1.95k reviews for:

A People's History of the United States

Howard Zinn

4.26 AVERAGE

neoseoul23's review

5.0

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edeneliza's review against another edition

5.0

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Perhaps one of the most important books any American citizen could read. Dr. Zinn puts American history back in the perspective of the people. He shows a history of oppression, misdirection, and violence not regularly discussed and typically ignored. This book displays a powerful narrative of a country continually choosing the rich and powerful few over the poor and oppressed many. In fact many of the historical occurrences in this book in direct opposition to the poor and oppressed. Showing how the government has chosen continually to exploit the weakest among its people for the benefit of very few.

This book will make you feel an unprecedented rage with how our government treats us. Now more than ever is this book relevant, and I hope it inspires many more to take action and pride for the people. 

eim15's review

5.0

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nbramanti's review

4.5

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captenredbeard's review against another edition

4.75

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madreader_7's review against another edition

4.5

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fyodorlbonhoeffer's review

5.0

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It is not quite accurate; a 'people's history' promises more than one person can fulfill, and it is the most difficult kind of history to recapture. I call it that anyway because, with all its limitations, it is a history disrespectful of governments and respectful of people's movements of resistance."

These words from Howard Zinn perfectly sum up this book.

Each chapter deserves its own thoughts, and maybe someday I'll jot down a chapter-by-chapter review. Zinn chronicles America's history from the perspective of those conquered by the oppressors. From Christopher Columbus (who was a truly atrocious human being) and his so-called "discovery" of the West, marking the beginning of conquest (i.e., genocide) against the natives, to the American military powers working to keep capitalism alive around the world, especially in the Middle East (Iraq, Iran, etc.) and South America (El Salvador, Cuba, etc.), Zinn lays it all bare.

In between 1492 and sometime after 9/11, America is filled with stories of the oppressed speaking out and resisting the control of those in power. What Zinn showed me, especially in light of my upbringing where I was taught that America was a Christian nation, is that what America truly serves are Ares and Mammon, the gods of war and money.

In other words, as I've often said, America is just another empire; another Babylon, another Rome, and dare I say, another Reich.

safetyhorse's review against another edition

3.5

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bowiesmash's review

5.0

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honeybee1212's review

4.5

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