Book review:
Fathers Are Like Elephants Because They're the Biggest Ones
Around
(But They Still Are Pretty Gentle Underneath)
By David Heller.
Published in the USA by Villard Books, elsewhere by Random
House.
ISBN 0-679-41758-3
Review by John Holley
This is a book in praise of the role of fathers and the role of
fatherhood in today's society. It doen't take on any high brow
attitude or present statistics.
Nope, it goes to the "customers" (to use the free market
parlance) of fathers - children.
The book is full of sayings by children about fathers. If you
are a father and would like affirmation of how important your
role is, this book speaks straight to your heart.
If you are a NCP feeling lonely this book will probably bring
tears to your eyes, but it will remind you of how important your
children think you are.
You may be a father in a normal family situation - this book will
still remind you of how important your role is and, as it did
for me, bring the odd tear to the eye.
As David Heller says "While they share many insightful observations
about fatherhood in general, child after child will convince you
that there's nobody else quite like their own dear ol' dad."
Note: The book was published in 1993. There are no distributors
in NZ/Australia. I placed my order via <http://www.amazon.com/>
which has to be the best online book store I've seen!
Some quotes from the book:
The Nature of Fatherhood:
"Fatherhood isn't for weaklings, but it's not for macho nuts
either."
"My dad is good at fatherhood, but he isn't finished with
it yet....I have to grow for a lot more years first."
What is a Father for?
"Fathers are for fixing things...like bikes and when you
get your feelings hurt."
"Fathers are for picking daisies with you, but only when
the other fathers aren't looking."
What a School for Dads Would Be Like:
"The fathers would learn how to talk to children and how
to listen to them. Most of the fathers would be good at it, but
a few of them would have to go for extra help"
Why Fathers Are the Most Important People in the World:
"A dad is a kid's best friend."
Do Fathers Treat Sons and Daughters Differently?
"Fathers treat sons better because they got something in
common...big egos."
Concerning What a Man Would Be Missing Out on If He Doesn't
Get the Chance to Be a Father:
"You would not be able to have heart-to-heart talks with
superintelligent people called children."
"You wouldn't ever have a reason to play with toys again."
What Every Father Needs to Know in Order to Get Along with
Children:
"You need to remember that you should spend as much time
as you can with your children, because pretty sooner or later,
they are going to be all grown up and you will be too old to run
races against them."
© Copyright 1995.
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