The Book for Guys Who Don't Want Kids [Hardcover]

Scott Kelby (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0321334280 | ISBN-13: 978-0321334282 | Publication Date: May 19, 2005 | Edition: 1

Each year millions of fathers are "born"—many kicking, screaming, and railing against the prospect of raising the next generation. Not to worry: Veteran author (and Super Dad!) Scott Kelby turns parenthood into a pleasant prospect by focusing on all that you get from being a dad rather than what you think you're about to give up. Even the most resistant will soon see that the scale is tipped heavily in dads' favor as Scott reveals the rewards of fatherhood. Filled with the same self-deprecating humor and no-nonsense writing style that have made Scott the number one computer book author of 2004 across all computer book categories, this book promises to transform your loved one from a fearful father into parenting's biggest fan. In direct, guy-to-guy language, Scott walks you through the process of accepting and eventually welcoming offspring. With chapters such as Making the Baby Your Own (by attending prenatal appointments, taking Lamaze classes, etc.), Dealing with Dirty Diaper Syndrome, Looking Past the Baby Stage, and more, Scott demystifies—and glorifies—every aspect of fatherhood.

Product Details

an excerpt from The Book for Guys Who Don't Want Kids. [PDF]

• Hardcover: 80 pages
• Publisher: Peachpit Press; 1 edition (May 19, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0321334280
• ISBN-13: 978-0321334282
• Product Dimensions: 6.9 x 5.1 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 2.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (13 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #496,685 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

I'm President of the National Association of Photoshop Professionals, Editor and Publisher of Photoshop User magazine, and a book author myself, having penned more than 30 titles.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

18 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Good Book; misleading reviews, March 23, 2010

By 

hp - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Book for Guys Who Don't Want Kids (Hardcover)

I think this is an amiable book for guys who are apprehensive about stepping into the role of "Dad".

That being said, I'm incredibly confused by all the negative reviews by people who found the title of the book misleading. I think there are 2 reviews at this time by men who were about to become parents and didn't like the book. Fair enough; everyone's entitled to an opinion. It's all these other 1-star reviews by people who insist that not everyone is cut out for fatherhood. I don't think anyone, including the author, would dispute that fact.

There are those who, as described in these reviews, put time and thought into their decision, and have concluded that parenthood is not for them; fine. But then why, exactly, are they looking for books about not wanting children?

When I first came across this book, its purpose seemed incredibly obvious to me: This book is written for the average guy who's afraid of having his life run by a miniature person. He doesn't know what having a kid would really, truly be like, and so he's expecting the worst. If his wife or girlfriend were to inform him that she had no wish to have children, he may (or may not) see this as a major relief. But he's kind of expecting that at some point he'll be called upon to raise a kid or two, or more, and he's just not looking forward to it. The book addresses these issues and tries to reassure the reader that having kids does not equate to a life of misery.

Getting back to the reviews by people who know for a fact that they do not want children: what were THEY expecting from this book? Is there really that big of a market for non-parenting books for people who don't want to be parents? Is it that these people are looking for some reassurance from an author that their decision is OK? Or is it that they're looking for some understanding from an author about their choices? Either argument seems kind of weak to me.

I'm honestly surprised that people who don't want children are considering buying books about REALLY not wanting children, and therefore find Scott Kelby's book to be some sort of marketing scheme designed to trick them in some way. I, for one, do not read books about those of us who choose NOT to pursue high-income/high-stress careers because we know that's not the lifestyle we want to live. Nor am I interested in wasting my time or money on a book about NOT liking cats. There are loads of categories that I DO NOT fall into. Reading and reviewing books about things I'm NOT interested in also happens to be one of them.

19 of 27 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Absolutely misleading title, March 16, 2009

By 

Rodney Toady "George" (NYC) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Book for Guys Who Don't Want Kids (Hardcover)

I've spoken to literally hundreds of childfree men. One thing I can assure you of is that the overwhelming majority of them have put a great deal of thought into deciding whether or not parenthood is the right choice for them, and have come to their decision after much introspection.

This book is simply one more swipe at men. Our movies, television shows and commercials portray us as buffoons. We're considered "uncivilized" until we're married, and "immature" until we're fathers, as if either will cure us of these "afflictions." How many failed marriages are there? How many unhappy parents? Both marriage and parenthood can be very fulfilling ventures, but should be undertaken if they're treated seriously, and gone into willingly.

Neither marriage nor parenthood is the best life decision for everybody. And if you're unsure or actively against becoming a father, and all it takes to change your mind on this huge a decision is a book that couldn't even crack 100 pages, then God help your offspring.

46 of 68 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Misleading Title >:(, December 25, 2006

By 

ehartsay "ehartsay" - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Book for Guys Who Don't Want Kids (Hardcover)

When I found this book on a search on titles I was overjoyed. It would have been the PERFECT gift for more than one of my male friends aND more than one couple with whom I am friends. 'Guys' (and couples) who *don't want kids*.

I was just about to buy at least five copies, until I read what the book was REALLY about. It would have been better entitled "The book for Guys who Don't Want Kids but are Stupid Enough to Give in and Have them Anyway" (or, possibly, "Guys Who Really Do Want Kids, After All").

Why do I keep reading things around here on the theme of 'people who don't want kids don't 'really' know what they want and just need to be talked into it. And of course males who do not want children are not really 'men', just 'guys'. Sighs.

A man who does not want children but winds up with them anyway, is either massively STUPID or someone who actually DID, on some level, want children.

I think that it is a monumental disservice to address this book to "Guys Who Don't Want Kids", the taste that it leaves behind is an implication that "even though you don't want them, you should/will have them anyway, so you need to learn how to raise them."

There is a concommitant implication that people who don't want to have children are just deluding themselves. Do we really need anything more that even indirectly reinforces the societal concept that 'everyone' should have children, even if they do not want them and/or think that they would not be good parents, that they just need some words of wisdom and a hearty push to change them over into good little mommies and daddies to be?

It is NOT necessarily 'different when it is your own', and people who know that they do not want children (men or women) are unlikely to be good or willing parents, unless THEY change their minds themsleves- and then this is really a moot point because they will no longer be people who don't want kids.

As far as I am concerned this sort of thing addressed to men who don't want kids is one more little piece in the arsenal of the sort of person who will assume that a partner who does not want children can be brought around with a skipped birth control pill and a little talking to.