Part memoir, part journalism, part history, part downright strange and hilarious, American Parent takes readers on a unique tour of the world of ne...
read full description
reviews
Aug 04, 2011
Thankfully, American Parent: My Strange and Surprising Adventures in Modern Babyland has much more substance than Home Game, although its flaws might actually tend in the other direction: I now know much more than I ever wanted to about 19th century psychological and physiological theories. Written by journalist Sam Apple, this memoir of a first-time father's exploration of the "baby industrial complex" is both hilarious and occasionally moving. Apple investigates the booming market fo
More...
Sep 24, 2011
Meg
rated it: 
As a new-ish mom with a degree in early childhood education, a former labor and delivery nurse, current OB/Gyn-prenatal nurse, and an all-around smart-ass, I emphatically endorse everything in this book. Sam Apple is hilarious but at the same time smart, educated, and well informed when it comes to the most frequently discussed topics during pregnancy, labor, delivery, and new parenthood- unsolicited advice, crazy birthing class instructors, scary c-section statistics, Ferber versus Sears, Dr. K
More...
Jan 18, 2012
Melissa
rated it:
I *loved* this book, and I feel very thankful to be able to interview the author, Sam Apple, for my Maternity Ward blog next week! I'll share our conversation on Tuesday, February 7, at http://blog.mysanantonio.com/maternitywa...
"American Parent" features a mix of thoughtful memoir and well-researched journalism. In addition, it offers a lot of laugh-out-loud moments. Sam Apple is a very talented, engaging and witty writer.
Some of my favorite quotes:
“I don More...
"American Parent" features a mix of thoughtful memoir and well-researched journalism. In addition, it offers a lot of laugh-out-loud moments. Sam Apple is a very talented, engaging and witty writer.
Some of my favorite quotes:
“I don More...
Apr 24, 2010
Beth
rated it: 
Really enjoying this book - I have read many, many parenting books but this one has angles I haven't explored yet. And Apple's writing makes me literally laugh out loud sometimes.
Quote, p. 282, talking about the relationship between a parent and a child: "The different way to think about it is that it's like a marriage." [Alison:] Gopnik continued, "Like a deep relationship with another person. You do have a sense of what makes a marriage go well or what doesn't mak More...
Quote, p. 282, talking about the relationship between a parent and a child: "The different way to think about it is that it's like a marriage." [Alison:] Gopnik continued, "Like a deep relationship with another person. You do have a sense of what makes a marriage go well or what doesn't mak More...
Jan 17, 2010
Beth
rated it:
In the course of this memoir of his wife's pregnancy and the first few months of his son's life, Apple explores the rise of "the baby-industrial complex", that still-growing market of toys, educational videos, and parenting strategies. From HypnoBirthing to Baby Einstein, from circumcision to Attachment Parenting, Apple digs up the history and trivia of the big issues facing modern-day parents. Don't expect a thorough historical survey, though, this is definitely the story of one man'
More...
Oct 06, 2009
Apoorva
rated it: 
I probably would have enjoyed this book a bit more if the writer weren't so self-involved. Other readers have said he's funny, but I found his humor outlandish and not particularly funny. Reminded me of the lame jokes people made in college (where his story begins). But when he stops indulging himself and digs up dirt on the "baby industrial complex", he's more interesting. There are some entertaining bits on the history of various practices (Lamaze, for example), or how the trend in d
More...
Sep 12, 2009
Elyssa
rated it:
I have probably read too many parenting books at this point. This book felt like a blend of three books I read prior to this: Alternadad, Birth: The Surprising History of How We Are Born, and Parenting Inc. Therefore, I was already familiar with most of the facts presented by the author, but he is so likable that I didn't mind reading his version as well as his unique personal experiences as a first time father.
Nov 21, 2011
Roxanne
rated it:
I really, really enjoyed this. Apple has a wry sense of humor and isn't above humiliating himself in his writing (or his parenting), so he's a lot of fun to read. The first half of the book describes Apple's wife's pregnancy; the second half, the first months of his son's life. Apple is able to integrate his personal story seamlessly with the research he's done on pregnancy, childbirth, parenting, and, of course, all the endless baby products new parents have to contend with. If you like A.J. Ja
More...
Aug 03, 2009
Julie
rated it:
This was a really good overview of baby research, marketing, myths, etc. It just took me so long to read it. I'm not a good non-fiction reader, but my husband and I wanted to read the same book so we could discuss it.
Parts of this were really funny! I hadn't expected that. It just wasn't a must-read/can't put it down sort of book.
Parts of this were really funny! I hadn't expected that. It just wasn't a must-read/can't put it down sort of book.
Feb 07, 2011
Jessie
rated it:
Why I decided to use my few precious hours of 'awake when Xavier is asleep' time to read about another person's infant-induced sleep deprivation is beyond me. But this book is absolutely hilarious.
May 15, 2010
Julie
rated it:
My favorite book on becoming a parent. It delves into brief historys of attachment parent, lamaze etc and takes a really great no one has the right answer stance on child rearing :)
Jun 14, 2010
Stefanie
rated it:
Great for first time parents. A little too much scientific background, but you can skim if the historical references get boring. Definitely worth a read and makes a great gift.
Feb 26, 2010
Anna
rated it:
nothing informative, but well written and it's always entertaining to read about someone else's baby horror stories when you need to take your mind off of yours
Mar 15, 2010
Sarah
rated it:
An interesting read, from the father's perspective vs. the mother's. I did find it a bit difficult to relate however, probably because I'm not a father. :-)
Mar 28, 2010
Eileen
rated it: 
Probably would have enjoyed it more if I had read it before I had my daughter or when she was younger. Much of it doesn't really apply to a one year old. I enjoyed reading some of the history of birthing techniques and some of the theory of parenting. Could definitely relate to spending enough time in Barnes and Noble that he thought he'd have to start paying rent... I am there all the time. The things we do to fill our days with young children..
Oct 21, 2009
Jenna
rated it:
Apple is funny, self-deprecating, curious and totally Jewish - four traits I love in an essayist. For some reason - despite being unmarried and childless, with no intentions of getting in the baby-making business any time soon - I'm drawn to books about parenthood, both memoir and general non-fiction. Some (Anne Lamott) are better than others (Rebecca Woolf), but they all share the same basic "holy shit what do I do now/isn't this amazing" ethos that I find so interesting. Plus, bas
More...
Feb 20, 2010
KeAnne
rated it:
Reading this book while home with a newborn was perfect. I chuckled at several parts and agreed with his points.
Aug 18, 2009
Kelly
rated it:
I stopped reading this book- I think that Home Game by Michael Lewis is much funnier.
Sep 18, 2009
Nicky
rated it:
I wish there was more personal memoir and less journalism, but I definitely learned a thing or two from this book.
Sep 21, 2009
Alison
rated it:
A funny and informative book if you are having your first child and you live in a place like part slope where hyper-parenting is the norm. I must admit that I didn't quite finish cause I started potty training and could not devote my free time to reading about babies.
Nov 11, 2011
Kris
rated it:
great read for dad and dads-to-be. i read this while my wife was pregnant with our first child. if AJ Jacobs and Malcolm Gladwell got together to write a book about babies and parenting, it would be this book.
Nov 07, 2011
Joe
rated it:
good read for soon-to-be parents. I enjoyed it two years removed from the madness.
Jan 31, 2012
Dec 24, 2011
