The Seventeen Traditions: Lessons from an American Childhood“The Seventeen Traditions brings us back to what’s important in life—and what makes America truly great.” The activist, humanitarian, and former presidential candidate named one of the 100 most influential figures in American history by The Atlantic—one of only three living Americans so honored—Ralph Nader, looks back at his small-town Connecticut childhood and the traditions and values that shaped his progressive worldview. At once eye-opening, thought-provoking, and surprisingly fresh and moving, Nader’s The Seventeen Traditions is a celebration of uniquely American ethics certain to appeal to fans of Mitch Albom, Tim Russert, and Anna Quindlen—an unexpected and most welcome gift from this fearlessly committed reformer and outspoken critic of corruption in government and society. In a time of widespread national dissatisfaction and disillusionment that has given rise to new dissent characterized by the Occupy Wall Street movement, the liberal icon shows us how every American can learn from The Seventeen Traditions and, by embracing them, help bring about meaningful and necessary change. |
Contents
| 1 | |
THE TRADITION OF LISTENING | 33 |
THE TRADITION OF THE FAMILY TABLE | 39 |
THE TRADITION OF HEALTH | 47 |
THE TRADITION OF HISTORY | 51 |
THE TRADITION OF SCARCITY | 59 |
THE TRADITION OF SIBLING EQUALITY | 63 |
THE TRADITION OF EDUCATION AND ARGUMENT | 69 |
11 | 99 |
THE TRADITION OF CHARITY | 105 |
THE TRADITION OF WORK | 111 |
THE TRADITION OF BUSINESS | 117 |
THE TRADITION OF PATRIOTISM | 123 |
THE TRADITION OF SOLITUDE | 129 |
THE TRADITION OF CIVICS | 135 |
AFTERWORD | 145 |