The Man of Many Fathers

Life Lessons Disguised as a Memoir

By: Roy Wood Jr.

Narrated by: Roy Wood Jr.

NATIONAL BESTSELLER • 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).

Critic reviews

“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

“An expansive read that will surprise fans who may only be familiar with his stint on The Daily Show. . . . Wood’s humor gives this memoir vitality, but his ability to distill his varied experiences into a bracing narrative will make this a read that will linger with readers long after finishing.”—Booklist, starred review

“[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

Great idea

Great idea and amazing execution. The idea of having so many people influence you like a Dad is very interesting

funny, raw and impossible to put down

highly recommend this book to people who loves good stories with wisdom from underappreciated or unexpected places.

Great Story and Fantastic Storyteller

This book really was a great memoir/ lessons to becoming a man. Roy Wood Jr narrates his book and so much of it reaonates with you if you had to figure out manhood without a present father.
Caution the language is unfiltered so not a kid friendly listen.

This book is heavier than I anticipated, but in the best possible ways.

The writing (and audio performance) takes you along with Roy through a range of feelings, forcing you to feel his pain in some moments and to laugh out loud with him in others.

As a woman reader, I am struck by his mother’s story as it unfolds in the background. Few mothers will get the chance to read our children’s experiences of our life events. The book made me wonder which parts of my kids’ lives I will never know and how their community will shape who they become.

You may come to this book expecting lighthearted stories from a comedian, but you’ll leave with something greater— access to keen observations about life that help us be better no matter our age. In sharing these fathers with his son, Roy becomes father to us too.

Lessons abound

A compelling story of humor, sadness, wisdom in unexpected places, a mother's love, a father's love and the power of redemption. Appreciated this reflection on life lessons. I ended up buzzing through this audible every chance I could.