I come from a broken home.
I know that pain.
I’ve lived it.
I’ve suffered through family dysfunction, trauma, and poverty.
Maybe you have too.

But I believe you have the power to break those cycles. In First Generation Father, I’ll show you how to find balance within yourself, heal, and build a healthy and happy home for your family.

This book is brutally honest, entertaining, and insightful—a must-read for anyone raised in a challenging environment who wants to avoid passing down generational scars. Whether you’re searching for ways to improve yourself, strengthen your marriage, or practice genuine love, the philosophy shared in these pages will change life for you—and your family—forever.

**About the Author**

Anthony Blankenship was born to a teenaged, unwed mother and a father who would later serve time in prison. His homelife exposed him to violence, drugs, and poverty at a young age. At fifteen, struggling with unhealed mental and emotional wounds, Anthony committed a crime that nearly cost him his life.
He used this low point to slingshot himself forward, focusing on growth, accountability, and evolution. Anthony searched for ways to educate himself and break free from the cyclical pull of his early environment. Today, the former army officer has found his golden zone. He’s a happily married father of two, who has developed a philosophy that allowed him to heal and lead his family into health, happiness, and prosperity. Now, he’s ready to share this philosophy with the world.

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HARDCOVER & PAPERBACK

Audiobook & eBook

Philosophy

A first generation father is any man trying to break the cycle of family dysfunction he came from, and provide better for his own family. While this is a noble idea, one that many aspire to, it’s easier said than done. The truth is, most people fail at it, and end up passing down the same generation scars and family traumas they experienced themselves. A sad and painful cycle.

But this cycle can be broken. You can liberate your family from the generational curses of mental and emotional trauma. You can build a genuinely healthy relationship that’s fulfilling to both you and your partner. You can create wealth and abundance for your family in a way that allows you to enjoy life, and evolve past surviving, into thriving. Regardless of your background, or current situation, you can build a healthy and happy home. This book is your blueprint.

By learning how to master your three primal energies: your warrior, intellectual, and spiritual energies, you’ll find yourself able to fully heal your past traumas, unlearn negative and limiting ways of thinking and seeing, and ascend into the golden zone of health and happiness. And the best part is, you’ll bring your whole family with you.

First Generation Father initiative

The First Generation Father Initiative is an opportunity for you to help me deliver this life changing book directly into the hands of readers who need it most. You may contribute to one of the specific groups of readers identified below, or select “other” and simply write in where you’d like your donation to go.

Families in Counseling

Military Families

prisons/jails

Other

Why did I start the First Generation Father Initiative?

My mission is to help others heal from past traumas, teach them how to establish genuinely loving relationships, and empower them to break the devastating cycle of family dysfunction that has left so many of us with debilitating scars. This book, First Generation Father, can do that.

Unfortunately, many of the people who need it most will never get a chance to read it. They’re so focused on fighting the immediate fires in their family lives, they don’t have the time or resources to seek out the critical help this book can provide. That’s where you come in.

By contributing to the First Generation Father Initiative, you can help me deliver this transformational book directly into the hands of families who need it most. Families who are often fighting for their very survival. To help, simply select a group that you’d like to donate to, and follow the link. All proceeds go toward the purchase and delivery of books to someone in the group of your choosing.

Why am I focusing on these particular groups?

I chose to focus on military families because during my time in the army, I saw first-hand just how important a healthy and happy home life is to soldier readiness and effectiveness. I also saw that, like myself, lots of soldiers come from broken homes and challenging backgrounds.
I chose to focus on families in counseling because any family honest enough to recognize their problems, and courageous enough to seek out professional help, should get all the support they need.
Lastly, I chose to focus on prisons and jails because I know how devastating incarceration is to families. My own father served ten years in state prison, and it left a wake of trauma and confusion for myself – an his other children – to try to navigate and escape from.

One principle I learned in the army is that true leadership means being of service to others. By contributing to the First Generation Father Initiative, you are being of service to others when they need it most. Thank you for your help.

Love and respect,

- Anthony

Book Reviews

WANT TO BE A BETTER PERSON? READ THIS!

