Stay Curious. Stay Connected.
MailNewsletters♡Donate Now
Sign up
*Password must be at least 8 characters and contain one uppercase letter, one lowercase letter, one number and one symbol.
Already have an account?
By submitting, you consent that you are at least 18 years of age and to receive information about MPR's or APMG entities' programs and offerings. The personally identifying information you provide will not be sold, shared, or used for purposes other than to communicate with you about MPR, APMG entities, and its sponsors. You may opt-out at any time clicking the unsubscribe link at the bottom of any email communication. View our Privacy Policy.
Sign in to your profile
Forgot Password?
New to MPR News?
Welcome back
to news
for you
Reset Password

Enter the username on file and we'll send you a code to reset your password.

Still require assistance or not sure what your User Name is?
Welcome back
to news
for you
Email Verification

A verification code has been emailed to

Still awaiting the code?
Big Books & Bold Ideas with Kerri Miller

Talking Volumes: Tim O’Brien on ‘Dad’s Maybe Book’

A man with a hat poses for a picture.
Author Tim O’Brien recently spoke with MPR’s Brandt Williams about “Dad’s Maybe Book” at Talking Volumes.
Courtesy of Houghton Mifflin Harcourt

Go Deeper.

Create an account or log in to save stories.

Like this?

Thanks for liking this story! We have added it to a list of your favorite stories.

A picture of a book cover with a blue background.
The jacket cover of author Tim O’Brien's latest effort “Dad’s Maybe Book.”
Courtesy of Houghton Mifflin Harcourt

Award-winning novelist Tim O'Brien came to fatherhood later in life and decided when his boys were young to start writing to them. He wrote to his sons as if they were adults - sharing bits of advice, lessons he learned in wartime and what it means to be a man in a culture of toxic masculinity. The finished result is "Dad's Maybe Book," a funny, tender and endearing volume of wisdom about the challenges and rewards of being a father to boys.

O'Brien, a Minnesota native, appeared on stage at the Parkway in October for a sold-out evening of Talking Volumes. On the next MPR News with Kerri Miller, we’ll air a portion of that conversation – including why O’Brien think it’s vital that boys are told they can say “I don’t know” and why he doesn’t think audiobooks can replace physical books.