To Own A Dragon

I just recently finished reading this one about a week ago, and I have to say it opened up a completely new perspective. in TOAD, Don Miller takes on the heavy task of laying out the realities of growing up without a father, speaking to a generation that knows this feeling all to well. Miller writes to the reader with a sort of older brother wisdom that pulls you into his stories. 

To Own a Dragon really hit home with me on so many levels. It nailed almost every big issue in my life, so much so that I would almost consider it my personal memoir.  I strongly encourage every man, young and old, to give this one a good read regardless of your relationship status with your earthly father. I don't think I could recommend a better book for guys, and in some cases girls (considering my good friend Morgan recommended it to me). This book has not only highlighted the deficiencies of being without the support of a father, it speaks even more to all boys to grow up and defeat the sin that is passed onto them by their fathers, to grow up and become strong men of God and be fathers that they need and want to be, not that they have to be. My only complaint is that it was way too short!

I LOVE THIS BOOK. 

9 out of 10 

Not so Random Facts about a Father-less Nation:

1. 63% of youth suicides are from fatherless homes - 5x the average (U.S. dept of health/Census)

2. 85% of all children who show behavior disorders come from fatherless homes - 20x the average (Center for disease control)

3. 80% of Rapists with anger problems come from fatherless homes - 14x the average (Justice & Behavior, Vol. 14)

4. 71% of all high school dropouts come from fatherless homes - 9x the avg. (NPAR)

5. 75% of all teen patients in chemical abuse centers come from fatherless homes - 10x the avg. (RFAC)

6. 70% of youths in state-operated institutions come from fatherless homes - 9x the average (U.S. Dept of Justice)

7. 85% of all youths in prison come from fatherless homes - 20x the average (Texas dept. of correction)

These facts come from The Belmont Foundation, a mentoring project founded by Donald Miller that provides role-models for children growing up without fathers.