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ralowe's review against another edition
1.0
this book establishes a tradition that is the precondition for pure analysis. this books contributes to a situational ethics that produces self-interest as a divided and conflicted terrain, where self-interest may act in the interest of another self that isn't interested. pure analysis only emerges by virtue of an utter rejection of the inconsistent and contradictory "self-interest"ќ as devised by alinsky here. if dumb-ass saul d. alinsky had never chosen machiavelli as an interlocutor we wouldn't be in the shit we're in, this shitty fix that turns struggle into a commodity for speculation on the free market. this permits the calculation of 501(c)(3) means/ends based on a widely and ceaselessly versatile criteria. where neoliberalism may pass for struggle at any moment. anything goes where it should not. and never of any necessity but speculative. the compromise we live in now may perhaps seek some genealogy here.
yates9's review against another edition
4.0
The book describes the conceptual framework for a very practical mechanics of radical political resistance and transformation. It offers a view of what politics is that is somehow cynical because it is boiled down to amplifying polarised issues to creare the energy for action.
I am not an expert in political writing but I found the book at the same time a source of great insight, as is a damning review of how little independent intelligence plays a role in self determination.
In light of information society’s exposure to manufacturing of different issues, this work takes on a dark tone in that it as much a guide to the tactics of manipulatrd world views as it is guide to resistance.
I think we can do better...
I am not an expert in political writing but I found the book at the same time a source of great insight, as is a damning review of how little independent intelligence plays a role in self determination.
In light of information society’s exposure to manufacturing of different issues, this work takes on a dark tone in that it as much a guide to the tactics of manipulatrd world views as it is guide to resistance.
I think we can do better...
ewheels125's review against another edition
5.0
This was fascinating, intriguing, and such an interesting time capsule for the period. Plus, some genuinely solid advice that still holds up 50 years later
bentohbox's review against another edition
2.0
This had some pertinent and useful points but overall far less compelling than I was hoping for. I know this is a product of the times changing but Alinsky's verbiage and some of his case scenarios were just uncomfortable or weird in the way only the confidence of being a white man from the 70s could pull off.
Overall, I don't think I learned much but I guess some people could benefit from reading the first couple chapters and the last chapter for perspectives.
The only dark, unsurprising humor I got out of this was how little has realistically changed since the book was written in 1971. Different challenges, same fundamental problems only goes to show how ineffective and sluggish Alinsky's target audience has been.
Overall, I don't think I learned much but I guess some people could benefit from reading the first couple chapters and the last chapter for perspectives.
The only dark, unsurprising humor I got out of this was how little has realistically changed since the book was written in 1971. Different challenges, same fundamental problems only goes to show how ineffective and sluggish Alinsky's target audience has been.
linaleigh's review against another edition
5.0
Dry in places, but what tract isn't? Absolutely necessary, and provided me with 30 pages of good notes.
hagbard_celine's review against another edition
3.0
Neat. Don't love his incidental sexual politics.
nowwearealltom's review against another edition
4.0
4 stars for interesting food for thought, not for how much I agree with the ideas. Well worth reading for anyone who is interested in how political change happens, regardless of where they fall on the political spectrum. Not crazy about how morality is brushed off.
cameronkc's review against another edition
3.0
I really enjoyed the second chapter "Of Means and Ends". I also like the frankness of Alinsky's style and his examples of previous "radical" methods. Many of his contributions to change were revolutionary in his day, but in 2011, most of his ideas have been disemeninated to students through the most basic undergraduate education. Worth a few hours of serious reading.