I wrote this last month and everything with the classic formatting was fine. I’m trying to publish this now and the formatting is all effed up. Why do they have to mess with a good thing? Anyway, apologies if the formatting looks …. not my choice.
A friend of mine gave the book to me after reading it. She liked it and I did also. I will bring it back to her at our book club meeting next month and hope someone else takes it. (It was taken 2 weeks ago.)
The title is apt in its giving good practical advice for dads and for other guys in the family who might not have children but can step in to be memorable uncles, then grand-uncles.
It’s also accurate in that it takes an hour, even if you stop to think about what you’re reading, which is one of the reasons I decided to read it. The size of the book is a small 4″ x 6″. It is double-spaced much of the time, and lots of space in between text, where the reader has been encouraged by Patterson to make notes, draw pictures, doodles, lists, etc. This is a very freeing format to read.
All of the advice, suggestions, etc., is broken down by many topics, followed by quotes from men who are fathers and to-be-or-not-to-be fathers, including their parenthood status and how many children they have if they are parents, is solid. Only having been a mother, I can see where the advice would be helpful for dads — but also for moms.
I did think that an awful lot of the quotes came from traditionally male roles such as athletic coaches, truck drivers, active duty military professions. That’s fine. There were also some gentler types.
I think this book would make a great Father’s Day gift, especially for fathers who are expecting. That said, the price tag of $25 is a little stiff. I never would have bought it, but I was blessed to have been able to read it.
Tao-Talk 
#1 on my list might be to toss out your gender-based notions of parenting and strive to be the best parent you can be.
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Steve, are you referring to me or the author about the gender-based notions of parenting? I’ll wait to hear your response before responding further.
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I’m referring to the subtitle of the book “Be the best dad you can be”. My advice as to how to be the best dad you can be is to try to be the best parent you can be rather than think that it is somehow fundamentally different to be a male parent than a female parent (which may or may not be the assumption of the writers, but may well be the assumption of many in the intended audience). Does that make it clearer? If you thought I was somehow insulting you, I was not.
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First, no, I didn’t think you were insulting me, I just wanted a little more info. Thanks for explaining. Honestly, I think the author is known for a particular kind of writing and has a following. By how short it was and how expensive it was, and when it was released, I think it was more of a cash grab.
Totally agree that traditional parent roles have changed over eras and cultures over time. What I see in America these days is anything goes. “…Try to be the best parent you can be” is great advice. I think being consistent is also good advice. And be honest with your kids. Inconsistency and lying are some of the most harmful things parents can do to their kid.
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Seems like a thoughtful book, perhaps less so when it comes to the price tag. 🤓
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I hear you. Better to try to borrow it from someone or the library.
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25 dollars for a book? That is pricy! X
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Yes, it is, and especially for what it is.
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