“The title might make you think this is only for fathers, it isn’t. This book is for everyone. By that I mean: fathers, mothers, sons, daughters, brothers, sisters, everyone. This book is also written for every one to understand. Anthony has a way of speaking to you, and he does it with a nurturing method. As you read the book, you feel like he is right there with you, and this is a personal message directed at you specifically. I guarantee that you come out of this book a different person, because it will make you want to be a different person. Trust me when I say, this is a must read and you will see how everything connects.”

-BRADLEY HESSER

TURNING LEAD INTO GOLD

“First Generation Father is a bold and enlightening roadmap for fatherhood, tailored brilliantly to connect with men who've grown up in broken homes. But the wisdom Anthony Blankenship provides speaks to anyone going through the challenges of raising a family and the need for balance and healing old wounds. His unique experience of hardship and trauma is a true testament that if he can break the cycle of dysfunction, then so can you.

The author connected to me especially because I grew up with a First Generation Father and Anthony's testimonies help me understand and appreciate how hard it was on my own father to figure things out blindly. Fortunately, this book breaks down the fundamentals of fatherhood so well that any new First Generation Father (or any father regardless of background) can navigate those uncharted waters and turn lead into gold.”

-BRADLEY OLIGER

MAKE YOUR LIFE COUNT

“I bought the book about a month ago, I could not put it down. The storyline was fascinating and the principles outlined were intriguing, practical and worth experimenting with. I am now reading it a second time to work on understanding how to apply the principles. They instill a sense of control over your fears, and can help you learn how to change the focus of stale relationships. Great toolbox for First Generation Fathers or for any relationship you wish to improve. It's a lifelong journey, it inspires you to get started.”

-DAVID E.

THIS BOOK IS FOR EVERYBODY

“This book touches on subjects that we can all relate to. It has brought me to tears on more than one occasion, knowing I am guilty of things that I swore I wouldn't repeat from my own childhood. I'm not a single mother, nor a first generation mother, but I do come from a background of brokenness, which is what prompted me to purchase this.

I am always looking for ways to better myself and this book forces me to examine my own behaviors and deal with the hurt that causes me to act/feel the way I do. I am working to find my own golden zone, and its proving to be very humbling. I love that this book takes you from ah-ha moments, to tears, to laughs and reflection. It is by far one of the best books on self love I've read.”

THOUGHT PROVOKING AND INSIGHTFUL

“As a criminal defense attorney, I represent many men who find themselves in unfortunate situations, in part, because of their upbringing and environment. I plan on keeping a copy of this book on hand to lend it out to some clients. I believe it could be useful in assisting some men in creating a future that does not involve perpetuating these vicious cycles. Blankenship provides readers with insight and tools they may otherwise lack. A must-read.”

-ALLISON GROTH

GREAT BOOK

“I am a father of soon to be 6 children. This book gives great insight and perspective into being a parent. I found it very useful and connected to a lot of it… coming from broken home, Army experiences, marriage, fatherhood etc. Highly recommend for any parent or soon to be parent.

-OMAR

Speaking Engagement Reviews

“Anthony’s messages will provoke ah-ha moments that will give you the keys to unlock your strengths, emotional intelligence, and your desire and ability to positively influence others. Thank you Anthony for always reminding us that in life “Everything Connects.”

— DR. JENNIFER RIGSBY, R.T. (R) (CT)

“Anthony presented a powerful message to our youth at Williamson County Juvenile Services about the keys to creating the life you want for yourself. Anthony spoke about the importance of knowing yourself, seeing obstacles as opportunities for change and growth, and giving to the universe what you would like to receive back. Anthony was able to connect with our youth and build rapport very quickly. All of the feedback we have received from both youth and staff has been extremely positive! If you have a chance to work with Anthony or see him speak you will not be disappointed!”

— SARAH GIDEON, DEPARTMENT COUNSELOR, WILLIAMSON COUNTY JUVENILE SERVICES

I come from a broken home.I know that pain.I’ve lived it.I’ve suffered through family dysfunction, trauma, and poverty.Maybe you have too.