Cesar Chavez

Cesar Chavez

Autobiography of La Causa

Jacques E. Levy
Foreword by Fred Ross Jr.
Afterword by Jacqueline M. Levy

Table of Contents

$19.95 paper
ISBN: 978-0-8166-5049-1
ISBN-10: 0-8166-5049-7

The only authorized biography of Cesar Chavez—featuring three reflective essays new to this edition.

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 in writing this account of one of the most successful labor movements in history—which also serves as a guidebook for social and political change.

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

“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

“The books begins as a biography of Chavez, describing his boyhood and early adult life; but as Chavez becomes totally involved in the farm workers movement, the perspective broadens and the book becomes an exhaustively detailed history of the United Farm Workers from its inception to early 1975. This unique inside story of the union is highly recommended.” —Library Journal

“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. In short, no future book can bet written on La Causa which fails to take account of this seminal work.” —Publishers Weekly

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

Fred Ross Jr. has had an extraordinary career as a farmworker organizer, lawyer, and political campaign strategist. Currently, he is an organizing director for Service Employees International Union. Jacqueline M. Levy is the daughter of Jacques E. Levy and a high school science teacher in Sonoma County, California.

600 pages | 23 b&w photos | 6 x 9 | 2007

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Foreword by Fred Ross Jr.
Preface
Acknowledgments
Prologue: Fred Ross Recalls

Book I. Seeds in the Desert
1. A Step to Freedom
2. Carving a Homestead
3. Either Drought or Flood
4. Dichos and Consejos
5. A Need for Faith
6. A Violent Death
7. Tragic Summer
8. No Longer Free
9. Losing the Ranch

Book II. Uprooted and Adrift, 1939–1952
1. Easy Prey
2. Get Out If You Can
3. Between the Dirt and the Sky
4. Labor Contractors
5. Like Monkeys in a Cage
6. Mired in Mendota
7. A Trail of Crops
8. Unions and My Father
9. Pachuco Days
10. Marriage
11. My Education Starts

Book III. Crusaders in the Barrios, June 1952–March 1962
1. Fred Ross
2. Are You a Communist?
3. Problems and Power
4. A Secret Trial
5. Negreroes
6. Oxnard’s Burning Issue
7. Getting the Proof
8. A Victory That Failed
9. “I Resign”

Book IV. The Birth of the Union, April 1, 1962–April 10, 1966
1. The Power of Agribusiness
2. How Will We Eat?
3. We Begin to Grow
4. The Black Eagle Is Born
5. A Strike in the Roses
6. The Grape Strike Starts
7. Where Harassment Backfires
8. Recruiting Volunteers
9. National Spotlight
10. Pilgrimage to Sacramento
11. Schenley Signs a Contract

Book V. Victory in the Vineyards, April 1966–July 29, 1970
1. Praying for DiGiorgio
2. A Question for Elections
3. A Merger and a Vote
4. The Arvin Story
5. Teamster Coup
6. Boycott Grapes!
7. The Power of Nonviolence
8. The Miracle of the Fast
9. “To Be a Man Is to Suffer for Others”
10. The Spirit of Martyrs
11. Perils and Pressures
12. The Eagle Is Flying
13. First Cracks in Delano
14. A Surrender and a Challenge

Book VI. New Fields, Old Enemies, July 30, 1970–November 1971
1. Message at a Wedding
2. A Secret Letter
3. A Fast That Failed
4. “The True Teamster Position”
5. Bedlam in Delano
6. War Is Declared
7. A Fork in the Road
8. Violence
9. “Concentrate on Chiquita!”
10. Enter the Goons
11. Ambus
12. “Clever Tactical Reasons”
13. Forced to Boycott
14. Inside Salinas Jail
15. Secret Lettuce Talks

Book VII. Target for Destruction, 1971–May 1975
1. Assassination Plot
2. The Power of People
3. La Causa in Florida
4. Two Showdowns
5. Dangerous Alliances
6. “Everything Is Going to Go to the Teamsters”
7. A Pattern of Violence
8. Filling the Jails
9. “Two Men Are Dead”
10. Teamsters Go All Out
11. The Best Source of Hope Is the People
12. A Very Important Lesson
13. Surprise in Sacramento
14. Saying Yes to Man’s Dignity

Postscript: Hay Más Tiempo Que Vida (There Is More Time Than Life)
Afterword by Jacqueline M. Levy
Index



