Customer Reviews

Letters to My Son: A Father's Wisdom on Manhood, Life, and Love

5 star:		(23)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

In my 61 years of male life experiences, this is my favorite book, for it puts to words human ideals that are so beneficial for people of all ages to understand.

I found this book by chance in a used book store and bought it to read, to reflect on my experiences with my two sons and two step-children. Immediately I realized that Kent had put to words the things I had wanted to say to my children, but didn't know how to express it.

I then bought 30 copies, giving them to my children and friends with children. I read it again, this time calling Kent and thanking him for writing his thoughts for me to share with others whom I love.

I'm here at Amazon again, sending a link to Kent's Letters to a friend, who's husband has died, leaving their teenage son so alone. I'm constantly recommending this book, as well as quoting from it to share thoughts with others. When my brother-in-law died a couple months ago, Kent's thoughts on Tragedy and Suffering were most comforting to my sister and her in-laws. I know Kent's thoughts on Falling In Love I've shared with others has mended many a broken hearts.

Kent's dedication page statement - "We are born male. We must learn to be men." implies it's a book for guys to read, but I know many gals who have found it a valuable read.

I was just on a lengthy trip, with a number of extended layovers. Knowing this, of all I could have chosen to bring to read to make that time most worthwhile, I brought Letters to my Son. And I'll read it again and again.

For years I've thought that too often people read one book after another, searching for something very meaningful to be made know to them. Here is a book I believe, if read a number of times in a thoughtful way, and taken to heart, it will be the most satisfying read ever. I've become certain that it's good enough to last my lifetime.

This book is extremely well written and very insightful. A great book for any man or any father of a boy. The book is full of wisdom and advice that will provide insight to the reader on how to convey values to their son. It crafts solid explainations to difficult questions that men have throughout life.

The book gives the reader the tools to become a better person and to appreciate other people and life in general. It could be called "the gentle-mans coaching guide". I couldn't put the book down until I finished it and I can't remember the last time that happened.

Hats off to the author for crafting this magnificient work which gets us to stop and think about what is important. That's quite a feat in this "point and click" society.

Over the years I have had read numerous books of this nature, but always find myself returning to read a section, a paragraph or a few pages. A wonderful book that I have had the opportunity to share with numerous friends. I think I have purchased at least 20 copies a gifts.

A must read.

Nerburn's "Letters to My Son" is probably one of the best books on masculinity that I've read. Believe me, even though Nerburn's quiet and nurturing style of writing is much different than that of Robert Bly and Sam Keen, his words are just as powerful. I read quite a bit, and fully believe that Letters to My Son is right up there with Iron John and Fire in the Belly. This book is probably one of the undiscovered gems in the literature about men.

Every father should read this book, as should every son.

I first came across this book because I saw an email with the chapter on "Partners and Marriage" circulating on the Web. That chapter was one of the highlights of this book. It was falsely attributed, but a quick search of the Internet revealed its true author.

Its chapters share Nerburn's accumulated insights on life and matters that concern males across generations. The male instinct does not encourage the sharing of many private matters - many fathers are unwilling, or perhaps unable, to discuss these topics with their male heirs. Yet these questions rise up again and again to trouble generation after generation of men.

Nerburn has done us all a favour by addressing this book to all men, young and old. He speaks of matters you wished your father had shared with you. Somewhere inside, there are gems of wisdom that can change your outlook in life.

Like any fatherly advice, some parts do not go down easy. They may sound like words from another era, of someone who's not quite in touch with your generation. But on deeper reflection, they echo a timeless truth, and speak of eternal principles that guide our lives.

A book well-worth your money and time.

I have over a hundred books on fatherhood and raising a son. Some are good. Some are cute. Some are scholarly. Only Letters to my Son is profound. It's hard being a dad. This book tells me why it's worth the struggle. Fatherhood is the biggest responsibility of all. This book will help you do it right. Thanks, Mr. Nerburn. After five years I still return to this book for guidance.

I am 26 and I just became a father. I still feel like a kid myself. Someone gave me this book for a birthday present. I read it to see if these were letters I would send my son. They are not really letters but more like essays or thoughts. This man says so many things I wish I could say. He helps me understand what is important in my life, what is important to teach my boy when he gets old enough. I don't always agree with Kent Nerburn's thinking. But I think he is very wise. I wish my dad was like him. I hope I can be a dad like him. He knows what is important in life. He doesn't just preach or lecture. He unfolds his thinking with stories from his own life. Sometimes he made mistakes and he tells us. He learned. Now he is teaching me so I can teach my son.

Thanks, Kent Nerburn. You tell a good truth.

I first read this book in 1993. My own son was ten and I was grappling with the issues all fathers face when raising a son. I read alot,but this was the first fathering book, the first parenting book whose words leaped off the page and seized me. The author was honest, his words resonated with the integrity of life lived and hard lessons won. Upon finishing the book, I felt liberated and genuinely empowered about being a father. This is not the only book available on fathering a son, but it's the best I've ever come across and I can't recommend it highly enough. And Letters to My Son is not just a book for fathers, like many great books with an abundance of insight and inspiration, readers will find many simple truths on faith, travel, love, sex, aging, God and dying.

This book touched me deeply by saying many of the same things that I hope to convey to my two boys. Mr. Nerburn's style is practical and sweet but not preachy. Even if you are not a parent, I highly recommend this book.

A teacher shared a few chapters of this book with my class and we were all inspired by it. I borrowed it from him and spent a wonderfully intimate afternoon sharing it with my boyfriend of the time. I have bought a copy of this book for my son and a friend and recommend it to absolutely anyone. It can be amazingly helpful for men trying to understand themselves, but more than that, it is the only book I'd recommend to women trying to understand men better. It puts men in a human, beautiful light that we just don't see them in enough these days.