Cover Image: Do Your Best

Do Your Best

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Member Reviews

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for this eARC.

Bear Grylls, renowned adventurer and survivalist, has crafted a treasure trove of wisdom in "Do Your Best: How to Be a Scout." This book isn't just for Scouts; it's for anyone who seeks to embrace life head-on, learn practical skills, and make a real difference in the world.

A Backpack Full of Skills:

Imagine a rucksack overstuffed with tips and tricks—everything from pitching a tent to leading a team. Grylls covers it all: fitness, knot-tying, memorizing facts, identifying trees, stars, and birds. But this isn't a dry manual; it's a warm-hearted guide that encourages readers to step up and skill up.

Survival and Beyond:

Grylls shares real survival techniques, like setting up a tent in the wild and keeping breakfast warm overnight. Yet, beyond survival, he imparts life lessons. Whether you're a seasoned Scout or a curious soul, Grylls nudges you to dream big and grab life with both hands.

Chapters That Inspire:

Each chapter is a compass pointing toward adventure:
- How to Survive: Practical tips for the wild.
- How to Give First Aid: Life-saving skills.
- How to Protect Our Planet: Environmental stewardship.
- How to Be Organized: Essential for any endeavor.
- How to Be an Adventurer: Fuel your spirit.
- How to Be a Camp Cook: Because food matters.
- How to Live Freely: Embrace the outdoors.
- How to Predict the Weather: Nature's clues.
- How to Be a Team Player: Collaboration matters.

Typography and Illustrations:

The book's stunning design—richly illustrated and thoughtfully laid out—makes it a perfect gift. Whether you're young or old, an adventurer at heart, or simply curious, Grylls' words leap off the page.

Echoes of Scouting's Legacy:

Not since Robert Baden-Powell's seminal "Scouting for Boys" in 1908 has there been a single handbook for every Scout. Grylls bridges that gap, infusing modern wisdom with the spirit of exploration.

"Do Your Best: How to Be a Scout" isn't just about knots and compasses; it's about resilience, camaraderie, and the thrill of the great outdoors. Grylls invites us to do our best—to face life's challenges head-on and emerge stronger. So, whether you're a Scout, an aspiring adventurer, or simply curious (as I was), grab this book and set forth on your own remarkable journey. 🌟

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Bear Grylls took the scout's promise to heart when writing this book. It is a treasure trove that is absolutely jam-packed with information applicable to not only scouts, but to anyone who enjoys adventuring in the great outdoors.

Throughout the book, Bear shares his knowledge and experience on a wide range of topics. From survival skills to navigating life itself, the pages are filled with practical knowledge and words of encouragement that will resonate with scouts and adventurers of all ages.

Bear’s writing style sets a tone of camaraderie and support. It is as if he is genuinely cheering the reader on as their make their way in life. It is a positively inspiring read!

Kind thanks to NetGalley and Nicholas Brealey US | Hodder & Stoughton for an advanced reading copy of Do Your Best: How to Be A Scout.

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Bear Grylls' How to Be A Scout is FULL of all types of scouting information... from pitching a tent to tying knots ... to identifying trees, stars, and birds. Grylls writes with wild enthusiasm about all things scouting. And believe me, this is a VERY thorough book. Additionally he encourages young scouts to always do their best. His excitement for the topic comes through, making this a fun book to read. Grylls additionally seems passionate about the leadership opportunities available in scouting and challenges readers to pursue the activities to their utmost ability. This book goes beyond the "how-to's" of scouting and really encourages scouts of all levels to do their best and make a difference. How to Be A Scout would make a wonderful for scouts of all ages and abilities, or families who love spending time outdoors.

*Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this book from the publisher. All opinions are my own.

