From Publishers Weekly
When the average American male sees the telltale blue line on a pregnancy indicator, the first thing that crosses his mind isn't likely the number of "nappies" in his future or missed nights out with his "mates" at the pub. Yet these are the worries that occupy the refreshingly honest, and utterly British, author of this informative guide to one of life's greatest adventures. The sheer otherness of this pregnancy handbook might be just the key to easing "blokes" into reading about what to expect during their partner's pregnancy. True, there's the world of difference between British socialist medicine and our American system, but the basics of how a baby develops through the three trimesters remains the same, as do the down and dirty details of labor. Smith tackles these topics with self-deprecating humor but also with a surprising amount of detailed knowledge. His book is a natural gift for expectant fathers, and even mothers-to-be may be entertained as Smith moves chronologically from conception to the earliest postpartum days, covering topics like breast-feeding and what to do if things don't go as planned. He breaks the information down into digestible segments that never exceed two pages and that have witty headings like "Big Belly, Big Toes" or "The Crowning Glory." Men who pick up this book expecting to give it a halfhearted skim may very well find themselves hooked by Smith's anecdotes and the casual, addictive way he dispenses knowledge.
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About the Author
Jon Smith was awarded a B.A. in American Studies from the University of Reading (and the University of Texas at Austin). Jon went on to teach English as a foreign language in South Korea, then worked in the Internet industry for five years; working for Amazon.co.uk and others, as a project manager. Subsequently, he and his partner Lisa launched a wooden toyshop called Toytopia, in May 2002. Jon is currently managing director of Inpress, an organization funded by Arts Council England, providing sales, marketing, and technical support to small independent publishers. Jon also writes children’s fiction, mainly for 8 - 12-year-olds. He has completed a number of novels and screenplays. The Bloke’s Guide to Pregnancy is Jon’s first work of nonfiction. He lives with Lisa, and their daughter Alia, in Bedford, England.
