To Me, He Was Just Dad

February 10, 2020
Stein, editor-at-large for the website Fatherly, compiles 40 stories by sons and daughters about their well-known fathers. Giving a glimpse of the men outside the public eye, these compositions present their subjects in a whole new light—ultracool actor Samuel L. Jackson is a “nerd” (“he’s got a wormhole personality” who “burrows into whatever strange things he’s interested in”), and Superman actor Christopher Reeve didn’t become a super dad until he was paralyzed. According to Brandon Jenner, Caitlyn Jenner became a more attentive dad after her gender transition. Not all these dads were famous for the right reasons—Steve Hodel reflects on his father George, who was a prime suspect, though he was never charged, in the 1947 Black Dahlia murder—and though their children are haunted by their deeds, they also find the humanity in these men who acted in inhumane ways (Hodel recalls the joy of clamming—albeit illegally—with his father in 1949 L.A.). In a moving essay not involving a famous father, Jim Sullivan writes of spending years trying to learn the identity of his biological father, who turned out to be a Catholic priest named Thomas S. Sullivan. Those searching for a moving Father’s Day gift need look no further.

March 1, 2020

Stein (editor, Fatherly.com) was inspired to write this volume by a conversation with Ethan Wayne, son of actor John Wayne, and an image of Ethan and his famous father walking together while holding hands. As Stein's preconceived image of the actor was challenged, he wondered about the lives of other famous fathers? Did the true experiences of children of famous fathers match the public perceptions of these well-known men? If you're curious about Samuel L. Jackson's reading habits or the experience of Jonas Salk's son (think polio shots at the kitchen table before they were tested), this work can shed light into their quirks. Heavy on descriptions of the emotional journey of familial ties, this title explores Julian Lennon's quest to forgive his legendary father John Lennon, and how French chef Jacques Pépin taught his son the values of deep and enduring friendships (as well as how to make a killer omelet). VERDICT A compelling read for anyone interested in a behind-the-scenes take on the parental lives of men in the spotlight.

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