Rules for radicals: a practical primer for realistic radicals

Saul David Alinsky

Random House, 1971 - Political Science - 196 pages

Guides young revolutionaries in the art of human communication and explains the tactics of organizing others to work within the system for social change

What people are saying

User Review -

A lot of what is wrong in America can be directly traced back to the members of this cult. Any time anyone, no matter their political or societal standing, advocates "playing god" as Saul Alinsky does in this book, is headed for a fall.
When individuals are encouraged to stir up strife and dissent, turning one against another, is out of touch with their mental faculties. The end never justifies the means, more especially when you don't really know what the means are.
As for using a person's faith or belief system against them, based on the premise that no one can live up to their own standards; therefore demonizing them as hypocrites, is akin to the third string football player who is bitter that they aren't good enough to play and taking pot shots of those who are.
If Saul were alive today, and was held accountable to his own standards, or lack of, then most assuredly you would find that he can't live up to them; whatever they may be.
In reality you would find that Saul is no different, if not worse, than those he railed against. There is nothing worse than a person who masks themselves under the title of Community Organizer, when they are nothing more than an instigator and trouble maker.
In my part of the country, we took these people out behind the woodshed and gave them an attitude adjustment. Which more times than not, cured the individual in question of their unbridled temper tantrums, gossip and trouble making.
Unfortunately we don't live in a perfect world, and those of us who "get it" are continually asked to indulge the tirades, emotional outbursts and cultural labeling of those who do not. Is this fair? No it is not. But then again, life is not fair. 

Review: Rules for Radicals: A Pragmatic Primer for Realistic Radicals

User Review  - Fox - Goodreads

While the information in this book is dated, particularly the last few chapters, it still is a valuable manual. Saul D. Alinsky gives solid advice that is surprisingly poignant and effective even ...

Contents

• The Purpose: 3
• Of Means and Ends: 24
• A Word About Words: 48

Bibliographic information

• Title: Rules for radicals: a practical primer for realistic radicals
• Author: Saul David Alinsky
• Edition: reprint
• Publisher: Random House, 1971
• ISBN: 0394443411, 9780394443416
• Length: 196 pages
• Subjects: Community organization; Community organization/ United States; Political Science / Civics & Citizenship; Political Science / Political Freedom & Security / Civil Rights; Political Science / Political Ideologies / General; Political Science / Political Process / General; Political Science / Political Process / Political Parties; Political participation; Political participation/ United States; Radicalism; Radicalism/ United States; Social Science / Sociology / General