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emilybookmark's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
sad
slow-paced
5.0
ericaherme's review against another edition
4.0
An incredible and insightful read on the true history of America. Extremely dense but full of the not so shocking atrocities that have been happening since the European invasion. I was extremely disappointed in the lack of coverage for the history of chicanos, lgbtqia+, as well as the horrors that natives, ESPECIALLY women, are faced with to this day. I’m glad he acknowledged this oversight in the afterward. And I look forward to reading his supplemental suggestions on said topics. Definitely read it though.
hmccarthy95's review against another edition
challenging
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
4.5
w_timmes's review against another edition
What I noticed about this book compared to nonfiction I’ve actually finished, is that it takes a country wide scale on why things the way they are, which makes sense.
But my nonfiction interests tend to be about what goes on with individuals or relationships, rather than the weight of the world.
But my nonfiction interests tend to be about what goes on with individuals or relationships, rather than the weight of the world.
songwind's review against another edition
5.0
This book presents history, with a focus on the people history was happening to, not the instigators more mainstream accounts describe. Native Americans, the poor, slaves, women, laborers and soldiers all take center stage at different times.
Major events that most Americans will recognize make their appearances. Others that are glossed over or skipped entirely also get their share of attention, particularly the labor movements of the 1870s & 1890s.
As a product of the education system during the time when Zinn first published the book, I can say that a great many salient points were left out of the curriculum, usually to make America look more justified or to smooth over abuses. For people educated later, it may be less revelatory.
Zinn has a clear agenda with this book, and is unapologetic about it. This book exists to expand the scope of American history to include more of the common people, and the economic and social factors that went into a lot of the objective events we all hear about. For this reason, I don't suggest it as the source of history on its own. As a companion to other histories with a more "establishment" focus, the effect is a very well rounded and complex view of history.
Major events that most Americans will recognize make their appearances. Others that are glossed over or skipped entirely also get their share of attention, particularly the labor movements of the 1870s & 1890s.
As a product of the education system during the time when Zinn first published the book, I can say that a great many salient points were left out of the curriculum, usually to make America look more justified or to smooth over abuses. For people educated later, it may be less revelatory.
Zinn has a clear agenda with this book, and is unapologetic about it. This book exists to expand the scope of American history to include more of the common people, and the economic and social factors that went into a lot of the objective events we all hear about. For this reason, I don't suggest it as the source of history on its own. As a companion to other histories with a more "establishment" focus, the effect is a very well rounded and complex view of history.