American Parent: My Strange and Surprising Adventures in Modern Babyland

by Sam Apple and Sam Apple

Book Overview

A journalist and first-time dad puts his investigative skills to good use in this uniquely illuminating and humorous exploration of 21st-century parenting. This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0345465040
• ISBN13: 9780345465047
• Release Date: June 2009
• Publisher: Ballantine Books
• Length: 297 Pages
• Weight: 1.20 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.1" x 5.7" x 8.3"

Customer Reviews

Very insightful and informative with a great twist of humor!

I have really enjoyed reading this book in the last few months of my pregnancy and find myself laughing out loud throughout the book as Apple recounts his own humorous experiences going through the pregnancy and birth of his child. It provides interesting historical insight behind many parenting theories you hear about these days and how they have become trends in mainstream culture. He does all the homework for you and presents you with his findings on the background and effectiveness of many baby-raising concepts often just taken as "truths" in today's parenting circles often popularized by over-simplified hype in the media. While the tone can be at times cynical because of the extremes so many parents go to these days (again usually humorously expressed), it does not come across as negative or condescending, but instead as answers to Apple's own genuine curiosity and attempt to find out for himself how to make the best parenting decisions. It is refreshing to realize the theories can be as flawed as parenting itself can be, questioning why American parents are so obsessed with spending so much on things ranging from baby gear or nanny cams, to expensive "educational" classes at early ages when there is no real proof of its effectiveness. From breastfeeding to child care, from attachment parenting to circumcision, this book eased my mind a lot about the stress of wondering if I have been making (and will make again, as this is my 2nd child) sound decisions as a parent, and all is expressed with his dry sense of humor in recognizing his own at-times-neurotic parental behavior and overwhelming sense of worry about this precious new being in his life. I would recommend this book to anyone feeling curious, overwhelmed or anxious about all the parenting advice out there, and who would like an insightful yet humorous and entertaining twist on most of the major topics parents face today. This book may also be one dads would enjoy reading more than most of the baby books out there today that seems much more mother-centric. Written from a man's point-of-view, Apple may speak just the right language to keep a father(-to-be) interested and entertained.

Funny and Thoughtful

I bought this book Sunday and finished it Monday night. It is laugh-out-loud funny and would make a great Father's Day present or baby shower present. It's also thoughtful and smart. It's about both the author's own craziness and the general craziness of caring for newborns. A serious exploration of child psychology is mixed in with bizarre anecdotes about the author's own research adventures, such as going to find and interview the mohel who circumcised him, or trailing a nanny while on assignment with a private investigator who is hired by Manhattan parents to spy on their nannies.

The Perfect Baby Shower Gift and It Doesn't Need Laundering

What a joy. And filled with so much practical advice about parenting that it should be read as soon as the little stick turns pink. The history of water birthing? It's here. Labor coaches? They show up, too. Along with the author's hysterical commentary throughout. I'm just sorry I didn't have this book before my first child was born to help me better understand what my husband was experiencing from the Daddy point-of-view. A happy and enlightening read.

PART PRIMER... PRIMARILY HILARIOUS

Sam Apple makes me wish I was a father...or pregnant...or at least shopping for a carrier. His wry take on parenthood is both charming and laugh out loud funny. This book should be required reading for any parent in need of humorous perspective...and if there are any parents out there NOT in need of humorous perspective, I'd like to meet you. Covering everything from baby-naming trends (and how celebrities have led us down the path of, well - some very odd choices) to brisses (aka circumcision parties - always more amusing to the guests than the guest of honor), Sam Apple clearly loves being a Dad and loves sharing his journey. And what a delightful journey he takes us on. Two thumbs-in-mouth up.