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Spirit of Adventure: Eagle Scouts and the Making of America's Future
 
 
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Spirit of Adventure: Eagle Scouts and the Making of America's Future [Hardcover]

Alvin Townley (Author)
4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)

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Book Description

May 12, 2009

An extraordinary journey alongside America’s new generation of Eagle Scouts, who are discovering their purpose and bringing the values of Scouting to the world.

 

Over the past century, Scouts have helped to guide the course of American history. But what does Scouting and the Eagle badge mean to the Scouts of today? How will they shape the future of Scouting and America itself? In Spirit of Adventure, Scouting expert and Eagle Scout Alvin Townley finds the answer.

Townley traveled across the country and to the far corners of the globe to meet these young Eagle Scouts. He found them everywhere, continuing the life of adventure and service that they had begun in Scouting. He discovered them in Afghanistan providing medical care to villagers, in Australia saving coral reefs, at the Super Bowl and Olympic venues striving for victory, on desert cliffs and at inner-city schools teaching new lessons, in Africa bringing hope to children, and on the windswept deck of the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz preparing for takeoff.

Whether doctors, activists, servicemen, entrepreneurs, or teachers, these young men are changing the world through bold actions that capture the essence of the Scouting tradition. In Spirit of Adventure, Townley answers important questions about the future of Scouting and America, while revealing stories of service, courage, and pure excitement that introduce our nation to an inspiring new generation of leaders. 


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Spirit of Adventure: Eagle Scouts and the Making of America's Future + Legacy of Honor: The Values and Influence of America's Eagle Scouts + Boy Scouts of America: A Centennial History
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Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Adult/High School—A hiking trip gone uncomfortably wrong, in violation of the first credo of Scouting to "Be Prepared," caused Townley to revisit the history of Scouting and its principles. It also provided him with the spark to begin a year of traveling the world collecting anecdotes from adults who have taken these principles of and incorporated them into their everyday lives. These men, all of whom achieved the highest honor attainable, tended to gravitate toward professions that allowed them to exemplify the service attitude and leadership they learned while enjoying the camaraderie of others. From doctor to soldier, teacher, actor, and Olympic competitor, each man had a story to tell about how Scouting led him to make choices that would enrich his life. Written with a distinctly American point of view, Townley's book puts forth the idea that the underlying principles of Scouting help boys to become men who will be compassionate, competitive leaders. An extensive index and full-color photos enhance this solidly written entry about the value of old-fashioned American gumption.—Charli Osborne, Oxford Public Library, MI
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Review

Advance Praise for Spirit of Adventure:

“In his new book, Alvin Townley showcases the spirit of our young generation.  Like so many of us, these Eagle Scouts are out there pushing limits, exploring new possibilities, and serving other people.  Spirit of Adventure tells a compelling story about a new generation and America's future.”                     -- NFL quarterback Peyton Manning

Praise for Legacy of Honor:
 
"The stories captured in Legacy of Honor hold valuable lessons for our country as we face new challenges at home and abroad. These Eagle Scouts will inspire readers to become leaders in serving others." -- President Jimmy Carter
 
“Whether you choose to become a teacher, a police officer, a doctor, or even the mayor of the greatest city in the world, your experiences as an Eagle Scout will prove invaluable. Alvin Townley’s Legacy of Honor does justice to the proud history and bright future of the Eagle Scouts.” -- Mayor Michael Bloomberg
 
“Alvin Townley’s book describes how the Eagle Scout program can shape a life. He demonstrates this by providing examples of many former Eagles who have succeeded in life in no small part because of their experience in scouting. Once an Eagle, always an Eagle.”--Senator Bill Bradley
 
"In Legacy of Honor, we not only learn who many of these Eagle Scouts were, but the kind of leaders they have become and the enormous contributions they have made to their country and the world. In compiling these life stories, Alvin Townley has completed a picture of an extraordinary program and how its training has helped shape equally extraordinary lives." --Hon. Christine Todd Whitman, former governor of New Jersey and Environmental Protection Agency Administrator
 
“Alvin Townley’s book reveals the legacy of the Boy Scouts. He relates the adventures and deeds of Eagle Scouts living by the Scout Oath … while contributing to the success of America. An excellent story that will inspire all of us."--Captain James A. Lovell, commander of Apollo 13
 
“The unique leadership role in America over the past century of men who earned their Eagle Scout award as boys is unparalleled in business, the professions, politics, the military and national security. Legacy of Honor explores this extraordinary phenomenon of Eagles’ leadership through individual stories, both informative and inspirational.”
--Robert M. Gates, former CIA director and National Eagle Scout Association president
 
"Legacy of Honor will have a positive impact on the lives of millions of boys and their families. … If everyone in our country lives the principles of Scouting, the best years in our country’s history will be in the future."--Ross Perot
 
"Scouting and conservation share respect for the natural world, so it always seemed natural to me that many of our staff and volunteer leaders would be Eagle Scouts--this book provides wonderful insights into all that Scouting offers and how it helps develop tomorrow's leaders." -- Steve McCormick, President and CEO, The Nature Conservancy
 
“Commitment and devotion to the bedrock principles of our country -- optimism, fairness, determination and preparedness – are inseparably intertwined with Scouting. Alvin Townley does a superb job of portraying how Eagle Scouting helps shape these everyday yet incredibly powerful values that serve our families and society so well.”
--J.W. Marriott, Jr., Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Marriott International

Product Details

  • Hardcover: 320 pages
  • Publisher: Thomas Dunne Books; First Edition edition (May 12, 2009)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 031237898X
  • ISBN-13: 978-0312378981
  • Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 6.1 x 1.3 inches
  • Shipping Weight: 1.3 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
  • Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
  • Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #64,549 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Alvin Townley has spent four years traveling throughout the country and around the world, capturing stories of leadership, service, and adventure. He has met with leaders and adventurers from all walks of life who are pursuing adventures with a higher purpose - from young Olympic athletes, entrepreneurs, and naval aviators to seasoned CEOs, senators, and Cabinet members.

