Rating: 
Summary: Nice, but he didn't experience Scouting at its fullest
Review: Applebome writes a nice historical overview of Scouting and a great tale of how a father and son ventured into new territory together through the program. The problem with this book is two-fold. First, Applebome's Troop is obviously NOT boy run as is the ideal of a Scout Troop. Adults plan, lead and execute the programs cheating the boys out of the full experience. Secondly, Applebome gives his lofty suggestions for how to "improve" the program after a grand total of a couple years' experience as an adult. No youth experience and writes that HE NEVER EVEN OWNED OR WORE A SCOUT UNIFORM during his entire experience. Yet he believes himself to be a suitable person to recommend scrapping the uniform. Ths story was nice, but Applebome ventured into territory where he is simple incapable of providing intelligent dialog -- namley how to improve the program. His own inexperience creates this barrier to what would have been a great sotry about a boy and his dad. It should be noted that Applebome's highlight moment at summer camp came not because he changed anything in the Scouting program, but rather he finally did what he was supposed to do -- let the boys set a goal and achieve it. Perhaps HE should re-examine his recommendations with greater experience and understanding.
Rating: 
Summary: Good narrative and history ruined with liberal editorials
Review: Applebome writes a very entertaining and interesting account of his experiences as his son joins Boy Scouting. His stories of his son's and his introduction to camping trips and outdoor adventure are funny and very true-to-life for others to enjoy. Further, the history he gives of the origins of Boy Scouting, first in England and then in the United States, is a valuable lesson all Scouts and their dads should hear. However, he then ruins the book, in my opinion, by interjecting his liberal politics into the book by bashing the Boy Scouts as "intolerant" and "discriminatory" for taking a stand that the majority of its members (although certainly not his or others who agree with his liberal opinions) support, namely that homosexuality is morally wrong and therefore is not accepted in Scouting. Why is it that when liberals disagree with an opinion, those who support it are discriminatory while if there opinion is agreed with, those persons are "principled"? Would it be "discriminatory" to exclude alcoholics from leadership in Scouting?
I also feel he displays a typical liberal attitude by presuming that as a parent who admittedly never owned a uniform and only was involved with Boy Scouts for a total of three years, can offer all of the solutions to its problems. Simply put, it would have been a better book if he stuck to telling stories instead of editorializing.
Rating: 
Summary: Right on the Money!
Review: Having been greeted with "Guess what! They made me the Cubmaster!" about nine years ago, I can honestly say that this book accurately portrays my and my husband's experience and opinion of Scouting. It's bittersweet today, with my son (an Eagle Scout) leaving high school and entering the Air Force (an institution into which he will enter at a higher rank thanks to his Eagle achievement). We would never trade our Scouting experience, including the both the ups (upon his "crossing over" to Boy Scouts, presenting my son the axe his grandfather had machined before Kyle was born and realizing the sheath was made for a left-hander--which Kyle is) and the downs (watching the Weather Channel for days before a campout). Mr. Applebome also hit home with his reluctance to support an organization which practices intolerance. My brother is an Eagle Scout (after all, you're an Eagle Scout forever, right?), but as an openly gay man, could never become involved with troop leadership. Although the BSA has all the problems associated with any large organization (dependency on enrollment numbers, outside pressures, funding, etc.), it still can be a valuable experience for any young man in this country. If you want to know what Scouting is all about, grab a copy of Scout's Honor and set aside some time. Just like Scouting, you'll be glad you made the effort!
Rating:
Summary: Right on the Money!
