Crossing Hoffa

A Teamster's Story

Nonfiction, Social & Cultural Studies, True Crime, Biography & Memoir
Cover of the book Crossing Hoffa by Steven J. Harper, Minnesota Historical Society Press
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Author: Steven J. Harper ISBN: 9780873517300
Publisher: Minnesota Historical Society Press Publication: August 1, 2009
Imprint: Borealis Books Language: English
Author: Steven J. Harper
ISBN: 9780873517300
Publisher: Minnesota Historical Society Press
Publication: August 1, 2009
Imprint: Borealis Books
Language: English

On a spring day in 1961, over-the-road trucker Jim Harper was en route from Mauston, Wisconsin, to his home in Minneapolis. At 70 miles per hour, with a combined 60,000 pounds of man, machine, and material, he approached a curve along the Great River Road and hit the brakes. The tractor-trailer didn't slow. Harper's brake lines had been cut.

In preceding months, Harper had led an insurgency in his Teamsters' Local 544 to clean up corruption among its leaders. His efforts drew the attention of none other than Jimmy Hoffa, at the time focused on securing his right to lead the national Teamsters organization without government intervention.

Jim Harper had his reasons for confronting his local's leadership—a hardscrabble childhood and a stint in Angola prison had left him seeking redemption, and Jimmy Hoffa had publicly called for union reform. But Hoffa, under federal investigation for questionable financial dealings, had deep, dark secrets; the last thing he needed was a spotlight on Minneapolis. Despite the increasing threats to his life and those of his young family, Harper continued to press his case.

In this fascinating account, Harper's son traces the interwoven paths of these two men—a criminal icon and a determined vigilante—from their formative years through their unbelievable face-off.

?Accolades for Crossing Hoffa:

?Best Books of 2007, Chicago Tribune

?Best Books, 2008 New York Book Festival

?"Honorable Mention" in the 2008 Hollywood Book Festival's Biography/Autobiography category.

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On a spring day in 1961, over-the-road trucker Jim Harper was en route from Mauston, Wisconsin, to his home in Minneapolis. At 70 miles per hour, with a combined 60,000 pounds of man, machine, and material, he approached a curve along the Great River Road and hit the brakes. The tractor-trailer didn't slow. Harper's brake lines had been cut.

In preceding months, Harper had led an insurgency in his Teamsters' Local 544 to clean up corruption among its leaders. His efforts drew the attention of none other than Jimmy Hoffa, at the time focused on securing his right to lead the national Teamsters organization without government intervention.

Jim Harper had his reasons for confronting his local's leadership—a hardscrabble childhood and a stint in Angola prison had left him seeking redemption, and Jimmy Hoffa had publicly called for union reform. But Hoffa, under federal investigation for questionable financial dealings, had deep, dark secrets; the last thing he needed was a spotlight on Minneapolis. Despite the increasing threats to his life and those of his young family, Harper continued to press his case.

In this fascinating account, Harper's son traces the interwoven paths of these two men—a criminal icon and a determined vigilante—from their formative years through their unbelievable face-off.

?Accolades for Crossing Hoffa:

?Best Books of 2007, Chicago Tribune

?Best Books, 2008 New York Book Festival

?"Honorable Mention" in the 2008 Hollywood Book Festival's Biography/Autobiography category.

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