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deborama's review against another edition
4.0
She tells a great story and it's got a lot of good lessons for organizers of all types. It doesn't quite deliver on the claim that union organizing strategies have application to social movement organizing. That may be true, but there are no direct examples in the book, really. Even if it weren't a great how-to manual, though, it also works as recent and relevant history. My socialist local chapter (DSA) had a book discussion group around this book today and a lot of good ideas came up.
lucasmiller's review against another edition
4.0
Purchased after listening to the author be interviewed by Pete Davis on the Current Affairs podcast. It felt right to balance all of the MBA program leadership jargon books I'm reading with books about organizing.
The world of the labor movement feel foreign to me. But this book is accessible, if academic at times. You can feel the authors more conversational writing style bursting through the literature review. I think the introduction and first two chapters will prove invaluable in building a leadership education program.
The rest of the book was a very worthwhile read to understand more about current tensions within the labor movement, learn that major labor victories have been won in the 21st century, and hear a powerful program for building more power among poor people. recommended.
The world of the labor movement feel foreign to me. But this book is accessible, if academic at times. You can feel the authors more conversational writing style bursting through the literature review. I think the introduction and first two chapters will prove invaluable in building a leadership education program.
The rest of the book was a very worthwhile read to understand more about current tensions within the labor movement, learn that major labor victories have been won in the 21st century, and hear a powerful program for building more power among poor people. recommended.
sincitylibrarian's review against another edition
5.0
I saw Jane McAlevey speak at a national labor forum a few years back and it has changed the way I think about *everything*. Power structure analysis, organizing vs mobilizing, worker agency, community as labor and labor as community... Powerful stuff at a time when we need it most.
matthew4's review against another edition
3.0
McAlevey certainly presents in this book a straightforward process for building union power in our current age, and the stories of certain workplaces within the book are definitely inspiring.
However, the book has a number of limitations in my opinion. McAlevey seems so focused on building union campaigns that she forgets to ask the question as to why we, as revolutionary communists, should put effort in these campaigns, and therefore her strategy seems well-placed for ameliorative bargaining but perhaps counterproductive for long term forms of worker self-organisation; for instance, I would argue a more critical perspective on the idea of 'workplace leaders' needs to be had. In failing to critically inquire into the use of unions for building working-class power, and seriously asking how we go beyond demands and build working-class power in and against union structures, I find this book limits itself in its use.
Overall however, it does give useful advice for the short term and is worth engaging with, if from a critical perspective that understands we need to go beyond simply 'organising better', and acknowledges the need to rethink how, why and where struggle occurs, and emphasises the importance of positionality and inquiry in these processes of struggle.
However, the book has a number of limitations in my opinion. McAlevey seems so focused on building union campaigns that she forgets to ask the question as to why we, as revolutionary communists, should put effort in these campaigns, and therefore her strategy seems well-placed for ameliorative bargaining but perhaps counterproductive for long term forms of worker self-organisation; for instance, I would argue a more critical perspective on the idea of 'workplace leaders' needs to be had. In failing to critically inquire into the use of unions for building working-class power, and seriously asking how we go beyond demands and build working-class power in and against union structures, I find this book limits itself in its use.
Overall however, it does give useful advice for the short term and is worth engaging with, if from a critical perspective that understands we need to go beyond simply 'organising better', and acknowledges the need to rethink how, why and where struggle occurs, and emphasises the importance of positionality and inquiry in these processes of struggle.
kawan's review against another edition
5.0
More than just an excellent diagnosis of a labor movement that too lazily blames external forces for its toothlessness, this book provides a roadmap and toolkit for properly organizing, the single most effective—and potentially only—way to make genuine, positive social or economic change.
jacobinreads's review against another edition
4.0
This should be required reading for union members, activists, and staff. McAlevey offers a sober analysis of social movement strategy, tactics, and composition that should be a guide to re-engaging with the rank and file and our communities. If you want to build power and use it, this book is a good place to start.
McAlevey draws from her years of experience and specific cases, and engages with a thoroughgoing criticism and eye to practical advice for organisers. The big takeaway is that to win, our communities and organisations must be built through the sometimes arduous, but always worthwhile practice of bottom-up organising. When workers are empowered to be leaders within their own communities, using their own social and work relationships and networks, we can build resilient and powerful movements. When workers are engaged in building their own organisations to suit their own needs and objectives, the organisations are deeply democratic and responsive, and workers are educated and empowered by the process.
McAlevey draws from her years of experience and specific cases, and engages with a thoroughgoing criticism and eye to practical advice for organisers. The big takeaway is that to win, our communities and organisations must be built through the sometimes arduous, but always worthwhile practice of bottom-up organising. When workers are empowered to be leaders within their own communities, using their own social and work relationships and networks, we can build resilient and powerful movements. When workers are engaged in building their own organisations to suit their own needs and objectives, the organisations are deeply democratic and responsive, and workers are educated and empowered by the process.
kaneumeyer's review against another edition
5.0
a must-read for Alinskyites and Momentum / mass mobilization organizers alike!!