Delano: The Story of the California Grape Strike [Paperback]

John Gregory Dunne (Author), Ilan Stavans (Foreword)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0520254333 | ISBN-13: 978-0520254336 | Publication Date: October 4, 2007 | Edition: 1

In September 1965, Filipino and Mexican American farm workers went on strike against grape growers in and around Delano, California. More than a labor dispute, the strike became a movement for social justice that helped redefine Latino and American politics. The strike also catapulted its leader, Cesar Chavez, into prominence as one of the most celebrated American political figures of the twentieth century. More than forty years after its original publication, Delano: The Story of the California Grape Strike, based on compelling first-hand reportage and interviews, retains both its freshness and its urgency in illuminating a moment of unusually significant social ferment.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

John Gregory Dunne (1932-2003) was an novelist, screenwriter, and frequent contributor to The New York Review of Books. Among his books are True Confessions and Playland. Ilan Stavans is Lewis-Sebring Professor of Latin American and Latino Culture at Amherst College.

Product Details

• Paperback: 225 pages
• Publisher: University of California Press; 1 edition (October 4, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0520254333
• ISBN-13: 978-0520254336
• Product Dimensions: 8 x 5.4 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #322,274 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars Important & fascinating history of the California Grape Strike, May 25, 2008

By 

Eric Hobart (La Center, WA United States) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Delano: The Story of the California Grape Strike (Paperback)

The California Grape Strike, which started in 1965, was a watershed event for farm laborers in American history. This strike not only resulted in widespread organization of farm laborers, but it also catapulted Cesar Chavez into the limelight.

John Dunne was an observer and a participant in many of the activities during the strike period. This book is the culmination of his effort to recreate the event. The book is largely a memoir, with some analysis of Chavez's legacy and the importance of farm worker organization. Above all, it is an important source of material for anyone trying to understand 1960's labor history within the confines of Latin American/Chicano history or western history. Since this is primarily a memoir, there are no footnotes or sources included, nor is there a bibliography or an index - these are the only weakenesses of the book, and are not significant enough to detract from the importance of the subject matter.