Architect's Pocket Book - Charlotte Baden-Powell

Advantages: Great organisation to join
Disadvantages: there are none

...100 years ago 1 man started an organization that now boasts millions of members worldwide & in almost every country in the world. Robert Baden Powell. A little History. His use of the youngsters in the town of Mafiking, during the boer war, where they were outnumbered and under siege was incredible. Young boys bravely took messages across the town, on bicycles, under constant fire with no fear for thier own lives. When Baden Powell returned from the war as a hero he set out to gather information to write a book about Army scouting. After its publication in 1899 it became a best seller. He was encouraged to write another version for younger readers. Ofcourse "Scouting for boys" is written with more conventional and practical ideas for boys (and now girls) to aspire to. Although the book was written with this in mind Baden Powell never... Read review

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Advantages: Great stories based on the animal kingdom
Disadvantages: Some difficult words | Not as much humour as The Just-So stories.

...Scouting Connection--- Lord Baden Powell based Cub Scouts on The Jungle Book (Cub Scouts are aged between 8 and 10), and gave the leaders names from the stories. The pack leader is known as Akela (for obvious reasons) and the assistant leaders take other names from the book. I, myself, took the name Kaa. The ideal of cubs is too be as alike to brave, respectful and responsible Mowgli as possible, and never be like the irresponsible Bandar-log. ---My opinion--- This is truly a classic book, filled to the brim with tales of animal life. I first read this when I became an Assistant Cub Scout leader, as I believed it would help me to understand a little more of the theology behind Baden-Powell's vision for the cubs. But it soon became a well-loved book, and although some of the language is "difficult", I find reading it an ultimately rewarding... Read review

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Advantages: Gentle educational storyline, based on observation of nature, slight historical interest
Disadvantages: Maybe too tame for today's readership, even if very sad at the end

...his will to live. His pain is alleviated to some extent by a visit to a wild life sanctuary but decline follows. For today’s readers there are several strands of interest. The tale itself is told with the sensitivity of a naturalist observer, a David Attenborough before the age of TV. There is a clear message, also somewhat ahead of its time, that man has an impact on the environment and needs to pay respect to his fellow creatures if nature is to be preserved. It also offers a rare insight into the life of cowboys and Indians at the turn of the twentieth century, completely devoid of any Hollywood hype. Ernest Thompson Seton’s own motivation for writing this book and many others was the practical education of young boys. He was active in the scouting movement, and instrumental in inspiring Baden Powell to set up the scouts in the U... Read review

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