Reviews
Eishinas rated it **** really liked it · review of another edition
A read with evident social consciousness & incisive thinking.
‘Fathering the Fatherless’ is a profound exploration of a life of a father, his role in the lives of his children, tempering the harsh realities shaping them physically, mentally and spiritually that is both deeply moving and satisfying.
Author Todd Richard Johnson reconstructs his own past, of being a child, growing up without a father or fatherly guidance by demonstrating his personal experience and deep knowledge of children’s thought processes that can make or break ones life and moral after living a fatherless childhood.
With keen, practical observation and statistics from Department of Health and Human Services, author Todd’s book ‘Fathering the Fatherless’ contains strategies embedded with biblical scriptures and proven guidance on how men or fathers are to take control over their lives in order to provide a healthier mind, body and spirit to their children for a better present and future.
Highly persuasive, mingled with wisdom that is gained only by time and experience ‘Fathering the Fatherless’ is a heartfelt insight into the duties of a great father that is inspiring. For the evident social consciousness, purity and incisive thinking this book is highly recommended to those who wish to be a role model father to their children. 4/5 Stars!
Lisa Carroll rated it ***** it was amazing · review of another edition
The author immediately pulled me in to this book by bravely sharing his own personal journey of a Fatherless childhood and what brought him to continually progress in his path of Fatherhood. As a Mother who was dealt the role of Mother and Father, Todd brought me to the understanding a parent's job is never complete. This is a must read for everyone. It explains in detail how this epidemic affects us all and our individual responsibility to do our part and help all children. God bless you, Todd for such a brilliant and important book!
Glen Elvis Emmanuel rated it **** really liked it
More than twenty million children in the US live without the presence of a father in the home. How does this affect their lives and the welfare of society in general? In Fathering the Fatherless, Todd Johnson makes a compelling case for the need for a father in the home.
The book first goes through the dismal statistics regarding absentee fathers in the US and compares it to statistics from the 1940s. It then shows the correlation between these statistics and the increased rate of incarceration, suicide, and other social problems plaguing the US. However, the premise of the book is not the problem of absentee fathers but rather the solution that Johnson has found in his own life.
A father of five himself, Johnson details his near-death experience in childhood, his struggles with fatherlessness, and the journey that led him to faith in Christ. He credits Christ's life-changing power to the change in his life and his ability to be a father. The book provides scripture and encouragement for fathers, as well as for men struggling with abandonment issues.
If you're looking for a work of literature, this is not it. The book has a large number of typographical and grammatical errors. However, it is the very simplicity of the book that I think I found so endearing. It is not pretentious, nor is it condescending while offering up advice and counsel. Instead, it is an honest retelling of the author's struggles, his earnest desire to save other children from going through the struggles he went through, and his firm belief that the negative cycle of fatherlessness can be broken when men put their faith in Jesus Christ. I do wish it had been longer and that the author had gone further into detail about his life experiences and the experiences of the friend mentioned in the book.
What I liked most about this book is the author's earnest and childlike faith in his heavenly Father. Not having had a father himself, Johnson struggles to understand and display the love of a father until He finds that love in God. In this short memoir, he attempts to guide other men like him into becoming more compassionate and present fathers. He asserts the necessity of instilling strong Christian values early on in life so that we do not lose the next generation to the trappings of the world.
Overall, Fathering the Fatherless is a quick, encouraging, and inspiring read.
Fathering the Fatherless
Posted by Literary Titan
Fathering the Fatherless by Todd Johnson is an enlightening book that explores the issue of fatherlessness. This touching book describes the issue very well and then goes on to explaining some possible solutions. A home without a father is traumatic for children and can lead to all kinds of societal and personal issues.
Todd Johnson does an exceptional job at relaying the statistics involved with fatherless homes and it really drives home the point that a father in a family and home is important for a child’s development.
Readers also get a bit of a memoir tucked into this informative book. Todd Johnson shares personal stories that are heartening and relatable. Readers get to build a connection to the author and this makes his message resonate so much more.
Faith and God are strong themes throughout this enriching book. Todd explains how these work together. The conclusion of the book includes testimonies from men who have stepped up to be fathers that I found to be stirring and inspiring.
Fathering the Fatherless by Todd Johnson is great for anyone looking to support a fatherless family, anyone looking to go into social work, or anyone that wants more information on the impact a fatherless home has.
