Rules for My Unborn Son
22 Oct 2009
7 Comments
Walker Lamond’s 1001 Rules for My Unborn Son first came to my attention courtesy of Plaidy of the Week, Joanna Goddard. A treasure trove of life’s lessons, famous quotes, and the occasional tune — required listening, if you will — it was only a matter of time before Mr. Lamond’s brilliant idea was discovered by a saavy publisher and made available in book form. October 27th sees the release of Rules for My Unborn Son.
Thanks to Mr. Lamond and the good people at St. Martin’s Griffin, I recently acquired an advanced copy, and upon inspection, this tome is terrific. With its goldenrod color, its simple, perfunctory graphics, its inclusion of classic black and white photos, and its well-spaced type, it has the look and feel of an antique children’s hardback.
“Don’t be a mooch.” Words to live by. Mind you, I say that about a book I received for free.
Among the rules which I’ve starred, hoping to commit them to memory, some of my favorites are:
# Be a good listener. Don’t just wait your turn to talk.
# Close the door, turn it up, dork out.
# Men should not wear sandals. Ever.
I’m particularly fond of the last one. One summer, in an attempt to be the good roommate, coming home late one evening, I left the lights off in the common area as I briskly shuffled to my room. My roommates failed to inform me they rearranged the furniture that day. One toenail later, I no longer wear sandals. I’m certain we all have similar anecdotes for many of the rules Mr. Lamond has compiled here.
What sets this manual apart is the addition of checklists at the end: “Required Listening for Boys” and “Essential Reading for Boys.”
You better believe I rushed to set up an iTunes playlist the instant I discovered the “Required Listening.” While I’ll forgive Mr. Lamond for omitting any presence of Van Morrison, the inclusion of any latter day Rolling Stones’ number is just shameful. I only kid.
It’s a really fun book, one which I will certainly pass onto my sons and nephews someday. I’ve already added two copies to my holiday shopping list. Thanks, Mr. Lamond, for providing me the opportunity to preview your spectacular read.
Check his site. There’s been talk of a tour. Look for Rules coming to a town near you very soon.
Walker Lamond talks about Rules on Washington DC’s ABC affiliate, WJLA’s Let’s Talk Live.
*Also worth reading, Mr. Lamond’s Things My Father Taught Me on all plaidout.
Walker Lamond, author of Rules for My Unborn Son.
7 Comments
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thelast1augh
Oct 23, 2009 @ 05:56:40Yeah, I’ve been loving his blog. This is ’09′s “Dangerous Book for Boys” for sure. I love the required listening, too. You’re dead on about Van the Man (which track would you add?) and how can you not include something by either Robert Johnson or Muddy Waters?!
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Emil
Oct 23, 2009 @ 07:54:33The cover design is perfect. Looks like it’s always existed, right?
Is there a rule anywhere in the book that reads, “Rules were made to be broken”?
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Damian Walker
Oct 23, 2009 @ 16:26:12For the songs every boy should listen to list one cannot omit Sinatra’s ‘Don’cha Go’Way Mad.’ If you want to learn how to cheat with insouciance, it’s the perfect primer(in fact, it’s Don Draper’s theme!).
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“Heartbreakingly Sweet and Wise;” Blog Roundup 10/24 « Rules For My Unborn Son
Oct 24, 2009 @ 21:37:44[...] to share their impressions. A Cup of Jo called it “heartbreakingly sweet and wise.” All Plaid Out wrote, “this tome is terrific. With its goldenrod color, its simple, perfunctory graphics, [...]
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Austin
Nov 02, 2009 @ 14:32:03You never read “The Outsiders”, Max?
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cam
Nov 02, 2009 @ 22:43:25i like the last one as well
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Caitlin B
Nov 23, 2009 @ 09:50:29This book looks fabulous.
But, I am appalled at the lack of Springsteen on that listening list.
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