Fatherhood: Rising to the Ultimate Challenge

Description

In Fatherhood, beloved NBA player, poet, children's advocate, and devoted dad Etan Thomas speaks from his heart on what matters most in his life- being there for his children. As a leading participant in President Obama's Fatherhood Initiative, Etan has reached out to young men (often young fathers) in the juvenile detention system and in local communities. He knows firsthand the difference having a father in your life every day can make. Now he brings together a chorus of voices to weigh in on the importance of being a father in our nation today and to share what they've learned from being a father, having a father, or in some cases not having a father around. With Original Essays and Poems from Taye Diggs . Kareem Abdul-Jabbar . Malcolm-Jamal Warner . Ice Cube . Howard Dean . Tony Hawk . Isaiah Washington . Yao Ming . Al Sharpton . John King . Lamman Rucker . Derek Fisher . Kevin Durant . Russ Parr . Michael Moore . Chuck D . Malcolm Shabazz . Talem Acey . Will Downing . Chris Paul . Allan Houston . Talib Kweli . Black Ice . Cornel West . Elijah Cummings . Mumia Abu-Jamal . Grant Hill . Coach John Thompson . Roland Martin . Joakim Noah . Arn Tellum . Damian Marley . Abiodune Oyewole . Styles P . Baron Davis . David Aldridge . Stuart Scott . Dave Zirin . Kevin Powell . John Carlos . Derrick Coleman . J. Ivy . Joe Johnson . Al Horford . Pastor John Jenkins . Julian Thomas . Ed Gordon Jr. . Tito Puente Jr. . Billy Hunter . 13 of Nazareth . Messiah Ramkissoon Through these inspiring personal experiences, Etan and the men he's gathered together hope to share the message that by standing up and taking an active role as fathers, men not only find their own lives more joyful and fulfilling-they pass on to the next generation an unshakable legacy of love, wisdom, responsibility, and strength.

Etan Thomas is an NBA veteran, contributor to The Huffington Post, CNN, and ESPN, and a highly regarded poet. Nick Chiles is a New York Times bestselling author and a Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist.

Praise for Fatherhood "This inspirational meditation on fatherhood from former Washington Wizards forward Etan Thomas offers a lot to chew on, both as a primer for thoughtful fathers and children and as a particularly trenchant entry in the ongoing conversation on parenthood and race...Any book that brings the words of Howard Dean and Yao Ming between the same covers is noteworthy....A tricky line to walk-balancing street cred with idealism, anger with acceptance-but for the most part [Thomas] pulls it off with aplomb. Fathers of any skin color would do well to emulate him."-The Washington Post "An insightful book."-Publishers Weekly "Etan Thomas not only has skills on the basketball court but more importantly with words and ideas."-Spike Lee "I would like to salute Etan Thomas. He is a warrior, doing mighty work."-Cornel West "[Thomas is] a defender of fatherhood."-New York Daily News "Really, really moving." -Soledad O'Brien, CNN "Etan extends his reach beyond the NBA to helping youth and families throughout America."-FOX News "This book is beneficial for fathers, mentors, and sons, no matter how well or how poorly they're performing in those roles."-The Washington Times "Etan Thomas displays his skills off the court pulling together an intimate collection of powerful voices who open up on ending the pain of fatherlessness, the pride and power of being a father, and the promise of a new generation of strong dads"-Essence "This inspirational book is a call to action, sharing and emphasizing the importance of being present as fathers."-Daytona Beach News-Journal