Rules for Radicals

A Practical Primer for Realistic Radicals

By: Saul D. Alinsky

Narrated by: Scott Lange

First published in 1971, Rules for Radicals is Saul Alinsky's impassioned counsel to young radicals on how to effect constructive social change and know "the difference between being a realistic radical and being a rhetorical one." Written in the midst of radical political developments whose direction Alinsky was one of the first to question, this volume exhibits his style at its best. Like Thomas Paine before him, Alinsky was able to combine, both in his person and his writing, the intensity of political engagement with an absolute insistence on rational political discourse and adherence to the American democratic tradition.

©1971 Saul D. Alinsky (P)2015 Brilliance Audio, all rights reserved.

Why and How Trump Win's!

a very schrewd and practical understanding of how to create and maintain pressure for real change.

A Brilliant Man, A Dangerous Idea, Well Performed

Saul gives really interesting insights into the inner workings of organized social movements and tells tails of masterful choreography of political mudslinging and manipulation. It is important to keep in mind, however that radicalism is friend to no man and when it gets what it is powerful, leaves people in graves. That said, this is a fantastic educational piece and ought to be regarded as a classic of organizational philosophy!

needs warning

good lessons but rough to listen to! needs an intro or something to warn us

Very informative

It appears that BLM, ANTIFA and the Democrats are huge fans of Mr. Saul Alinsky!

unimpressive.

read well, but the content odd lame, scorn when the time frame in which this was written is considered. more propaganda.

Very good education Understanding Radicals.

Also I listened to books that were read a little bit more excitingly than this one, The value and education of the thinking mentality of the radical mind was an excellent story to hear. The methodology and thinking capability present very intelligent ideas that border on scary. The ideology behind getting what you want I'm going to almost any lengths to achieve it with dedicated creativity Warrants reading this book with caution and intelligence.

Machiavelli for the Have-Not's

Contains vulgarity that detract from the book. Without doubt a book you must have on your political science bookshelf. Describes the ethics and tactics and personal traits that enable those without power to take it from those who do. Alinsky speaks from the political left but activists across the political spectrum will benefit from his insights.

disturbing but informative

I have often heard him referred to but I wanted to hear for myself. I can see how people followed him.

Brilliant, but sociopathic.

Certainly brilliant from a tactician's point-of-view, but nonetheless sociopathic. The "ends justify any means" mindset may get a person/group what they want in the short term, but it constantly sows seeds of discord. Of course, that seems to be the plan as Alinsky & his acolytes believe that it's not enough to get what you want/need but to always strive for more. The irony being that this is the very philosophy that they are supposedly fighting against. But, hey, what's the saying? "Do as I say, not as I do."

I'm sorry I didn't read /listen to this years ago

Discussions on lower income middle class are the most relevant I've seen for today's context.