Customer Reviews

Legacy of Honor: The Values and Influence of America's Eagle Scouts

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After reading Mr.Townley's book, I have come to realize that one of the few organizations in our society teaching ALL the values we want our children to exhibit is Scouting.

This is a remarkable book based on Mr. Towley's trek to speak with significant Eagle Scouts and have them reflect on the impact of Scouting on their lives. These folks are truely great Americans. I think Mr. Townley has captured, in a well written and easy to consume book, the essence of this remarkable achievement - earning the rank of Eagle Scout.

In times of difficulty, it is refreshing to read a book showing that being trifty, honorable and patriotic, as well as reverent and trustworthy, still carries impact in the way we should deal with ourselves.

This book is not preachy or overly sentimental. It has the right tone and one speeds through it.

I recommend this book to all parents who are searching for ways to improve their children's development in the right way. The folks Mr. Towley has selected as examples of what Scouting has done for them are people who got it, get it and improve the lives of others. Great book!

What a great book! On the surface it's a love letter to Scouting, and especially Eagle Scouts, but it's actually a lot more. At its core, it's about values. We hear a lot about values today, all too often from people who don't really understand the term, but Townley shows us what values in action can produce.

"Legacy of Honor" is about duty, responsibility, doing one's best, not giving up, failing and trying again, and our favorite American trait--the can-do attitude. It's full of wonderfully inspirational stories that even a non-Scout can appreciate. Townley could make a career as a motivational speaker.

I was extremely impressed and inspired by this book. In many ways, it renewed my passions in Scouting. As a fellow Eagle Scout, I would say that his analysis on what is an Eagle Scout, and what drives Eagles is right on the money.

I would advise all new Eagles be presented this book with the instructions: 'Read it now, if you wish. Read it upon completion of college or upon reaching the age of 21. Read it again (at a minimum)when you reach each successive decade in age.'

It should be required read for professional scouters and a highly recommended read for scoutmasters.

Legacy of Honor is the perfect gift for every new Eagle Scout. A compendium of stories about Eagle Scouts, it will inspire new Eagles to live up to the "legacy" -- once an Eagle, always an Eagle. The Scouting standards set by Eagles have provided key leadership in all walks of life in America -- government, the military, business, education, and the ministry. Often we see in the media what's wrong about our country; this book will tell you what's great about many of our youth.

A superb book which points out the excellence of the Boy Scout program and the Eagle Scouts in particular. "Legacy of Honor" would be the perfect gift for every new Eagle Scout!

It's also the best motivator I've seen for adult leaders; those new to being a Scouter and those who've been doing it for years. In his interviews with Eagles, Townley discovers different reasons why Eagles are leaders in their communities and enterprises; perfect material for that Scoutmaster's Minute. It is a comprehensive review of why we teach the principles and skills that comprise the Boy Scouts of America. It also summarizes why the program is so successful.

"Legacy" is an essential book for every Scouter's library.

Alvin Townley is an authentic Eagle scout. His values are clearly reflected in his writing. I was excited about his book and could hardly wait to hear about his journey across the country. His idea was to travel around the USA for a year and interview Eagles of all ages and from all walks of life. The many stories he relates are full of inspiration, but his delivery is a bit dry. Speaking to many fellow eagles, including well known business leaders and politicians, Townley gains insight into his own eagle status and the core values of America. His better told encounters are those with Ross Perot, Richard Lugar, James Lovell, and Scott Strauss, a hero of September 11th.

As an Eagle Scout, I'm so proud that Mr. Townley chose to share these marvelous stories. A must buy for any aspiring Eagle Scout! A great gift for a loved one!

Those of us in Boy Scouting have heard many stories about famous men who are or were Eagle Scouts, people like Gerald Ford and Stephen Spielberg. Townley goes beyond the familiar in Legacy of Honor, introducing me to men I never knew were Eagle Scouts and to Eagle Scouts I've never heard of but who are making significant contributions to our society. Townley doesn't just offer a Scouting hall of fame, however. He also explores at some length how Scouting's values have influenced these men's lives--and how they have in turn influenced the world. All in all, Legacy of Honor is a great read for anyone with ties to Scouting.

This book was extremely well written. It would make a great gift for a boy who is just becoming an Eagle Scout, as well as any boy who has already attained that rank. Our whole family enjoyed reading this.

Living in a time when it seems to be the in thing to denigrate everything about our country, our leaders, our institutions, it is really great to read such an uplifting book. Mr. Townley went on a tour around the country to investigate what impact those who reached the higher levels in scouting have achieved.

Many of the people he talks about are those who have reached prominence at a national or even worldwide level: Bill Gates, Sr. Ross Perot, Michael Bloomberg, Michael Dukakis and many more. Others have made an impact on their own community but on a local level.

We tend to look down on today's youth, but I think unfairly. Sure, there's drugs, earlier sex, and (here at least) too many don't go on to college, but at the core they are good kids. And you put them in scouting (Girl Scouts as well as boy scouts) and you see them developing a learning attitude, and at least an understanding of what it means to live up to the creed of honest, trustworthy and loyal. It's taking over (somewhat) the job that the churches used to do.

In my time as a scoutmaster it was easy to see the ones who would become Eagles. It was good to see how they helped the younger kids. And just like in this book, they went on to rise to the upper levels in whatever they did. Officers if you will, rather than enlisted.