Wisdom of Our Fathers: Lessons and Letters from Daughters and Sons

One of the best books on parenting. Not a scientific approach but rather a by-the-seat-of-your-pants look at what it means to be a good parent. You get a peak into the minds of so many children, today's adults, something that is impossible to do with your own kids. A must read for any parent.

Thanks Tim for having the foresight to put this collection together.

After I bought this book for myself, I went to Amazon and bought 9 copies. I gave each of my children one, a gift of one to a recent high school graduate, and one to a dear friend.
This is one of the most touching books that I have ever read, and I recommend it to everyone.
I wasn't fortunate enough to have a father that I could write about so lovingly, but it warmed my heart to read about so many people who had this blessing.

Author Tim Russert (of NBC's Meet the Press) struck a chord with his previous book about his dad, titled Big Russ & Me. When he received thousands of letters from readers about experiences with their own dads, he realized he had truly touched many. Wisdom of our Fathers is a wonderful compilation of those letters about readers' dads and how they shaped and influenced their families. Some entries are brief, some lengthy. Many are humorous, all are poignant in some way. From 19th century dads to 21st century dads--country and city, poor and wealthy, all are included. Russert ties them all together with more information about his dad, Big Russ, as well as Russert's son, Luke, and Russert's role in fathering him. I found this to be a delightful read, one to linger over, enjoy and ponder. Author Russert hit the bullseye with his universal theme of generational influence. Let's hope for more offerings from Tim Russert.

Book is all rainbows. The author seems to have lived an almost idelic life - - only good family --- good friends --- good schools --- good everything. It's kind of like a latter day Father Knows Best. I respect Tim Russert as a commontator, interviewer and analyist. He should have activated more of those skills when penning this book. Sorry Tim!

First of all, reviewers should not grade this book with stars, they should review it, based on how many boxes of tissues, they used, while reading it. Using my recommended rating system, I rate this book "FIVE BOXES OF TISSUES"! My Dad proved to me, that you can be a Father, and a best friend, and because of him, I always wanted to be a Father. By the time my Dad was 60 years old, he had complete Kidney failure, and was on dialysis 4 hours a day, 3 days a week, and he never missed a day of work. My Dad then had heart problems, and they had to remove his aortic valve, and since he had no kidneys, they couldn't use a pig's valve, because of fear of infection. I signed a release form for him, authorizing him, to be one of the first people, to use the "Saint Jude's" valve. He went "code blue" during the surgery, and was in intensive care. One of the nurse's told me, that my Dad said he couldn't give up, because he couldn't let his son's down. He made it through that, and in a few months went back to work. Then he started having trouble with his legs. And now, he was a 64 year old man, with no kidney's, and an artificial valve, and then, he had to have separate surgeries, that included a bypass in the leg that didn't work, amputated his toes, that didn't work, then amputated his leg up to his knee. He learned how to walk with a prosthetic leg, and he eventually made it back to work. And then, the other leg started to go, and he was back in intensive care. At the same time, my son Justin was being born in another hospital. No one from my side of the family, was there, because they were at another hospital with my Dad. That night, was the absolute, definition, of bittersweet for me. I couldn't wait to show my Dad, the greatest Dad in the world, his new grandson, but due to my Dad's condition, and worries of infection I couldn't bring my son in to see him. As my Dad continued, his irretrievable descent to death, I had to try something, to make sure my son, made it into my Dad's hands. Though it was a nice sunny southern California day, I came to the hospital in a long raincoat, and hid my 4-month-old son Justin, under my coat, and walked quickly into the hospital, and into my Father's room. I took my infant son, out from under my coat, and put him in my Dad's arms. My Father was so weak; he could only hold Justin, for a matter of seconds. As he handed my son back to me, that was the only time, in my entire life, that I saw my Dad cry! With tears, streaming down his face, he said: "What kind of Grandfather am I, that I can't even hold my own Grandson?" I said: "Dad, you're the greatest Father and Grandfather in the world, and hugged and kissed him!" A few days later, at the age of 64, the greatest Father and Grandfather, finally gave up his fight.

Son - Rick Goldstein - President Software Sales
Father - William Goldstein - Dress Contractor - (1916-1980)
Grandson - Justin Goldstein (1980)

If you're wondering why an open letter like this, would be presented in this review, it's because, that's what Tim Russert's book is. It's a collection of letters, sent to him, by sons and daughters, describing special moments with their Father's. The letters are not, from famous people, but from people like you and me. I didn't know people were sending letters to Tim, or I would have. If I have touched any of you, who have read this review, I recommend you do what I did. You'll feel better, about yourself, and feel proud, that you shared your wonderful Father with the world. Your letter may not be in Tim Russert's book, but I would love to read them, and I'm sure many other people would too. Feel free to contact me, however you can, through Amazon's features. And if my letter touched you, then so will Mr. Russert's book.