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

(Hardback)

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Each year, roughly 50,000 young men join the ranks of one of America's most honored groups: the Eagle Scouts. Alvin Townley set off across the nation to hear the stories of Eagles from all walks of life, including civil rights leaders, soldiers, politicians, businessmen, and conservationists who began their life's journey in Scouting and went on to play a key role in American history. Townley shows how the experiences of youth guided the paths these Eagles followed as adults and defined the common virtues that have shaped our nation. Legacy of Honor is a celebration of the remarkable men that have established a universally renowned image and created a lasting legacy that Scouts past and present can look to for inspiration. This 10th-anniversary edition will include a new introduction by the author and a new foreword by Robert M. Gates.

Reviews

"Ten years ago, Alvin Townley's Legacy of Honor chronicled the lives and inspirational stories of Eagle Scouts across America, leaders in all walks of life--from presidents, CEOs and others who have helped shape our country to unheralded heroes who have made a difference in the lives of those around them and in their communities. Legacy of Honor helped Scouting and America understand how Eagle Scouts have influenced our nation during more than a century of service. The stories it tells continue to inspire a new generation, reminding all how the principles and experience of Scouting bind together Scouts from all backgrounds. This tenth anniversary edition reminds all of us just how precious Scouting is as an institution--for those who wear or have worn the uniform, and for the country as a whole." --Robert M. Gates, former secretary of defense and president of the Boy Scouts of America

"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

Author Bio

Eagle Scout ALVIN TOWNLEY is the acclaimed author of Legacy of Honor: The Values and Influence of America's Eagle Scouts, Spirit of Adventure: Eagle Scouts and the Making of America's Future, Fly Navy: Discovering the Extraordinary People and Enduring Spirit of Naval Aviation, and Defiant:The POWs Who Endured Vietnam's Most Infamous Prison, the Women Who Fought for Them, and the One Who Never Returned. He lives in his hometown of Atlanta, Georgia.