Cesar Chavez: Autobiography of La Causa [Paperback]

Jacques E. Levy (Author), Jacqueline M. Levy (Afterword), Fred Ross Jr. (Foreword)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 17, 2007

“[An] exceptionally interesting and intimate oral history . . . Against a background of motels and all-night cafés and strikes, the high relief in which the characters stand out is truly fascinating. Jacques Levy’s biography of Chavez has unforgettable descriptive passages and fine photographs.” —The Nation

 

Mexican-American civil rights and labor activist Cesar Chavez (1927–1993), comes to life in this vivid portrait of the charismatic and influential fighter who boycotted supermarkets and took on corporations, the government, and the powerful Teamsters Union. Jacques E. Levy gained unprecedented access to Chavez and the United Farm Workers Union in writing this account of one of the most successful labor movements in history which can also serve as a guidebook for social and political change.

 

“[The] definitive work. The book’s major contribution lies in its portrait of the man himself—deeply religious in an almost mystical fashion; a dedicated battler, but not a dedicated hater; a leader who not only will not ask, but will not allow his followers to make the sacrifices he has made.” —Publishers Weekly

 

“One of the heroic figures of our time.” —Senator Robert F. Kennedy

 

Jacques E. Levy (1927–2004), a prize-winning journalist, spent six years with Cesar Chavez researching and writing this book.

 

Fred Ross Jr. is a spokesperson for the Service Employees’ International Union and the son of Fred Ross, Chavez’s mentor.

 

Jacqueline Levy is the daughter of Jacques E. Levy and a high school science teacher in Sonoma County, California.

Product Details

• Paperback: 600 pages
• Publisher: Univ Of Minnesota Press; 1st University of Minnesota Press Ed edition (August 17, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0816650497
• ISBN-13: 978-0816650491
• Product Dimensions: 6 x 1.4 x 9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #569,655 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

29 of 31 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars This is the most authentic book on Cesar Chavez ever! March 2, 1999

By A Customer

Format:Hardcover

I have read this book over twenty times. One major reason is that each time I get new insights into the life and genius of one of this centuries greatest and most brilliant American leaders.

The other reason is because I was priviledged to have worked beside Mr. Chavez during the time of this books writing. Every time I read it I can still hear the author, Jaques Levy, reading it in draft form to Cesar by flashlight as we traveled California and Arizona's highways and biways.

This is truly the closest Mr.Chavez ever came to writing his own book. Jaques Levy had a rare inside look at Cesar, his movement and his family. The combination of trust and journalistic integrity between Mr. Chavez and Jacques Levy made for a great book that covers and captures his actions, thoughts, ideas, trials, ambitions, hopes and dreams. Mr. Levy, together with Cesar Chavez, captures the essence of his formative years, those leading up to his becoming the first Mexican and American hero of this century.

Unlike any other author on Chavez, Mr. Levy captures several examples of Chavez's self taught brilliance and tenacity. He also clearly shows Chavez' ability to grasp any subject and his views on American and poor people's economics. I have read many of the others and having been on the spot while they were written can add that while most err somewhat to a great deal in covering basic facts, Jacques Levy's book is on the money.

If it is possible to get this book reprinted, it should be and I bet a Spanish version would sell a million copies.

Mr. Levy spent nine years researching, writing and editing this work that over time will come to be known as the basic foundation of Mr. Chavez's life

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Book! Told mostly in Cesar's own words from recordings. July 29, 2012

By Deborah La Pierre

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

This book was recommended to me by a man who knew and worked with Cesar for many years. I really like that most of the book is taken from recorded conversations from Cesar and his family and friends, mentors and others who knew and worked with him. I highly recommend it to anyone interested in Cesar and the movement to better conditions for farm workers in the US.

0 of 3 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent Work and a Tribute to Chavez April 9, 2009

By dizzy dean

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

Simply told through interviews of Chavez by several sympathetic authors, this is worth reading, if only to understand the immigration issues. Chavez is a very sympathetic figure--humble, courageous, savvy, religious. From the stories of his youth to the formation of the UFW, this is an excellent primer in labor history, as well as the life of the poor migrant farm workers.