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amanda_fyi's review against another edition
4.0
Truly a heartwarming and reflective journey as a father who finds out he has cancer develops a list of people to share important lessons from his life to his three year old daughters if he dies. A beautiful, uplifting, and short read of the one year journey through treatment and how each council member was decided. Makes you really think who yours would be!
mystic's review
3.0
2.5 rounded up. I enjoyed getting to know Feiler, but don't feel like we really got to know the other dads. I imagine it's not the easiest subject to write about, but all these men he was choosing to represent him if he passed were described in ways that made them sound very similiar, and I felt that the organization of the chapters was lacking.
While I found the structure of the book lacking and often had a hard time being engaged in the reading, I want to say that I loved the idea, and that Feiler's love for his daughter's was very clear throughout the book.
While I found the structure of the book lacking and often had a hard time being engaged in the reading, I want to say that I loved the idea, and that Feiler's love for his daughter's was very clear throughout the book.
heatherberm's review
4.0
The author is diagnosed with bone cancer while in his early-40's. Worried about leaving his young daughters alone, he handpicks a few friends from all times and walks of his life and forms a Council of Dads to take over should he die. I really liked this book although I admit, as someone who lost my dad very young, it struck a special chord for me.
pattydsf's review
3.0
It has been years since I read Abraham: A Journey to the Heart of Three Faiths. I thoroughly enjoyed that book. Although I knew the links among Judaism, Christianity and Islam, I found Feiler added to my knowledge and I liked his writing. After that, I put Feiler out of my mind.
Then I had an opportunity to read this book for free. I had no idea that Feiler had been sick and I picked this up more to learn about his life and illness. The concept of a council of dads seemed interesting, but my kids are past that point.
I found all of the story worth reading. None of us want to live through serious illness and face up to an early death, but Feiler was able to see beyond his issues to what could happen to his daughters. No man or council can replace a dad, but they certainly can help children learn more about their parents. In that sense, no child is past the point of needing a council. Friends and family often show us sides of our loved ones that we don't see ourselves.
I recommend this story to readers of biographies, to parents who want the best for their kids and to anyone who thinks about the wonder of friendships and how they shape our lives.
Then I had an opportunity to read this book for free. I had no idea that Feiler had been sick and I picked this up more to learn about his life and illness. The concept of a council of dads seemed interesting, but my kids are past that point.
I found all of the story worth reading. None of us want to live through serious illness and face up to an early death, but Feiler was able to see beyond his issues to what could happen to his daughters. No man or council can replace a dad, but they certainly can help children learn more about their parents. In that sense, no child is past the point of needing a council. Friends and family often show us sides of our loved ones that we don't see ourselves.
I recommend this story to readers of biographies, to parents who want the best for their kids and to anyone who thinks about the wonder of friendships and how they shape our lives.
kellyhager's review
4.0
In case you missed the article in People, this is about a man who learns that he has cancer and worries that, if he dies, his twin three-year-old daughters will have a huge void. To combat that, he comes up with the idea of a council of dads. He picks six men who all personify an aspect of Bruce's personality so that, through these men, Eden and Tybee can get to know their father.
The story is told through stories, lessons and emails and is a very quick read.
I wasn't sure how well I would do with reading this since my dad died of cancer when I was 17. It helped that I met him at BEA, so obviously--spoiler--he didn't die. I mostly made out okay, except for the letter at the end to his daughters. I pretty much cried the whole way though that.
Recommended, but be prepared to cry.
The story is told through stories, lessons and emails and is a very quick read.
I wasn't sure how well I would do with reading this since my dad died of cancer when I was 17. It helped that I met him at BEA, so obviously--spoiler--he didn't die. I mostly made out okay, except for the letter at the end to his daughters. I pretty much cried the whole way though that.
Recommended, but be prepared to cry.
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