Dear Father, Dear Son

Two Lives…Eight Hours

By: Larry Elder

Narrated by: Neal Ghant

Length: 6 hrs and 51 mins

Publisher's summary

Stunning...a wonderful listen...a handbook for life. Those words of advance praise from another celebrated author scarcely convey just how powerfully mesmerizing is the latest book by New York Times best-selling author and nationally syndicated radio talk show host Larry Elder.

Dear Father, Dear Son is a personal memoir of Elder's troubled - one might even say tortured - relationship with his father, and the astonishing outcome that develops when Elder, at long last, confronts him.

Says Elder: A man's relationship with his father - every boy, every man lucky enough to have a father in his life has to figure that out. My own father? I thought I knew him - even though he seldom talked about himself. And what I knew I hated - really, really hated. Cold, ill-tempered, thin-skinned, my father always seemed on the brink of erupting. Scared to death of him, I kept telling myself to find the courage to "stand up to him". When I was 15, I did. After that, said Elder, we did not speak to each other for 10 years.

And then we did - for eight hours. The result can't be described. It has to be experienced.

As reflected in the book's subtitle - Two Lives...Eight Hours - one extraordinary, all-day conversation between Elder and his long-estranged father utterly transformed their relationship. It is no exaggeration to say the book will likewise transform listeners.

Indeed, calling it stunning, Burt Boyar, co-author of the best-selling autobiography on Sammy Davis, Jr., says of Dear Father, Dear Son: "Above all it is a wonderful read. I am tempted to call it a page-turner but in my case I hated to turn every page because that meant I was getting closer to the end and I did not want it to end.... The book is filled with emotion. It is, of course, a handbook for life. I guess it is that above all things. Any kid who reads it and follows the advice of how to live his life just has to come out well."

Dear Father, Dear Son is the story of one man discovering a son he never really knew. And of the son finding a man, a friend, a father who had really been there all along.

©2012 Larry Elder (P)2014 Audible, Inc.

What lovely memories

Oh Larry - this journey of yours was so amazing. Thank you for sharing it with us. I remember listening to your shows everyday and especially the Chief Justice on Fridays. Since those days I've become an Elderada and listen religiously! You are so smart and so engaging! Thank you for being you!

Well Worth It.

This book is very inspiring that we should take time to ask our fathers and mothers of who they were before becoming parents. My father always told me you can't learn from history from a book but to those that lived it.

movie

I think this could be a decent movie. a made for TV or straight to streaming at least.

Tremendous.

Great. Inspiring. Far too short.
I have been a listener of Mr. Elder's.
I'm very sorry to have missed hearing his mother's input on his show.

This is why Larry's a good man!

I was hoping to hear it from Mr. Elder himself, but I'm glad I heard it at all. Thank you. Beautiful book.

must read for millenials

As a minority, this book gives both the context of Jim Crow laws and the determination of one man to rise and surpass it. The book is highly reminiscent of Victor Frankel's Man's Search for Meaning in a weird way. At the same time, highlights the father's role in shaping a child's life.

The style of narrative is also unbelievably well done. strongly recommend the book to millennials for a more practical solution to some of the perceived social issues.

One of the best books I've ever read.

This book is full of wisdom, common sense, and simplicity. The narration performance as one of the best. Highly recommend

Deserves more than 5 stars

I couldn’t quit listening. I’ve followed Larry Elder for a while now, but to hear how he grew up was interesting and educational for me. What I love most is how his parents, especially his dad, though they faced unfairness and true racism in life, did not let that stop them from succeeding and instilling great values in their children, all without being bitter or hateful. Also, just as important, I applaud Larry for giving his dad a chance (much grace), and that because of that, what used to be nothing but awful memories and a nonexistent relationship, blossomed into a sweet and endearing alliance. The narrator was the best I’ve ever listened to! I would give more than 5 stars if I could.

Excellent!

Excellent book on love and forgiveness! Larry Elder demonstrates a more successful way to look at the other side of things. This is a great parental book!

Wow !!

What a powerful and important book, full of riches. This one is a keeper.
Thank you Larry Elder!