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The Man of Many Fathers: Life Lessons Disguised as a Memoir
From comedian and Emmy-nominated producer, actor, and former Daily Show correspondent, a humorous and heart-filled memoir exploring the lessons and values he’s distilled from the unexpected figures who shaped his life after his father’s passing.
When Roy Wood, Jr. held his baby boy for the first time, he was relieved that his son was happy and healthy, but he felt a strange mix of joy and apprehension. Roy’s own father, a voice of the civil rights movement in Birmingham, Alabama, had passed away when Roy was sixteen. There were gaps in the lessons passed down from father to son and, when holding his own child, Roy wondered: had he managed to fill in those blanks, to learn the lessons he would one day need to teach his boy?
So Roy looked back to figure out who had taught him parenting lessons throughout his life, and what he could pass down to his son. Some of his father figures were clear, like a colorful man from Philadelphia navigating life after prison, who taught Roy the value of having a vision for his life, or his fellow comedians who showed him what it took to make it as a working stand-up performer. Others were less obvious, from the teenage friends who convinced him to race “leaf boats” carrying lit matches in the middle of a drought to a drug-addicted restaurant colleague who played hoops while Roy scoured dirty dishes to big names in Hollywood, like Trevor Noah and more.
In The Man of Many Fathers, Roy shares what he’s learned with humor and heart, delivering the most memorable lessons, such as how to channel anger through a more succesfull outlet (hint: never ever try to outfox a single mom), how not to get caught snitching (hint: never snitch), and many others.
Thoughtful, observant, Roy delivers an unforgettable laugh-out-loud memoir that reveals that no one really knows how to become a good dad, and that sometimes the best advice comes from the most surprising teachers.
When Roy Wood, Jr. held his baby boy for the first time, he was relieved that his son was happy and healthy, but he felt a strange mix of joy and apprehension. Roy’s own father, a voice of the civil rights movement in Birmingham, Alabama, had passed away when Roy was sixteen. There were gaps in the lessons passed down from father to son and, when holding his own child, Roy wondered: had he managed to fill in those blanks, to learn the lessons he would one day need to teach his boy?
So Roy looked back to figure out who had taught him parenting lessons throughout his life, and what he could pass down to his son. Some of his father figures were clear, like a colorful man from Philadelphia navigating life after prison, who taught Roy the value of having a vision for his life, or his fellow comedians who showed him what it took to make it as a working stand-up performer. Others were less obvious, from the teenage friends who convinced him to race “leaf boats” carrying lit matches in the middle of a drought to a drug-addicted restaurant colleague who played hoops while Roy scoured dirty dishes to big names in Hollywood, like Trevor Noah and more.
In The Man of Many Fathers, Roy shares what he’s learned with humor and heart, delivering the most memorable lessons, such as how to channel anger through a more succesfull outlet (hint: never ever try to outfox a single mom), how not to get caught snitching (hint: never snitch), and many others.
Thoughtful, observant, Roy delivers an unforgettable laugh-out-loud memoir that reveals that no one really knows how to become a good dad, and that sometimes the best advice comes from the most surprising teachers.
288 pages, Hardcover
Published October 28, 2025
118 people are currently reading
6542 people want to read
About the author
Roy Wood Jr.
3 books41 followersRoy Wood Jr. is a two-time Emmy-nominated writer and producer. The comedian, actor, and podcaster is primarily known for his stand-up comedy and work as a correspondent on Comedy Central’s The Daily Show and hosting CNN’s Have I Got News for You . He hosted the 2023 White House Correspondents’ dinner and this year’s 85th Peabody Awards. He has created original half-hour scripted projects at FOX, NBC, and Comedy Central. He is the former host of the award-winning Comedy Central podcast, “The Daily Show: Beyond the Scenes.” He remains a regular guest star on various ESPN shows and the MLB Network. Wood lives in New York.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 133 reviews
December 14, 2025
One of the best audiobooks i’ve ever listened to
November 11, 2025
I met Roy Wood Jr. not on the Daily Show but on The Right Time with Bomani Jones podcast. Their conversation about life, race, and sports made me a big fan of Wood.
Now I’m an even bigger fan: I just love this book—it’s honest, entertaining—both funny and sad, and a guide to knowing when to move on.
And to top it off, it features some of the best writing I’ve read/heard in a long time. Seriously. Tight, vivid, memorable.
Thank you, Roy Wood Jr.
Now I’m an even bigger fan: I just love this book—it’s honest, entertaining—both funny and sad, and a guide to knowing when to move on.
And to top it off, it features some of the best writing I’ve read/heard in a long time. Seriously. Tight, vivid, memorable.
Thank you, Roy Wood Jr.
November 2, 2025
I almost quit reading this book several times. It starts with a story in which a woman is thrown across a room, hitting her head on a brick fireplace. Wood moves right along, ending the chapter with a tender moment with his mother and a lesson about “fire and compassion”. I was left wondering, “Forget you and your mom, what happened to the woman who was launched into the air?”
Many of the other stories have a similar, weirdly avoidant quality. He repeatedly writes some version of, “I wanted to respect their privacy, so I didn’t ask any questions.” So he never digs that deep into the really thorny issues, leaving a bunch of speculation and unresolved feelings. When he then draws a lesson, it’s only related in a sidelong way.
When I got to the Golden Corral chapter, though, I was so happy I had stuck with the book. It’s in this chapter that Wood is finally surrounded by people who take accountability for their actions. It’s such a change from his parents and his previous coworkers and friends, and Wood is clearly so appreciative, that I realized what kind of stress he had been under and what kind of person he was. Then, in the end, one of his Golden Corral coworkers, who was doing everything to live his life right, ends up coming to a tragic end.
