The One Minute Father (One Minute Series) [Paperback]

Spencer Johnson (Author), Candle Communications (Author)

Book Description

Series: One Minute Series | Publication Date: October 16, 1995

The One Minute Father is the seminal One Minute book. A man who sees that he has been a better provider than parent learns by trial and error how to be more nurturing. He first learns a more effective way to discipline -- applying One Minute Reprimands. Then his children help him discover two even more important parenting methods -- One Minute Praisings and One Minute Goals. Using these practical methods, a father develops more confidence in himself as a parent, as he and his children enjoy a happier family life. The One Minute Father begins where most fathers are and takes them to where they want to be.

Editorial Reviews

Review

" The quickest way for you to help your children learn to like themselves and want to behave themselves." -- -- Spencer Johnson, M.D.

About the Author

Spencer Johnson is an internationally respected thought leader and number one bestselling author whose insights help millions of people discover simple truths they can use to have healthier lives with more success and less stress. He has often been called "the best there is at taking complex subjects and presenting simple solutions that work."

He is the author of the #1 bestselling books Who Moved My Cheese?, an amazing way to deal with change, and The One Minute Manager®, the world's most popular management method, written with legendary management consultant Kenneth Blanchard.

Dr. Johnson has written many other international bestsellers, including The Present, Yes or No, and four other books in the One Minute® series: The One Minute Mother, The One Minute Father, The One Minute Teacher, and One Minute for Yourself; and the popular children's book series, ValueTales®

His education includes a B.A. in psychology from the University of Southern California, an M.D. degree from the Royal College of Surgeons, and medical clerksbips at Harvard Medical School and the Mayo Clinic.

Dr. Johnson has served as Medical Director of Communications for Medtronic, the inventors of cardiac pacemakers; Research Physician at the Institute for Inter-Disciplinary Studies, a think tank; Consultant to the Center for the Study of the Person, and the School of Medicine, University of California; and Leadership Fellow at the Harvard Business School.

His books have been featured often in the media, including CNN, the Today show, Larry King Live, Time, BusinessWeek, the New York Times, the Wall Street Journal, Fortune, USA Today, the Associated Press, and United Press International.

Spencer Johnson's books are available worldwide in twenty-six languages.

Product Details

• Paperback: 112 pages
• Publisher: William Morrow Paperbacks (October 16, 1995)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0688144055
• ISBN-13: 978-0688144050
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.6 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #210,081 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Spencer Johnson, M.D., is one of the world's most respected thinkers and beloved authors. Dr. Johnson earned a B.A. degree in Psychology from the University of Southern California, an M.D. degree from the Royal College of Surgeons, and medical clerkships at The Mayo Clinic and Harvard Medical School. More than forty-six million copies of Spencer Johnson's books are in print worldwide in more than forty-seven languages.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

53 of 56 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The ideal gift for any parent, May 3, 2000

By 

Walter Willenkin (Nishinomiya, Japan) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The One Minute Father (One Minute Series) (Paperback)

This book and the concepts it shares with the One Minute (Manager) Series are the basis for the way I am raising my daughter. Manage behavior and unconditionally love the child. It works for parenting, management, and even marital relations. This book puts the principles of the One Minute Manager in the natural context of the parent child relationship. It is a gem of a book. I have given several copies to friends, employees, and in 1992 to my (then) future wife. Not only did I give her the book, I recorded it on cassette in my voice for her to study. She did. We have now (5/2000) been happily "Catching each other doing things right" for over 7 years as husband and wife. In the same way, we have harnessed the incredible power of One Minute style praising and reprimanding our daughter with fantastic results.

( Comment as of 2008:
I still give this and other One Minute books to friends and co-workers, often the Japanese language editions. I still stand by every word of this review. And I still believe this series provides an excellent mental framework for dealing with the stresses of parenting, managing, and being a spouse.
--Walter Willenkin, Japan, April 2008 -- )

(Comment as of 2011: Now she is a teenager. This still works.
Check this again in a few years. I bet she is still self-managing!
Stay posted to see how she turns out! --Walter Willenkin, Japan, January 2011 --)

Today I have posted a long list of other helpful books and audiobooks on my personal website.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Simple and easy and VERY practical., May 25, 2002

By 

Jeff Jones (Decatur, TX United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The One Minute Father (One Minute Series) (Paperback)

Spencer Johnson always does a good job of breaking an idea down to some key components that can then be built upon to create a positive outcome. I was skeptical of "The One Minute Father" as most people seem to be about all of the One Minute Ideas. Don't let the title fool you. By using the common sense approach to discipling your children, you will eliminate the negative time to small points in time while giving you the opportunity to spend a great deal of time in a positive and rewarding relationship with your child(ren). This is a must read for any parent. The things that we often know but won't believe are possible are possible. I have started following the advice given in this book more regulary and I can already see one of my children turning the corner in how she sees herself and her actions and how the two are not necessarily the same.
Give this book as a gift to yourself and anyone else you know willing to learn how to be a better, happier and more successful parent.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Pleasantly Surprised!, February 7, 2003

By 

David R. Bess (Charleston, WV) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The One Minute Father (One Minute Series) (Paperback)

I purchased this book after reading "The One Minute Manager." I was skeptical about how any significant parenting advice could be contained in such a small volume. Still, since the read would be easy and quick, I decided to try it. I was pleasantly surprised!

Johnson does an excellent job of applying the basic principles of One Minute management to the parent/child relationship. In his typical parable style, he describes the One Minute Reprimand, the One Minute Praising, and the One Minute Goal. His depiction of the results with the Father's children is sickeningly sweet and overly dramatic, but he makes his point.

For any father who has read "The One Minute Manager," I encourage him to read this book also. It will truly give new, valuable insights into being a better dad. Buy it and see for yourself!