Garcia, Paul A., Tom Joad Never Died: Gilbert Padilla's Contributions to the National Farm Workers Movment

Published in 2026, Garcia's book shines a light on Gilbert Padilla, an unsung co-founder of the United Farm Workers (UFW) alongside César Chávez and Dolores Huerta. The title draws a parallel between John Steinbeck’s iconic fictional activist character, Tom Joad, and Padilla's real-life enduring legacy in civil rights.

In the biography, Garcia outlines what he defines as the "Padilla Doctrine"— three central organizing principles that prioritized the direct agency, dignity, and immediate needs of the farmworkers above rigid institutional or union policies. 270 Pages.

Paul A. Garcia is an author, commentator and retired educator based in Fresno, CA.