The Passions of Fatherhood

Osherson (Finding Our Fathers) here serves up an intelligent, deeply personal ode to fatherhood. With a balanced mix of humor and compassion, he delves into the realms of male and female psychology, sociology, myth, fiction and the men's movement, his own experience as a father functioning as a springboard for his revelations. Much of the book-divided into essays with such titles as ``Father and Daughter Climb a Mountain,'' ``The Father Who Travels for Work'' and ``Spiritual Passions''-is written in the second person, which draws the reader into Osherson's world. He also explores men's relationships with their parents, on the assumption that being a father inevitably taps childhood memories. The main premise here is that fatherhood, rather than being merely a role men take on, is an ever-evolving, dynamic relationship that can enrich and transform their lives. This is a notable addition to the fields of male psychology and parenting. (June)