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This book is so amazing to read. As a girl scout myself, I've always loved knowing these practical tips. These survival tips are great and I think everyoen should read them whether they're a scout or not. It's books like these that shoudl be gofted to young children so that they learn the basics of life. The number of people connected with nature ir dwindling by teh minute and books like this teach us to go out and enjoy nature, have fun while learn some tricks. There is also immense wisdom in the book, which I think is needed for the younger population. Overall, I would really recommend this book to everyone. Would purchase a copy myself.

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For all Scouts and adventurers out there this is an extremely useful handbook packed full of information. Chief Ambassador of World Scouting, Bear Grylls, has written and organised it in three main sections. Part one focuses on 'How to be a Scout' and explains the role of a Scout, the Scout promise, and the Scout motto as well as the history of the Scout movement initiated by Robert Baden-Powell. Part two is 'How to be an Adventurer' and guides the reader on e.g. How to survive, how to camp, how to tie knots etc. Part three is about 'How to Be You', how to achieve your goals, be a friend, be fit and healthy, etc. A couple of pages focus on testing/ discussing your Scouting knowledge by describing some difficult situations and asking 'What would you Do?' At the end is a section 'Useful Stuff That Just Might Come In Handy' including for example, a morse code chart, semaphore and world Scout Jamborees. This is not just about being a Scout, it's about living a good life and how to enjoy the outdoors. Thank you to Net Galley for an arc in exchange for an honest review.

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We’ve read this all the way through more than once since we received it, and I am sure that it will be on our bedtime reading list for months to come. Our young adventurers have been head over heels for all things Bear Grylls since discovering him on Netflix, and this book is no exception. We really enjoyed the format, and as a parent I liked the broad range of advice - from how to tie a knot to how to contribute to a community. I’m not sure the scouting aspect landed as well with my young readers, and there are parts of the book that feel very gendered in that context, but we’re just fine skimming over those things. This would be an excellent gift for an outdoorsy family or a family with kiddos just getting involved in the scouts. Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the advance review copy. All opinions are entirely my own.

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As the sister of 4 Eagle Scouts and daughter of parents who were den leaders, I cannot tell you how wonderful this book is! Not only does it talk about the importance of Scouting in the world, it does such a fabulous job of talking about the core components of what being a scout means - which apply to children everywhere regardless of if they are scouts or not. This books would make a perfect gift to upper elementary aged kids.

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An excellent book to read, share and gift to any of the young people in your life. Not many have the opportunity to join the scouts and/ or follow the guidelines and programs involved with the scouts. With DO YOUR BEST, the information is educational and fun. My group of 8-10 year readers were all asking for a copy of their own. What better recommendation can you find?

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This is a fantastic handbook for any Scout!

With illustrations throughout, every single aspect of scouting is covered. This would be a great gift for boys and girls when they are invested into the scouting movement. Although it is longer than I expected, it's the kind of book which you can dip in and out of

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We aren’t a family of scouts but this was a cool book. From the history to the tips it’s fascinating.

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I received this as an ARC from NetGalley.

I am a big fan of Bear Grylls and so wanted to read this book when I saw it. I'm not a Scout myself but I found this to be an absolutely wonderful book. It's not just about 'how to be a Scout' but 'how to be a good person in general' which I think is a very good moral/message. I found that this book was filled with lots of good sense, and a very good, wholesome message. There were sections on the history of the Scouts (and associated things such as Jamborees) which I didn't know before. I learnt a lot from this book and is certainly something I would recommend.

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My son is a huge fan of Bear and an enthusiastic member of the scout movement so I knew this would be right up his street!

Not only does it give survival tips and the expected instructions on how to light fires, tie knots and put up tents, more importantly it looks at ways of how to be a better person, for example by not giving up, protecting the planet and being a good friend

This would make a fantastic gift

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Do Your Best by Bear Grylls really is a lovely book for anyone who is a Scout, was a Scout, wants to be a Scout, is a parent of a Scout or is a Scout Leader or assists with groups. Filled with useful tips, cool facts and tonnes of helpful hints and advice throughout!

