Editorial Review:Product Description:Hunting, football, and a father's devotion—tragedy can end a life, bit it can't end a relationship. Marc Pittman, one of 16 children, is the son of a dirt-poor farmer who remains to this day the only man to even knock Marc unconscious.
But when he had a son, Marc became the father he had always wanted to have. When seven-year-old Cole asked him about beer, Marc Pittman put down his can and never drank beer again. He told his boys everything, and they were honest with him in return. They unburdened their fears; told him their dreams; and even admitted their sins. Despite the fact that his sons were star football players, they felt no shame in holding their father's hand in public. People told him he was lucky to have the relationship he did with his children, but Marc Pittman knew the truth—it wasn't luck, he worked at it every day.
And then his eldest son, Cole, was killed in a traffic accident on the way to football practice at the University of Texas. This book is the story not just of how Marc Pittman dealt with this tragedy, but of the 21 years he lived with Cole and the lessons he learned about being a good father, a good friend, and a good man.
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Customer Reviews
Average Rating:
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For Fathers who have Sons.
My son is 2 and a half, and before he was born I probably read 5 parenting books, because like Mr. Pittman I had less than perfect role models to draw my parenting skills from. The problem with these books are that they are written by these egg head psychologist types that seem to be detached from reality and talk of situations that I could not relate to. A friend of mine who played football at U of Texas with Cole Pittman, recommended this book to me. It changed my life and made me believe that I could be a good father. Mr. Pittman shows that men are capable of overcoming their past to become great fathers who can create strong relationships with their sons that builds strong confident men. I make sure to give this book to all of my friends that have boys and recommend it for all fathers who have sons, I promise you will be blown away.
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Great book.
Great book. This book makes a wonderful gift, especially for fathers who have teenage sons.
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A must read for parents and their kids
I was given this book by a very dear friend, a Mom who has a son. I have 3 daughters and I have to say that I can relate to so many things Marc talks about with his young teenaged sons. I truly believe the lessons and experiences inside this glorious little book will touch any parent. It is not only for fathers but for mohters too. I plan on purchasing several copies to pass along to my daughters. Out of a heart wrenching tragedy comes poignant insights to our relationships with our kids. May generations of families make this a must read!
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A love story, of a father and his son
Raising Cole is the true account of a father's love for his sons, and the tragedy of losing one of them early in life. Pittman is the owner of a construction firm, and from his own account is a huge man. Likewise his sons grew to big, strong men, but they never allowed their masculinity to stop them from openly showing affection for one another.
Pittman's story, however, doesn't start with his role as a father but as a son. His father was anything but affectionate, and early in his son's life he followed that same path. Raising Cole recounts his walk toward an open and extremely deep loving relationship with his sons.
His son whose name rests in the title, Cole, was a lineman at the University of Texas with a bright and promising future when he fell asleep on his way back to campus from home and died in a automobile accident.
The book's more poignant moments are Pittman's response to his son's birth and death.
My favorite chapter was "God Shows Up." Pittman admits it is the presence of God that has allowed him to continue these years following Cole's death, not his own strength.
Pittman also states that though it has been years, he still grieves for his son. His grief finds solace in ways I admit I don't fully understand, but then I've never lost a son.
While this book may be of help to those who have lost a child, I think it may hold more value for those who children are still with them, especially men who may be reluctant to be open with their affection.
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Raising Cole
This book is a must read for everyone because it is so moving. The story that Marc Pittman tells is one that will change you for the rest of your life. The bond that a father and son have is special and the bond that Marc and his two sons have will make you look in the mirror and think about the relationship you might have with your father. I encourage people to read this book and for them to get their friends to read it.
