Lessons Learned: Stories from a Lifetime of Organizing

by Arnie Graf

IAF organizer and supervisor Arnie Graf tells five substantive stories from his work in San Antonio, Baltimore, Washington DC, Boston, and London that illustrate the "universal principles" of organizing developed by the Industrial Areas Foundation (IAF), including power, self-interest, relational meetings, no permanent allies or enemies, breaking problems into issues, action in the reaction, the positives of tension, training and evaluation, and the necessity of people and their institutions to demand real respect and recognition rather than grudging tolerance in the public arena.

240 pages, Paperback

Published October 15, 2020

Reviews

[Ani · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the best books I’ve read. It inspires me that change is possible, trust the process even when things look uncertain or downright bad, and remember who you’re fighting for.

[Lowell AfdahlRice · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great case studies of Organizing from a master in the field. Now when is Ernie Cortez going to write his book?