The Man Who Would Be Dad (Capital Ideas) [Hardcover]

Hogan Hilling (Author)

Book Description

Series: Capital Ideas | Publication Date: February 28, 2002

In this lovingly inspirational book, Hogan Hilling tells the story of how he became the father he is today. Written in lyrical vignettes, Hogan passes along wisdom and humor in the stories he tells about being a stay-at-home father for his three sons, one of whom is severely handicapped. Hogan is completely genuine in his desire to be the best dad he can be and to help other dads achieve this too.
Hogan Hilling is a father, first, last, and foremost. He co-founded the Fathers Network of Orange County and Camino Dads in Action, and for many years was an instructor for Boot Camp for New Dads, a program for expectant fathers. He is currently developing a Proud Dad program in cooperation with Los Angeles hospitals and local businesses. For his dedication to strengthening California families, then California Governor Pete Wilson honored Hogan with the 1995 Courage to Care Award. Parents and Kids magazine also honored Hogan with the June 1995 Parent-of-the-Month award. He recently appeared on the “Oprah Show” in an episode about fatherhood and will be appearing on “The Other Half” later this year. He writes regularly on fatherhood for the Orange County Register.

April
Cloth, 1-892123-95-9, 180 pp., 6x6, $19.95

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

When Hilling, an instructor of expectant fathers and the founder of several Orange County fathers' networks, held his newborn son for the first time, it felt "awkward and anticlimactic." Only a few years later he was a stay-at-home dad devoted foremost to nurturing his three sons. In the brief, impressionistic vignettes that make up this tome, Hilling describes how he learned to be a father, shares stories about his kids and offers advice for other dads who may feel nervous or confused about their roles in their children's lives.
Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

From the Publisher

Hogan Hilling is a father, first, last, and foremost. He co-founded the Fathers Network of Orange county and Camino Dads in Action. He is currently developing a Proud Dad program in cooperation with Los Angeles hospitals and local businesses. For his dedication to strengthening California families, then California Governor Pete Wilson honored Hogan with the 1995 Courage to Care Award. Parents and Kids magazine also honored Hogan with the June 1995 Parent-of-the-Month award. He was featured on the ABC show “Fathers & Sons.” He writes regularly on fatherhood for the Orange County Register. This is his first book.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 180 pages
• Publisher: Capital Books; 1 edition (February 28, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1892123959
• ISBN-13: 978-1892123954
• Product Dimensions: 6.2 x 6.8 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.1 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #4,363,701 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Did we read the same book???, February 23, 2004

By 

Jallen (Oregon, USA) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Man Who Would Be Dad (Capital Ideas) (Paperback)

First clue that this would be a book I wouldn't like; the "star" in the upper left of the cover states "A Gift Book for Dads". That's publisher code for "There's no way in heck a dad would buy this for himself".

One reviewer said, "...it was a quick read..." That's because there is practically no text to this book. Some pages consist of only two sentences (using "See Dick run" size text, to boot!).

Speaking of pages...I guess I needed to read the physical description of the book more closely. Anyone else notice the size of the book? I didn't until it arrived. It looks like one of those little books you used to buy in grade school for fifty cents.

Now to content... There isn't any. Well, that's not totally fair. The content is the same stuff you have between your ears...common sense. If you like reading bumper stickers of the "Visualize World Peace" variety, then by all means, buy this book!

As a relatively newly minted Stay At Home Dad (SAHD), I found Mr. Hogan's book to be of little value. Mr. Hogan hits every obvious point about fathering. I guess there might be men out there that might get value from this book. They are the ones that put a "This side up" sticker on their child's head, though.

In conclusion, there are sooooo many better resources out there than this book. I expected more for the price. Talk to your county/state Family Services offices. Hit the web and look up info on SAHD's (or SAHM's). The info and resources you need are out there.

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Celebrating the joys of fatherhood, May 22, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: The Man Who Would Be Dad (Capital Ideas) (Hardcover)

This book is a beautiful reflection of one man's journey into fatherhood. Through very personal and candid reflections on the day to day joys and challenges of being a stay at home dad, Hogan paints a portrait of the "dad" side of parenting and the potential for what it can be. Beautifully and sensitively written.

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Learning One Mans' Dad Journey, May 20, 2002

By 

"sherdm" (Caro, Mi United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Man Who Would Be Dad (Capital Ideas) (Hardcover)

I needed to read this book to help my two young sons understand what is is to be a father to their children. You see, my sons have not had a dad since age 4 and 5 and are now 20 and 21. and fathers in their own right. I was directed to this book by friends and it did not let me down. Hogan deals with the ups and downs of fatherhood, marriage maintainence and handling multiple children. Hilling also shares his adjustment to parenting a disabled child. A valuable resource to men and women alike in parenting from a very insightful and honest man.