I searched and didn't see much in regard to this. What's the general consensus on the Boy Scout Handbook? I was a Boy Scout many, many years ago and I recall the handbook having a TON of useful information in it.

Can just anyone buy one or do you have to be involved in Scouting? Where would you buy one? Which revision/version is best? Is there anywhere you can download a e-version? I'd like to have a paper copy as well as a copy for the computer.

I find the newer ones (1985 and up) to be mostly neutered. The older the better, look on ebay, antique stores, and places like that. The Scout Fieldbook covers all the outdoorsy stuff.

Sample of 1965 Boy Scout Handbook

Someone recently posted a place one could download e-versions of old scout books. I'll see if I can dig up those links.

-Blast

I can't say I know how useful the various versions are. I know any Scout shop has them, as well as their online store. I also found them at places like Dick's, where there was a small BSA/GSA section. Of course, that was in Detroit, and I don't think they had Scout shops. Out in Missouri they had stuff their BSA stuff at one of the Ace Hardware stores. Anyone can buy it.

I still have my original Scout handbook from the 70's plus a few other older versions. I often refer to them for information when I am preparing lesson plans to teach to our youth group.

I can confirm that at least the older versions were worthwhile reading.

Mike

my Scouting was in the late 50's,early 60's.the handbook i always thought was the best was the Scout Field Book from 1948. i still have mine and just got it out to check the copyright date.
written back in the "old days" it has a photo on page 421 of a real snake bitten hand that would make you barf..and the kid chopping the tree down on page 150 is in shorts..no hard hat and safety chaps..and lots of good solid outdoor life information from the ax and fire days.

The newer handbooks have some basic info; but, like Blast said, the fieldbook is the one to have.

Cool, thanks for the info guys. Looks like I'll be searching out the Fieldbook.

You might find this site interesting.
http://www.inquiry.net/
It has a lot of the old scouting stuff on it with a lot of the Dan Beard materials present.

Boy Scouts has just come out with a brand new 12th edition of the Handbook. Look for the one with the big U.S. Flag on the cover.

I picked one up last week and found it to be much different from the previous editions. It has much more focus on the Scout skills - and those are better organized and more complete than the previous versions - and noticeably less focus on Scouting rank advancement - as it should be. This should make it more attractive to non-Scouters.

The skills portion of the new Handbook is separated into three main sections:

Scoutcraft - Leadership, Citizenship, Fitness, First Aid, and Aquatics

Woodcraft - Nature, Leave No Trace

Campcraft - Hiking, Camping, Cooking, Navigation, Tools

The material in the printed Handbook is now supplemented by on-line content at http://www.bsahandbook.org

They also announced that they will be releasing an iPhone version this fall.