Better Dads, Stronger Sons

How Fathers Can Guide Boys to Become Men of Character

By: Rick Johnson

Narrated by: Rick Johnson

Length: 5 hrs and 55 mins

Publisher's Summary

The relationship between a father and a son is like none other. Dads have a God-given role to protect and provide for their families, always striving to teach their sons the life skills they'll need to grow into honorable men. But many dads struggle with feelings of inadequacy regarding their fathering abilities. They want to be better dads. Rick Johnson can tell them how.

In this insightful and practical audiobook, Johnson shows how fathers can be equipped and inspired to be positive role models for their sons. He stresses the significance of male bonding, discipline, and spiritual leadership; discusses important topics such as sexual purity, respect, and self-discipline; and reveals the top 10 mistakes to avoid as a father.

From commitment and courage to honesty and humility, Better Dads, Stronger Sons helps men strive to be the dads God designed them to be - so their sons can grow to be everything they are meant to be.

©2006 Rick I. Johnson (P)2009 Treasure Publishing

Too much "how to be a man", not enough substance

Positives: Rick Johnson's story about his journey from his own childhood with a terrible father-figure to coming to faith in Christ and his journey as a father and into manhood is truly amazing and inspiring. He writes with heart and conviction as a man who has lived quite a journey, and I truly respect and admire it.

Negatives: I was hoping for more in-depth discussion on father-son relationships and dynamics. I felt this book focused way too much on the kind of stuff you'd hear at a Promise Keeper's rally or Saturday morning men's breakfast at a church. (Accountability, male friendships, being a man with a purpose, integrity, etc etc) Those are all great and worthy topics, but when it comes to actual every-day parenting of my son, trying to understand him and build a relationship with him, the book didn't really help me at all unfortunately. It didn't focus nearly enough on ways to understand your boy and bond with him, give enough ideas on practical ways to impart those character lessons in everyday life, how to understand him at different stages of life, how to have a real relationship with him from childhood into adulthood, etc. Lots of talk about being a great man and showing him how to be a great man, hardly any talk about building a true, deep relationship with a boy through the various stages of his upbringing. Overall I was disappointed. If you're looking for these types of discussions, the book I've found that has come closest is Boys Should Be Boys by Meg Meeker. It had much better discussions on understanding how a boy ticks and how best to meet his needs.

Open & Honest

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

A dad sharing his story. Simple insight and advise for men looking to be better fathers. Another book to add to your collection on the continuing journey of being a better Dad. I would recommend this book.

Read the Descriptions, People!

Several other reviewers have complained about the religious focus of this book; the description of the audiobook here on Audible.com talks about "being the dads God designed us to be" and our "God-given" roles as dads - what are you expecting people?

I greatly enjoyed the book, both the subject matter and the presentation. The only thing that kept the performance from being five stars was that the author proceeded a little more slowly than I like through some areas of the narration (but that's my taste).

Overall, "Better Dads, Stronger Sons" made me pause and consider several things about both my relationship with my two young boys (both under two) and my wife of five years, which is exactly what I hoped for when I ordered the book. Thanks Rick!

GREAT BOOK!!! Terrible (wrong) audience reviews!

What did you love best about Better Dads, Stronger Sons?

Excellent material! Right-on advice! If more fathers followed this book (myself included) the world would be a better place! Spot on accuracy about how to be a great dad!

DON'T (and I can't emphasize that word enough here) listen to the few negative reviews of this book. If you want an excellent guidebook on how to be a great father, no, on how to fulfill YOUR responsibilities of being a father, this book is IT!

This book reveals, reviews and rehearses the essential (and crucial) characteristics, responsibilities and rituals of good fathers and it reminds us of the things that our society has lost over the generations of fatherless households. It screams of the critical element that men, good, honest, loyal, effective men bring to society and illustrates how to apply those crucial qualities in fatherhood.

As for the naysayers claiming "too much religion", you're only validating the author's point that men have failed to be men (good, real men) for far too long and it's time that we step up and fulfill our God-given responsibilities to our families. If you're offended by a man who claims to follow God or His Gospel, then this book is not for you. But if you're man enough to look at yourself and honestly acknowledge what you should be focusing on to be the best father you can be, and you recognize that there is actually a power greater than yourself who has already paved the way and left hints and notes all along the way (our Creator), then you have come to the right place! Pleasant listening!

What was one of the most memorable moments of Better Dads, Stronger Sons?

I really soaked this book in, so I had 3 most memorable moments. So I'll be brief:
1. That God, my Creator, has chosen ME to be the father of my children and with that He will (and has) support me, help me, guide me, and expect me to be my very best in this role.

2. That our survival as a society is dependent on good, strong, faithful men. That we have critical roles - Men, Women, and even our children have critical roles. But this book talks about our roles as men and how we must not fail if our society is to survive. As fathers, we have the power to impact GENERATIONS just by what we do with ours. Don't shrug your responsibility to be the man you must be!

3. Statistics show that more than 80% of crimes stem from fatherless homes. Don't abandon your responsibility to be a father!

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

The (nearly) perfect guidebook to being a great father!

Any additional comments?

Read it! Any man who wishes to improve even a little bit at being a father will be glad they did!

Best book ever for fathers to read!

This book was so amazing. It made me evaluate many things in my life and realize short comings to the point I was in tears listening to this. I had to stop the book and start praying. Love it!

this book brought me to tears multiple times

As I thought of my sons this book brought me to tears multiple times. One of the best books I have read this year.

Relevant fathering advice

The advice struck true to my heart. My father live separate when I was growing up and these are the conversations I wish we what I've had.

Great book.

I loved it. Highly recommended. I found myself tearing up while listening to this book.

Better Dad’s, better son’s.

I admit I was reluctant to listen to purchase. because I’m not a very religious man. Little did I know I would grow to love it. It’s the best book I ever had the chance to hear. It’s changed my life.

Not worth it.

I am a Christian man and this audio book was terrible in my opinion I learned nothing from it. 99% of the book is the author trying to push God onto his readers. It was not at all what I was looking for. Would not recommend. And the authors voice is monotone and hard to listen to.

Way to Christian for me...

I got about an hour in and couldnt take it anymore the Jesus and found god stuff was painful to listen to. I am sure there are some useful insights that can come from it but it was not for me.

Great advice

Great book, well worth reading/listening to. Great depth in each topic with practical examples. This book just got better and better! Thank you Rick Johnson.