E.O. Wilson on the Boy Scout Handbook A Manual for Life

E .O. Wilson is one of the world's foremost biological scientists. He grew up in Alabama and visits the state often. In this past Sunday's New York Times Book Review he penned a tribute to the lasting influence the Boy Scouts of America and its Handbook for Boys had on him.

It may have taken its knocks from the right and the left of late, but I agree with Wilson. It's a force for good. Having spent the past year hiking trails in Central Alabama, I can tell you those trails wouldn't be nearly as appealing without the bridges, kiosks, steps, and platforms built by Scouts. And that's only the self-evident traces that the Scouts leave.



Excerpt:



"A Manual for Life - NYTimes.com: I’m well aware that to many, the Boy Scouts seem unsophisticated and outdated. But I ask doubters at least to consider this: If asked to decide who would be both successful in life and exceptionally useful to society, the graduating senior of an elite New England prep school or an Eagle Scout in Kansas, I’d vote for the Eagle Scout."