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The Dadly Virtues: Adventures from the Worst Job You'll Ever Love
From the all-star cast who brought you The Seven Deadly Virtues comes a book with a look at the good life… or the crazy-stressful-overwhelmed life… of a father.
The Dadly Virtues is a tongue-in-cheek collection of encouragement and guidance for any stage of fatherhood, from pacifying babies to prepping for senior prom, from cutting the cord to getting the first, “Best Grandpa” t-shirt. P.J. O’Rourke sets the stage with the chapter, “What Do Men Get from Fatherhood? Besides What They Put In …” and then is followed
•Matthew Continetti’s, “Newborn The Moment You Realize that ‘Bundle of Joy’ Is a Euphemism for Something Very Different.”
•Stephen F. Hayes’ “ The Best Gift You’ll Ever Give Your Kids.”
•Jonah Goldberg’s “Get Your Kid a The Moral Case for Pets.”
•Tucker Carlson’s “In Praise of How to Fill a Child’s Life with Excitement and Danger (without Getting Them Killed).”
•Michael Graham’s, “ Enjoy the Movie and Please Keep the Impregnation to a Minimum.”
•Christopher Caldwell’s “ It’s Not as Bad as You Think; It’s Worse.”
•Andrew Ferguson’s “Emerging Adults and Empty Just When You Had Fatherhood All Figured Out.”
•Toby Young’s “The Dark Bad Parenting and the Things We Think, but Do Not Say.”
•Joseph Epstein’s “Thanks, Grandfatherhood and the Spirit of the Age.”
•And more.
Father-to-be, two-time-dad, or granddad, each essay will make you laugh and, at the same time, reinforce your commitment to the virtuous—the dadly—life.
The Dadly Virtues is a tongue-in-cheek collection of encouragement and guidance for any stage of fatherhood, from pacifying babies to prepping for senior prom, from cutting the cord to getting the first, “Best Grandpa” t-shirt. P.J. O’Rourke sets the stage with the chapter, “What Do Men Get from Fatherhood? Besides What They Put In …” and then is followed
•Matthew Continetti’s, “Newborn The Moment You Realize that ‘Bundle of Joy’ Is a Euphemism for Something Very Different.”
•Stephen F. Hayes’ “ The Best Gift You’ll Ever Give Your Kids.”
•Jonah Goldberg’s “Get Your Kid a The Moral Case for Pets.”
•Tucker Carlson’s “In Praise of How to Fill a Child’s Life with Excitement and Danger (without Getting Them Killed).”
•Michael Graham’s, “ Enjoy the Movie and Please Keep the Impregnation to a Minimum.”
•Christopher Caldwell’s “ It’s Not as Bad as You Think; It’s Worse.”
•Andrew Ferguson’s “Emerging Adults and Empty Just When You Had Fatherhood All Figured Out.”
•Toby Young’s “The Dark Bad Parenting and the Things We Think, but Do Not Say.”
•Joseph Epstein’s “Thanks, Grandfatherhood and the Spirit of the Age.”
•And more.
Father-to-be, two-time-dad, or granddad, each essay will make you laugh and, at the same time, reinforce your commitment to the virtuous—the dadly—life.
- GenresNonfictionFamilyHumor
192 pages, Hardcover
First published May 4, 2015
8 people are currently reading
155 people want to read
About the author
Jonathan V. Last
8 books46 followersJonathan V. Last is a senior writer at The Weekly Standard in Washington. His writings have been featured in The Wall Street Journal, The Los Angeles Times, The Washington Post, The Philadelphia Inquirer, The New York Post, The Claremont Review of Books, First Things, The Week, Salon, Slate, TV Guide, and elsewhere.
He lives in Virginia with his wife and two children.
He lives in Virginia with his wife and two children.
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
June 17, 2015
A fun collection of essays on fatherhood by a veritable treasure trove of conservative writers. Overall, a great read. A couple of essays/authors didn't really click with me, but were more than compensated for by the writing of the others.
September 17, 2018
Humorous reflections on various aspects of fatherhood. Some essays were very good, others less-so, but overall an enjoyable little book.
June 2, 2016
Well, I read the Jonathan Last-edited The Seven Deadly Virtues: 18 Conservative Writers on Why the Virtuous Life is Funny as Hell, so it made sense to read this one as well. Many of my favorite conservative writers reappeared: Jonah Goldberg, Rob Long, James Lileks, P. J. O'Rourke, Joe Queenan, etc. Tucker Carlson and Joseph Epstein pitched in, and their essays were some of the best of the bunch.
