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A review by songwind
A People's History of the United States by Howard Zinn
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.