and surprising facts, Malone has brought to Four Percent the eye of a world-class writer, the insider experience of being an Eagle Scout himself, and the objectivity of a career journalist, to produce the best book ever about America’s Eagles – and perhaps even about Boy Scouting itself.


ENDORSEMENTS:

"FOUR PERCENT is the best, and most honest, book ever written about the Boy Scouts of America."
- Tom Hayes, The Huffington Post


Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Michael S. Malone is one of the world's best-known technology writers. He has covered Silicon Valley and high-tech for more than 25 years, beginning with the San Jose Mercury News as the nation's first daily high-tech reporter, where he was twice nominated for the Pulitzer Prize for investigative reporting.

Product Details

  • File Size: 625 KB
  • Print Length: 242 pages
  • Page Numbers Source ISBN: 0985909714
  • Publisher: WindRush Publishers; First Digital edition (July 22, 2012)
  • Sold by: Amazon Digital Services, Inc.
  • Language: English
  • ASIN: B008NZQ52G
  • Text-to-Speech: Enabled
  • X-Ray: Not Enabled
  • Lending: Enabled
  • Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #199,175 Paid in Kindle Store (See Top 100 Paid in Kindle Store)
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Customer Reviews

Would love to get a copy of this book, in print instead of only on the Kindle. J. Storrer  |  3 reviewers made a similar statement
Read this for the reason as to why there is Hope for our country. Sammy Dude  |  3 reviewers made a similar statement
This book is a great history of Eagle Scouts. M. Gephart  |  1 reviewer made a similar statement
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
25 of 25 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars Authoritative and Insightful August 2, 2012
Format:Kindle Edition
Four Percent is an authoritative, well researched, history from an award winning author who knows what the award means personally:

"You don't so much earn the Eagle rank as you become an Eagle--a fact only the Eagles in the audience, and the Scout's parents, fully appreciate. And in becoming an Eagle, you are changed forever."

Malone goes beyond a mere history into the heart of the subject:

"To merely list the extraordinary achievements of a century of Eagle Scouts is to at least partially confuse cause and effect. It only proves the obvious fact that young people of achievement gravitate toward the opportunity for achievement.

What hasn't yet been explained is why this particular award has come to assume a place so honored in American life that it alone, of all childhood achievements, follows its recipients throughout their lives; why it remains important as a résumé highlight decades after the honoree has aged out of the program; why newspapers still devote precious editorial space to coverage of Eagle service projects and Courts of Honor; and why at a man's funeral, three score or more years after he earned the award, his eulogy will likely include the fact that he was an Eagle Scout."

Mike is an experienced Scouter with an impressive resume of leadership. Four Percent is is a significant contribution to what it means to be an Eagle Scout in this centennial year of the award. It is a "must read".
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11 of 13 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars hard copy???? August 13, 2012
Format:Kindle Edition
Is this book available in hard copy? Will it be? I would really like to have it, and would prefer a hard copy if I can get it.
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5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars Would prefer hard copy book please! September 2, 2012
Format:Kindle Edition
I am the proud Mom of an Eagle Scout. I attend ceremonies for new Eagle Scouts when I am privileged to receive an invitation. This would be a wonderful gift to any new Eagle Scout and to those who are Eagle Scouts, no matter their age. They are an elite group of men. I wish to give the book in hardcover book form, not kindle.
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2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars Please make a print copy available September 15, 2012
Format:Kindle Edition
Would love to get a copy of this book, in print instead of only on the Kindle. Would make a fantastic gift for the Boy Scouts in my life, and for the entire troop as a matter of fact. I think there would be a huge market demand, as most Eagle Scouts and potential Eagle Scouts and their parents would love this book in a printed version. Thank you.
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1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars Why there is Hope in America October 2, 2012
Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase
Read this for the reason as to why there is Hope for our country. For parents: it takes a push and tremendous support from you for your boy to become an Eagle; but it is truly something that will transform his life for the good. You will see a transformation before your eyes as he works through his project. A close friend, who has 4 Eagle sons, revealed his secret incentive for his sons: no Eagle, no driver's license. It worked for my soon-to-be Eagle son. He has recently thanked me and his mother for the "incentive" and said that he will have the same incentive for his sons.
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1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars Well written history of boy scouts of America. September 6, 2012
By Carol
Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase
The values , skills and experiences boys learn in scouting prepares them for adulthood and leadership. This book has many stories of prominent men who have achieved scoutings highest honor and their achievements and contributions to society. A must read if you have a son or grandson in the scouting program.
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5.0 out of 5 stars hardcover the better read... March 25, 2013
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase
a well-researched, written book on the Eagle Scout Award, background history, and the dedication needed by those young men who commit themselves to earh this award. Compliments to Mike Malone for his research in this book.
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4.0 out of 5 stars Excellent History of Scouting March 6, 2013
Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase
This book is a great history of Eagle Scouts. It provides numerous details to how the Scouting program has evolved and what makes it a unique and necessary option for boys. I would recommend this for anyone who is curious about the history of Scouting or has a son or daughter in one of the many programs.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars A gift
This was a gift to my Eagle Scout son, now 48, and he seemed delighted to have it. Haven't heard anything back, but he has a 16 year old son in Scouting and not much time to read!
Published 4 months ago by Knitting grandma
5.0 out of 5 stars Received shipment quickly and received what was expected
Great book ordered for my son. He is an Eagle scout. He read it within 3 days of receiving it.
Published 4 months ago by rstaples17
5.0 out of 5 stars Great Book,
This Book tells the story of the Boy Scouts Of America, Specifically the History of the Eagle Scouts Over the last century. Read more
Published 4 months ago by Duane
5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful Book
My son was recently awarded his Eagle Scout rank and this book puts the development of that rank and its significance in wonderful context. Read more
Published 6 months ago by Alfredo A Bismonte
5.0 out of 5 stars Great job bringing the history of scouting and the role of the Eagle...
I always enjoy a book on a topic I know allot about, but this book still had allot of history I did not know. Read more
Published 6 months ago by James Chaplin
3.0 out of 5 stars Good Eagle book
I wish the latest BSA Perversion Files had been released when this book was published. Good content, some redundancy. If you did ANY scouting---read it!
Published 7 months ago by David B. Albrecht
5.0 out of 5 stars Fantastic Book, Need a Printed Edition
This is an awesome book on Scouting and Eagle Scouts. This book would be a great one for a printed version which I would love to have on my shelf and would give to other Eagles as... Read more
Published 7 months ago by Robert B.
1.0 out of 5 stars why only KINDLE?
what the heck, I want a hard copy, anyone??? Please make this available in book format, not just as a Kindle ereader experience
Published 9 months ago by Scott D. Roberts
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