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Title: The Expectant Father: Facts, Tips and Advice for Dads-to-Be, Second Edition
ISBN: 0789205386
Author:
Armin A. Brott
Publicate Date: 2001-04-03
Publish: 2001-04-03
List Price: $11.95
Average Customer Rating: 4.0
Format: Paperback
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Amazon Lowest New Price: $3.23
Amazon Lowest Used Price: $0.01
Amazon Merchant Price: $8.60
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| Customer Review: |
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1: Helpful information with some strange perspectives...
As a first-time father approaching the due date, I have read several books for new dads to get myself at least somewhat prepared for this major life transition. I have generally been disappointed by other books because they were too low on content (The Pocket Idiot's Guide to Being an Expectant Father) and/or very high on stupid, often crass, jokes (The Guy's Guide to Surviving Pregnancy, Childbirth and the First Year of Fatherhood; The New Dad's Survival Guide). The driving assumption for these books seems to have been that men are stupid and require juvenile humor to remain engaged. Thankfully, Armin Brott's "The Expectant Father" is an exception to that rule.
The greatest asset of the book is its comprehensive nature. Brott covers it all, month by month. He discusses countless physiological, psychological, emotional, and logistical issues that are likely to confront most new parents, specifically speaking from the perspective of the father. There were a few times when my wife would read a paragraph or two over my shoulder, and she was surprised to actually read some information that she had not read in any of the eight pregnancy books that she had already finished. I appreciated the fact that Brott seems to assume that there are thoughtful, intelligent men out there who want to learn as much as possible to help their wives as much as possible through pregnancy and to transition well into fatherhood, and he offers substantial information accordingly.
My primary critiques of this book actually resonate with many who gave it a one-star rating. Though I think such a low rating does not sufficiently reflect the very helpful information that is included, I agree with others that this book seemed to have a bizarre overemphasis on the role of fathers in pregnancy and parenting. Frankly speaking, no matter how much some men may wish otherwise, we are not equal partners with our wives in the pregnancy process. In fact, it's not even close. There is no person growing inside of me! I am convinced that my needs and my issues are clearly of secondary importance to the needs and issues of my wife during this time, and maintaining that prioritization seems to be rather important. But Brott's book is so father-centered as to at least occasionally lose sight of that reality.
I also found the final chapter, "Fathering Today," to be a rather whining, pathetic diatribe against anything that might suggest that mothers can play a more prominent role than fathers in raising children. I'm certainly a huge proponent of fathers being highly involved in raising their kids. That's why I'm reading lots of books about this stuff. But I am perfectly comfortable with the notion that there are things that my wife knows and can do for our baby that I simply can't offer. Some of those differences may be experiential and cultural based, but I am convinced that some of them are innate. Brott seems to bristle at that idea, sprinkling his father-focused position throughout the book and ending with an entire chapter as a final attempt to debunk any idea that mothers are inherently better equipped to do some things for their kids. I just think he's trying to buck human nature with mere wishful thinking.
My frustrations aside, I'm still quite glad to have read this book. I feel significantly better equipped to enter the crazy world of fatherhood after having read "The Expectant Father." I may even be able to help my wife in some small way during the rapidly approaching birth of our first kid because of the information that I learned. It is long and periodically rather dry, but it's definitely worth the effort. A few strange assumptions by the author notwithstanding, I'm happy to recommend it to any man willing to invest some time towards learning about this most important event and all that is to follow.
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2: Awesome book
My husband really enjoyed reading this book. He new what was going on and what to expect.
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3: Better books out there
I was excited to get this book for my husband- but after reading through it I was very disappointed. There is too much information about how "expensive" babies are (as if Dads are not already worried about money) but the information is too generalized and many times inaccurate. For example when they discuss the "added costs" of labor and how expensive a complication can be- I wonder if they have health insurance? All insurance policies are different...ours covers such "complications". Why freak out new Dads so much? The section that makes excuses for why men cheat on their pregnant wives also personally offended me. I gave it 2 stars because I'm not a man and I think some of the later chapters dealing with emotions of men have merit. That said- I personally think Dad would have a better time reading some standard baby books though.
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4: Are you an expectant father with no clue?
This is a must read for expectant Fathers. This book totally nails what the expectant father should look out for during the pregnancy period. Great Read!!
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5: Book
This is a great book for a daddy to be. It gives many great advices!
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