John’s Reviews > Rules for Radicals: A Pragmatic Primer for Realistic Radicals > Status Update

This book is fantastically bad. The author, a self-identified genius, focuses on peoples' wants versus their needs. He pits "the haves" versus "the have-nots" and tells the have-nots to protest, to desire XYZ. Alinsky doesn't say, go get educated. Work hard. He's ready to boycott and pressure people, companies into buckling because of his demands.

Wow! This book is disturbing and amazing. Disturbing because Alinsky used methods (he calls tactics) of social engagement beyond any good sense, and amazing because this guy was so influential in causing change in cities; Alinksy promoted childlike fighting, "I want this or else I throw a tantrum right now!" According to Alinsky, mass protest was best to cause change.

interesting book! full of historical details where a President or official said one thing and did another and the author claims the ends justify the means. this is utterly frightening that someone can say and do two different things.