The American Boy's Handy Book: What to Do and How to Do It, Centennial Edition Reviews

• A Wonderful Book for Boys (and Girls)!

  
  By on 1999-02-16
  I had a copy of this as a kid and read and re-read it to the point that the cover was more tape than original material. A wonderful guide to doing things yourself, and a welcome antidote to today's passive consumer paradigm of childhood. A fair number of the materials called for are hard if not impossible to find today, but the spirit of adaptation and improvisation that imbues this book will inspire the reader to find substitutes. Some parents may suspect the fair number of projectile- launching devices described, but the book is infinitely less violent than most child-oriented television shows and never fails to stress safety. My friends and I learned a lot of practical mechanics and crafting skills, developed our hand-eye coordination, and never shot anything more fragile than a plastic figure. We did a heck of a lot more damage to each other and our environment playing soccer and broomstick polo. My own future children will unquestionably have a copy of _The American Boy's Handy Book_ when they're old enough.
  
  

• retro fun for active kids

  
  By A2C27IQUH9N1Z on 2004-08-24
  Filled with black & white illustrations and schematics, this guide for American boys, originally published in 1882, is organized by season and is chock-full of instructions, suggestions and advice about kites, fishing, knots, telescopes, tents, soap bubbles, animals, snowball warfare, puppets, kaleidoscopes, whirligigs, costumes, decoys--even fireworks!! The emphasis is on building things yourself, and to that end it is an extremely valuable handbook for our increasingly passive society. There are definitely things here that will give you pause or that are culturally dated -- like making a blow gun, trapping and raising wild animals and taxidermy at home -- but that is where parenting comes in, and all-in-all I would say this is a valuable and exciting book for kids, filled with pragmatic insights and a fun historical document as well. Snowball war, anyone?
  
  

• Great for teens & adults, but caution for kids

  
  By on 2003-03-12
  This book is a wonderfully nostalgic stroll through simpler times of homemade fun, and a wonderful resource for teen and adult scouts and backpackers, but use caution with younger children. I purchased this for a 10-year-old who appreciates "old fashioned" books and is an active Cub Scout learning about camping. I was very disappointed to find that the book included some racial slurs that made me too uncomfortable to give it as a gift. An adult reader could consider the era in which it was written and overlook the references, but I wouldn't want to count on a 10-year old being able to make that same value judgement. It still would be a treasured resource for an adult to preview and share with children, project by project.
  
  

• Great, highly recommended!

  
  By A1CDZM5YMB61PD on 2005-05-19
  This book was originally published in New York City, in 1890. It is the work of Daniel Carter Beard (1850-1941), a fun-loving boy-at-heart, who organized a boy's organization (the Society of the Sons of Daniel Boone) and was later instrumental in the establishment of the Boy Scouts of America. This book is a wonderful collection of projects that a boy can make, everything from kite making and fishing to tying knots and camping. Sound familiar?
  
  Overall, I found the projects to be quite interesting. Some of them are a little out of step with modern sensibilities, such as putting broken glass onto kites to make "war kites," or making blowguns. But, that said, this is a great book with a lot of interesting projects, one that I am very glad that I got. So, if you have a young boy, and are interested in Scouting, or just plum making things, then this book is for you. My son and I highly recommend it to you!
  
  
  

• Great for Scouts!

  
  By A3EWQ26EW2I2XT on 1999-11-13
  I read this book for my own pleasure (as an adult) and refer to it for activities for my own sons (ages 3 and 7) and for my den of Wolf Cub Scouts (2nd graders). It's excellent and fun and useful!
  
  
• An absolute must for any active & creative boy.
  By ANC7IJMOEQWRI on 1999-10-22
  In 1949, I was given a 1890 hard bound addition of this book. Ican not begin to tell you how many of the projects in this book gaveme so much fun and a sense of achievement to complete.

  To this day, I'll thumb through the pages and remember a time when life was a lot easier and childredn were allowed to be children.
  
  

• Not what I was expecting.
  By on 2001-08-30
  I was really disappointed in this title.... It was written in 1890 and it's totally outdated. As an interesting browse in the library or book store, maybe. The stuff it talks about is simply impractical for most kids. Topics range from taxidermy at home, raising wild birds, to making blowguns. I was looking for things I could do with my young kids, and this didn't fit the bill for me.
  
  
• A MUST HAVE for parents and Scout Leaders
  By A9ZT7RFS8T1AS on 2003-06-10
  Not much has changed in the 110 years since this book was first published. Children still love the outdoors and to make crafts.