So what makes this book fascinating and worthwhile is not the “life lessons” from the subtitle. It’s the fact that Wood encountered so many people and situations that could have left him disappointed and bitter, but he kept trying to learn what he could from them. It’s really impressive.
Finally: Don’t believe the inside flap. This book is not “laugh-out-loud-funny”.
Many of the other stories have a similar, weirdly avoidant quality. He repeatedly writes some version of, “I wanted to respect their privacy, so I didn’t ask any questions.” So he never digs that deep into the really thorny issues, leaving a bunch of speculation and unresolved feelings. When he then draws a lesson, it’s only related in a sidelong way.
When I got to the Golden Corral chapter, though, I was so happy I had stuck with the book. It’s in this chapter that Wood is finally surrounded by people who take accountability for their actions. It’s such a change from his parents and his previous coworkers and friends, and Wood is clearly so appreciative, that I realized what kind of stress he had been under and what kind of person he was. Then, in the end, one of his Golden Corral coworkers, who was doing everything to live his life right, ends up coming to a tragic end.
So what makes this book fascinating and worthwhile is not the “life lessons” from the subtitle. It’s the fact that Wood encountered so many people and situations that could have left him disappointed and bitter, but he kept trying to learn what he could from them. It’s really impressive.
Finally: Don’t believe the inside flap. This book is not “laugh-out-loud-funny”.
December 26, 2025
Roy Wood Jr. did not have the best relationship with his father. He shares what he’s learned from him (rolling my eyes) as well as several other men who had to fill in the gaps. It’s written as a memoir for his son Henry.
This is one of the best memoirs I’ve read, and I love when this genre has you going through several emotions. Sometimes I forget how funny he is. I laughed out loud many times, became upset, and sometimes I was sad for him.
Although this is about the men in his life, he doesn’t forget about his mother, who plays a major role in his life. One of my favorite parts of the book is when he and his mother argue with each other. Pure comedy gold.
I really enjoyed the cover of this book. The art is amazing. As a matter of fact, that’s his mother at the bottom left.
Here’s a quote:
Roy’s mother: “You got a ride home from a goddamn drunk?”
Roy: “Yup. But better to meet a drunk than a kidnapper.”
One man Roy writes about is the Amazing Trevor Noah. I don’t know if you have read his memoir Born a Crime, but if you haven’t, I highly suggest that you do. I love the fact that they are close friends and both have great memoirs. The Man of Many Fathers is a must-read, and the audiobook is top-tier.
This is one of the best memoirs I’ve read, and I love when this genre has you going through several emotions. Sometimes I forget how funny he is. I laughed out loud many times, became upset, and sometimes I was sad for him.
Although this is about the men in his life, he doesn’t forget about his mother, who plays a major role in his life. One of my favorite parts of the book is when he and his mother argue with each other. Pure comedy gold.
I really enjoyed the cover of this book. The art is amazing. As a matter of fact, that’s his mother at the bottom left.
Here’s a quote:
Roy’s mother: “You got a ride home from a goddamn drunk?”
Roy: “Yup. But better to meet a drunk than a kidnapper.”
One man Roy writes about is the Amazing Trevor Noah. I don’t know if you have read his memoir Born a Crime, but if you haven’t, I highly suggest that you do. I love the fact that they are close friends and both have great memoirs. The Man of Many Fathers is a must-read, and the audiobook is top-tier.
January 3, 2026
The November 2025 #TBRChallenge is "Change of Plans." What immediately came to mind was the John Lennon melody and lyric Life is what happens to you while you're busy making other plans ("Beautiful Boy"). When I learned that Roy was writing a memoir of sorts, I immediately added it to Mount TBR, and I can't imagine any bigger change of plans than losing your father at a young age.
I remember when Roy was on 95.7 Jamz with his legendary prank phone calls; I picked up on his comedy career when he started popping up on TV and radio. I enjoyed his stories on The Daily Show and his podcast during the pandemic, Roy's Job Fair. I was on Twitter for the chicken sandwich wars, and was thrilled when I found him on Bluesky. It's part hometown boy made good, part vibing with his sense of humor. I was especially curious to see how he'd approach writing a memoir, given the legendary status of his father. What little he's posted to social media about his father made it clear that they weren't the closest of families, and he expands on this here.
This book is less memoir/life story and more of a collection of events that have shaped Roy's morality and character. He writes the book as a direct letter to his own son, relating the stories of the people who have touched his life in all kinds of ways. This includes various women, but he really focuses on the men who have made a difference in his life. He was on a quest for a father figure, because his own father was apparently distant at best. His childhood familial relationship was quite unusual, but it was his mother's desire to move to Birmingham to give him access to his father that pretty much drove this quest.
When Roy became a father himself, he took stock of his life and realized that he wanted to have a better relationship with his son than his father had with him. In this book, he's relating the stories that shaped him as a person: molding his ambition for a career, his desire for financial (and personal) independence, pushing him back on the right path when he strayed into dangerous territory. The men who feature in these stories are relatives, friends, acquaintances, co-workers - some nice, some ignorant, some racist, some indifferent. But he took a life lesson from all of them and wants to impart this knowledge to his son.
This is a beautiful, poignant book by a serious man who has made a career of making people laugh. Comedians ride an emotional rollercoaster few people ever see, and that shines through in this book. I was near tears at certain points. It's obvious Roy has done a lot of work to come to terms with and understand how his past has shaped the person he's become. He's learned from his own mistakes and the mistakes of others; he understands the value of feeling your feelings and then picking yourself up and going on with life. This is something I feel that precious few people in this world understand these days, so it was really lovely to read about it here.
Roy also discusses the reasons why he chose to leave The Daily Show, which were rather eye-opening to me. I knew he had other irons in the fire, but he digs down into what ultimately carried his decision to leave such a high-profile role.
