10 Fatherhood Books That Shape Confident Dads

Recommended by Sheryl Sandberg, Dan Fogelman, and Vicki Broadbent, these Fatherhood Books offer expert insights for modern dads.

Sheryl Sandberg
Dan Fogelman
Updated on June 26, 2025
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What if you could step into fatherhood with a clearer map, knowing exactly what to expect and how to be the dad your child needs? Fatherhood today is not just about providing; it’s about emotional presence, practical skills, and evolving roles. Whether you're expecting or navigating the first year, the right knowledge can make a profound difference.

Influential voices like Sheryl Sandberg, former COO of Facebook, and Dan Fogelman, creator of "This Is Us," have turned to specific books that offer honest, practical, and sometimes humorous guidance on becoming a dad. For instance, Sandberg values Michael Lewis’s Home Game for its candidness, while Fogelman praises Tim O’Brien’s Dad’s Maybe Book for its heartfelt reflections. Meanwhile, Vicki Broadbent, founder of Honest Mum, highlights the fresh perspective brought by You're Going To Be A Dad!, emphasizing its real-world relevance for modern fathers.

These carefully selected fatherhood books provide proven frameworks and insights validated by those who’ve lived and studied the journey closely. Yet, if you’re looking for guidance tailored specifically to your background, experience, or goals, consider creating a personalized Fatherhood book that expands on these foundations with custom advice designed just for you.

Best for expectant dads preparing early
The Art Of Manliness, a well-known men's lifestyle authority, recommends this book as the go-to guide for expectant dads seeking straightforward, useful information without gimmicks. They highlight how it covers both pregnancy and early fatherhood, explaining why dads play a crucial role in their child's development. This endorsement comes from their deep familiarity with men's issues and family dynamics, lending weight to their praise. Additionally, The San Francisco Chronicle praises its perceptive insights, reinforcing its value for anyone stepping into fatherhood with questions and hopes. "This is probably the best book geared exclusively towards expectant fathers. No lame jokes. Just straight up useful information," they say, reflecting how the book helped clarify their understanding and approach during a pivotal life change.

Recommended by The Art Of Manliness

This is probably the best book geared exclusively towards expectant fathers. No lame jokes. Just straight up useful information. The Expectant Father covers the pregnancy process and how dads can help in it, as well as provides tons of useful info for dads on raising a kid. They also cover why dads are so important in the development of a child and how children influence fathers.

The Expectant Father: The Ultimate Guide for Dads-to-Be (The New Father) book cover

by Armin A. Brott, Jennifer Ash Rudick··You?

2021·336 pages·Fatherhood, Pregnancy, Parenting, Emotional Support, Child Development

Drawing from decades as a parenting expert, Armin A. Brott designed this guide to address what many books overlook: the father's journey through pregnancy. You gain a month-by-month breakdown of your baby's development, insights into supporting your partner emotionally and practically, and preparation for labor and early fatherhood challenges. For example, one chapter explains how dads influence child development differently from moms, making clear why your role matters from the start. If you're expecting your first child or want to feel more equipped for fatherhood, this book provides grounded information without fluff or gimmicks.

New York Times Bestseller
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Best for practical pregnancy support
Vicki Broadbent, founder of Honest Mum, brings a wealth of parenting expertise, making her endorsement especially meaningful for new dads navigating pregnancy and early fatherhood. She praises "You're Going To Be A Dad is a comprehensive handbook into pregnancy and early life after baby for dads (and mums) written in a supportive, fun, engaging and importantly, useful way. It's an absolute must-read." This recommendation reflects how the book balances practical advice with emotional support, helping fathers feel prepared and connected. Similarly, Sean O'Sullivan from The Royal College of Midwives highlights the book’s fresh perspective: "This book breaks free of the stereotypical writing that tends to pigeon hole a father's role, and is fresh and innovative representation of how modern day fatherhood can be so much more than a one sizes fits all." Their combined insights underscore the book's role in reshaping fatherhood for today's dads.

