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God and My Country
MacKinlay Kantor has woven a compelling, appealing novel about the life of a simple American man who held in his care the destinies of hundreds of boys. With rare insight and sympathy, MacKinlay Kantor has created the memorable Lem Siddons, who gave forty years of his wisdom, the fund of his laughter, the knowledgable touch, the sweetness and love that were his, to generations of Boy Scouts. Not every boy who passed khaki-clothed along his life won the world's respect or the Scoutmaster's pride. There were some misfits, fallers-by-the-wayside...sure. But Lem Siddons knew his reward every waking moment of his life and in his dreams as well. His story is one you will remember as that of the closest of your friends: his love for the delicate and freckled Vida that grew with a lifetime, his son Downey who wanted to crowd the years.
MacKinlay Kantor has set the scene for God and My Country in a small town very much like Webster City, Iowa, where he was born, and has dedicated the book to his Scoutmaster of those days. It is a perfect example of MacKinlay Kantor's special genius for capturing the full flavor of a small American town, and of its people.
MacKinlay Kantor has set the scene for God and My Country in a small town very much like Webster City, Iowa, where he was born, and has dedicated the book to his Scoutmaster of those days. It is a perfect example of MacKinlay Kantor's special genius for capturing the full flavor of a small American town, and of its people.
- GenresFictionAdult Fiction
128 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1954
About the author
MacKinlay Kantor
229 books66 followersBenjamin McKinlay Kantor, was an American journalist, novelist and screenwriter. He wrote more than 30 novels, several set during the American Civil War, and was awarded the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction in 1956 for his 1955 novel
Andersonville
Kantor was born in Webster City, Iowa, in 1904. His mother, a journalist, encouraged Kantor to develop his writing style. Kantor started writing seriously as a teen-ager when he worked as a reporter with his mother at the local newspaper in Webster City.
Kantor's first novel was published when he was 24.
During World War II, Kantor reported from London as a war correspondent for a Los Angeles newspaper. After flying on several bombing missions, he asked for and received training to operate the bomber's turret machine guns (this was illegal, as he was not in service).
Nevertheless he was decorated with the Medal of Freedom by Gen. Carl Spaatz, then the U.S. Army Air Corp commander. He also saw combat during the Korean War as a correspondent.
In addition to journalism and novels, Kantor wrote the screenplay for Gun Crazy (aka Deadly Is the Female) (1950), a noted film noir. It was based on his short story by the same name, published February 3, 1940 in a "slick" magazine, The Saturday Evening Post. In 1992, it was revealed that he had allowed his name to be used on a screenplay written by Dalton Trumbo, one of the Hollywood Ten, who had been blacklisted as a result of his refusal to testify before the House Un-American Committee (HUAC) hearings. Kantor passed his payment on to Trumbo to help him survive.
Several of his novels were adapted for films. He established his own publishing house, and published several of his works in the 1930s and 1940s.
Kantor died of a heart attack in 1977, at the age of 73, at his home in Sarasota, Florida.
Kantor was born in Webster City, Iowa, in 1904. His mother, a journalist, encouraged Kantor to develop his writing style. Kantor started writing seriously as a teen-ager when he worked as a reporter with his mother at the local newspaper in Webster City.
Kantor's first novel was published when he was 24.
During World War II, Kantor reported from London as a war correspondent for a Los Angeles newspaper. After flying on several bombing missions, he asked for and received training to operate the bomber's turret machine guns (this was illegal, as he was not in service).
Nevertheless he was decorated with the Medal of Freedom by Gen. Carl Spaatz, then the U.S. Army Air Corp commander. He also saw combat during the Korean War as a correspondent.
In addition to journalism and novels, Kantor wrote the screenplay for Gun Crazy (aka Deadly Is the Female) (1950), a noted film noir. It was based on his short story by the same name, published February 3, 1940 in a "slick" magazine, The Saturday Evening Post. In 1992, it was revealed that he had allowed his name to be used on a screenplay written by Dalton Trumbo, one of the Hollywood Ten, who had been blacklisted as a result of his refusal to testify before the House Un-American Committee (HUAC) hearings. Kantor passed his payment on to Trumbo to help him survive.
Several of his novels were adapted for films. He established his own publishing house, and published several of his works in the 1930s and 1940s.
Kantor died of a heart attack in 1977, at the age of 73, at his home in Sarasota, Florida.
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
January 14, 2024
3.5 stars
Did you ever watch the old Disney movie with Fred MacMurray called Follow Me Boys? The film was based off of this book.
For some reason I thought this was a biography but it’s actually fiction.
The story is about an older man who reminisces one night while in his office over the last forty years he has served as a Boy Scout Master in his little Iowa hometown. Through his flashbacks, we see his first day as Scout Master, him falling in love and the many boys that he influenced.
I loved the movie and thought the book was good. Perhaps because of the sketch like flashbacks, I didn’t find it as endearing as I wanted to, though there were certainly sweet and touching moments. Some scenes just needed a little longer time for the heart to engage before moving on.
A good story about a life that made a difference in the lives of many. Sweet and inspiring.
