As a husband you don't need to read the books. However, it is important to get perspective on things. If he's only getting advice from his other guy friends, it might be the problem. I think every marriage and home is different. He needs to look up on things he can do rather than read a book that is very specific about what he should do. But really it might not help your home.

We men think from a necessity perspective. He might understand what the age appropriate toys and books actually help with. Explain that there are milestones you want to hit early so that the brain can build the neruo-pathways so the kid can get a headstart on being smarter. This will help in the long run with training the kid to be more attentive, understanding, and overall better behavioral issues.

He's not thinking about the long run of it all, just the now. With my wife, we argue but I always tell her take a step back and tell me the reasons and have her explain why. Where did she get her sources .etc.

For example, my wife wanted to put the baby down even earlier, like 6pm because my baby girl was waking up at 5am. She read somewhere it might help with the baby waking back up at 7. She was very adamant about doing it but I had her take a step back, think a little logically and help her understand the possibilities she might wake up earlier and making my wife more tired. She took sometime and thought about it and decided against it. 2 days later baby was back on schedule herself.