Boy Scouts of America : The Official Handbook for Boys (Reprint of Original 1911 Edition) (Paperback)

by Boy Scouts of America (Author, Creator) "The aim of the Boy Scouts is to supplement the various existing educational agencies, and to promote the ability in boys to do things for..." (more)
Key Phrases: United States, Chief Scout, New York (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
Over 431 million copies of the Official Handbook for Boys have been distributed since this first edition was published in 1911. The original Boy Scout Handbook standardized American scouting and emphasized the virtues and qualifications for scouting, delineating what the American Boy Scouts declared was needed to be a "well-developed, well-informed boy." The book includes information on the organization of scouting, signs and signaling, camping, scouting games, and a description of several scouting honors. Scouts past and present will be fascinated to see how scouting has changed in the ensuing years, and how it has stayed the same.

Product Details

• Paperback: 448 pages
• Publisher: Applewood Books(MA) (August 1, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1557094411
• ISBN-13: 978-1557094414
• Product Dimensions: 7.2 x 5 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #178,174 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars See the beginning for yourself!, May 12, 2006

By	Alan D. Cranford (Carson City, NV USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This book is a time capsule from the beginning of the Boy Scouts in the United States. Ecology? The Boy Scouts were there in 1911. Animal rights? Ditto. Of course, the specifics in this century-old text may not match current viewpoints, but the Boy Scouts were global before Globalism became chic! I showed the ads to really old boy scouts-those who were boy scouts during the 1950's-and they were reminded of the changes.

Don't use this book as a "how to" reference without first checking carefully. The advice on first aid includes procedures known to aggravate injuries-such as rubbing snow on frostbitten areas (page 272.) The section on constructing radio communications equipment (page 210) was written prior to the establishment of the Federal Communications Commission-in addition to needing licenses to build and operate the equipment, professional Morse Code operators are rare in the United States.

Some of this book is still current, too. Page 14 starts with the Scout Oath and the explanation of the Scout Law. The section on tracking is still good.

Get a copy! It's an inexpensive artifact from the end of America's frontier days.

28 of 34 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars One of The Great All Time Books, January 26, 1999

By	"ematzke" (Scoutmaster in Nebraska) - See all my reviews

This book is rated for readers from ages 9 to 12. It deserves reading for readers up to and over age 100. More than just a book on the outdoors a good book for how to live life.

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Founding Document(s), December 4, 2002

By	Ida H. Lively (Port Matilda, PA USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

It's nice to be able to purchase a copy of the original Boy Scout Handbook.

It's of great value to see where the scouting movement began ... where it's roots are. It's also amusing to see how medical information has changed in the last 90+ years.

It's a great resource for many things that are not in the current Boy Scout Handbook. A great reference book!