James Patterson says latest release may be 'the most important book I've done by far'
The new book in question from the prolific gagillion-selling author of thrillers (OK, for the record, it's 319 books written and 450 million copies sold worldwide) is in fact not only a labor of love, but also a love letter to fellow fathers.
"The #1 Dad Book: Be the Best Dad You Can Be – In 1 Hour!," out May 12 ($25, Little, Brown and Company), sounds a bit like it got its title from a late night infomercial. But there is some truth in that bold advertising.
The slim volume actually can be read in about 60 minutes (that's what the "1 Hour" in the title refers to) and features short chapters with titles such as "Be Consistent, Consistently," a litany of dad-experience quotes from friends ("Sometimes you have to let them sink to learn how to swim"), and a breezy voice that eschews hectoring for cajoling ("You've probably figured out that not everyone is in love with the sound of your voice," Patterson writes. "But guess what? Your baby is.")
For Patterson, proud father with wife Susan to son, Jack, 27, the book was a way to help guys who "just don't know how to talk about such things with other guys, but they need someone to talk to and I just figured I'd offer some advice, that's all."
The Essentials: James Patterson spills his writing must-haves
The author's own father might have benefited from this book, Patterson says.
"The only time I got a hug from my father was on his death bed," Patterson tells USA TODAY. "That was just the era. He grew up in a poor house, he didn't have a father, didn't know how to be a father. He was a good guy in his own way, but you talk about distance. Anyway, that's still an issue for some dads today; dads who can't say I love you and don't hug."
"The #1 Dad Book" tackles hugs, of course. In the chapter "You're Not A Hugger? You Will Be in a Minute," Patterson relates the short story of visiting a friend with two hulking football player sons. When the kids started to head out the door, their father called them back saying, "Where do you think you two are going?" And he gave them hugs.
"And that's when that routine became a part of my life, and Jack's, because every night he got a hug," says Patterson, smiling. "Jack's a good kid, he calls us every day."
Likely many fathers and fathers-to-be will recognize some familiar themes in the book. A few that Patterson highlights include being truly present (don't talk to your kid while you, or they, are half-looking at a phone) and growing up. Fast.
In the chapter called "Tattoo This Behind Your Eyeballs," Patterson is blunt with dads. "We're pals now, right? So you can take it when I give you some bad news," he writes. "It's time to grow ... No more BASE jumping, no more treks to Burning Man, no more swimming with sharks," no more beer league softball tournaments or all-day golf outings (this from Patterson, an avid golfer).
"It's just hugely important, because you're taking on a big new responsibility and you have to step up," Patterson says. "And hopefully you're cool with it."
Patterson also encourages men to seek out male friends who are willing to talk about dad issues, instead of "just what's going on with the local sports team." He notes that these days, "it's often women that are the primary bread winners, and some guys are just lost as a result, they don't know what their role is, and sometimes there's a lot of anger which is not useful for anyone."
So is there any advice he's doling out in "The #1 Dad Book" that he wishes he'd gotten years ago upon entering his first fatherhood years?
Patterson mulls a bit. Turns out, for him it was paying closer attention to Jack. "I was always home and around for him, but I could have been more present," he says, noting that while he was writing at home he often was lost in his projects. "I was there, but I wasn't ... I could have done more trips I didn't want to do, like going to the Galapagos, things like that. I'm not big on it, but Jack, he would have liked that."
With this book, which Patterson says cryptically he "won't make money on, they way I've structured it," he's hoping that perhaps wives and daughters will pick one up for "husbands and fathers and maybe those two knuckle-headed brothers."
Patterson leans back in his office chair. "This honestly could be the most important book I've done by far," he says. "It doesn't matter if someone reads an Alex Cross book. I mean, of course it's nice, but you know."
Then almost as a challenge to dads everywhere, he adds: "It's one hour, dude. One hour ... you can't improve your golf game in an hour but here, maybe you can learn a few things in that short amount of time that will make you a little bit better father, or partner. And that's a good thing."
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: 'The #1 Dad Book' is James Patterson's salute and challenge to fathers
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