This book is less life story and more life lessons, as the subtitle suggests. I really respect the fact that, though this book is written for his son, he doesn't spend time disparaging and blaming anyone. His desire is not to wallow in anger. He protects the privacy of pretty much everyone he mentions, to the degree that he can.
I really, really enjoyed this book, and seeing the serious side of this very funny man. I hope one day he writes a true autobiography - or at least a collection of the legendary stories from the Golden Corral, LOL.
I remember when Roy was on 95.7 Jamz with his legendary prank phone calls; I picked up on his comedy career when he started popping up on TV and radio. I enjoyed his stories on The Daily Show and his podcast during the pandemic, Roy's Job Fair. I was on Twitter for the chicken sandwich wars, and was thrilled when I found him on Bluesky. It's part hometown boy made good, part vibing with his sense of humor. I was especially curious to see how he'd approach writing a memoir, given the legendary status of his father. What little he's posted to social media about his father made it clear that they weren't the closest of families, and he expands on this here.
This book is less memoir/life story and more of a collection of events that have shaped Roy's morality and character. He writes the book as a direct letter to his own son, relating the stories of the people who have touched his life in all kinds of ways. This includes various women, but he really focuses on the men who have made a difference in his life. He was on a quest for a father figure, because his own father was apparently distant at best. His childhood familial relationship was quite unusual, but it was his mother's desire to move to Birmingham to give him access to his father that pretty much drove this quest.
When Roy became a father himself, he took stock of his life and realized that he wanted to have a better relationship with his son than his father had with him. In this book, he's relating the stories that shaped him as a person: molding his ambition for a career, his desire for financial (and personal) independence, pushing him back on the right path when he strayed into dangerous territory. The men who feature in these stories are relatives, friends, acquaintances, co-workers - some nice, some ignorant, some racist, some indifferent. But he took a life lesson from all of them and wants to impart this knowledge to his son.
This is a beautiful, poignant book by a serious man who has made a career of making people laugh. Comedians ride an emotional rollercoaster few people ever see, and that shines through in this book. I was near tears at certain points. It's obvious Roy has done a lot of work to come to terms with and understand how his past has shaped the person he's become. He's learned from his own mistakes and the mistakes of others; he understands the value of feeling your feelings and then picking yourself up and going on with life. This is something I feel that precious few people in this world understand these days, so it was really lovely to read about it here.
Roy also discusses the reasons why he chose to leave The Daily Show, which were rather eye-opening to me. I knew he had other irons in the fire, but he digs down into what ultimately carried his decision to leave such a high-profile role.
This book is less life story and more life lessons, as the subtitle suggests. I really respect the fact that, though this book is written for his son, he doesn't spend time disparaging and blaming anyone. His desire is not to wallow in anger. He protects the privacy of pretty much everyone he mentions, to the degree that he can.
I really, really enjoyed this book, and seeing the serious side of this very funny man. I hope one day he writes a true autobiography - or at least a collection of the legendary stories from the Golden Corral, LOL.
November 3, 2025
I firmly believe that Roy Wood Jr. is one of the most brilliant comedians on the planet today. What sets him above many other people in his position is his ability to talk about some of the most difficult things in someone’s life in a way that is comforting and soothing, and doesn’t let you shy away from the horrors of life.
Explaining his life through the lessons he’s learned from the people around him shows how great of a person he is by what he has learned from those around him. His experiences add to his gift and make him a blessing to anyone who ever listens to him speak, or reads what he has written.
Explaining his life through the lessons he’s learned from the people around him shows how great of a person he is by what he has learned from those around him. His experiences add to his gift and make him a blessing to anyone who ever listens to him speak, or reads what he has written.
November 14, 2025
I'm impressed with Roy Wood Jr. Since I watch The Daily Show religiously, I knew he is (and the reason that I read his book) but he bared his soul in this memoir. He hasn't always been on the right side of the law, but thanks to the intervention of different father figures in his life such as ministers and employers.
He has learned a lot in his life and I've learned a lot about being in comedy and show business.
He has learned a lot in his life and I've learned a lot about being in comedy and show business.
October 28, 2025
Roy Wood, Jr was one of the best parts of The Daily Show for me…I have not missed one episode of Have I Got News for You…I have seen his stand up in person twice - once getting a selfie with him. He had to hold my phone to take the picture because he is 6 feet tall, and although I identify as tall, I am technically not. His show was top tier and afterwards he was kind and gracious. In the book he says his greatest fear is to live without joy. As someone who has doggedly chased happiness my entire life I relate to this on a cellular level. Joy is an unsung hero in all our lives. The ability to claw someone out of the muck and shake the dirt off them until they laugh is a wonderful under-heralded gift to humanity. This book was such a great journey. I can’t wait to see what he does next.
I’m giving this book five stars because it made my woe-is-me furloughed ass laugh out loud.
I’m giving this book five stars because it made my woe-is-me furloughed ass laugh out loud.
September 11, 2025
Crown Publishing provided an early galley for review.
I got to know and enjoy Roy as the host of Have I Got News For You, a weekly comedy-headlines show on CNN. I like his sense of humor and timing, so I felt I too would enjoy a look into his life.
This was definitely an interesting approach to a memoir. His life story is a very interesting one. Though it has its moments of humor, it also gives the reader things to think about regarding their own lives and relationships with their parents and their children. At the stage of life where I find myself in, I found this useful and oddly comforting.
I got to know and enjoy Roy as the host of Have I Got News For You, a weekly comedy-headlines show on CNN. I like his sense of humor and timing, so I felt I too would enjoy a look into his life.
This was definitely an interesting approach to a memoir. His life story is a very interesting one. Though it has its moments of humor, it also gives the reader things to think about regarding their own lives and relationships with their parents and their children. At the stage of life where I find myself in, I found this useful and oddly comforting.