  Return to the simple life and learn to build all kinds of kites. How about a "fisherman's friend" that alerts you when you have a nibble?

  Hundreds of simple projects that, if done as individuals, or as families will bring a smile to your face ... and you won't even miss the television
  
  

• handy boy
  By on 2004-01-30
  I think the book is good for any boy who likes to build forts,go hunting,train dogs,go fishing,build boats and rafts, catch and tame wild birds,and traping. It teaches how to make all a boy wants and more.including how to use them.Let me put it this way this book is a boys dream.If you ask me how do I know I will tell you because I am a boy.
  
  
• Thank you Daniel C. Beard for writing this book.
  By A1C0EZOIDQXIP8 on 2005-04-01
  An excelent guide on many unique projects. It tells you how to tie many knots, make boats, snares, and hunting tools like bird-bolas and throw sticks. I don't care what anyone says THIS BOOK IS NOT OUT OF DATE! Just because over a century has passed since being written doesn't mean that one won't enjoy making sleds, snow forts, and whip bows. Sure it's old fashioned but not out of date. One can still enjoy the many projects, I certainly enjoy them more than the tv.
  
  
• A wonderful book of projects and toys a child can make
  By on 1997-11-13
  I read this book in the fourth grade and did many of the projects, Trapping, camping, snow forts, skits and plays, magic, all the things an American boy (or girl for that matter) will find exciting and fun.

  I have given the American Boys Handy Book to the children of many of my friends. It will spur anyone's creative thinking, young or old!

  If you like this one check out the American Girls Handy Book written by Beard's sister.
  
  

• The American Boy's Handy Book
  By A3859030ANQBSB on 2003-01-18
  I bought this for my urban, "not-into-reading" nephews when they were 11 and 9 years old, thinking that they might not ever crack the cover, yet today (they are now 17 and 15) I found it in their bookcase well-worn. They say they've really enjoyed it, and tried several of the projects. Although its style is antique, and not quite as easy to follow as the "...for Dummies" type of how-to books, and some of the topics may no longer be of interest, I highly recommend it for all kids (boys and girls). I am buying it for my young daughters (and myself), expecting our family will enjoy it for many years to come.

  Topics include "Snowball Warfare" and a whole section on Winter, "Home-Made Boats," "Novelties in Soap Bubbles," "How to Camp Out without a Tent," "Dogs," "How to Make Puppets and a Puppet Show," and "How to Make Various and Divers Whirligigs."

  If you want to get your kids out from in front of the TV or computer and foster their creativity, buy this book and open it!
  
  

• Wonderful book for boys of any age.
  By on 1998-12-10
  Constantly in demand at our house, my sons have literally loved to pieces at least 2 copies. It has how-to's for handicrafts & woodsmanship,just about anything, except electronics. It's a fun browse through for anyone. The original author began collecting traditional activities at the turn of the century because he feared they would be lost.
  
  
• A must for any American boy at heart
  By on 1998-06-01
  I was given a first edition by my grandfather in 1973. It was sadly lost in a fire in 1982. I have since been looking for another copy to pass to my son. All of the projects are simple and straight forward. Beard's musings on boyhood and the fundamental task of growing up are right on the mark - even for today's techno child. A must have for any library!
  
  
• the greatest story ever told, is your own life story.
  By on 1998-10-08
  The greatest story ever told is your own life story. This book is the instruction manual. I recieved this book as a child and use it more now than I did then, 25 years ago. I gave a hardcover edition of it to my young nephew to use and it was sadly lost. Now all I can find is this ugly, flimsy paperback to reorder. HELP ME! I desparately need the hardcover! It gets too much use and there is no aesthetical enjoyment derived from this cheap imitation. I'll take anything used infact. PLEASE reprint the orange and black hardcover edition!
  
  
• this book kicks
  By on 1998-03-05
  An excellent book. I read it when I was 12 years old. It is the perfect book for any guy or girl that loves the outdors.(is outdors spelled right?) Well anyways, this is the best book that has ever been written for people that are in any way the least bit cool. I love it, and you would too.
  
  
• A great book for projects
  By on 2003-01-15
  It shows how to make rafts and boats and other interesting things like nets and fishing poles and also shows how to make magic lanterns and kites.
  
  
• Nostalgiatopia
  By A2CRUEQ9QIOT70 on 2007-04-10
  Take a walk down memory lane with this handbook on how to survive in the great outdoors. You'll learn how to dig out a canoe, build a tent, or even make a fishing pole.
  
