Scouting and epub Books

on September 11, 2010 in Nostalgia, Scouting

Let’s see. The Kindle, the iPod, the iPad, and the Nook are just a few of the ebook readers that are currently available. How about we use these gadgets to visit a fictional history of Boy Scouting. Say, like 80 plus years ago.

Did you know that in the early days of the Boy Scouts of America there were many authors writing books to catch that market of teenage boys who were joining this new youth program. One author that wrote many books for this young crowd was Percy Keese Fitzhugh. He introduced Boy Scouts to the adventures of Tom Slade, Roy Blakeley, and Pee Wee Harris. I happen to have several of these old books about the Bridgboro Boy Scouts.

According to the website Wikipedia: The bulk of his work, having a Boy Scouting theme, revolves around the fictional town of Bridgeboro, New Jersey. Major characters included Tom Slade, Pee-Wee Harris, Roy Blakely, and Westy Martin. Each of these characters had their own, distinctly different, series of books. In addition, a fifth series, Buddy Books for Boys, featured individual stories of other Boy Scout characters. In all, Grosset & Dunlap published nearly 70 different Fitzhugh titles in these 5 series. (Link)

I would imagine that there are a lot of Boy Scouts who own a device to read ebooks (electronic books). And even more adults and Scouters. Many of these old novels about fictional Boy Scouts are now in the public domain. How about this? We start introducing the boys to these old novels. Let’s introduce them to a time in which the Boy Scouts of America was still very new. In fact, I am somewhat excited about this idea so I will kick this off.

I would like to introduce you readers to Boy Scout Tom Slade by providing you with the first book in the series. This book is in the epub format so you will need a device which reads epub files to read this book. (From what I understand, many of the popular ebook devices can use the epub format.) Download the book by clicking HERE.

I currently have 16 epub ebook files I would like to share with you. All are in the public domain. If this first selection receives a fair number of downloads, and if this idea receives a decent reception, I will offer more of these books in the weeks to come. Have fun reading!

By the way, if you would like to read an epub file on your computer try out the free program from Adobe: Adobe Digital Editions. You can find it HERE.

8 Responses to “Scouting and epub Books”

  1. Scouter Doug says:

    SM Steve – love the idea. Looking forward to reading this. In return I’ve got a recommendation for you – “The Wolf Patrol” author: James Fenimore) – Might be the 1st Boy Scout fiction published (1908?) – BP even reviewed it positively.

    Thanks,
    Scouter Doug

  2. Bryan S says:

    Great pick! Will download it to my Nook tonight, I have the BS Handbook on there (1912) and a Scoutmasters Handbook, plus some song books…

    Please share your links and also check out The Dump for more free Boy Scout goodness!!!

    YIS
    Bryan

  3. stevejb68 says:

    Thanks for the suggestion Doug. I have found that book, along with a few others, and have added them to the list. I now have 23 books to share with the readers of A Scoutmaster’s Blog.

  4. This is a fantastic idea!

  5. […] Downloaded some Pee Wee Harris books from the public domain onto my iPod.  Thanks to @stevejb68 for the idea and info.  He blogged about these books a while back here, here and here. […]

  6. 14 Mar 12

    Hi Steve,

    Congratulations on your idea – going back to the real essence of scouting is just what youth needs today!

    I am Australian Venturer Leader (teen scouts aged 14-18) of more than 35 years.

    Australia celebrated its Centenary of Scouting in 2008. At this time I could find no novels with an Australian flavour written about Aussie Scouts and Venturers and for the teen market. I decided to write two books, Only The Brave Dare and Canyon to remedy the situation and help teen Scouts have a series of novels to read and hopefully encourage them to get back in touch with adventure and the outdoors. I followed up in 2010 with the third book in the trilogy, A Rite Of Passage.

    I ensured all three books could be read as paperbacks and also on electronic readers so Venturers had no excuse for not reading the adventures of people just like them in today’s modern environment.

    I firmly believe our teens need some good role models and also some believable books they can relate to that will help encourage them to enjoy the wilds and so get tham away from their electronic toys.

    We celebrated our Founders Day in February and was able to present Lord Baden-Powell’s grandson Michael with a copy of the trilogy. He said he was most impressed.

    Christopher

  7. 25 Aug 12

    Hi Steve,

    Duty to God is one of the big things Australan leaders like to explore with Scouts and Venturers.

    In this area of self development the Scouts and Venturers must look at spirituality and their beliefs in God.

    To this end, my fourth book Finding Thomas, challenges readers about heaven, life after death and God.

    Finding Thomas would fit neatly in your Scouting’s electronic library as it is published as a paper book and for electronic readers lie kindle.

    In the book, Kit Green is a teenager who ‘dies’ on the operating table after an accident at home. Doctors revive Kit and as a result he can now see and talk with spirits. Kit teams up with the spirit of his father’s boss’s dead son and together they must stop a rogue cop murdering both dads.

    Finding Thomas like my specific adventure trilogy written for scouts, Only The Brave Dare, Canyon and A Rite of Passage are easily found on the web.

    Try my website at http://christopherholcroft.net and read about the books and listen to me read excerpts.

    Yours in Scouting,

    Christopher

  8. Steve C says:

    Hi. I am a former Boy SCout (ND). I am Living in Philipines with my kids, including my 11yo son. I am trying to locate some shirts, Scout Books, typical mb books(cooking,swimming, citizenship ect). It is my intention, to set up maybe a small unofficial troop of a few boys here ,so they can experience the camping , and skills and knowledge scouting can give at that age. I was in scouting for 14 years.
    I’d like my sone to get to experience a taste. If anyone has some supplies, I’d like buy what I can afford.
    Please contact me.

    Thanks
    Steven Carlson

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