Recommended by Vicki Broadbent

Founder of Honest Mum

You're Going To Be A Dad is a comprehensive handbook into pregnancy and early life after baby for dads (and mums) written in a supportive, fun, engaging and importantly, useful way. It's an absolute must-read.

2021·430 pages·Fatherhood, Pregnancy, Parenting, Baby Parenting, Partner Support

After five years of research and conversations with over 50 fathers, DaddiLife Books crafted this guide to unpack the real experience of pregnancy and the first year of fatherhood from a dad's point of view. You’ll find a week-by-week breakdown of pregnancy milestones alongside practical checklists and a dictionary to demystify medical jargon. The book emphasizes teamwork with your partner, offering guidance on handling everything from morning sickness to newborn bonding and mental health challenges. If you're preparing for fatherhood or want to confidently support your partner through this journey, this book offers grounded insights without sugarcoating the complexities.

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Best for personal fatherhood plans
This personalized AI book about fatherhood guidance is created after you share your experiences, skill level, and what aspects of dad life you want to focus on. Because fatherhood is deeply personal and varies widely, having a book tailored to your goals and background makes learning more relevant and meaningful. It helps you cut through generic advice to get the insights that truly matter for your journey as a confident, engaged dad.
2025·50-300 pages·Fatherhood, Emotional Connection, Childcare Skills, Partner Support, Personal Growth

This tailored AI-created book explores the multifaceted journey of fatherhood with a focus on your unique background and goals. It covers essential topics such as emotional connection, practical childcare skills, partner support, and personal growth to help you engage with confidence. The content is tailored to match your specific interests, exploring fatherhood challenges and joys through a lens that reflects your experience and aspirations. By synthesizing a wide range of expert knowledge, this book offers a personalized pathway through the complexities of modern fatherhood, emphasizing practical understanding and meaningful involvement. It invites you to deepen your relationship with your child and family in ways that resonate personally.

Tailored Guide
Engagement Techniques
1,000+ Happy Readers
Best for first-time dads' pregnancy guidance
Heather Armstrong, creator of dooce®, offers a perspective shaped by her extensive experience in family blogging and parenting insights, making her endorsement particularly meaningful for dads-to-be. She highlights how We’re Pregnant! The First Time Dad’s Pregnancy Handbook strikes a thoughtful balance between clinical details and emotional support tailored specifically for men. Armstrong appreciates that Adrian Kulp writes from a place of personal growth, having once been a clueless first-time dad himself, which helps him connect with readers navigating this unfamiliar territory. Her recommendation underscores the book’s ability to prepare you not just with facts but with a clear sense of what it means to truly support your partner during pregnancy. Jill Smokler, New York Times bestselling author and creator of Scary Mommy, echoes this sentiment, calling the book a comforting guide for even the most anxious fathers-to-be.

Recommended by Heather Armstrong

Creator of dooce®

We’re Pregnant delivers the right balance of clinical information and ways to support expecting moms, all while speaking to what men need to hear in a way that will make sense to them and their roles as fathers. Writing and coaching as a once clueless and misguided first-time dad, Adrian clearly understands the challenges ahead and makes it his mission to get first-time dads to pay attention, and most importantly to understand what it means to provide support.

2018·292 pages·Fatherhood, Pregnancy, Parenting, Birth Planning, Partner Support

What started as Adrian Kulp's personal challenge of navigating first-time fatherhood became a detailed guide aimed at helping men step confidently into their roles during pregnancy. Kulp draws from his own experiences and extensive media background to offer you a month-by-month breakdown of what to expect throughout the trimesters, including key milestones and questions to ask your doctor. You'll gain practical knowledge on supporting your partner emotionally and physically, from designing a birth plan to handling newborn care basics. This book suits dads eager to participate actively and empathetically, avoiding overwhelm while building confidence in early parenting stages.

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Jill Krause, creator of Baby Rabies and author, knows firsthand the challenges new dads face and praises We’re Parents! for its practical advice and clear guidance. She highlights the book's supportive approach, especially appreciating its down-to-earth tips and humor around common newborn issues like baby shoes. This recommendation comes from someone deeply embedded in parenting communities, making her endorsement particularly resonant. Alongside her, Meghan Hertzfeldt and Jennifer Bonicelli emphasize how Adrian Kulp’s book feels like advice from a trusted friend, helping new fathers feel confident and prepared in their new roles.