Cesar Chavez *Autobiography of La Causa* Jacques E. Levy Foreword by Fred Ross Jr. Afterword by Jacqueline M. Levy Table of Contents		$19.95 paper ISBN: 978-0-8166-5049-1 ISBN-10: 0-8166-5049-7
The only authorized biography of Cesar Chavez—featuring three reflective essays new to this edition. 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 in writing this account of one of the most successful labor movements in history—which also serves as a guidebook for social and political change. “One of the heroic figures of our time.” —Senator Robert F. Kennedy “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 “The books begins as a biography of Chavez, describing his boyhood and early adult life; but as Chavez becomes totally involved in the farm workers movement, the perspective broadens and the book becomes an exhaustively detailed history of the United Farm Workers from its inception to early 1975. This unique inside story of the union is highly recommended.” —Library Journal “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. In short, no future book can bet written on La Causa which fails to take account of this seminal work.” —Publishers Weekly Jacques E. Levy (1927–2004), a prize-winning journalist, spent six years with Cesar Chavez researching and writing this book. Fred Ross Jr. has had an extraordinary career as a farmworker organizer, lawyer, and political campaign strategist. Currently, he is an organizing director for Service Employees International Union. Jacqueline M. Levy is the daughter of Jacques E. Levy and a high school science teacher in Sonoma County, California. 600 pages \| 23 b&w photos \| 6 x 9 \| 2007 TABLE OF CONTENTS Foreword by Fred Ross Jr. Preface Acknowledgments Prologue: Fred Ross Recalls Book I. Seeds in the Desert 1. A Step to Freedom 2. Carving a Homestead 3. Either Drought or Flood 4. Dichos and Consejos 5. A Need for Faith 6. A Violent Death 7. Tragic Summer 8. No Longer Free 9. Losing the Ranch Book II. Uprooted and Adrift, 1939–1952 1. Easy Prey 2. Get Out If You Can 3. Between the Dirt and the Sky 4. Labor Contractors 5. Like Monkeys in a Cage 6. Mired in Mendota 7. A Trail of Crops 8. Unions and My Father 9. Pachuco Days 10. Marriage 11. My Education Starts Book III. Crusaders in the Barrios, June 1952–March 1962 1. Fred Ross 2. Are You a Communist? 3. Problems and Power 4. A Secret Trial 5. Negreroes 6. Oxnard’s Burning Issue 7. Getting the Proof 8. A Victory That Failed 9. “I Resign” Book IV. The Birth of the Union, April 1, 1962–April 10, 1966 1. The Power of Agribusiness 2. How Will We Eat? 3. We Begin to Grow 4. The Black Eagle Is Born 5. A Strike in the Roses 6. The Grape Strike Starts 7. Where Harassment Backfires 8. Recruiting Volunteers 9. National Spotlight 10. Pilgrimage to Sacramento 11. Schenley Signs a Contract Book V. Victory in the Vineyards, April 1966–July 29, 1970 1. Praying for DiGiorgio 2. A Question for Elections 3. A Merger and a Vote 4. The Arvin Story 5. Teamster Coup 6. Boycott Grapes! 7. The Power of Nonviolence 8. The Miracle of the Fast 9. “To Be a Man Is to Suffer for Others” 10. The Spirit of Martyrs 11. Perils and Pressures 12. The Eagle Is Flying 13. First Cracks in Delano 14. A Surrender and a Challenge Book VI. New Fields, Old Enemies, July 30, 1970–November 1971 1. Message at a Wedding 2. A Secret Letter 3. A Fast That Failed 4. “The True Teamster Position” 5. Bedlam in Delano 6. War Is Declared 7. A Fork in the Road 8. Violence 9. “Concentrate on Chiquita!” 10. Enter the Goons 11. Ambus 12. “Clever Tactical Reasons” 13. Forced to Boycott 14. Inside Salinas Jail 15. Secret Lettuce Talks Book VII. Target for Destruction, 1971–May 1975 1. Assassination Plot 2. The Power of People 3. La Causa in Florida 4. Two Showdowns 5. Dangerous Alliances 6. “Everything Is Going to Go to the Teamsters” 7. A Pattern of Violence 8. Filling the Jails 9. “Two Men Are Dead” 10. Teamsters Go All Out 11. The Best Source of Hope Is the People 12. A Very Important Lesson 13. Surprise in Sacramento 14. Saying Yes to Man’s Dignity Postscript: Hay Más Tiempo Que Vida (There Is More Time Than Life) Afterword by Jacqueline M. Levy Index