The Man Who Hated Work and Loved Labor: The Life and Times of Tony Mazzocchi

by Les Leopold

Book Overview

A CIA-connected labor union, an assassination attempt, a mysterious car crash, listening devices, and stolen documents--everything you'd expect from the latest thriller. Yet, this was the reality of... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1933392649
• ISBN13: 9781933392646
• Release Date: November 2007
• Publisher: Chelsea Green Publishing Company
• Length: 540 Pages
• Weight: 1.65 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.4" x 6.0" x 9.0"

Customer Reviews

A well-written window into the modern labor movement

This well-written, inspiring, and entertaining account of one man's remarkable life also illuminates the recent history of America's labor movement. We learn about labor's postwar purges, unions' role in the cold war, the origins of worker health and safety laws, the common ground between the labor and environmental movements, and the potential for an independent political party centered on working people. The accounts of union politics are fascinating. Les Leopold, who knew Tony Mazzocchi well, provides his own perspective on the man and the movement he did so much to advance. Those who may differ with Mazzocchi's politics can still admire his idealism and integrity, and appreciate his charm. Those who agree can be inspired and much better informed. Those who just want to know more about progressive movements in our time can learn a lot, besides getting acquainted with one of their most influential -- and engaging -- figures. The author has done a great service to his readers, as well as to both his subjects -- Mazzocchi and the progressive movement. His prose is well organized, entertaining, and compelling. Let's hope we hear more from him.

The Man Who Hated Work and Loved Labor: The Life and Times of Tony Mazzocchi

Les Leopold has done a great service to all. The stories of Tony Mazzocchi, his vision, leadership and ability to build a movement are so very well captured in this book. A riveting read! This book should be read by anyone in the labor movement and especially those in leadership positions in any organization.

The Man Who Hated Work and Loved Labor

I am not a student of labor history, and I must confess that I picked up this book with a big anticipatory yawn. But within two pages I was hooked. The writing is lively and never dull. The subject, Tony Mazzocchi, is endearing and engaging. This is the human side of labor history. The book is rich with intrigue and personalities. For the lay reader, there is much to learn about our society that we don't always think about, but that affects our daily lives.

A Terrific Book about a Great Man and an Important Movement

Tony Mazzocchi is the towering figure in the US occupational safety and health movement. Until his death in 2002, Tony did more than anyone else in the country to shape the way unions, scientists and public health professionals work independently and together to prevent occupational injury and illness. The book is a beautifully written, and, like the first reviewer, I could not put it down. Reading it, I found myself fascinated and exhilarated, immersed in Tony's involvement in the passage of the OSHA law, the Karen Silkwood affair, protecting workers in the nuclear weapons complex, cold war politics, and much more.

The Man who Hated Work and Loved Labor

I have been waiting for this book, and have purchased copies for my friends and family. I am not disappointed. I got my shipment today, and have been unable to put it down. I knew Tony Mazzochi for the last 20 years of his life. Tony had an energy, and vision that inspired hundreds of people my age, and Les Leopold has captured that story in a way that I can't put down. If you are interested in the history of Post World War II America, flavored by the work of it's most visionary Labor leader, read this book.