Handbooks Through History

1911

First edition
300,000 copies

The invitation to join shouted by the Scout camper on the cover of the first handbook was accepted by thousands of youngsters. They wore that cover thin duplicating the handbook's frontier skills in countless city vacant lots and on hikes into the country.

1914

Second edition
3,000,000 Copies

From 1914 to 1927, the cover of the handbook for Boys featured a semaphore signaling team. The Scouts who patterned their signaling stance from the cover and their behavior and development from the book itself created a great record of service to the nation in World War I.

1927

Third edition
4,000,000 copies

From 1927 to 1940, the cover told a story of youth facing in the same direction as Benjamin Franklin, George Washington, Abraham Lincoln, Theodore Roosevelt, and Charles Lindbergh. The boys who used this book found in it purpose and direction to meet the depression and grow with confidence.

1940

Fourth edition
3,000,000 copies

From 1940 to 1948, the cover portrayed a Cub Scout, Boy Scout, and Sea Scout. Wartime Scouts read this book between scrap drives, wastepaper collections, messenger service, and a thousand special jobs the country asked of them in World War II.

1948

Fifth edition
840,000 Copies

1949

Fifth edition
5,160,000 copies

1959

Sixth edition
4,000,000 copies

This cover was the third that was painted by Normal Rockwell, who began his career with Boys' Life. This was a tense period of the arms race and Cuban missile crisis. Some Americans built bomb shelters; others said "Better dead then Red." Scouting was a stabilizing influence.

1965

Seventh edition
4,375,000 copies

In spite of turmoil at home and abroad, millions of American boys identified themselves with this book. In it, they found permanent values. Those boys are now grown men who are beginning to exercise leadership roles throughout America.

1972

Eighth edition
First three printings
2,750,000 copies

1976

Eighth edition
Fourth and fifth printings
950,000 copies

1979

Ninth edition
First seven printings
2,745,000 copies

This edition of the handbook with its Rockwell cover is based firmly on the fundamentals. It is the complete book containing all of the skills and ideals of Boy Scouting. In it, Scouts follow a Trail to Eagle marked out in the pages of this book.

1990

Tenth edition
First two printings
1,000,000 copies

Opportunities for scouts to take real action and make a real difference in the outdoors and in their communities are presented in this edition of the handbook. The cover shows Scouts sharing in the excitement of outdoor adventures.

1998

Eleventh edition

The new edition of the Boy Scout Handbook is not just a guide to the outdoors - but a guide for life that addresses issues such as alcohol and drug abuse, respecting others, and using the Internet appropriately.