Father Figures: Three Wise Men Who Changed a Life

by Kevin J. Sweeney

Recounts how the author, who lost his father at the age of three, selected three men from his working-class community near San Francisco to observe as role models on how to be a parent and a man, sharing the lessons he has learned on the needs of children, the gift of community, and the nature of fatherhood. Reprint.

208 pages, Paperback

First published May 1, 2003

Reviews

[Diane · Rating 4 out of 5]

The writing style made the book enjoyable. What would you do if you lost your father at a young age? The story will make you cry, but at times I caught myself laughing. The book is worth the tine to read it.

[Gloria · Rating 4 out of 5]

My sister recommended that I read this book; her mailwoman's brother wrote it. And so, I read it.

And I found it quite moving; made me marvel at the times gone by (Sweeney does a good job describing a neighborhood and network of friends and families that I think is sorely missed; something similar to what my husband experienced growing up in a small town in upstate New York). And I marvel at why some people go forth and find those things they need, while other don't. Sweeney is clearly a remarkable person.

[Caleb · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sad and hilarious and a very realistic description of how - in the face of nothingness - sons choose fathers for themselves. I found all the stuff about what feelings we allow ourselves to recognize and experience totally matching my own experience. Great vignettes of baseball and hijinks and running on the top of neighbor's fences (not the ones with nails sticking out of them) during silly street battles.