  
• I Love It
  By on 1998-03-06
  Well this totall rules and it is awesome because it has lots of stuff the whole family can do. You can make boats,blowguns traps,fishing stuff, and a whole lot more.
  
  
• Get them out of the house!
  By A2B1LJ42P7GQRH on 2007-06-27
  I bought this book for my son when he was around 7. He not only got out of the house, away from the TV, Video Games..but he got involved in real and imaginative play. He could see the value in reading a "manual" in a sense...follow the directions and make a bow and arrow. Schools today seem to center on testing and learning facts. This book gives kids a chance to see the fun and rewards of gathering useful skills.
  
  
• More coffee table book than practical treatise...
  By A1FC29CWM6UCBD on 2008-01-25
  I was rather disappointed in this book, as I had bought it based in large part on other's reviews, thinking it would give my boys some really good ideas on things to do with their idle time. When I received and thumbed through the book, however, it appeared clearly more of a nostalgic coffee table book than a "how to" manual of the activities/projects it covers. I wouldn't recommend this book to anyone seeking help with filling up a boy's idle time, but instead to those needing another book for their coffee table or bathroom rack. It's a nicely written book, but I believe improperly packaged/marketed as a "how-to" book, misleading the buyer/reader.
  
  
• The American Boy Handy book
  By A2WX4WT7353LU5 on 2006-08-10
  This book goes back to the eartly 1900's. It was before boy scouts came into existanc. Thre were many handy illustrations of how to make a dug out canoe, build a tent, make a fishing pole. It was so interesting to see how people had fun in the outdoor before all oof the luxeries of toeday. I have used this book as a research tool for my next book.
  
  
• American Boy Handy Book
  By A3HWUAJYKA6OAO on 2007-03-08
  This is another book I wished I had when I was a kid. It is well written and it stirs the imagination. Older people will relive their childhood and young people will want to build just about everything in this book.
  
  
• A Grandpa's Dream
  By A3VEQBRL1DGRLV on 2007-07-26
  If you are looking for something to share with a son, grandson or young friend, this is the book. Full of great projects and facts that harken you back to childhood and the "good old days".
  
  
• American Boy's Handy Book: D.C. Beard
  By A3GTUDFZ947DVL on 2007-01-21
  Another excellent book by Mr. Beard. Any Boy Scout wannabe (of any age or gender!) will enjoy this book. Practical and fun. Our boys wear their copies out!
  
  
• Great!
  By A1HVJBPO1DM4KC on 2007-09-19
  Along with the Dangerous Book for Boys, this is a great thing to give to a boy and do some father son stuff. Okay, the taxidermy section is kid of out of date, but most of it sounds like much fun. This would also be a great book for Civil War reenactors to create things for their children to do in camp.
  Worth it.
  
  
• All boys should have a copy!
  By AUSNETKYYBBUY on 2007-10-27
  My boys, my nephews, our friends love this book. The girls enjoy it too. These are the things we did before computers came into our house. I like to pull it out to inspire the kids to do some "fun" stuff.
  
  
• Great book for boys
  By A22Q6FS29XZFGL on 2007-12-31
  I ordered this as a Christmas present. I recieved it in plenty of time. My son is really enjoying it.
  
  
• Old fashioned boyhood projects and information
  By A1ZO200MXTLVX6 on 2008-01-08
  Our son loves to do outdoorsy and handywork types of things, so this book has been fun for him. He is 9. Some of the projects are still a bit too complicated for him to do on his own, and some he likes to read about but doesn't necessarily want to do, but he has enjoyed the pictures and descriptions of "how things were made in the old days" like his grandpas used to do.
  
  
• Handy book is right!!
  By A2IZA8Z76SNUKS on 2008-01-18
  This book is an excellent "how-to" guide for any project imaginable, many of which have become "lost arts" in todays society. Great for outdoor enthusists as well as scouters, with tons of fun crafts, activities and skills for the taking!! It contains many alternative activities to video gaming,virtual reality, and electronic pastimes to get kids outdoors and thinking and learning creatively. I gave one to all seven of the boys and men in my family for Christmas, and they all love it.
  
  

• The Dangerous Book for Boys
• American Girls Handy Book: How to Amuse Yourself and Others (Nonpareil Books)
• The Field and Forest Handy Book: New Ideas for Out of Doors (Nonpareil Book, 94.)
• The Daring Book for Girls
• The Boy Mechanic: 200 Classic Things to Build