December 14, 2025
4.5 Listened to the audiobook, read by the author!
My prior knowledge about Roy Wood Jr was limited to short clips on social media- his Ziwe interview, clips from stand up or podcasts, I think he also did a Subway Takes. I should take the time to check out more. He is a very gifted story teller and orator- which translates into his book. Definitely not a ha-ha funny book, Wood brings up issues of domestic abuse, divorce, poverty, racism... the voices he gives his parents especially and the people in his life.
I definitely recommend the audiobook, Wood's voice is so nice to listen to for 8 hours and he adds so much to the dialogue.
My prior knowledge about Roy Wood Jr was limited to short clips on social media- his Ziwe interview, clips from stand up or podcasts, I think he also did a Subway Takes. I should take the time to check out more. He is a very gifted story teller and orator- which translates into his book. Definitely not a ha-ha funny book, Wood brings up issues of domestic abuse, divorce, poverty, racism... the voices he gives his parents especially and the people in his life.
I definitely recommend the audiobook, Wood's voice is so nice to listen to for 8 hours and he adds so much to the dialogue.
November 14, 2025
The Man of Many Fathers:
Life Lessons Disguised as a Memoir
I Picked Up This Book Because: I’ve enjoyed other work by the author.
Media Type: Audiobook
Source: S Public Library
Dates Read: 11/3/25 - 11/6/25
Rating: 4 Stars
Narrator(s): Roy Wood Jr
The Story:
I’ve only known of Mr. Wood since his time on The Daily Show. He is hilarious. His story is interesting. This book is told in the form of a letter to his son. Sharing the lessons the men in his life have shared along the way.
Life Lessons Disguised as a Memoir
I Picked Up This Book Because: I’ve enjoyed other work by the author.
Media Type: Audiobook
Source: S Public Library
Dates Read: 11/3/25 - 11/6/25
Rating: 4 Stars
Narrator(s): Roy Wood Jr
The Story:
I’ve only known of Mr. Wood since his time on The Daily Show. He is hilarious. His story is interesting. This book is told in the form of a letter to his son. Sharing the lessons the men in his life have shared along the way.
December 18, 2025
Well Rounded
I didn’t know anything about Roy Wood, Jr. before I read this book except that he’s funny on Twitter. When I found out that he was releasing a book, it immediately went on my TBR. It was a pleasure to learn about his upbringing and career path. What I loved most was that it wasn’t all jokes. There were some deeper, heartfelt moments included. The nuggets of wisdom that he offered didn’t come off as preachy or generic. This book was interesting, thought provoking, and funny. I enjoyed all of it.
I didn’t know anything about Roy Wood, Jr. before I read this book except that he’s funny on Twitter. When I found out that he was releasing a book, it immediately went on my TBR. It was a pleasure to learn about his upbringing and career path. What I loved most was that it wasn’t all jokes. There were some deeper, heartfelt moments included. The nuggets of wisdom that he offered didn’t come off as preachy or generic. This book was interesting, thought provoking, and funny. I enjoyed all of it.
December 17, 2025
This kind of reminds me of never meet your heroes. I like Roy Wood Jr a lot less after reading this autobiography. There were hints at his personality during interviews but it didn't bother me too much. Just made me raise an eyebrow. But seeing this much of his life and knowing these were the parts he chose to share is an interesting angle. All in all this book feels like he is his own father even though he's trying not to become him.
Throughout the book he tells stories about how he learned from others mistakes as well as his own. He was a voyeur many times which makes him have such good comedic stories. But his voyeurism came off as judgmental in many instances. He even admitted so in one of his stories. There was always an excuse for making bad decisions and I didn't get the sense he accepted responsibility for much. This was written well, easy to read, but I would have liked more introspection
Throughout the book he tells stories about how he learned from others mistakes as well as his own. He was a voyeur many times which makes him have such good comedic stories. But his voyeurism came off as judgmental in many instances. He even admitted so in one of his stories. There was always an excuse for making bad decisions and I didn't get the sense he accepted responsibility for much. This was written well, easy to read, but I would have liked more introspection
December 19, 2025
Picked this up after seeing Roy Wood on Josh Johnson’s podcast (w that one lady), talking about his dad’s journalism legacy starting a black radio network in the Jim Crow south.
Imagine you overhear Roy Wood in a bar with a bunch of friends, telling stories about his life coming up in Alabama and as a comedian, for laughs, and closing each one with a lil moral of the story nugget. Fun, fucked up, interesting to hear some of the mechanics of comedy, etc., and framed as a letter to his son.
Imagine you overhear Roy Wood in a bar with a bunch of friends, telling stories about his life coming up in Alabama and as a comedian, for laughs, and closing each one with a lil moral of the story nugget. Fun, fucked up, interesting to hear some of the mechanics of comedy, etc., and framed as a letter to his son.
February 4, 2026
4.5 stars rounded up, with the caveat that this book has to be enjoyed as an audiobook. I mean, the man is a comedian - of course the timing and delivery is going to matter. Roy Wood, Jr. doesn’t disappoint. Just like his comedy, his book is thoughtful, funny, and moving. I already admired him as a comic, but learning more about his life and dedication to evolving as an artist made me appreciate him even more.
January 18, 2026
I heard Roy talk about this book on Trevor Noah’s podcast of What Now. The conversation during that episode made me add this book to my list to read. It was beautiful story of becoming a reflection of relationships and how they shaped Roy. I love that this was written for his son and as readers we get to join the journey!
February 9, 2026
I was hoping for more humor and this was ultimately a lot of trauma and sadness. Not in-your-face, but very much along all the edges. I still found this book interesting and it did fulfill its mission of sharing lessons from various “fathers,” but it mostly just made me feel kind of bad for Roy Wood Jr.
