1.92k reviews for:

A People's History of the United States

Howard Zinn

4.26 AVERAGE

starsarecloser's review

5.0

informative

jazzt's review against another edition

4.0

challenging dark emotional informative sad tense slow-paced

januscrow's review

5.0

challenging dark informative reflective slow-paced

jesowings's review

5.0

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As an undergraduate, I enrolled in a couple of classes with the late Zeev Gorin at Bradley University and was introduced to the idea of an alternate history of the United States. I've always had a bit of an interest in politics and political history, and the idea that our nation's history is disparate intrigues me. Later, as a graduate student at the University of Tennessee, I attended a lecture by Howard Zinn. It was a moving and eloquent event. Ever since, this book has been on my "to read" list. I'm embarrassed that it's taken me this long to crack it open, and longer than I expected to push through it, but it was worth every bit of the effort. I haven't been very successful with my non-fiction attempts of late, but Zinn's thorough yet concise approach kept me engaged. He echoes a lot of the ideas Dr. Gorin incorporated into his classes, and supports his research with humbling passages and fascinating statistics. I found myself wondering why I didn't already know this history; even frustrated with myself that I haven't been more pro-active in the consumption of alternative news and perspectives. It's opened my eyes to a richer gray history than I had assumed, and I'm eager to seek several of the resources he cites.

This should be required reading for all Americans. It's leftie, but I think it's important that we consider all sides of the issue before voicing our opinions.

chimichango's review

4.0

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A sobering read to say the least.

briannarama's review

4.75

informative reflective medium-paced

mleibneri's review

4.0

challenging dark informative sad tense slow-paced

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Oh so we really do be repeating history over and over again. Great, love that for us. 

sailsgoboom's review against another edition

4.0

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This book is of course an essential resource for understanding American history, and it doesn't disappoint. I wasn't entirely unfamiliar with most of the events it discusses-- rebellions, uprisings, means of oppression-- so it wasn't quite an "omg can't believe my history teacher never told me this!!" type of experience. Rather, what is incredibly valuable about this book is the framing, and how it ties together all these events throughout the country's history into a coherent story about "the people"-- their triumphs and struggles-- rather than the state as an inevitable entity.

I would recommend that everyone read at least the introduction and conclusion for a great summary of why this book is important and the lens it looks at history through. (Although the call to action, etc, in the conclusion might be more persuasive to the skeptical after the thoroughly laid out examples preceding.)

I've been meaning to read this for so long, so I'm happy I finally have! I do wish that I had a print copy or that audiobooks come with an index. This is the type of book that I can see myself wanting to reference in conjunction with historical accounts from other sources, particularly biographies of statesmen-- what perspective do those sources leave out? etc. I can say I will likely be listening to portions of this again.

kerryfina's review

5.0

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An unapologetic fact-based history from the perspective of the people, this important work provides the reader with a healthy dose of reality outside the spin of the elite. Although Zinn covers events from 1492 to 2002, the stories seldom change. We do not learn from our mistakes; we double down.

daniellereads12's review against another edition

4.75

adventurous challenging emotional informative inspiring reflective sad tense fast-paced