For those of us on the outside, the quest for power is always rigged. Sometimes it’s because we don’t know how to gain entry, or because the winners get to play by a different set of rules. (Preface)

Importance: In order to gain entry to systems of power, outsiders must first understand how they are disadvantaged by systems of power. Throughout the book Abrams reiterates that the written rules are not written for minorities or outsiders and part of the path to realizing power is understanding when the written rules should not be followed. For Abrams, acknowledging that the system is rigged does not mean attempts to gain power are hopeless, but rather, outsiders must learn how the system and the written rules work, so they can become better equipped to circumvent and subvert them.

I also wrote this book to be the outsider’s version of the Art of... (Preface)