THE CLASSIC NATIONAL BESTSELLER“A wonderful, splendid book—a book that should be read by every American, student or otherwise, who wants to understand his country, its true history, and its hope for the future.” –Howard FastHistorian Howard Zinn’s A People’s History of the United States chronicles American history from the bottom up, throwing out the official narrative taught in schools—with its … up, throwing out the official narrative taught in schools—with its emphasis on great men in high places—to focus on the street, the home, and the workplace.
Known for its lively, clear prose as well as its scholarly research, it is the only volume to tell America’s story from the point of view of—and in the words of—America’s women, factory workers, African-Americans, Native Americans, the working poor, and immigrant laborers. As Zinn shows, many of our country’s greatest battles—the fights for a fair wage, an eight-hour workday, child-labor laws, health and safety standards, universal suffrage, women’s rights, racial equality—were carried out at the grassroots level, against bloody resistance.
Covering Christopher Columbus’s arrival through President Clinton’s first term, A People’s History of the United States features insightful analysis of the most important events in our history. This edition also includes an introduction by Anthony Arnove, who wrote, directed, and produced The People Speak with Zinn and who coauthored, with Zinn, Voices of a People’s History of the United States.
more
Absolutely the best overview of American history. Zinn’s loss will be felt for years to come.
This is a true classic, anyone with and interest in US history should read this epic work. This work is steeped in the history that is not taught in schools, the history of the role of regular people in our past.
It is very refreshing, as well as enlightening, to understand our nation’s history without it being sanitized for consumption by schoolchildren of all ages. Once I entered college, this was the book from which we studied, and I have continued to read passages as I’ve grown older.
Garbage
Everyone interested in history should read at least once.
A truer history of America than any schoolbook.
Great reality check
One of the best
True history; a must read for every American.
This is the history book we should all have read in high school. Instead of generals and presidents and battles and conquests and manifest destinies and taking dominion over the earth and subjugating native populations, this book focuses on the brave people who placed themselves at great risk to win things we now take for granted: equality, a living wage, collective bargaining, universal suffrage, civil rights, and legal protections. (Of course, these are not equal for all of us yet, which is why it is so important to read and understand The People’s History; only those who know the story of the struggle can continue the struggle!) A politician risks nothing but reelection when fighting for rights, but a common person risks everything, including life itself. This is the story of the common persons who risked all. Conservative members of The Establishment will not be happy with this book; liberal progressives will love it.
This is an important historical book. It tells the reader a different view of history from the commonly taught American History courses.
Best U.S. history book ever written.
Must read for any student of American history. Brilliant concept and extremely well written
This is what they don’t teach in schools
Revisionist historian. No perspective.
Was forced to read this crap when taking a class at local junior college.
This is certainly a history book that brings one up short,and brings to life the wisdom of the axiom-“history is written by the victors”.
True Fiction
An alternate view of US history from the side of the underdog. A little stretched out in places, but worth reading if you wish to combine it with your present knowledge to create a more objective view of history.
Every engaged American should read this book. It informs every issue you see in the news today. It also gives clarity to the propaganda taught in schools. This book will help you learn to think and question American culture and capitalism.