14 Books to Give Your Dad

Parenting is the hardest job in the world—full of expectations about the people your children will become—and the already-hard job is made only more difficult when your son is diagnosed with Asperger’s syndrome, bucking those expectations. Ron Fournier, a National Journal columnist and former Washington bureau chief at the AP during three U.S. presidential administrations, listens when his wife tells him that he and his son need to bond, and decides their shared love of history is the perfect way in. Over many road trips to historical sites, Ron learns what it means to be a father, as well as the important role a father plays in a son’s life—something all dads can take to heart.

A stand-up comedian by trade, Jim never pictured himself as a father, let alone a father of five (yes, five!). But it turns out fatherhood has been good for his act. Best known for his jokes about Hot Pockets and bacon, his book takes the mundane and sometimes overwhelming aspects of parenthood and makes them funny. No matter the dad, Jim’s writing will have him nodding his head and laughing out loud at the absurdities and joys of parenthood.

Bourbon’s back and more popular than ever, experiencing a resurgence the likes of which we haven’t seen since Prohibition. In this book, we learn the history of the much loved spirit, from the Whiskey Rebellion of 1794, to the frontier era and the Gilded Age, all the way to Madison Avenue ad men, and the ways in which it’s influenced politics, the economy, and our culture throughout the years. A fascinating read for any dad who loves a good Old Fashioned or bourbon on the rocks.

Young Brit Robert Bunch arrives in Charleston, Virginia in 1853 to fill the role of British consul and finds himself in the eye of the storm at the eruption of the Civil War. A staunch antislavery advocate, Bunch acted as a double agent, keeping his Southern slave-owner friends close, while simultaneously working to thwart their plans to cede from the Union. The perfect gift for the Jeopardy!-loving dad, this book will drop some knowledge on even the biggest history buffs.

Perfect for the adventurous dad, Steve shares stories from his travels that take him through Central and South America. As a writer for “The Office” and “American Dad,” humor comes naturally for Steve and it shines through in these brief tales. But don’t be fooled, amidst your laughter, you’ll also be in awe of his discoveries and experiences along the way.

Adam Brown didn’t know what his fate would be on March 17, 2010, and he certainly wouldn’t have guessed he’d become an unlikely hero. Chronicling a man who struggled with his own demons, only to rise to the top ranks of the U.S. military, Fearless is the story of a courageous man whose determination led him to the ultimate act of bravery. This is an important piece of American history and a peek into the SEAL Team SIX brotherhood that any man would like on his bookshelf.

What do you do when it’s your turn to care for the person who’s been your caregiver your entire life? Dr. Harry Kozol was a brilliant and practiced doctor who specialized in diagnosing and treating people with rare psychological illnesses. This book, written by Dr. Kozol’s son, Jonathan, describes the experience of an Alzheimer’s diagnosis and the slow descent thereafter. Heartbreaking and brilliantly-told, The Theft of Memory is a tribute to a son’s love and his father’s remarkable life.

Every dad loves a good, old-fashioned spy novel, and this one will have him glued to his seat. On assignment for Travelers magazine in Argentina, Will Rhodes is having what some might call a midlife crisis, but instead of buying a convertible, he’s becoming a spy. Summoned by an attractive woman, Will follows her onto a Mediterranean yacht and into a Dublin dive bar, all the while diving deeper and deeper into a conspiracy, leaving readers wondering, who is Will Rhodes exactly?