The Father's Guide to the Meaning of Life: What Being a Dad Has Taught Me about Hope, Love, Patience, Pride, and Everyday Wonder

Father's Guide and Wisdom of our Fathers really should've been one book. That being said, together I'm finding them excellent guides to the joys and heartaches (and everything in between)that I've already been through and expect to experience as a father. My daughter's almost 14 months now and we're expecting #2 and already I've faced quite a few of the hopes and fears Kita talks about. It's nice to know I'm not alone! Father's Guide is much more personal than Wisdom of our Fathers, sometimes painfully so (I'm still not sure I needed to know his son was born w/ 6 fingers...), but that just makes it seem like you're there chatting w/ Kita - having a beer and talking about your kids. I can't say I really learned anything new from Father's Guide or that I'd make some of the same decisions Kita makes, but, as someone who takes their job as a father seriously, it's been invaluable and enjoyable to see what he has to say. If you want to learn something, then I'd recommend Wisdom of our Fathers, it's filled w/ stories and quotes that come closer to being "lessons". But, if you just want to feel like you're chatting with a buddy, and I don't know anyone who doesn't need that from time to time, this is an excellent choice.

I bought this book for Father's Day for my dad. Needless to say I couldn't put it down. It is insightful, indearing, and helped me to see things from my dad's or any father's point of view. I learned things that I've always wanted to know about my dad. Like how although men like to show they're tough, a child brings out feelings and wonder that they never knew was inside of them. The story of the secret handshake was the best, now my daughter and I have one, thanks to the author. I highly recommend this book for any father or parent. It awakened my soul to the wonderment of parenthood and childhood. Thank You Joe Kita...I learned so much.