Please Open in the Event of My Death: A Father's Advice to His Daughters in Case Something Horrible Happens (Which Hopefully It Won't But Just in Case...) Hardcover – June 2, 2020

Mark Hsu is a very intelligent attorney working in a complex field of law. More importantly, he is smart enough to admit, that like the rest of us, he is no match for a four-year-old girl, much less two of them. So nice to see someone else admit how humbling it is to be an experienced New York City attorney totally defeated (almost effortlessly) by a small child. He is certainly not the first husband to call on his wife for reinforcements (mine is posting this review for me).In a very human way Mark points out that regardless of financial or career accomplishments, parenting is the hardest and most important job we do. This book is a refreshing reminder that we should never lose sight of the fact that our family is our highest priority and the most valuable thing in our lives.This is a good read. I don't have time to read a lot of books but this one was worth it. I hope he changes his mind and considers writing a second book about his father. When they get older the girls will want to know.

As a member of the staff at the firm where Mark is a partner, I was only acquainted with him. After reading his book, I feel as if I really know him. I know his values.He encourages his daughters to do their best, to strive for excellence while always maintaining a balance in their lives. The goal is not fortune and fame but to live a comfortable but balanced life. He emphasizes balance throughout his book. He also emphasizes the all important qualities of being humble, being honorable (or a person of integrity) and being kind.I enjoyed his life’s story and wept with him when he grieved and when he explained the difficulties he had just by virtue of his being Asian. I felt his joy when he met his wife, got married and had his two beloved daughters.Mark is an excellent writer. He’s humorous and endearing. He truly loves his wife and girls. He is a family man.My only criticism is his use of profanity. Somehow, I can’t picture him talking that way to his daughters.

With so many books and authors out there tackling parenting, it's short of amazing to find a new voice and fresh perspective. This book is highly readable, in bits and pieces is fine - and only halfway through it I've had plenty of private LOLs and chuckles. Mr. Hsu's voice is unique, it's current and his sense of humor and perspective are familiar. And with that humor and thoughtfulness being just a step ahead of mine makes this a compelling page turner. As I pick up the book, I'm asking myself: "What else can I learn about what I already sort of know or have thought of in the past? How will I tell my kids about my first date with my wife? How can we condense the vastness of the factors that lead to the birth and growth of our children into golden nuggets of wisdom with a fairy tale spin?" Of course, as a working (sometimes traveling) parent, these stories are much more relevant for me now than they were 15 years ago. This is a great gift for readers, parents, prospective family people... and even offers a bit of lighthearted therapy without any of the pretension and judgment! thank you Mr. Hsu!

As a dad, a lawyer and lover of pop culture this book spoke to me on every level. It was a powerful blend of sweet, soulful, and sardonic. I hope one day he dusts off his dad's CIA memoir and gets that out there too! In any case, you definitely do not need to be a lawyer or even to have daughters (i have 2 boys) to love this ride. That's the mark of a great storyteller, universal themes that speak to us regardless of our divergent life stories. Lots of fundamental life lessons in here but all tucked away in a super tight, super entertaining package.

It’s a remarkable book -- particularly if you are a parent, but that's not a prerequisite to enjoying the book -- and is just a really great, entertaining, and thoughtful read. Filled with great advice and insight, the book speaks to anyone who has ever given sincere thought to navigating life, the choices we all make, and what kind of person you want yourself and/or your kids to be. It’s so good.

I bought this book based on a recommendation from a friend, and proceeded to finish it in two sittings. I then bought another for a soon to be father friend. IT WAS AMAZING!!! The perfect mix of inspiring, poignant, and hysterical.It was insightful, not only for the insights of what it means/entails to be a parent, but really helped me to self reflect on my own life (and I’m not yet a parent!), and my own aspirations. I think as an Asian lawyer, and now engaged to a half-Asian, at first it was the parallels to the author’s life that drew me in (so many interesting and funny stories!). But as I read on the shared human experience of being someone’s child was really what resonated with me; as a daughter being able to see into the mind of a father. I would recommend to everyone!

Not many children know much about their parents or that they have been young, carefree, had friends, girlfriends and had full nights sleep. Mark Hsu’s book is an honest, funny and moving account of his life before his daughters were born and until they have memories of their own. He points out to his daughters some subjects which are important for their education in a good paternal way but also very realistically conceiving that they might not take much notice! And that is good because it means that through their upbringing they will have absorbed what he told them. A book that future dads and moms might read just to have an idea of what they may expect!

Mark Hsu's heartfelt book has something for everyone. Anyone who has taken a shot at their dreams will alternately cheer and lament with his tales of triumph and hardship. If you have worked in BigLaw, or lived in a big city, you will recognize the piercing insights he shares. No matter who you are; if you have children, or parents; if you have been in love; if you have tried and failed, or succeeded, you will see yourself in his pages and be unable to put the book down. Shockingly honest and unflinching Mark's book should be required reading for human beings.