Book Review: "Dinner with Dad"; Figuring out what's important and doing something about it

Cameron Stracher was a typical workaholic attorney putting in long hours and a lengthy commute to finance his lifestyle as well as put money away to one day live the good life. Readers of LifeTwo (or of this book) will recognize the fallacy of this strategy. Fortunately Stracher figured it out and decided to do something about at least one aspect of the problem--time with his family. Also, fortunately, unlike the resolutions that we are all so guilty of making and then forgetting, Stracher "ritualized" an activity that would guarantee regular family time. He committed to get home in time for dinner five times a week and to make dinner half of the time. Given his demanding career not to mention his commute from New York City to Westport, Conn., this was no simple task.

The result of this seemingly simple switch was a life-changing series of often-humorous and as often touching stories and anecdotes.

While the family dinner may not be a ritual that works for everyone, regular family interaction is a must and no fast-track career is worth being a stranger in one's own home. For those wondering how they could possibly add more family time into their already over-clocked lives, perusing "Dinner With Dad" would be both informative and enjoyable. If you are thinking to yourself, "Hmmm, looks like a good book but I don't have time to read anymore," then perhaps this book is really for you. In short there is nothing more important than our family relationships and if you don't have time to nurture those then, like Stracher, you are seriously in need of your own epiphany to trigger a change. And if you are going to have an epiphany it's far better to have it be an enjoyable book instead of the normal ones (midlife crisis, serious illness, or your son giving you a "who are you?" look).

Amazon link: Dinner with Dad: How I Found My Way Back to the Family Table