Recommended by Jill Krause

Creator of Baby Rabies, Author

We’re Parents! is full of practical advice (high fives for our mutual dislike of baby shoes, Adrian), actionable steps for being an incredible, supportive partner, and a detailed path to guiding your baby through their healthy, happy first year.

Drawing from his extensive experience as a father of four and a media producer, Adrian Kulp offers a straightforward guide tailored for first-time dads navigating their baby's first year. The book breaks down the year into quarterly stages, providing clear instructions on essential skills like soothing techniques, introducing solids, and managing sleep routines. You'll find practical checklists and milestone charts that keep you informed and actively involved without overwhelming jargon. This approach suits new fathers who want to contribute confidently and support their partners effectively during those transformative months.

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Best for understanding first-year fatherhood
Armin A. Brott is a nationally recognized parenting expert and author of multiple acclaimed books for fathers, including this guide to navigating the first year of fatherhood. His extensive experience writing the syndicated column "Ask Mr. Dad" and hosting "Positive Parenting" radio lends authority and warmth to his advice. Brott wrote this book to provide new dads with a clear month-by-month understanding of their baby's development alongside practical insights about their own evolving roles. His approach combines up-to-date research with approachable guidance, making it a valuable resource for any father committed to being actively involved from day one.
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Recommended by Amir Salihefendic

Founder and CEO at Doist

Armin A. Brott brings decades of expertise as a nationally recognized parenting expert to this detailed guide for new fathers navigating their baby's first year. Rather than offering generic advice, Brott breaks down each month with clear insights on infant development alongside what dads experience personally and in their relationships. You'll discover how evolving societal roles and technology influence modern fatherhood, with chapters addressing topics from baby communication cues to the neurological impact of involved fathering. This book suits any dad seeking a realistic, well-researched companion through the complex first twelve months with practical understanding and a touch of humor.

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Best for personalized fatherhood plans
This AI-created book on fatherhood skills is crafted based on your background, skill level, and specific goals for new dad success. By sharing what areas you want to focus on, the book is tailored to deliver exactly the knowledge and steps you need to thrive. Personalization makes sense here because fatherhood is deeply personal—your experiences, challenges, and priorities shape the best path forward. This tailored guide helps you cut through the noise and zero in on what matters most for your journey as a father.
2025·50-300 pages·Fatherhood, Fatherhood Basics, Emotional Connection, Newborn Care, Time Management

This tailored book embarks on a focused journey to elevate fatherhood skills through clear, step-by-step actions designed to fit your unique background and goals. It explores essential areas such as emotional awareness, practical caregiving, and building strong bonds with your child, all curated to match your specific interests. By concentrating on your personal experiences and challenges, this customized guide reveals pathways to thrive as a new dad, making complex expert knowledge accessible and immediately applicable. The personalized content ensures you engage with relevant topics that resonate with your daily life, fostering confidence and deeper connections in your fatherhood journey.

Tailored Guide
Fatherhood Acceleration
1,000+ Happy Readers
Best for faith-focused fatherhood
Kyle Idleman, senior pastor and bestselling author, draws from his own experience as a father to recommend this book as a vital companion for men striving to be godly dads. He emphasizes that Kent Evans understands the daily struggles fathers face, sharing that "It’s a daily battle. Kent Evans knows this firsthand. He’s in the fight with us dads, battling for his own walk, his marriage and his children." This personal connection deepened Idleman's appreciation of the book’s honest approach and practical encouragement. Likewise, Dennis Rainey, father of six and former FamilyLife CEO, praises the book as "a must–read for any man who is looking for a practical, biblical approach for the journey of discipling his children," highlighting its power to reshape how fathers embrace their divine calling.