November 14, 2025
Funny, insightful, thoughtful and beautifully written. This book is a love letter to the Black men who shaped him and taught him life, love and career lesson and he shares these lessons and wisdom he wants to pass on to his own son. Beautifully written, hilarious and warm. I need to buy a copy just to save some of these quotes.
I always enjoyed Roy Woods Jr. while on the daily show and was devastated when he left, I have followed his journey since and was extremely excited to read this book. It was a great read and the lessons he leaves for his son are simply beautiful and heartfelt. Even the Acknowledgements had me rolling!
I always enjoyed Roy Woods Jr. while on the daily show and was devastated when he left, I have followed his journey since and was extremely excited to read this book. It was a great read and the lessons he leaves for his son are simply beautiful and heartfelt. Even the Acknowledgements had me rolling!
January 3, 2026
solid 4. great stories of a variety of individuals who impacted a life. really enjoyed it!
January 1, 2026
Round up, easy listen with some humorous parts to most of the stories.
August 5, 2025
This book was honest, insightful, and funny. I liked that the author found fathering advice from a wide variety of characters.
September 25, 2025
I loved this book. Here’s what I texted my buddy about it: “The big takeaway is the importance of taking pride in your work, I think. He talks about being persistent and trusting that being your unique self will work. He also touches on different stages of a comedy career (e.g. jumping from feature to headliner). It’s really good and moving.” My buddy responded “Gonna order it now.” Lots of good advice. Highly recommend for entertainers and people feeling stuck who want to get unstuck.
February 2, 2026
I went into this one blind and I was pleasantly surprised on how much I enjoyed it. I know Roy Wood Jr is a comedian so I knew a few laughs were inevitable. But this was a really well rounded and REAL memoir. Baby, because Roy was always getting into some shenanigans! I loved how Black it was. (S/O to my alma mater, Alabama State University, and Roy's FAMU that were featured!) It reminded me of home and my family. I laughed way more than I thought I would and he even had me crying. I'd definitely highly recommend this one!
Also can we talk about how Roy Wood Jr's narration was amazing? He must have inherited his father's golden voice but that performance was all him. I'll start a petition right now to have him narrate more books.
Also can we talk about how Roy Wood Jr's narration was amazing? He must have inherited his father's golden voice but that performance was all him. I'll start a petition right now to have him narrate more books.
January 29, 2026
Life lessons disguised as a memoir is the perfect tagline for this book.
Full disclosure: I’ve had the pleasure of working with Roy and hence picked up this book because I admire his brand of comedy: incisive and compassionate, rather than punching down. That sensibility carries beautifully into this book.
This isn’t a traditional, self-congratulatory memoir. In fact, one of the most refreshing things about it is how unsanitized and honest it feels. Roy lost his father at sixteen, and instead of centering the book on absence alone, he expands the frame to include the many people who shaped him- mentors, friends, elders, and community members who stepped in, intentionally or not, as “fathers.” Now a father himself, he writes this book as a letter to his son, and that intention gives the whole narrative a genuine, tough, and loving emotional core.
Memoirs often face the risk of sanitizing the self for public consumption but not this one. Wood lays out his mistakes and missteps alongside his triumphs, with a comedian’s instinct for timing and a sense of care for the reader. There’s something deeply relatable about his candor, the way he acknowledges his flaws without surrendering to self-pity, and the way he mines humor out of real struggle.
What stood out most to me was the emphasis on the village it takes to raise a child. Though that theme is subtle, I noticed it stand out powerfully in Wood’s work: he doesn’t lecture about collectivism, but he shows it in the way he credits teachers, neighbors, and friends for lessons that shaped his character. In a Western cultural context that often emphasizes rugged individualism, that message feels both refreshing and necessary.
My favorite chapter was “The Man from Philadelphia.” I loved how the nuances of communication came through so clearly. What the man from Philadelphia intended to say carried a very different meaning in how Roy received and interpreted it and that misalignment ended up having a powerful impact. It’s a great reminder that miscommunication isn’t always harmful; sometimes it can be unexpectedly motivating!
The humor is sharp, the lessons land naturally, and the vulnerability feels earned. While the structure occasionally wanders, the voice is strong enough to carry you through. I look forward to reading his next book.
Favorite quotes:
—“parenting is one part instilling in your children what you believe to be the best of you and one part recognizing what is the best in your child and watering those parts of them. We sometimes make the mistake with our children of trying to turn them into the things we wish we were without identifying why we wish that change for ourselves. But to identify the best parts of yourself, you will have to identify the worst parts of yourself too. I held you tighter in the delivery room as I contemplated this self audit. That’s the hardest part of parenting, figuring out how to heal your damage and protect your child from suffering, the same damage, all while figuring out how you became that damaged in the first place.”
— “ to be a child is to be convinced that no matter what you’ve learned, you’ve already learned everything you need to know to proceed in life without your parents.”
— “The lifestyle section didn’t appeal to me because it was really just for people with money. It featured television shows I never saw, movies I never watched, restaurants I never dined in, and exotic destinations I’d never travel to, and then jammed in a bunch of ads for products, my family could never buy. The parts of the paper I came to love and still do were the advice, columns. I was fascinated by other people‘s problems. They reassured me of the fact that I wasn’t the only person dealing with issues. It also was a beautiful window into what people are like and what they desire.”
— “ reluctant benevolence is the most sincere kind. It’s insistent benevolence that you have to be cautious yourself.”
— “ kids don’t know how to open that door of conversation on tough topics. It’s on the parent to take that step, even if they’re fearful of not liking what they’re going to hear after they open it. Because I realize now that my father kept that door close to me, I work hard to keep that door open for you.”
— “ college is an interesting time because you essentially live your life in large emotional waves. Everything is either great or devastating. We assigned large steaks to insignificant things. And things we should treat a significant we blow off as simple.”
