Ralph Nader’s “The Seventeen Traditions”
May 28, 2007
Ralph Nader’s “The Seventeen Traditions” is a short, but thought-provoking, read. Nader reflects briefly on his childhood and how his family’s traditions – listening, health, scarcity, education, simple enjoyments, and so on – influenced his adult life. As a Canadian, it was interesting learn about his early connection with cousins living in Ontario. This book made me think about my own family’s traditions. It could be a great conversation starter for any family interested in exploring its roots and shared values.
4 Comments
leave one →
I have followed the career of Ralph Nader since about 1965 (we are the same age) and
never tire of the remarkable freshness and uncompromising honesty he brings to our public life. Contrast the old worn cliches of the current political season with Ralph’s probing search for the underlying truth of just about everything. He finds these truths to
be unremarkable and hidden in full view, obscured only by the indoctrination and machinations of government and other cultural institutions. THINK, he says, and that says it all!
What a remarkable president he would make? More qualified than all the others combined?
Wayne
very interesting, but I don’t agree with you
Idetrorce
I love Ralph Nader. He embodies everything I love about people who have the power to change this world. He has confidence, courage, sensitivity, compassion, extreme intelligence and fearlessness as well as a joyful spirit. I haven’t read the book The Seventeen Traditions, but I plan to. I would like to share a little tradition, my little family does each Christmas. I am a single mom with 2 great sons. We get each other one gift that we know each other wants and then we choose a silly or unexpected one for each of us. It makes the gift opening so much more fun and we have the pictures to prove it.
I watched George (can’t pronounce his last name)interviewing Ralp last night and Ralph started to say how single parents have been conserving and providing creative ways to make ends meet for years…I love you Ralp, for your tremendous insight into the reality of our lives on earth and how we navigate it.
I think Ralph is Right on with this book!
The timing is perfect as we’re in a culture here in the u.s. is so commercialized that true values are not being imparted. Real connection to past traditions and current traditions are either not recognized or not made.
I ordered 3 copies.
I listened to his talk at Indigo bookstore, and have already tried some of his traditions from his wonderful mother on my own son.
They’re great!
Peace and Joy in the Moment,
joni