Rules for My Unborn Son
Book Description Rules for My Unborn Son is a collection of traditional, humorous, and urbane fatherly advice for boys. From the sartorial (”If you are tempted to wear a cowboy hat, resist”) to the practical (”Keep a copy of your letters. It makes it easier for your biographer”) to sure-fire hangover cures (”There is no better remedy than a dip in the ocean”), the book of rules and accompanying quotations is quite simply an instruction manual for becoming a good man–industrious, thoughtful, charming, and of course, well-dressed. Hip and witty with a decidedly traditionalist flavor, Rules for My Unborn Son is meant to evoke simpler times when Father knew best and a suitable answer to “Why?” was “Because I said so.”
A Look Inside Walker Lamond’s Rulebook
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User Ratings and Reviews
4 Stars Almost Brilliant
Rules for My Unborn Son contains a selection of posts from Walker Lamond’s website of the (almost) same name, presented beautifully in hardback with numerous photographs and illustrations.
The concept behind Lamond’s website is both inspired and inspiring, a collection of dicta ranging from the practical to the moral to the philosophical, complemented by carefully selected photographs and musical pieces that illustrate his points perfectly. The rest of the Internet could disappear tomorrow and all would be well provided Lamond continues with his postings.
His book, however, seems to lack a certain something that makes the website such compulsive reading, at least for a fan who has already pored over the archives multiple times. The problem, I think, stems from the unavoidable limitations imposed by the publishing process in capturing the essence of the site; where the site flows so perfectly with photograph leading to caption leading to song leading to the next nugget of wisdom the book seems a little disjointed, rather less rich and engaging. The book is still great, just not perfect.
Despite these unfortunate deficiencies, Rules for My Unborn Son would make a perfect gift for anyone with eyes and the ability to read English, and it would be an ideal introduction to the greater treasures contained within the site itself. I’ve already bought two copies, and as holidays and birthdays roll around once again I’ll continue to buy this book for everyone I know and love until my friends and family stage an intervention.
5 Stars Always carry hot sauce.
From an email sent to the author:
I am expecting my first son on New Year’s Eve (or day, depending on which doctor you ask). My father and I picked up a copy of this book yesterday after I saw it featured on the Art of Manliness and we enjoyed skimming through the rules. They are a source of laughter and genuine reverence for times gone by. It is amazing how many of the truly important things are lost on today’s youth. I learned from my father to always hold the door for a lady and allow her to pass first. It is an unconscious reflex. I often get the comment from people on how polite I am and how many people disregard what used to be so common. With the help of this book, I fully intend on instilling the rules in my son.
Here’s a rule I would add; “Always carry hot sauce.” Yesterday was also my wife’s baby shower and I brought some leftover chili to work for lunch today. As a transplanted Texan, the chili was just a little too mild. I always keep a mini bottle of hot sauce with me; in my desk and in my bag. Bonus, it could serve as subway self-defense in a pinch.
5 Stars Fun read.
I don’t have any children as of yet, but plan to some day and I will defintely keep this book around to give the little guy once he arrives. But, aside from that, this is a good read just for guys on the whole. It’s got some good stuff in it that shouldn’t be overlooked. I really recommend this one. I also liked The Art of Manliness: Classic Skills and Manners for the Modern Man.
5 Stars Awesome Book for a new Dad
Walker Lamond’s book is a wonderful collection of advice from his website 1001 rules for my unborn son. The book is full of great stuff. You can read it over and over and find tidbits that apply to your daily life.
5 Stars It’s Great!
This book gives some great manly proverbs to be a man in a classic sense. The advice is meant to create a well-rounded, classy gentleman. I got the book for my brother for his wedding soon, but of course I did have to read it too. I plan on having a bunch of guys in my family make up their own quick little advice for my brother, it seems like a good idea anyway.
I really love the cover of this book and all the pictures, quotes, and suggested listening. This is definitely something that most guys will enjoy, I did.
Filed under: Parenting Advice Book Reviews