Review: Having been greeted with "Guess what! They made me the Cubmaster!" about nine years ago, I can honestly say that this book accurately portrays my and my husband's experience and opinion of Scouting. It's bittersweet today, with my son (an Eagle Scout) leaving high school and entering the Air Force (an institution into which he will enter at a higher rank thanks to his Eagle achievement). We would never trade our Scouting experience, including the both the ups (upon his "crossing over" to Boy Scouts, presenting my son the axe his grandfather had machined before Kyle was born and realizing the sheath was made for a left-hander--which Kyle is) and the downs (watching the Weather Channel for days before a campout). Mr. Applebome also hit home with his reluctance to support an organization which practices intolerance. My brother is an Eagle Scout (after all, you're an Eagle Scout forever, right?), but as an openly gay man, could never become involved with troop leadership. Although the BSA has all the problems associated with any large organization (dependency on enrollment numbers, outside pressures, funding, etc.), it still can be a valuable experience for any young man in this country. If you want to know what Scouting is all about, grab a copy of Scout's Honor and set aside some time. Just like Scouting, you'll be glad you made the effort!
Rating:
Summary: A Must Read!
Review: I absolutely loved this book! I bought it for my husband's Xmas present but read it the night I bought it. My husband read it without putting it down and my Boy Scout, age 15 read it. It really presents how Scouting really is with weird and wonderful boys and adults. We were surprised at how much his experience in scouting was like ours.
Rating:
Summary: A Must Read for Summer
Review: I am a suburban mom with a 10 year old son (non-scout, couch potato). I could not put this book down. I laughed out loud and I cried. Applebome's personal growth and conflicts within the Boy Scouts had me on a roller coaster. At one moment the wholesome, back to nature bonding he enjoyed with his son had me wanting to sign my son up with the local troop, while a few pages later, his honest discussions with other Scoutmasters about the moral dilemmas they found themselves in had me considering a letter of protest to the same local troop. His(kinder, gentler) Woody Allen comedic humor toward all outdoor adventures made the moments of enlightenment all the more sweet. This book will make you want to drag your kids away from the computer screen and run to the nearest park for a hike in the woods. My only regret is tht I didn't wait a few more weeks to pick it up because I doubt I'll be able to find a more enjoyable summer read.
Rating:
Summary: Mr.Applebome has captured todays scouting experience
Review: I have accused the author of having a mole in our troop. Can the experience for boys and parents associated with Boy Scouting be so universal? I have purchased 6 copies to provide to eagle scouts from 18 yr.s to 60 yr.s.,agree or disagree with the author's opinions on today's scouting image, Peter has us laughing and talking about today's and tomorrow's scouting experience.
Rating:
Summary: A four star Foray
Review: I hesitated to buy this book, but a friend told me he loved it--so I gave it a shot. Glad I did. Very funny in parts, really informative about Scouting and the history is fascinating. The writer has a great style that mixes a kind of ironic detachment with an almost naive openess to fresh experiences and adventure. Don't let the title confuse you. the book isn't just about scouting, it's really about fatherhood, boys, nature and how our mainstream consumer/suburban culture has sheltered us from some of the kinds of experiences that can broaden our minds, give purpose to our lives and make us feel alive in ways we never thought possible. And you don't have to be a parent to enjoy it, but if you are, you'll probably love it.
Rating:
Summary: A wonderful adventure
Review: I often hesitate about writing these reviews, mainly because I'm horrible at writing period. However, for this book I am willing to make an acceptation. This book not only discussed the controversies that surround one of the countries most famous youth organizations, but also took you into the role of a parent in a Boy Scout troop. With believable characters, and unbiased points of view this book is by far the best work of non-fiction I have ever read.
Rating: 
Summary: the education of an urban sophisticate
Review: I suppose it's quite a feat for a self-styled urban sophisticate to reduce himself to the level of scouting. The author's high level of sophistication is made evident because, gee whiz, he doesn't know the first thing about putting up a tent, or building a fire, or anything else that country bumpkins acquire by sheer instinct. To the reader's ultimate relief, the author manages to get through his scouting experience without having to shed too much of his leftward leanings. After admonishing the scouting establishment for their rigidness and intolerance, Applebome displays the left wing variety in full force, holding the scouts to standards of PC rectitude that he would dare not expect of any other private organization. His book amounts to one laborious backhanded compliment.
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