The successor to the legendary activist Saul Alinsky, Edward T. Chambers pioneered a set of principles and practices that have guided community organizations throughout the US and the world. Roots for Radicals remains his definitive reflection on these fundamental principles of community activism: how, as public citizens, we can navigate the gap between the world as it is and as it should be, between self-interest and self-sacrifice and in doing so create lasting change for our communities.

In the face of the increasingly turbulent politics of the 21st-century, Chambers's book has never been more relevant.

Edward T. Chambers (1930-2015) succeeded the legendary community organizer Saul Alinsky as Executive Director of the Industrial Areas Foundation, one of America's most prolific community organizing networks. He was responsible for developing the IAF's systematic training program for activists and campaigners across the country, an educational framework that remains influential to this day.

Foreword, Studs Terkel

Introduction: The Industrial Areas Foundation: Social Knowledge, Power, and Politicalness
1. The World As It Is and the World As It Should Be
2. The Relational Meeting
3. Broad-Based Organizing: An Intentional Response to the Human Condition
4. Relationships: Public and Private
5. The Practice of Public Life: Research, Action, and Evaluation
6. Reflections of an Organizer
7. Broad-Based Organizing for the 21st Century: United Power for Action and Justice
8. Thoughts on 21st Century Challenges
Appendix: Industrial Areas Foundation Network

Notes
Index