The Scoutmaster- Lessons in Service and Leadership from an American Hero
The Scoutmaster – Lessons in Service and Leadership from an American Hero is the story of the wonderful life of Paul Eason, Brooks Eason’s father.
Paul Eason was a Scoutmaster for more than sixty years. More than 350 young men became Eagle Scouts under his leadership. The troop he led began camping every month in the summer of 1951. In July 2025, the troop completed seventy-four years of camping without missing a single month.
The record is extraordinary, but it is far less important than Paul Eason's influence on the thousands of Boy Scouts he led on their journey from childhood to manhood. He was born to be a Scoutmaster. He was kind, humble, and encouraging. His patience and energy were inexhaustible. He loved adventure. His moral compass never wavered. He always did the right thing. He had a profound, positive influence on three generations of young men in his hometown.
The Scoutmaster is the story of a wonderful man and his remarkable life of service and leadership. It includes interviews with more than forty of those who knew and loved him and benefited from his sterling example. As one of them put it, “We were fortunate to have an American hero like Paul Eason to guide us during that all-important time when we were boys learning to be men. I would have done anything for him.” Another said, “If you can make a difference for at least one person, then you have tremendous merit indeed. Paul Eason’s wonderful life has made a difference to thousands.”
Praise for The Scoutmaster
“This book brought back so many fond memories for me. I laughed, cried tears of happiness, and read more passages to my wife than she probably cared to hear. Brooks’s telling of the story of Paul Eason and Troop 12 shows how the life of one man can so profoundly impact the lives of thousands of young men who in turn make a difference in the lives of others.”
“What a relief! A book about the life and work of a good man! The titular Scoutmaster, Paul Eason of Tupelo, Mississippi, was such a man, one who shaped the lives and moral codes of conduct of boys and young men. His son, Brooks Eason, interviews men who were Boy Scouts under his guidance, and together, they paint a picture of a man who worked long and hard to help them grow into compassionate, generous human beings. An uplifting story.”
“I just received this book for Christmas and finished the first half in one sitting. Truly a great story of a great man.”
“Brooks Eason’s wonderful paean to his late father Paul, a man who deeply influenced thousands of young men, is a rare look at the impact one person can have on the lives of others. Hundreds of Eagle Scouts rippling out throughout their communities and country impacting tens of thousands more with their service. The Scoutmaster is heartwarming and heartening all at the same time. The story of Paul Eason’s life and influence has reinvigorated me to become the best leader of youth I can possibly be.”
“This is an important book that lets us know that guidance, help, kindness, and support make a real difference. These stories should inspire people to give more cheerful service in our own lives to the people around us and reminds us to do many good turns daily.”