9781422277751

C H A P T E R 1 ALWAYSOUT FRONT O n an ordinary day, the Reverend Al Sharpton sits at the corner table at 540 Park, one of the most exclusive restaurants at one of the swankiest addresses in New York City, Park Avenue. In front of him are a pad and pen, his cell phone, and a tablet computer. During our interview, friends and well wishers stop by his table to visit. From this perch—his regular power-broker spot—he can survey all that happens in the room. On any particular morning he is likely to have already been intervewed several times about the hot topic of the day. His phone rings frequently, while his tablet automatically captures a news feed of every story in which he is mentioned. In the evening, he works on his daily talk radio program, “Keepin’ it Real with Al Sharpton,” which airs in forty media markets and is also broadcast on satellite radio. “I’m probably more disturbed when I’m not busy,” Sharpton says, explaining how he thrives on the hectic pace. “I’m used to 18-hour workdays, five hours sleep, constantly moving. I go stir crazy when I’m not moving around.”

CH A P T E R 1 : A LwAy S Ou T F R ON T

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