—“ comedians were sadness and general does Dane on their being the way football players wear grass stained stop it’s so common place. It’s hard to know when you’re looking at someone in deep pain or someone playing the part to belong.”
—“ of course I have things I want for my career, but I’ve never tried to attach myself to one goal so deeply that if I do not achieve it, then I’m a failure. Anticipation of success can excite us, but it can also fuel the disappointment that drives us to a very dark place if we aren’t careful……. I’m always going to do my best to be happy.”
—“ nobody will remember a bad joke. Everybody will remember a bad attitude.”
—“ i’ve been blessed to live a life filled with people who have treated me based on their belief of who I could become, and not solely off of who I was at the time. May you always see yourself through the same lens of positivity and potential and may you always see other people through that lens and treat them accordingly.”
Full disclosure: I’ve had the pleasure of working with Roy and hence picked up this book because I admire his brand of comedy: incisive and compassionate, rather than punching down. That sensibility carries beautifully into this book.
This isn’t a traditional, self-congratulatory memoir. In fact, one of the most refreshing things about it is how unsanitized and honest it feels. Roy lost his father at sixteen, and instead of centering the book on absence alone, he expands the frame to include the many people who shaped him- mentors, friends, elders, and community members who stepped in, intentionally or not, as “fathers.” Now a father himself, he writes this book as a letter to his son, and that intention gives the whole narrative a genuine, tough, and loving emotional core.
Memoirs often face the risk of sanitizing the self for public consumption but not this one. Wood lays out his mistakes and missteps alongside his triumphs, with a comedian’s instinct for timing and a sense of care for the reader. There’s something deeply relatable about his candor, the way he acknowledges his flaws without surrendering to self-pity, and the way he mines humor out of real struggle.
What stood out most to me was the emphasis on the village it takes to raise a child. Though that theme is subtle, I noticed it stand out powerfully in Wood’s work: he doesn’t lecture about collectivism, but he shows it in the way he credits teachers, neighbors, and friends for lessons that shaped his character. In a Western cultural context that often emphasizes rugged individualism, that message feels both refreshing and necessary.
My favorite chapter was “The Man from Philadelphia.” I loved how the nuances of communication came through so clearly. What the man from Philadelphia intended to say carried a very different meaning in how Roy received and interpreted it and that misalignment ended up having a powerful impact. It’s a great reminder that miscommunication isn’t always harmful; sometimes it can be unexpectedly motivating!
The humor is sharp, the lessons land naturally, and the vulnerability feels earned. While the structure occasionally wanders, the voice is strong enough to carry you through. I look forward to reading his next book.
Favorite quotes:
—“parenting is one part instilling in your children what you believe to be the best of you and one part recognizing what is the best in your child and watering those parts of them. We sometimes make the mistake with our children of trying to turn them into the things we wish we were without identifying why we wish that change for ourselves. But to identify the best parts of yourself, you will have to identify the worst parts of yourself too. I held you tighter in the delivery room as I contemplated this self audit. That’s the hardest part of parenting, figuring out how to heal your damage and protect your child from suffering, the same damage, all while figuring out how you became that damaged in the first place.”
— “ to be a child is to be convinced that no matter what you’ve learned, you’ve already learned everything you need to know to proceed in life without your parents.”
— “The lifestyle section didn’t appeal to me because it was really just for people with money. It featured television shows I never saw, movies I never watched, restaurants I never dined in, and exotic destinations I’d never travel to, and then jammed in a bunch of ads for products, my family could never buy. The parts of the paper I came to love and still do were the advice, columns. I was fascinated by other people‘s problems. They reassured me of the fact that I wasn’t the only person dealing with issues. It also was a beautiful window into what people are like and what they desire.”
— “ reluctant benevolence is the most sincere kind. It’s insistent benevolence that you have to be cautious yourself.”
— “ kids don’t know how to open that door of conversation on tough topics. It’s on the parent to take that step, even if they’re fearful of not liking what they’re going to hear after they open it. Because I realize now that my father kept that door close to me, I work hard to keep that door open for you.”
— “ college is an interesting time because you essentially live your life in large emotional waves. Everything is either great or devastating. We assigned large steaks to insignificant things. And things we should treat a significant we blow off as simple.”
—“ comedians were sadness and general does Dane on their being the way football players wear grass stained stop it’s so common place. It’s hard to know when you’re looking at someone in deep pain or someone playing the part to belong.”
—“ of course I have things I want for my career, but I’ve never tried to attach myself to one goal so deeply that if I do not achieve it, then I’m a failure. Anticipation of success can excite us, but it can also fuel the disappointment that drives us to a very dark place if we aren’t careful……. I’m always going to do my best to be happy.”
—“ nobody will remember a bad joke. Everybody will remember a bad attitude.”
—“ i’ve been blessed to live a life filled with people who have treated me based on their belief of who I could become, and not solely off of who I was at the time. May you always see yourself through the same lens of positivity and potential and may you always see other people through that lens and treat them accordingly.”
November 10, 2025
Roy Wood Jr. really did what needed to be done with this one. It’s hilarious, heartfelt, and way more honest than I was ready for. From Cocaine Mike to the lessons on fatherhood, this book had me laughing, nodding, and reflecting all at once.
January 3, 2026
Roy Wood Jr was an only child who lived in
Memphis w/ his single Mom, Joyce, who had
2 jobs and also attended graduate school. She
trusted him to be alone in their apt. This bk
had some blue language, but please don't let it
stop you from reading this book. Gave this
4 stars.
Roy Jr, hereafter Junior, spent time w/ friends
outside. One day these boys set dry pine needle
on fire, as the needles moved down a creek &
fire and police were called. The fire from the
needles spread to the grass.
Joyce & Junior moved to Birmingham to live w/
his father Roy Wood Sr. in his home w/ 4
bedrooms. The 2 adults mostly tolerated each
other. Sr. was in love w/ Valerie & they shared
2 kids together. Valerie lived in an apt.
