Rules for Radicals: A Pragmatic Primer for Realistic Radicals is a 1971 book by American community activist and writer Saul D. Alinsky. It describes how to successfully run a movement for change. It was the last book written by Alinsky, and it was published shortly before his death in 1972.

Why should you read it, more than 50 years later? It also helped launch a mode of thinking that is best defined as “the end justifies the means.”

And what did that do? The scales of justice were forever tipped. (Remember the lady wearing the blindfold and holding the scales? Many believe that you still can’t fully trust her.) 

Read Alinsky’s book. Millions of others have, including Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton. Regardless of how you define yourself politically, it will be empowering to know how we got to where we are now.