Cesar Chavez and the Common Sense of Nonviolence [Hardcover]

Jose-Antonio Orosco (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 16, 2008

Cesar Chavez has long been heralded for his personal practice of nonviolent resistance in struggles against social, racial, and labor injustices. However, the works of Gandhi and Martin Luther King Jr. have long overshadowed Chavez's contributions to the theory of nonviolence. José-Antonio Orosco seeks to elevate Chavez as an original thinker, providing an analysis of what Chavez called "the common sense of nonviolence." By engaging Chavez in dialogue with a variety of political theorists and philosophers, Orosco demonstrates how Chavez developed distinct ideas about nonviolent theory that are timely for dealing with today's social and political issues, including racism, sexism, immigration, globalization, and political violence.

Editorial Reviews

From the Inside Flap

Long overshadowed by Martin Luther King and Gandhi, Cesar Chavez conducted his protests following a strong belief in nonviolent action to achieve the goal of equal opportunity for all.

About the Author

José-Antonio Orosco is associate professor of philosophy at Oregon State University.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 151 pages
• Publisher: University of New Mexico Press; 1 edition (April 16, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0826343759
• ISBN-13: 978-0826343758
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 6.2 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,235,607 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Important Intellectual Portrait of Cesar Chavez, March 10, 2010

By 

M. Hamington (Denver, CO United States) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Cesar Chavez and the Common Sense of Nonviolence (Hardcover)

Jose Antonio Orosco has written a very important book that gives an honest and provocative look at Cesar Chavez. Most importantly, Orosco, a philosopher, honors the legacy of Chavez by not treating the icon, but rather, Orosco addresses Chavez's intellectual contributions. In particular, his original contributions to peace theory. This is a feminist friendly and ethically challenging analysis of Chavez's ideas. The text is well written and accessible yet engages a wide range of philosophical work. I highly recommend this book and hope the readers will take its message of peace seriously. Cesar Chavez was an significant American leader and thinker who deserves to be treated as more than a sanitized symbol. That is what Orosco does in Cesar Chavez and the Common Sense of Nonviolence.

1 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Very Disappointing, February 10, 2010

By 

Brien Comerford (Glenview, Illinois United States) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Cesar Chavez and the Common Sense of Nonviolence (Hardcover)

The Book does not mention the fact that Cesar Chavez was known as the Gandhi of the fields. It also fails to mention that Chavez's nonviolence and pacifism motivated him to be an ethical vegetarian, environmentalist and animal welfare advocate. Chavez shared may of Gandhi's beliefs that were not alluded to in this book.