Sr. paid most household bills, and from time
to time had their water or electricity cut off,
to show Joyce and Jr who was "boss." Joyce
had an inoperable car at one point & Sr.
would not let her borrow 1 of his 4 cars!
He only trusted himself w/ the Lincoln
Continental. Jr. discovered he had 3 siblings
unknown to him. Upon the death of Roy
Wood Sr. his family learned he'd not paid
taxes x 20 yrs & his former home needed
to be sold for back taxes.
Roy Senior was a radio newsman and
commentator. And had a call-in show
"One Black Man's Opinion." He & some
other friends 'fronted' Don Cornelius
money to make the "Soul Train" pilot.
Senior spoke at colleges and church events.
Roy Junior attended Texas A & M, while
working in a restaurant & having a 2nd
job. Super-busy like his sire. Junior
worked at the campus post office and
delivered the mail and inserted mail
into the numbered boxes after using a key.
Soon Jr. was stealing new credit cards from
fellow students! He was charged w/ a
federal felony & claimed by US Marshalls.
Roy Junior had never been in serious trouble
before. His Mom, Joyce, was now finishing
law school. He talked the Judge out of giving
a federal prison sentence. He rec'd 5 yrs
probation. Mom became a college professor
after graduating law school. Junior obtained
a degree in broadcast journalism.
The thing I liked best: Roy Junior was like a
sponge & learned life lessons from his sire
and other men- law abiding or not. This
involved mercy, forgiveness, new approaches.
He explained he learned accountability and
2nd chances from his Golden Corral mgr. and
co-workers. He addressed what he'd learned to
his son.
Witty, sad at times & thought-provoking. He
went into detail on the loneliness of a travel-
ing stand-up comic. He shared his biggest
fear was to live "without joy."
Memphis w/ his single Mom, Joyce, who had
2 jobs and also attended graduate school. She
trusted him to be alone in their apt. This bk
had some blue language, but please don't let it
stop you from reading this book. Gave this
4 stars.
Roy Jr, hereafter Junior, spent time w/ friends
outside. One day these boys set dry pine needle
on fire, as the needles moved down a creek &
fire and police were called. The fire from the
needles spread to the grass.
Joyce & Junior moved to Birmingham to live w/
his father Roy Wood Sr. in his home w/ 4
bedrooms. The 2 adults mostly tolerated each
other. Sr. was in love w/ Valerie & they shared
2 kids together. Valerie lived in an apt.
Sr. paid most household bills, and from time
to time had their water or electricity cut off,
to show Joyce and Jr who was "boss." Joyce
had an inoperable car at one point & Sr.
would not let her borrow 1 of his 4 cars!
He only trusted himself w/ the Lincoln
Continental. Jr. discovered he had 3 siblings
unknown to him. Upon the death of Roy
Wood Sr. his family learned he'd not paid
taxes x 20 yrs & his former home needed
to be sold for back taxes.
Roy Senior was a radio newsman and
commentator. And had a call-in show
"One Black Man's Opinion." He & some
other friends 'fronted' Don Cornelius
money to make the "Soul Train" pilot.
Senior spoke at colleges and church events.
Roy Junior attended Texas A & M, while
working in a restaurant & having a 2nd
job. Super-busy like his sire. Junior
worked at the campus post office and
delivered the mail and inserted mail
into the numbered boxes after using a key.
Soon Jr. was stealing new credit cards from
fellow students! He was charged w/ a
federal felony & claimed by US Marshalls.
Roy Junior had never been in serious trouble
before. His Mom, Joyce, was now finishing
law school. He talked the Judge out of giving
a federal prison sentence. He rec'd 5 yrs
probation. Mom became a college professor
after graduating law school. Junior obtained
a degree in broadcast journalism.
The thing I liked best: Roy Junior was like a
sponge & learned life lessons from his sire
and other men- law abiding or not. This
involved mercy, forgiveness, new approaches.
He explained he learned accountability and
2nd chances from his Golden Corral mgr. and
co-workers. He addressed what he'd learned to
his son.
Witty, sad at times & thought-provoking. He
went into detail on the loneliness of a travel-
ing stand-up comic. He shared his biggest
fear was to live "without joy."
February 9, 2026
This book resonated with me most in its later chapters, where Roy moves beyond ‘autobiography’ esque vibe and into reflection. The core insight that stayed with me is his reframing of his biological father: not as malicious or neglectful, but as a man shaped by his own environment, limitations, and emotional inheritance… an unfinished rather than malicious man. It helped me process a similar view I hold of my own biological father.
What the book does especially well is show that understanding a parent does not require absolution, reconciliation, or renewed intimacy. For Roy, clarity leads to emotional closure, reduced resentment, and healthier boundaries… not performative forgiveness. That distinction felt honest / mature.. and something I will adopt.
Another powerful theme is the idea that fatherhood is distributed, not singular. Roy observes how different men in his life modeled different qualities—discipline, work ethic, affirmation, humor…. often unintentionally. They weren’t trying to be fathers; they were simply being themselves. That authenticity is what made the imprint lasting, and it reframes how men often learn: through observation, trial and error, and by learning what not to be before learning what to be. It’s ok to have other figures in our lives that represent what being a father means.. and that is very tied to each of our unique stories.
Overall, this is a thoughtful, grounded exploration of masculinity, boundaries, and growth….especially valuable for readers navigating complicated relationships with their parents.
What the book does especially well is show that understanding a parent does not require absolution, reconciliation, or renewed intimacy. For Roy, clarity leads to emotional closure, reduced resentment, and healthier boundaries… not performative forgiveness. That distinction felt honest / mature.. and something I will adopt.
