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"Rules for Radicals" by Saul Alinsky


The FAIR LA Book Club will return in November 2023 with a discussion of Saul Alinsky's shocking and influential 1971 book, Rules for Radicals. The discussion will be led by Michael Turnblom. Following the turbulent political movements of the 1960s, Alinsky sought to codify his organizing strategies for the New Left's revolution. He openly calls for Machiavellian tactics as a means of rallying the "have nots" and seizing power from the "haves." Many well-known goals and talking points of today's radical left are unfolded here, and Alinsky concludes by proposing a new approach he called "proxy access," which since 1971 has carved a direct path for today's ESG investing and more.

Meeting Information:

  • Date: November 29, 2023 (Wednesday)
  • Time: 7:00PM to 8:30PM (PST)
  • Location: Online via Zoom.

RSVP at the link below and we will send you the Zoom meeting link on the day of the meeting.

Links to Get the Book:

Links About the Book:

In preparation for our book club discussion, check out the following links:

  • CBS – 1966 interview of Alinksy at his home in Carmel, California. (YouTube – 25 min)
  • Acton Institute – Joseph Morris offers a critical legal analysis of Alinksy. (YouTube – 1hr 14m)
  • IAF – 1999 promo posted by an organization Alinksy founded. (YouTube – 60 min, 6 parts)
  • NPR – 2009 report on newly-inaugurated Pres. Obama and his inspiration from Saul Alinsky. (Audio Link – 4 min)
  • Economic Policy Journal – Hillary Clinton’s 1969 Senior Thesis on the tactics of Saul Alinsky. (Website – 30 min read)
  • Yahoo! News – Hillary Clinton correspondence with Saul Alinsky in 1971. (Website – 6 min read)