Books.org participates in affiliate programs including Bookshop.org and the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program. We may earn a commission from qualifying purchases made through links on this page, at no additional cost to you.
Overview
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.
Synopsis
The Industrial Areas Foundation (IAF) is the oldest and largest institution for community organizing in the United States. This resource for organizers presents a distillation of the IAF philosophy and its approach to community organizing. Topics include, for example, the relational meeting, the practice of public life, and broad-based organizing for the twenty-first century. Chambers has headed the IAF since 1972. Annotation ©2004 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR
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. (Aug.) Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information.