Ages: 14+
Content Considerations: a man and woman lay very close to each other while talking before they’re married. There is a passionate kiss. A woman mentions that she can never have children because of her past. A man mentions one Boy Scout troop in another town where the scout master took advantage of several boys. There is a drunk and mentions a woman who is always out clubbing. Mentions smoking and drinking.
**Like my reviews? Then you should follow me! Because I have hundreds more just like this one. With each review, I provide Content Considerations, mentioning any objectionable content I come across so that parents and/or conscientious readers (like me) can determine beforehand whether they want to read a book or not. Content surprises are super annoying, especially when you’re 100+ pages in, so here’s my attempt to help you avoid that!
If you’re considering a book or looking for a new title to read, check out my highly categorized shelves, read my reviews and Friend or Follow me to spiff up your feed with clean, wholesome, living books.
Did you ever watch the old Disney movie with Fred MacMurray called Follow Me Boys? The film was based off of this book.
For some reason I thought this was a biography but it’s actually fiction.
The story is about an older man who reminisces one night while in his office over the last forty years he has served as a Boy Scout Master in his little Iowa hometown. Through his flashbacks, we see his first day as Scout Master, him falling in love and the many boys that he influenced.
I loved the movie and thought the book was good. Perhaps because of the sketch like flashbacks, I didn’t find it as endearing as I wanted to, though there were certainly sweet and touching moments. Some scenes just needed a little longer time for the heart to engage before moving on.
A good story about a life that made a difference in the lives of many. Sweet and inspiring.
Ages: 14+
Content Considerations: a man and woman lay very close to each other while talking before they’re married. There is a passionate kiss. A woman mentions that she can never have children because of her past. A man mentions one Boy Scout troop in another town where the scout master took advantage of several boys. There is a drunk and mentions a woman who is always out clubbing. Mentions smoking and drinking.
**Like my reviews? Then you should follow me! Because I have hundreds more just like this one. With each review, I provide Content Considerations, mentioning any objectionable content I come across so that parents and/or conscientious readers (like me) can determine beforehand whether they want to read a book or not. Content surprises are super annoying, especially when you’re 100+ pages in, so here’s my attempt to help you avoid that!
If you’re considering a book or looking for a new title to read, check out my highly categorized shelves, read my reviews and Friend or Follow me to spiff up your feed with clean, wholesome, living books.
October 20, 2018
A SOLID 4 STARS
"If a boy can gain self-assurance and self-respect in the wood, he's not going to lose that self-respect and that ability, no matter where he goes!"
My husband recommended this book to me, so I decided it must be worth reading ;). First off, the Disney adaptation is nothing like the book! I know this is typically the case with books that are turned into movies, but I was really surprised by how different the book is from the movie version.
"I think you're the richest young man I ever met. Take that Chinese boy - what's his name? Quong Lee? - from the laundry. He thought the other boys wouldn't want him, but you talked him into it; and now you say he's just about the most popular kid in the Troop and won all those races and things."
"Lee's making a swell Scout. He -"
"And what about Pinkie MacPhee? He wasn't going to join, because he has to wear braces on both legs; and last spring he threw stones at the boys when they marched past his house; but you said he made a new record for transition from Tenderfoot to Second Class. Lem, can't you see how good you are? You're helping to make lives."
MacKinlay Kantor's writing style is different from what's commonly used nowadays, which isn't necessarily a bad thing, but it wasn't until I was nearly halfway through the book that I really got interested in the story. I loved Kantor's use of imagery. He definitely had a knack for making you feel nostalgic for the good ol' days of the 1910s -1950s. On a side note, I also enjoyed the illustrations at the beginning of every chapter :).
Well, what's better than making a living?"
"You know the answer to that one, Dad. Doing something that you want to do, that you're wild about, that you've got a complete yen for! Doing something which occupies all your dreams, awake or asleep. Something you're really het up about."
A fun, nostalgic book that is worth reading if you come across a copy!
"If a boy can gain self-assurance and self-respect in the wood, he's not going to lose that self-respect and that ability, no matter where he goes!"
My husband recommended this book to me, so I decided it must be worth reading ;). First off, the Disney adaptation is nothing like the book! I know this is typically the case with books that are turned into movies, but I was really surprised by how different the book is from the movie version.
"I think you're the richest young man I ever met. Take that Chinese boy - what's his name? Quong Lee? - from the laundry. He thought the other boys wouldn't want him, but you talked him into it; and now you say he's just about the most popular kid in the Troop and won all those races and things."
"Lee's making a swell Scout. He -"
"And what about Pinkie MacPhee? He wasn't going to join, because he has to wear braces on both legs; and last spring he threw stones at the boys when they marched past his house; but you said he made a new record for transition from Tenderfoot to Second Class. Lem, can't you see how good you are? You're helping to make lives."
MacKinlay Kantor's writing style is different from what's commonly used nowadays, which isn't necessarily a bad thing, but it wasn't until I was nearly halfway through the book that I really got interested in the story. I loved Kantor's use of imagery. He definitely had a knack for making you feel nostalgic for the good ol' days of the 1910s -1950s. On a side note, I also enjoyed the illustrations at the beginning of every chapter :).
