Levi Strauss
Subtitle: the man who gave blue jeans to the world
By: Lynn Downey
Publisher: University of Massachusetts Press
Published: 2016
Language: eng
Number of pages: 267
ISBN-13: 9781625342294
Subjects: Clothing trade; Levi Strauss and Company; History
Description: "Blue jeans are globally beloved and quintessentially American. They symbolize everything from the Old West to the hippie counter-culture; everyone from car mechanics to high-fashion models wears jeans. And no name is more associated with blue jeans than Levi Strauss & Co., the creator of this classic American garment. As a young man Levi Strauss left his home in Germany and immigrated to America. He made his way to San Francisco and by 1853 had started his company. Soon he was a leading businessman in a growing commercial city that was beginning to influence the rest of the nation. Family-centered and deeply rooted in his Jewish faith, Strauss was the hub of a wheel whose spokes reached into nearly every aspect of American culture: business, philanthropy, politics, immigration, transportation, education, and fashion. But despite creating an American icon, Levi Strauss is a mystery. Little is known about the man, and the widely circulated "facts" about his life are steeped in mythology. In this first full-length biography, Lynn Downey sets the record straight about this brilliant businessman. Strauss's life was the classic American success story, filled with lessons about craft and integrity, leadership and innovation."--Jacket.
Notes: Includes bibliographical references and index.
Table of contents: title: Enlightened nationalities; title: The fate that has been assigned to me; title: Store-princes; title: A limitless opening for industry and talent; title: Hard labor and wild delights; title: Steamer day; title: Treasonable combinations; title: Our solid merchants; title: "The secratt of them pants is the rivits"; title: Patent riveted clothing; title: Towers of strength; title: Home industry; title: Very strong opinions; title: The best interests of the people of this state; title: For over twenty years; title: All will be sunshine for San Francisco and California; title: A city man; title: Imperishable.