From the Jaws of Victory:The Triumph and Tragedy of Cesar Chavez and the Farm Worker Movement is the most comprehensive history ever written on the meteoric rise and precipitous decline of the United Farm Workers; the most successful farm labor union in United States history. Based on little-known sources and one-of-a-kind oral histories with many veterans of the farm worker movement; this book revises much of what we know about the UFW. Matt Garcia’s gripping account of the expansion of the union’s grape boycott reveals how the boycott; which UFW leader Cesar Chavez initially resisted; became the defining feature of the movement and drove the growers to sign labor contracts in 1970. Garcia vividly relates how; as the union expanded and the boycott spread across the United States; Canada; and Europe; Chavez found it more difficult to organize workers and fend off rival unions. Ultimately; the union was a victim of its own success and Chavez’s growing instability.From the Jaws of Victory delves deeply into Chavez’s attitudes and beliefs; and how they changed over time. Garcia also presents in-depth studies of other leaders in the UFW; including Gilbert Padilla; Marshall Ganz; Dolores Huerta; and Jerry Cohen. He introduces figures such as the co-coordinator of the boycott; Jerry Brown; the undisputed leader of the international boycott; Elaine Elinson; and Harry Kubo; the Japanese American farmer who led a successful campaign against the UFW in the mid-1970s.
#51094 in Books University of California Press 2012-05-31Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 8.25 x .70 x 5.50l; .65 #File Name: 0520272595256 pagesUniversity of California Press
Review
7 of 8 people found the following review helpful. Sustainable Grass Root Community Activistism in DetroitBy Walter LeeThis is not a how to or DIY book on sustainable community activistism in the shadows of Urban decay caused by Economic Globalization but a personal account of sustainable community activistm in Detroit. Boggs argues that public education is geared only to serve as college-unversity filters and feeders and with college AND because university education out of the reach for many of the city's poor the drop out in record numbers.Boggs argues that political agents are dynamic entities like MLK Malcolm X had to adapt to a dynamic socio-economic-political environment. Sustainable community activism must get the community involve in a major way and to get them interested activitism must look to address concrete needs in that communities and provide a definable service or product to be justifiable. Boggs looks a partnering with others to achieve this. Food Securityand Conflict dispute are two such community needs Boggs sees as needed. Boggs is not a Game Theorist or a Military General but she sees the heart of the problem and she knows a leader must win the hearts of his people before he can effectively lead them.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Five StarsBy RfabSo much to love about and learn from Ms. Lee Boggs.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Must Read As a Guide For Radical ChangeBy Sheila PinkelThis book is a crucial read for anyone interested in radical change. It is life changing for me.