Well, what's better than making a living?"
"You know the answer to that one, Dad. Doing something that you want to do, that you're wild about, that you've got a complete yen for! Doing something which occupies all your dreams, awake or asleep. Something you're really het up about."
A fun, nostalgic book that is worth reading if you come across a copy!
December 4, 2012
Well, I'm not going to go into detail with this book, because there isn't much to say. I finished it for the most part, but didn't quite make it to the end. A sleeper, I guess would be it's best definition.
"Follow Me, Boys!" (1966) is one of my very favorite movies and was "based" on this book. Do realize I use that word very loosely. How on earth they could have made such a gem of a film out of such a drab book is beyond my imagination. Having your main boy scout character named Creamy indicates some very thought provoking questions about the author. Maybe his pet was named Creamy. Who's to tell?
All in all, I don't think you'll be finding me with this book again anytime soon. But here's to the people who enjoyed it: I applaud your persistance.
"Follow Me, Boys!" (1966) is one of my very favorite movies and was "based" on this book. Do realize I use that word very loosely. How on earth they could have made such a gem of a film out of such a drab book is beyond my imagination. Having your main boy scout character named Creamy indicates some very thought provoking questions about the author. Maybe his pet was named Creamy. Who's to tell?
All in all, I don't think you'll be finding me with this book again anytime soon. But here's to the people who enjoyed it: I applaud your persistance.
January 26, 2009
A must read for teachers
March 23, 2009
This book is a very warm story of a man who is devoted to boys in his town and serves as their scout leader for 40 years. It traces the lives of many of the boys that he guided.
August 28, 2025
Super quick small-town America type read. You could probably finish it faster than it takes to watch the movie inspired by it. (Follow Me, Boys) I learned about this book about four years ago and finally took the time to track it down. What's not to love about a good man willingly giving his time, really his whole life, to mentoring young boys in higher ideals and adventure? I have a soft spot for the scouting program, because my dad was one of the very best who lived and loved it. 🤍 This book was fine, I'm glad I read it, but I like the movie better.
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"If a boy can gain self-assurance and self-respect in the woods, he's not going to lose that self-respect and that ability, no matter where he goes!" - Lem Siddons
*******************************
"If a boy can gain self-assurance and self-respect in the woods, he's not going to lose that self-respect and that ability, no matter where he goes!" - Lem Siddons
November 3, 2025
I love Scouting and commend the impact it has on so many lives. This is a low key telling of a not terribly atypical story of that influence. I lived many of those occurrences in the 20 plus years I served as scoutmaster and the 70 year association with the movement. Characters also are nice but real people doing nice and real things. This was also the basis for the Disney movie “Follow Me Boys”.
July 28, 2023
Fantastic book
I watched the Disney movie Follow Me, Boys that the book was based on. So that is what lead me here. I loved the setting of the book and the time period. I learned what a Jeffreys automobile is. It was such a joy to read and now I want to find similar books.
I watched the Disney movie Follow Me, Boys that the book was based on. So that is what lead me here. I loved the setting of the book and the time period. I learned what a Jeffreys automobile is. It was such a joy to read and now I want to find similar books.
June 3, 2024
Nostalgic
Nice little novel extolling the Boy Scouts. Follow Me Boys was based on this novel. The book has more tragic moments than the movie (which basically doesn't have any). The book is probably a bit more true to life, but I liked the movie a bit better.
Nice little novel extolling the Boy Scouts. Follow Me Boys was based on this novel. The book has more tragic moments than the movie (which basically doesn't have any). The book is probably a bit more true to life, but I liked the movie a bit better.
September 1, 2021
Just as good as the movie
Auto correct will not let me give my option so try and see how I feel from the title but it was good
Auto correct will not let me give my option so try and see how I feel from the title but it was good
October 8, 2025
What a wholesome book. Brought me back to my days in Boy Scouts with Dad.
November 10, 2014
Follow Me, Boys! by MacKinlay Kantor (Tempo Books 1966) (Fiction). This is a fictional account of the story of Lem Siddons, forty years the Boy Scoutmaster in a small town. This is the account of his service to the young men in his community; it was made into a hilarious film which starred Fred McMurray as the hapless scout leader and the boys whose lives he impacted. My rating: 7/10, finished 1970.
March 10, 2011
This is a wonderful armchair read. The front cover review says "here is a book tht will take you an evening to read and a lifetime to forget." Pretty much sums it up. Short quick book with a lovely story. Ike described it as sailing on a nice calm blue sea, instead of sailing into gale.
This is the book the movie "Follow Me, Boys" is taken from.
This is the book the movie "Follow Me, Boys" is taken from.
August 20, 2008
This book was the basis for the 1966 Disney movie, "Follow Me Boys" starring Fred MacMurray. Probably the best movie ever made about scouting.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0060420/
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0060420/
January 23, 2017
Excellent YA book about Scouting. Light on details, but the themes are all there.
August 26, 2018
Story about a small town Iowan who serves as the local Scoutmaster from 1914 to 1954. Chronicles his impact on the generations of boys of the town.
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews