Randa Abdel-Fattah

But that informed consumer citizen first had to be awakened. And so Nader threw up his bat signal to concern consumers across the nation. It came in the form of a book that he started to write after graduating law school. And the book opened with the case of one car in particular.

But that informed consumer citizen first had to be awakened. And so Nader threw up his bat signal to concern consumers across the nation. It came in the form of a book that he started to write after graduating law school. And the book opened with the case of one car in particular.

These are excerpts from that book, Unsafe at Any Speed, the designed-in dangers of the American automobile.

These are excerpts from that book, Unsafe at Any Speed, the designed-in dangers of the American automobile.

These are excerpts from that book, Unsafe at Any Speed, the designed-in dangers of the American automobile.

Publicly, General Motors had nothing to say. But the allegations hit hard, because GM was a titan. At the time the book was published, they were the world's largest car manufacturer, responsible for nearly half of all U.S. automotive sales.

Publicly, General Motors had nothing to say. But the allegations hit hard, because GM was a titan. At the time the book was published, they were the world's largest car manufacturer, responsible for nearly half of all U.S. automotive sales.

Publicly, General Motors had nothing to say. But the allegations hit hard, because GM was a titan. At the time the book was published, they were the world's largest car manufacturer, responsible for nearly half of all U.S. automotive sales.

It didn't take long for Unsafe at Any Speed to start drawing the attention of important people in the capital, including a young woman who would be instrumental in turning Ralph's words into action.

It didn't take long for Unsafe at Any Speed to start drawing the attention of important people in the capital, including a young woman who would be instrumental in turning Ralph's words into action.

It didn't take long for Unsafe at Any Speed to start drawing the attention of important people in the capital, including a young woman who would be instrumental in turning Ralph's words into action.

At the time, Joan was in Washington, D.C., on a fellowship working with James A. Mackey, a U.S. representative from Georgia.

At the time, Joan was in Washington, D.C., on a fellowship working with James A. Mackey, a U.S. representative from Georgia.

At the time, Joan was in Washington, D.C., on a fellowship working with James A. Mackey, a U.S. representative from Georgia.

The book hit home for Joan.

The book hit home for Joan.

The book hit home for Joan.

Joan knew that Nader's allegations against the auto industry were monumental. And Representative Mackey tasked her with tracking down Nader and getting him into the office for a discussion.

Joan knew that Nader's allegations against the auto industry were monumental. And Representative Mackey tasked her with tracking down Nader and getting him into the office for a discussion.

Joan knew that Nader's allegations against the auto industry were monumental. And Representative Mackey tasked her with tracking down Nader and getting him into the office for a discussion.