Another powerful theme is the idea that fatherhood is distributed, not singular. Roy observes how different men in his life modeled different qualities—discipline, work ethic, affirmation, humor…. often unintentionally. They weren’t trying to be fathers; they were simply being themselves. That authenticity is what made the imprint lasting, and it reframes how men often learn: through observation, trial and error, and by learning what not to be before learning what to be. It’s ok to have other figures in our lives that represent what being a father means.. and that is very tied to each of our unique stories.
Overall, this is a thoughtful, grounded exploration of masculinity, boundaries, and growth….especially valuable for readers navigating complicated relationships with their parents.
January 29, 2026
Roy Wood Jr. is a story teller and in this book, "The Man of Many Fathers: Life Lessons Disguised as a Memoir", Wood highlights stories about who were a part of pivotal moments in his life, some consciously and others unconsciously given Wood life lessons. Some of these men are called by partial names or nicknames, others more exactly identified. Further, he describes in some depth the difficult relationship he had with his father, a man who had a larger than life persona in black-owned media over many years. Finally, he shares some thank yours for a few specific men at the end of the book. Still, the book may be mis-titled.
Despite the mention of fathers in the title, Wood spends a fair amount of time describing his relationship with his mother and the impact she had on his life, sometimes referring to her as a single parent. She is mentioned in nearly every chapter. In addition, Wood clearly intends the book as a written lesson for his son, ending each chapter with the lesson he wants to impart to the younger Wood. From the reader's point of view, this book gets stronger as it goes, peaking in Chapters 10 through 12.
On top of the life lessons, Roy Wood Jr. also gives a gritty take on the world in which people climb the stand-up comedy ladder. For aspiring comics, this book might be especially enlightening.
Despite the mention of fathers in the title, Wood spends a fair amount of time describing his relationship with his mother and the impact she had on his life, sometimes referring to her as a single parent. She is mentioned in nearly every chapter. In addition, Wood clearly intends the book as a written lesson for his son, ending each chapter with the lesson he wants to impart to the younger Wood. From the reader's point of view, this book gets stronger as it goes, peaking in Chapters 10 through 12.
On top of the life lessons, Roy Wood Jr. also gives a gritty take on the world in which people climb the stand-up comedy ladder. For aspiring comics, this book might be especially enlightening.
October 31, 2025
I love listening to memoirs read by their authors, which is why I chose this one. I’d seen clips of Roy Wood Jr. on The Daily Show, but I wouldn’t have recognized him by name before listening. I like the concept, a recognition of the people who had an influence on his life and outlook, and I think because of that framework, it has all the things I appreciate in a celebrity memoir: a focus on the early, more humble years; honest reflections on mistakes; vivid, specific anecdotes; and a record of people and places that rarely make it into mainstream literature. It also avoids most of what I don’t enjoy, like endless name-dropping or extended chapters about post-fame life.
The part that will stayed with me most was the story about Big Mix, and this, addressed to his son at the end:
"I've been blessed to live a life filled with people who treated me based on their belief of who I could become, and not solely who I was at the time. May you always see yourself through the same lens of positivity and potential, and may you always see other people through that lens, and treat them accordingly."
The part that will stayed with me most was the story about Big Mix, and this, addressed to his son at the end:
"I've been blessed to live a life filled with people who treated me based on their belief of who I could become, and not solely who I was at the time. May you always see yourself through the same lens of positivity and potential, and may you always see other people through that lens, and treat them accordingly."
February 4, 2026
✨BOOK REVIEW✨ The Man of Many Fathers by Roy Wood Jr.
Rating: 🔉🔉🔉🔉🔉
I really enjoyed reading this. I even lugged into the city with me and back. It balanced seriousness with jokes. the stories just flowed into each other. Even the harder topics were told with care and sandwich between jokes. If you enjoy memoirs I highly recommend this one.
BOOK DESCRIPTION
In The Man of Many Fathers, Roy shares what he's learned with humor and heart, delivering the most memorable lessons, such as how to channel anger through a more succesfull outlet (hint: never ever try to outfox a single mom), how not to get caught snitching (hint: never snitch), and many others. Thoughtful, observant, Roy delivers an unforgettable laugh-out-loud memoir that reveals that no one really knows how to become a good dad, and that sometimes the best advice comes from the most surprising teachers.
✨My Rating System✨
🔉🔉🔉🔉 🔉- Hit all the vibes
🔉🔉🔉🔉 - Hit some good vibes
🔉🔉🔉 - I vibed
🔉🔉 - The vibes were meh
🔉 - Barely found a vibe
DNF - Zero vibes
My rating system does not equate to the quality of the books, therefore, you’re still on your own. It’s legit just about how I vibed with the book at the time.
Rating: 🔉🔉🔉🔉🔉
I really enjoyed reading this. I even lugged into the city with me and back. It balanced seriousness with jokes. the stories just flowed into each other. Even the harder topics were told with care and sandwich between jokes. If you enjoy memoirs I highly recommend this one.
BOOK DESCRIPTION
In The Man of Many Fathers, Roy shares what he's learned with humor and heart, delivering the most memorable lessons, such as how to channel anger through a more succesfull outlet (hint: never ever try to outfox a single mom), how not to get caught snitching (hint: never snitch), and many others. Thoughtful, observant, Roy delivers an unforgettable laugh-out-loud memoir that reveals that no one really knows how to become a good dad, and that sometimes the best advice comes from the most surprising teachers.
✨My Rating System✨
🔉🔉🔉🔉 🔉- Hit all the vibes
🔉🔉🔉🔉 - Hit some good vibes
🔉🔉🔉 - I vibed
🔉🔉 - The vibes were meh
🔉 - Barely found a vibe
DNF - Zero vibes
My rating system does not equate to the quality of the books, therefore, you’re still on your own. It’s legit just about how I vibed with the book at the time.
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