The Man of Many Fathers - by Roy Wood (Hardcover)

Book Synopsis

From comedian, Emmy-nominated writer and producer, and former Daily Show correspondent Roy Wood Jr., an unforgettable, laugh-out-loud funny memoir revealing that sometimes the best advice comes from the most surprising teachers

"Honest, raw, and an absolute treat to read."--TREVOR NOAH
"Insightful and memorable."--CHELSEA HANDLER
"Roy didn't just write a book--he left a mark."--STEPHEN A. SMITH

When Roy Wood Jr. held his baby boy for the first time, he was relieved that his son was happy and healthy, but he felt a strange mix of joy and apprehension. Roy's own father, a voice of the civil rights movement in Birmingham, Alabama, had passed away when Roy was sixteen. There were gaps in the lessons passed down from father to son and, holding his own child, Roy wondered: Have I managed to fill in those blanks, to learn the lessons I will one day need to teach my boy?

So Roy looked back to figure out who had taught him lessons throughout his life and which he could pass down to his son. Some of his father figures were clear, like a colorful man from Philadelphia navigating life after prison, who taught Roy the value of having a vision for his life, or his fellow comedians, who showed him what it took to make it as a working stand-up performer. Others were less obvious, from the teenage friends who convinced him to race "leaf boats" carrying lit matches in the middle of a drought to a drug-addicted restaurant colleague who played hoops while Roy scoured dirty dishes to big names in Hollywood, like Trevor Noah and more.

In The Man of Many Fathers, Roy shares what he's learned with humor and heart, delivering the most memorable lessons, such as how to channel anger through a more successful outlet (hint: never ever try to outfox a single mom), how not to get caught snitching (hint: never snitch), and how to become a good man--and a good dad (hint: listen to your fathers).

Review Quotes

"Roy Wood Jr. has a rare superpower: He can teleport audiences from wherever they are into the rich, intricately crafted worlds he creates. Each story is infused with poignancy, sharp observation, and a humor few storytellers can match. Honest, raw, and an absolute treat to read."--Trevor Noah

"If Roy hasn't already won you over with his comedy specials, then he will with The Man of Many Fathers. Not only is he one of the funniest comedians on the scene right now, he infuses his quick wit with the life lessons he's learned from his fathers (and his mother) to pass down to his son. Insightful and memorable."--Chelsea Handler

"Listen--I've seen a lot of memoirs come and go. But what Roy did in this one? This is different. This is special. The Man of Many Fathers is soul food for anybody who's ever searched for guidance, for identity, for meaning. It's as hilarious as it is heartfelt. Roy didn't just write a book--he left a mark."--Stephen A. Smith

"I'm not surprised that Roy has created such a thoughtful, funny book. Roy, like this book, is an embodiment of quality."--Jim Gaffigan

"[A] tenderhearted and uproarious memoir . . . [by a] gifted raconteur. . . . Like the best of comedians, Wood is a keen observer. But his varied experiences--waiting tables, working in radio, getting arrested for stealing credit cards--aren't simply fodder; it's clear that he's learned from them. Often comically exasperated onstage, here he is refreshingly earnest. . . . [It's] very funny, but it's not all laughs."--Kirkus Reviews

About the Author

Roy Wood Jr. is a two-time Emmy-nominated writer and producer. The comedian, actor, and podcaster is primarily known for his stand-up comedy and work as a correspondent on Comedy Central's The Daily Show and hosting CNN's Have I Got News for You. He hosted the 2023 White House Correspondents' dinner and this year's 85th Peabody Awards. He has created original half-hour scripted projects at FOX, NBC, and Comedy Central. He is the former host of the award-winning Comedy Central podcast The Daily Show: Beyond the Scenes. He remains a regular guest star on various ESPN shows and the MLB Network. Roy lives in New York.