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Do Your Best: How to be a Scout - Bear Grylls

This well written book is for everyone; it has inspiring templates, history lessons, and so many experiences. All this is woven into the instructions that are simple, easy to follow along with. There is plenty to learn in this book, all the while giving you the wisdom to help achieve your goals. Overall a delightful read, and one that’ll stay in my “read again” part of my bookshelf. I can’t wait to own a physical copy.

Thank you for the chance to read this before release.

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What a delightful book. It starts with a brief overview of what it means to be a Scout. It emphasises the importance of enjoying the outdoors, learning new skills and developing good values. Lots of interesting activities and things to try.

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Summary: "Do Your Best" is a versatile and informative book that offers more than just survival tips—it imparts life lessons and encourages personal growth. I wholeheartedly recommend it to anyone seeking to reconnect with nature, acquire practical skills, and embark on a journey to become their best selves. Bear Grylls' book is a beacon of wisdom in an increasingly tech-addicted world, reminding us of the countless wonders that await us in the great outdoors.


Bear Grylls, the renowned adventurer and survivalist, has embarked on a mission to inspire and empower not just Scouts but people of all ages and backgrounds to embrace the great outdoors and become their best selves in his book. This comprehensive guide offers a wealth of information, practical advice, and inspirational messages, making it a must-read for nature enthusiasts and any seeking personal growth.

Grylls' book is a well-rounded resource that doesn't limit its appeal to Scouts alone. Readers of all backgrounds can benefit from the wealth of knowledge contained within its ~350 pages. The book is divided into three sections: "How to Be a Scout," "How to Be an Adventurer," and "How to Be You." These segments provide a structured approach to building essential life skills while fostering a deep connection with the natural world.

One of the standout features of the book is its emphasis on not just the "how," but also the "why." Grylls goes beyond practical tips and delves into the importance of mental attitude, leadership, teamwork, and environmental stewardship. It's a refreshing approach that goes beyond the basics and encourages readers to become better individuals, not just better outdoorsmen.

Readers will also discover intriguing stories about famous individuals who were once Scouts, such as mountaineers and astronauts, adding historical context and inspiration to the book. Additionally, Grylls provides a glimpse into the history of the Scouts and Jamborees, making this book an informative read even for those unfamiliar with the scouting world.

Throughout the book, Grylls balances his guidance with anecdotes and real-life examples that illustrate the values and virtues he discusses. This adds a relatable dimension to the content and reinforces the practicality of the advice given.

The final section, "Useful Stuff That Just Might Come in Handy," is a delightful surprise. It offers a diverse range of practical skills, from identifying cloud formations and predicting the weather to tying knots and measuring the height of a tree. These tidbits are not just for Scouts but for anyone curious about the outdoors and willing to embrace new knowledge.

Bear Grylls' "Do Your Best" is an inspirational and insightful guide suitable for readers of all ages. Whether you're a child, a teenager, or an adult, the book's universal message resonates with everyone. It provides a valuable refresher for those who may have learned such skills long ago, and a treasure trove of wisdom for those eager to acquire new knowledge.

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This book is a great resource for Scouts, and for those who like to spend time in the outdoors. For my family, it would have been more useful had there been a higher percentage of practical tips; a lot of it has to do with mental attitude. However, there are many good points that will be helpful to young people to become the best they can be. There are also a number of interesting stories about various famous people who were scouts such as the chapter about mountaineers. I also appreciated occasional references to Jesus and the Bible, but on the other hand, I noticed that there is an evolutionarily viewpoint expressed.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from NetGalley, and these are my honest thoughts about it.

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Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for letting me review this book. This book would be a good read for anyone, not just scouts. There were some great tips and interesting tidbits of history. The drawings were helpful as well. Adults need to get out in nature as well since it seems adults are addicted to tech just like kids. I also like the thought provoking questions in the last chapter.

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Do your best is a wonderful book that any camper, traveller or scout should have in their backpack. Filled with useful tips on "how to" survive the wild, this is a life saving little book. Kids and adults alike should be giving this a read.

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