As a means of preparation for my planned series on the book, Rules for Radicals, I thought a quick look at the life of it's author would be a good jumping off point. While I had heard his name for my entire life, I knew next to nothing about who he actually was. Admittedly, this is a thumbnail look at his origins, but even in this cursory biography I learned a few things about Alinsky's personal beliefs that surprised me and somewhat changed my outlook on the man.