Not all of these chapters are on fatherhood per se, but they all provided insight (even if funny, sarcastic, or tongue-in-cheek) into what it means to raise a child. One chapter was explicitly religious (Larry Miller's), but the rest seemed to be "Do what you can and hope for the best." But then again, what could else could the world offer. So if you want to be entertained, read this book. If you want to learn how to be a better father. Read this (Daddy Tried: Overcoming the Failures of Fatherhood), this (Parenting: The 14 Gospel Principles That Can Radically Change Your Family), or this (Shepherding A Child's Heart: Parent's Handbook). Or this (ESV Reader's Bible).
Not all of these chapters are on fatherhood per se, but they all provided insight (even if funny, sarcastic, or tongue-in-cheek) into what it means to raise a child. One chapter was explicitly religious (Larry Miller's), but the rest seemed to be "Do what you can and hope for the best." But then again, what could else could the world offer. So if you want to be entertained, read this book. If you want to learn how to be a better father. Read this (Daddy Tried: Overcoming the Failures of Fatherhood), this (Parenting: The 14 Gospel Principles That Can Radically Change Your Family), or this (Shepherding A Child's Heart: Parent's Handbook). Or this (ESV Reader's Bible).
June 16, 2015
This book is a very funny tale about the pitfalls of fatherhood. It start all the way form birth to grandparents of raising kids. It deals with role of the crazy stressful overwhelmed life of a father. Fathers are underrated. A lot of kids do not have two parents and dads are raising their kids and doing it well. He talks about newborns, siblings, pets , giving them healthy excitement, dating, college, and and grandparents who play a role in the children's life. This a lighthearted book.
August 23, 2015
A humorous and thoughtful approach to being a dad. I liked the argument for making sure to get your kid a pet. Also, the piece about TV and kids was hilarious and close to home as well. It made me think of some of the TV that I used to watch with my dad. Just a great collection of writings from guys trying to make it as dads just like me.
April 24, 2016
Fun read by favorite columnists / authors on the right of center in political genre.
Jonah's essay on owning a dog is true.
S. Hayes essay on siblings is true.
R Long's essay on finding the right person is touching and true.
Very enjoyable read.
Jonah's essay on owning a dog is true.
S. Hayes essay on siblings is true.
R Long's essay on finding the right person is touching and true.
Very enjoyable read.
May 29, 2018
A funny take on what it means to be a father and the ever changing cultural construct of manliness in relation to being a father, husband, and grandfather. Balances humor and intellectual musings on the topic. Slightly problematic at times with its interpretation of feminism.
July 20, 2015
Charming book from various dads about the lifecycle of being a dad.
July 9, 2018
Some of the pieces are great. Most of them are pretty good. Tucker Carlson’s should be removed from the collection, and Joe Queenan couldn’t be more pompous.
October 21, 2018
Obviously, with a project like this, the quality varies. The best (funniest) is by Iowahawk on kids and sports.
May 11, 2020
I laughed out loud a number of times as I was reading through this volume. Several of the authors tell hilarious stories on themselves about their marriages and parenting. Some of them make it clear that becoming a husband and father was quite the eye opening and learning experience.
Almost all of the men contributing essays are married with children but not yet grandparents. Two exceptions: Rob Long has neither spouse nor child, and, Joseph Epstein is an active grandparent. Long makes astute observations on marriage and child rearing. Epstein provides a different generation's perspective on his own father, his experience as a parent, and, how he was so different as a grandparent.
There is no real advice given in these pages. The authors do not pretend to be "experts." What they do, though, is tell amusing stories about their lives. If there are lessons to be learned, I think it is that relationships and parenting have a wide variety of expressions. And, that through life experiences we grow and change with the situation.
I thoroughly enjoyed these essays.
Almost all of the men contributing essays are married with children but not yet grandparents. Two exceptions: Rob Long has neither spouse nor child, and, Joseph Epstein is an active grandparent. Long makes astute observations on marriage and child rearing. Epstein provides a different generation's perspective on his own father, his experience as a parent, and, how he was so different as a grandparent.
There is no real advice given in these pages. The authors do not pretend to be "experts." What they do, though, is tell amusing stories about their lives. If there are lessons to be learned, I think it is that relationships and parenting have a wide variety of expressions. And, that through life experiences we grow and change with the situation.
I thoroughly enjoyed these essays.
April 8, 2023
It's fine as a whole. Did learn some from perspectives I've not considered before, and some funny anecdotes to keep it moving along. Favorites were: Ferguson, Burge, Lileks, Queenen
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews