Father's Day: More Than a Tie

Father’s Day is on its way! Before you run to the store and pick up another tie or t-shirt with “#1 Dad”sprawled across the front, why don’t you get him something he can actually enjoy in his free time? 

Not every father is an enthusiastic novel reader—that’s why we’ve compiled a diverse list of various topics and genres of books. From the history buff, the outdoor enthusiast, or the DIY adventurer, there is sure to be a book that your dad would love!

Skip the tie this year and opt for something your hardworking dad can have an excuse to sit back, relax, and enjoy.

Here’s our top 5 picks for Father’s Day:

 

Texas Garden Almanac (Texas A&M University Publishing Press, 2007)- Give your father some new ideas for gardening projects with Doug Welsh’s Texas Garden Almanac. A detailed month-by-month  guide for the DIY dad, this useful reference book contains information on everything garden-related; from  fruit, vegetable, and flower gardening, to plant care and garden upkeep, as well as how to design gardens. 

Rudder: From Leader to Legend (Texas A&M University Publishing Press, 2011) - The first comprehensive biography of James Earl Rudder includes both his heroism in World War II and his contributions to Texas A&M University. Thomas Hatfield gives a detailed accounting of Rudder’s leadership and initiative both on the battlefield and in the boardroom. 

Texas Post Office Murals (Texas A&M University Publishing Press, 2004)- Texas Post Office Murals presents a unique and forgotten history of a program born out of the Great Depression that sought to give artists work. These popular artists created post office murals that reflected American dreams and ideals, which spurred hope during harsh economic times.  Filled with 115 photographs and a brief history of each, the Texas Post Office Murals is a good coffee-table book.




Unprecedented Power: Jesse Jones, Capitalism, and the Common Good (Texas A&M University Publishing Press, 2011) - Perfect for fathers interested in American business or Texas history. Steven Fenberg writes about Jesse Jones, a man raised on a tobacco farm with only 8 years of education, who became a powerful businessman who saved many of Houston’s banks during the Great Depression and built the city’s tallest skyscrapers at the time. He then went on to Washington, where he became head of the Reconstruction Finance Corp.

Exploring the Brazos River: From Beginning to End (Texas A&M University Publishing Press, 2011)- Good for the outdoorsy, adventurous father. Kimmel describes the landscape, ecolog, and flows of one of the oldest rivers in Texas. The book is full of stunning, vibrant photography of the beauty of the Brazos River landscape, as well as detailed maps and descriptions.

By: Madeline Loving