Man vs. Baby

By: Matt Coyne

Narrated by: Matt Coyne

From a “hero for dads everywhere” (Daily Mirror), a hilarious, insightful, and heartfelt take on parenting based on a viral blog post that Ashton Kutcher called “the best description of fatherhood I’ve ever read”.

One Tuesday evening in 2015, while his three-month-old son, Charlie, briefly slept, Matt Coyne staggered to his desk, opened his laptop, and wrote a side-splittingly funny Facebook post about early fatherhood: Comparing his diaper-changing skills to that of a Formula One pit crew, birth to a Saw movie, and the sound of a baby crying at three am to “having the inside of your skill sandpapered by an angry Viking”, he shared his observations with friends and family - and soon, to his surprise, the world.

In the spirit of that post, which became an instant sensation, Man vs. Baby is the tale of one man’s journey through the first year of parenthood, told with wit, humor, and heart. Part memoir, part tell-it-like-it-is parenting book, this is a ferociously funny, inventively foul-mouthed, and genuinely touching account of a baby’s first year, filled with relatable references to Harry Potter, McDonald's, and the villain in Die Hard. Matt covers everything you need to know, from labor (a good time to play “profanity bingo”) to what you might find in your baby’s diaper, a catalogue that includes The Phantom, The Expressionist, and The Jeff Goldblum.

Capturing both the comic helplessness of new fatherhood and his deep love and admiration for his partner, Lyndsay, and child, Matt’s story will appeal to anyone who has a baby - or is even contemplating the idea. Whether you’re looking for a reprieve from the news cycle or a reminder of what’s most important in life, Man vs. Baby will have you laughing out loud - and, if you’re a new mother or father, filled with relief at being truly understood. A fresh take on the bewilderment and joy of having a baby from a rip-roaringly talented new voice, this combination memoir and advice book is sure to charm parents everywhere.

©2018 Matt Coyne (P)2018 Simon & Schuster Audio

awesome break from clinical books to real life

bought on a recommendation from a fellow new dad at breastfeeding class. worth every penny! although laughing randomly for hours might make your wife think that you went insane while reading a baby book. try not to let the cat out of the bag that this book is way more funny than her baby book...

dad-to-be realness

Thank you, Matt, funny and real. Also, I loved the references to superheroes and hippie practices. Perfect preparation for dad-hood

Great listen.

Really helpful and hilarious. Illustrates one man's journey from the dad perspective with crazy metaphors. I loved every minute of it

Empowering and realistic

Decidedly not a how-to parenting, but a realistic perspective offering solidarity for prospective and new parents

Great book!

I like how the book give you a true look into parenting from a normal man's perspective.

The book every father needs to read

With all the new dad books out there that talk down to new fathers like we are second class citizens this Is a more than welcome departure. This book makes you feel better about your parenting. It is brutally honest and truly a helpful and hilarious read. I cannot recommend this book enough. The audio version is read extremely well and really just great. If you are a new dad please listen to or read this book. It will make you a better dad.

I’ve told every expecting father I know about this book, and some new dads.

As an expecting new father myself, this book shattered my expectations of what a parenting book could be like in the best way possible. It’s “Gloves off” and “pull no punches” honesty was refreshing and incredibly entertaining. I worked late on purpose on the first night just to keep listening to the book. An amazing book and I can’t thank him enough for not only writing it, but reading the damn thing.

Refreshing Baby Book

I laughed a lot and as a first time father-to-be I really appreciated that amidst the snark, sarcasm, and hyperbole, (spoiler alert) Coyne always came back to land the emotional roller coaster on a positive note.

More info less jokes

With limited time, I would rather focus on the information I’m seeking from the book rather than the non stop jokes. Book could have been 1/3 as long.

the Bar for men is low

I couldn't even finish.

this is a book for men who did nothing to prepare. if you find yourself not having read a single book on pregnancy or childbirth, back from the hospital and looking for someone to make you feel better about neglecting your duties as a partner and a father, you may enjoy this.

I reccomend instead reading as many books as you can on pregnancy and child care and doing some deep soul searching about what it means to be a compassionate and present human being before the birth.

it's sad that the bar for men is this low.