Customer Reviews: Read 2 more reviews...
 A Book I Needed To Read June 12, 2008
Dr. Rowan has written an excellent book about the founding of the Boy Scouts of America. As a Cub Scout in the 1950's, I remember his stern portratit, the one on the cover, hanging in our Scout Hut. As an adult and a researcher of Scouting history, I've often wondered why he wasn't memorialized more than he has been. This book provides the answer: He was the man needed to do the job that had to be done but nobody wanted any more Chief Scout Executives like him!
The book is sympathetic to West and explains why he was the kind of man he was without either lionizing or demonizing him. Rowan includes fascinating insights into the relationship between Ernest Thompson Seton, Daniel Carter Beard and James E. West.
Anyone seriously interested in the history of the B.S.A. or just organizations in general should enjoy this book.
 A very good history of BSA and James West January 4, 2008
This is a good history of James E. West and his impact (significant) on the Boy Scouts of America. Mr. West molded to organization in his image. While he ruffled numerous feathers, he had the best intentions at heart.
The book is an engaging read. Recommended if you want to know why BSA works the way it does.
A Man for his Time September 24, 2007
Being involved in Scouting since the early 1940's, I was well aware of the impact of James E. West on the BSA. In fact I briefly met him at the Greater NY Councils offices. This book answered questions that have been puzzling me and filled in some gaps in what I was not aware of. After reading, I passed the book on to Scouting friends and their feedback has been positive. I highly recommend it to all those interested in the history of the Boy Scouts.
Execlent History Lesson on the Creators May 18, 2007
0 out of 1 found this review helpful
I throughly enjoyed the book and found the histroy very interesting.
Great Insight January 18, 2007
4 out of 5 found this review helpful
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.
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