In 2007, St. Martin's Press released his acclaimed first book, Legacy of Honor. Spirit of Adventure followed in 2009, and his newest project, Fly Navy, is scheduled for release on May 4, 2011, naval aviation's centennial.

To write his books, Alvin discussed life and leadership with leaders like Michael Bloomberg, Cabinet Secretaries Robert Gates and Hank Paulson, Supreme Court Justice Stephen Breyer, J.W. Marriott, Jr., Bill Gates, Sr., and Jim Lovell of Apollo 13. He also dove Australia's Great Barrier Reef with a marine biologist, cruised three oceans aboard American aircraft carriers, ventured into Africa with the Peace Corps and into our inner-cities with Teach for America.

FLY NAVY (2011) explores the values and people - officers and enlisted, past and present - behind the century-old enterprise of naval aviation. Vice Admiral Tom Kilcline, Commander, Naval Air Forces 2007-2010, commented, "FLY NAVY crystalizes the imagination of flight into true inspiration."

Spirit of Adventure (2009) introduces America to a new generation of leaders - young Eagle Scouts who are leading lives of purpose and adventure. NFL MVP Peyton Manning commented, "Alvin Townley showcases the spirit of our young generation...Spirit of Adventure tells a compelling story about America's future."

Legacy of Honor (2007), his first book, explores how Scouting has influenced American life. President Jimmy Carter commented, "These Eagle Scouts will inspire readers to become leaders in serving others." Defense Secretary Robert Gates called the book "inspirational."

Learn more at www.AlvinTownley.com.

 

Customer Reviews

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Average Customer Review
4.8 out of 5 stars (5 customer reviews)
 
 
 
 
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars Great Motivational Book!, May 12, 2009
By 
D. Williams (Waukesha, WI United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   
This review is from: Spirit of Adventure: Eagle Scouts and the Making of America's Future (Hardcover)
Once again Mr. Townley has produced an amazing motivating book featuring the highlights of Eagle Scouts around the world. Like he did for Legacy of Honor, Mr. Townley left behind his day to day life to continue his adventure meeting Eagle Scouts from around the world. This time he focused on Eagle Scouts from his generation to see if they were still living with the same passion and purpose that they had once applied to Scouting.

The book itself is an easy read. Each Eagle Scout is represented in a chapter while Mr. Townley keeps the book flowing by tying all of the stories together with an overall theme and smooth transitions. The reader almost feels like he is on the journey with the author, sitting down and meeting with the Eagle Scouts that are showcased. At the same time, you'll find yourself thinking back to your days at summer camp, the leaders who made a difference in your life, and the fun times you had as a Scout.

Spirit of Adventure is definitely a motivational book that shows that Scouting does make a difference in this world. Those of us that are still with the program will be able to relate to the success that Scouting can bring to a young man's life. It's a reminder that we are shaping the future.

I highly recommend this book to anyone who works with youth or is associated with Scouting. It inspired me to reflect on my journey through life and who I've become today. Spirit of Adventure would make a great gift for an Eagle Scout, or a little motivation for a young man working towards the goal of becoming an Eagle Scout.
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6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars Spirit of Adventure: Eagle Scouts and the Making of America's Future, June 3, 2009
This review is from: Spirit of Adventure: Eagle Scouts and the Making of America's Future (Hardcover)
America celebrates the 100th anniversary of Scouting in 2010. What impact has this program made on America's youth, particularly those in their 20's and 30's who earned Scouting's highest rank, the coveted Eagle award?
Alvin Townley's new book, Spirit of Adventure, Eagle Scouts and the Making of America's Future, explores this theme with a nonstop jaunt from the roots of Scouting in England to Australia's barrier reef, then through the halls of Walter Reed Army Medical Center and on to the roar of Super Bowl XLIII in Tampa Bay. All through the eyes of Eagle Scouts who are already making a positive difference in their community, their nation and the world.
By combining current life scenarios along with youthful Scouting adventures Townley captures the essence of a small slice of America's electronic generation and the values and issues that are important to them. These Eagle Scouts give us a refreshing look at honor, courage and commitment.
The common thread among these Eagle Scouts is their desire for adventure and a willingness to set and achieve goals while making a positive difference in the lives of others. Values they all attribute to Scouting, their Scoutmasters and earning the rank of Eagle.
Spirit of Adventure is a good book for Scouting alumni as well as those who wish to examine what makes people successful. It is also an uplifting look at a new generation of American leaders who are ready to lead and serve.

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4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars Scouting Tradition, January 7, 2010
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This review is from: Spirit of Adventure: Eagle Scouts and the Making of America's Future (Hardcover)
This was a perfect gift for my son-in-law who is an Eagle Scout and working with my grandson to also attain this rank in Boy Scouts. The book was in perfect condition and arrived in a short turn around time.
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