PRINTFather's Day book list
It's his day — give him a gift he won't be able to put down
June 14, 2012 | 12:00 a.m. CST
Fathers are usually happy with whatever their children give them. But this year, get Dad something that will show a little thought. Whether your dad is always cracking jokes or prides himself on knowing the dates of every war, these recently released books will help you choose the perfect read for your old man.
The sports nut
One Shot at Forever: A Small Town, an Unlikely Coach, and a Magical Baseball Season by Chris Ballard
$24.99 (hardcover)
Hyperion
This is the true story of Lynn Sweet, a progressive hippie in Macon, Ill., who takes a job coaching the Macon Ironmen baseball team. Despite resistance from administration, the team admires Sweet, and together they embark on a season unlike any other. Ballard, a senior writer for Sports Illustrated, includes eight pages of black and white photos.
The funny guy
Man Made: A Stupid Quest for Masculinity by Joel Stein
$26.99 (hardcover)
Grand Central Publishing
Joel Stein’s debut book tells the hilarious tale of his personal journey to manliness spurred by the knowledge that he’s expecting a son. Along the way, he survives basic training, rebuilds a house and seeks advice from “manly experts” such as professional athletes and Boy Scouts. With chapter titles such as “Surviving Outdoors” and “Taming Animals,” this book is an unusual guide to fatherhood.
The wanna-be secret agent
The Art of Intelligence: Lessons From a Life in the CIA’s Clandestine Service by Henry A. Crumpton
$27.95 (hardcover)
The Penguin Press
Now-retired Henry Crumpton shares his thrilling tale of the CIA’s war on terrorism. Assigned to counterterrorism planned by al-Qaeda and the Taliban in the days following 9/11, Crumpton tells the story of his 24 years of service and gives an insider’s look at one of the country’s most mysterious organizations.
The sci-fi nerd
Futures by Edison Carver
$42.95 (hardcover)
Abbott Press
In Edison Carver’s debut novel, he takes us on a journey set 100 years in the future when humans discover how to time travel. However, there appears to be a flaw in the system when people begin disappearing or returning seemingly insane. Two police officers must break the law in order to uncover the truth.
The history buff
Man of War: My Adventures in the World of Historical Reenactment by Charlie Schroeder
$25.95 (hardcover)
Hudson Street Press
In this nonfiction narrative, NPR producer Charlie Schroeder writes about traveling across the country with historical reenactors. He dives into the reality of mock war and learns how to work the guns, wear the clothes and survive the elements. Schroeder’s story about this subculture shows just how much the past influences the present.
The adventurous type
The Columbus Affair by Steve Berry
$27 (hardcover)
Ballantine Books
With more than 10 novels under his belt, Steve Berry takes a new look at the man famous for discovering America. It’s set around fictional Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Tom Sagan and his estranged daughter, who has been captured by Zachariah Simon. To get her back, Sagan must unravel a mystery surrounding Christopher Columbus.
