Robert Baden-Powell spent his life in the military and rose to the rank of Lieutenant General. He was a national hero for the defense of Mafeking in the Boer War and led the inhabitants through a seven month siege, holding on until relief arrived. On his return from that campaign, he learned that his book, Aids to Scouting, had become a bestseller. After his retirement from the Army, his last position was that of Inspector General, he concentrated on the group for which he is now best remembered, the Boy Scouts. A visit from a journalist, Angus Hamilton, forces him to revisit his career.