Recommended by Kyle Idleman

Senior Pastor and bestselling author

As a father myself, I know that being a godly dad is not easy. It’s a daily battle. Kent Evans knows this firsthand. He’s in the fight with us dads, battling for his own walk, his marriage and his children. I’ve watched him grow as a husband, father, and leader within our church.

2020·176 pages·Fatherhood, Family Relationships, Discipleship, Spiritual Leadership, Faith Development

When Kent Evans realized that biblical fatherhood demands active, intentional discipleship, he wrote this book to guide men through that spiritual journey. You’ll gain a clear understanding of how to lead your children toward faith by example, with chapters that challenge you to reflect on your role as both a husband and father. The book lays out specific ways to cultivate godly character and leadership at home, emphasizing that fatherhood is not about outsourcing responsibility but embracing it as a lifelong calling. If you want a faith-centered roadmap that confronts the realities of parenting with honesty, this book offers grounded insights without sugarcoating the challenges.

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Best for candid, personal fatherhood stories
Michael Lewis’s "Home Game" offers a refreshingly honest take on what it means to become a father, peeling back the polished image often portrayed in parenting books. This account stands out for its humor and candidness, capturing the awkward and unexpected moments that come with raising children. If you’re interested in exploring fatherhood through a lens that acknowledges its messiness and emotional complexity, this book provides a rare, relatable narrative that resonates with many men navigating new parenthood.
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Recommended by Sheryl Sandberg

Former COO of Facebook and LeanIn.Org founder

2009·192 pages·Fatherhood, Family Relationships, Parenting Challenges, Emotional Honesty, Newborn Care

Michael Lewis challenges the idealized image of fatherhood by sharing his candid and often humorous experiences as a new dad. Rather than offering traditional guidance, he documents the real emotions and awkward moments after the birth of each of his three children, revealing the gap between societal expectations and the lived reality of many fathers. You’ll find insights into the everyday messiness of parenting, from sleepless nights to the subtle dynamics of household life, all told with unvarnished honesty. This book suits those who want an authentic, relatable perspective on fatherhood rather than a manual of dos and don'ts.

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Best for heartfelt father-son reflections
Dan Fogelman, a screenwriter known for his work on "This Is Us," highlights "Dad's Maybe Book" as a remarkable contribution to fatherhood literature. After engaging deeply with the book, Fogelman praises Tim O’Brien’s ability to blend his National Book Award-winning storytelling with intimate reflections on parenting. "Tim O’Brien is one of our great modern American authors... His new book ‘Dad’s Maybe Book’ is a total knockout," he says, underscoring how O'Brien’s letters offer more than advice—they provide a heartfelt legacy that resonates with anyone navigating the complexities of fatherhood.
DF

Recommended by Dan Fogelman

Screenwriter and producer

Tim O’Brien is one of our great modern American authors (he also wrote multiple episodes of the This Is Us Vietnam storyline last season). His new book “Dad’s Maybe Book” is for sale now and it’s a total knockout. Do not wait. (from X)

Dad's Maybe Book book cover

by Tim O'Brien··You?

2019·400 pages·Fatherhood, Parenting, Family, Memoir, War Experience

When Tim O'Brien decided to write to his sons through letters, he created more than just a collection of memories; he crafted a deeply personal dialogue that stretches over fifteen years. Drawing from his experiences as a National Book Award winner and a Vietnam War veteran, O'Brien shares reflections on fatherhood that blend humor, hardship, and heartfelt advice. You’ll gain insight into the complexities of raising children, the enduring impact of parental love, and how storytelling can bridge generational gaps—especially evident in chapters that range from wartime recollections to tender bedtime stories. This book resonates most with fathers who want to leave a meaningful legacy through candid and thoughtful communication.

