Cesar Chavez: Autobiography of La Causa

Overview

“[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.

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