5 Spot-On Books for Dads

Parenting is the hardest job in the world—full of expectations about the people your children will become—and the already difficult job is made only more so 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 Associated Press, 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 several 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.

When James Campbell brings his daughter Aidan to Alaska’s Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, he isn’t sure she can withstand the bear sightings, arctic temperatures, or log-hauling. But the longer they stay, the more confident Aidan becomes, and when father and daughter head back into the wild for their third—and most arduous—trip, she experiences a rite of passage typically reserved for young men of the Eskimo culture. Through it all, their relationship is tested, forcing them both to learn how to grow up and let go. This tale of great love and adventure is perfect for any father who loves his little girl—even if she’s all grown up.

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 bourbon has 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.

After spending his career far from home on the campaign trail, Stuart returns to his roots—and his aging father—when his career suffers a painful loss in 2012. Wanting to reconnect with his father, he invites him to a season of Ole Miss games, something they’d shared a love for when he was a child. Through cheers of “Hotty Toddy” and pregame tailgates emerges a classic story of fathers, sons, and sports. This book will have you reaching for the phone to call dear old dad so you can reminisce about the big game.

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.