National Book Award Winner
Pritzker Literature Award Recipient
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Best for exploring paternal identity
Chris Hayes, host of MSNBC’s All In With Chris and editor at large of The Nation, brought a unique lens to this memoir. After engaging deeply with themes of identity and fatherhood in his own life, he found Michael Brendan Dougherty’s book unexpectedly moving and insightful. Hayes describes it as "affecting, provocative and deeply humane," highlighting how its intimate letters reveal profound truths about family and heritage. This book challenged his views on cultural belonging and fatherhood, making it a significant read for anyone wrestling with similar questions.
CH

Recommended by Chris Hayes

Host of MSNBC's All In With Chris

I wasn’t quite prepared for how affecting, provocative and deeply humane @michaelbd’s new book is, but I really recommend it. Here’s a great excerpt: (from X)

2019·240 pages·Fatherhood, Identity, Memoir, Family, Cultural Heritage

Michael Brendan Dougherty’s experience as a senior writer at National Review shapes this intimate memoir exploring Irish identity and fatherhood through personal history. You’ll gain insight into how cultural roots and family legacy intersect with personal growth, especially as Dougherty confronts the absence of his father and the complex emotions surrounding heritage. The book’s series of heartfelt letters to his father serve as a framework for examining broader questions about identity and what it means to pass on a sense of home. If you’re drawn to stories about family, cultural belonging, and the challenges of reconciling past and present, this book offers a thoughtful perspective without sentimentality.

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Best for confident new dad essentials
Colton Blake is an experienced father of three and a passionate advocate for new dads and parents raising children with ADHD. Drawing on his personal journey and heartfelt insights, he wrote this guide to help fathers face early parenthood with confidence. His practical advice focuses on supporting partners through pregnancy, caring for newborns, and fostering collaborative parenting, all aimed at preparing you to embrace fatherhood fully.
2024·228 pages·Fatherhood, Baby Parenting, Parenting, Newborn Care, Pregnancy Support

Colton Blake draws from his personal experience as a father of three and his advocacy for parents of children with ADHD to deliver a guide tailored for new dads facing the challenges of pregnancy through newborn care. You’ll learn how to support your partner during pregnancy, manage essential newborn tasks like feeding and sleep training, and build a collaborative parenting partnership. The chapters covering emotional support and work-life balance stand out, offering practical insights that help you stay engaged without feeling overwhelmed. This book suits first-time fathers eager to move beyond anxiety toward confident, involved parenting, though those seeking advanced child development theory may find it less technical.

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Conclusion

Across these 10 fatherhood books, three themes stand out: embracing the emotional complexity of fatherhood, balancing practical caregiving with personal growth, and navigating the shifting cultural expectations of dads today. If you’re stepping into fatherhood for the first time, The Expectant Father and You're Going To Be A Dad! offer essential grounding. For those facing the whirlwind of baby’s first year, We're Parents! combined with The New Father provides actionable guidance.

If faith and character-building shape your values, The Manhood Journey offers a deeply reflective path. Alternatively, for a raw and candid perspective, Home Game and Dad's Maybe Book reveal the less polished but profoundly human side of being a father.

To bridge these insights with your unique circumstances, you might find it helpful to create a personalized Fatherhood book that fits your family dynamics, challenges, and ambitions. These books can accelerate your learning journey and equip you to be the dad you want to be.

Frequently Asked Questions

I'm overwhelmed by choice – which fatherhood book should I start with?

Start with The Expectant Father if you're preparing for your first child. It offers clear, month-by-month guidance from pregnancy through early parenting, making complex stages easier to understand and navigate.

Are these books suitable for dads new to fatherhood?

Yes, most books like You're Going To Be A Dad! and First Time Dad Guide are designed specifically for first-time dads, balancing practical advice with emotional support.

Can I read these books in any order, or is there a recommended sequence?

You can read based on your current stage—pregnancy books first, then those focused on baby’s first year. Mixing personal narratives like Home Game anytime adds valuable perspective.

Which books offer the most actionable advice I can use right away?

We're Parents! and The New Father provide step-by-step tips for baby care and building parenting confidence, ideal for immediate application in your daily routine.

Do any of these books address balancing work and family life?

Yes, The Expectant Father and First Time Dad Guide include chapters on managing work-life balance, helping you stay engaged without feeling overwhelmed.

How can I get fatherhood advice tailored to my unique situation?

While these expert books provide solid foundations, you can create a personalized Fatherhood book that blends expert insights with your specific background, goals, and challenges for highly relevant guidance.

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