The Rif Raff Book Club's selection for June was Let Them Call Me Rebel by Sanford Horwitt.

Let Them Call Me Rebel by Sanford Horwitt

This book was recommended to me by someone I was doing archival research for. He was one of those U. of C. Hyde Park student community organizers who worked for Saul and is mentioned several times in LTCMR. I enjoyed reading this book, though I concede that I was only half-way through when I had to take it back to the stupid Berwyn library. They would not let me renew it because it was overdue 5 days. What would have Saul done? Intimidate the librarians? Colluded with the parish leaders at St. Odilo's and St. Leonard's? Got the mob to break some fingers? It was certainly not a summer book club type selection, but I did enjoy learning much more about the inner workings of social politics in Chicago and about Alinky himself. A very colorful character, to say the least. I'll have to wait a few weeks and then take it out again and try and finish it, although (one book club member) spoiled the ending for me by revealing that Saul dies.

This biography of Saul Alinsky was a fascinating, although lengthy chronicle of the life of a true pioneer in the area of civil rights and community organization. Given his often brash and unpolished style, it was interesting to read of Sauls' many influential connections and how he was considered a valuable asset to many a ladder climbing politico. I most especially enjoyed the prohibition era that recalled the days of Al Capone and the Chicago mob scene. His personal life was also a very interesting aspect of the book, and he apparently was quite prolific with the ladies. Unfortunately, due to the length of this bio, I found myself doing a fair bit of skimming to get through it, and it was certainly a valuable history lesson for anyone, and especially for a Chicagoan.

The Saul Alinsky book was a rare treat for a Chicago reader. It offered so many stories with so many details, that I found myself scanning the pages just to get through it. I must admit that I did not completely finish the book before it was due back. ( I had copies from two libraries and one renewal) I found the history of this man very interesting. He was a real Chicago player at a time I really know very little about. The connections to so may influential people of the time was a cool aspect. How he made his connections was also fascinating. The book was an inside look at how things were really done in the city. I found myself drawing comparisons to today's inner workings of the city and could only imagine the real behind the scene stories of today's movers and shakers. You have to want to learn the minutia of one part of a city's history to really enjoy this book. It was the undertaking of a civics project for a school report. Summer read? I think not.

This biography was relatively interesting. I enjoyed the Chicago connection and Alinsky's relationship with society's wealthy donors. His theory of people becoming 'citizens' and controlling their fate is one I agree with. The author cronicled Alinky's life in an easy to understand time line. The author also put events into perspective by outlining what the current mood and feelings were that society was expressing. The book was rather hard to get through. Besides focusing on Alinsky's life, one also got an education of what was going on in the mid 20th century. I don't know of too many people that say "I want to be an organizer." when I grow up, but Alinsky showed that there is a need for that profession. If you're from Chicago, this is a book you should read.