Roots for Radicals is a distillation of the IAF (Industrial Areas Foundation) philosophy and its unique approach to community organizing. The IAF is the oldest and largest institution for community organizing in the United States. For sixty years, its mission has been to train people to take responsibility for solving the problems in their own communities and to renew the interest of citizens in public life. The IAF, now headed by the author, Edward T. Chambers, has taken founder Saul Alinsky's original vision, refined it, and created a sophisticated national network of citizens' organizations. One of the key activities is its 10-day training sessions for community organizers.
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Editorial Reviews
From Publishers Weekly
The fight against globalization and the war in Iraq has led to a revival of grassroots activism. But there are many other causes for which communities organize: lack of sewage in poor neighborhoods, the need to support public schools, and affordable housing, to name just a few. Chambers is executive director of the Industrial Areas Foundation; founded by the noted organizer Saul Alinsky, the foundation is dedicated to supporting community organizing. A "radical" for Chambers is "a person who searches for meaning and affirms community." Thus, this is not an easy-to-consult handbook, but a book encouraging reflection about public life and ideals; the gap between the world "as it is" and "as it should be"; self-interest vs. self-sacrifice and other polarities; and how to create actions that not only receive momentary press attention but that are effective. Readers looking for quick tactical tips won't find them here, but readers looking for a solid foundation on which to base political action will find much to think about within these pages.
Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information, Inc.
Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information, Inc.
Review
"Here is a how-to-book in the best sense: a primer in how to beat the dragons. It has been designed for community organizers: to know, to feel, and mostly to think creatively how, not so much to lead, as to incite the pow"erless to find the power and speak for themselves….Ed Chambers is something of a secular priest, with the community as his parish, teaching that the least of us have the right to lead decent lives. I should point out that his first real teacher was Dorothy Day." -Studs Terkel
“Edward T. Chambers might know more about building democratic institutions than any man alive.” —San Francisco Chronicle (San Francisco Chronicle )
"This resource for organizers presents a distillation of the Industrial Areas Foundation philosophy and its approach to community organizing.." --Reference & Research Book News, February 2004
"I found it refreshingly down-to-earth, usable by people (I'm one) who don't share all the ideological assumptions of the author, as well as by those who are convinced."" -Christianity Today"
"Roots for Radicals is the sort of book you want desperately to like. And...it's not difficult." --Charles Bertsch, Tikkun, Nov/Dec 2004
"This resource for organizers presents a distillation of the Industrial Areas Foundation philosophy and its approach to community organizing.." --Reference & Research Book News, February 2004
“Edward T. Chambers might know more about building democratic institutions than any man alive.” —San Francisco Chronicle (San Francisco Chronicle )
"This resource for organizers presents a distillation of the Industrial Areas Foundation philosophy and its approach to community organizing.." --Reference & Research Book News, February 2004
"I found it refreshingly down-to-earth, usable by people (I'm one) who don't share all the ideological assumptions of the author, as well as by those who are convinced."" -Christianity Today"
"Roots for Radicals is the sort of book you want desperately to like. And...it's not difficult." --Charles Bertsch, Tikkun, Nov/Dec 2004
'Overall the book was a good read and I recommend it.'
Karen Gray, Journal of Community Practice, Vol 13, No. 4, 2005
"This resource for organizers presents a distillation of the Industrial Areas Foundation philosophy and its approach to community organizing.." --Reference & Research Book News, February 2004
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This review is from: Roots for Radicals: Organizing for Power, Action, and Justice (Hardcover)
This book presents an organizing method based on building relationships. This is a less Machiavellian, more people-oriented method than that of Saul Alinksy. An excellent read for anyone who wants to work for progressive social change.
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