A People's History of the United States

By Howard Zinn

Book Overview

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 Fast

Historian Howard Zinn's A People's History of the United States, a landmark work of social history, chronicles American history from the bottom 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 driven by powerful social movements 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.

But what does American history look like when told not by the victors, but by the people on the streets, in the factories, and on the frontiers?

History from Below: Instead of focusing on presidents and generals, Zinn tells America's story from the viewpoint of the street, the home, and the workplace.Challenging Official Narratives: Discover the hidden history of the United States, from Columbus's arrival to the Clinton administration, through a narrative that questions traditional textbook accounts.Marginalized Voices: Experience the country's greatest battles in the words of America's women, factory workers, African Americans, Native Americans, and immigrant laborers.A Critical Look at U.S. History: Zinn provides an insightful analysis of the fights for a fair wage, an eight-hour workday, and racial equality, showing how they were waged against bloody resistance.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0062397346
• ISBN13: 9780062397348
• Release Date: November 2015
• Publisher: Harper Perennial
• Length: 784 Pages
• Weight: 1.28 lbs.
• Dimensions: 2.2" x 5.2" x 7.9"

Customer Reviews

Peoples History of the United States

This book gives an account never taught in school, diaries, writings, and accounts of those during the colonization, it will make you realize that things are not what we Invision of the first settlers and the genocide against those before us. It made me wake up to why the problems we have today like robber barons back then are the corporations we call them today, how the systems were really never built for everyone. It is a great read if you are willing to look at a different view besides the indoctrination push upon us.

An honest view of history

It being so dense I thought I would never get through it, but I learned more information through this book than I expected. I found other stories I will read as a result of this book as well. A goldmine of Americas history.

American History reconsidered

This book is very long and dense but in my opinion worth every letter. Zinn details our nation's history from the perspective of those who struggled to make it through every era, and the hard-won progress that resulted.

It was a great book and was helpful for class

Was helpful for APUSH class.

Cited with endless facts

This man makes a logical coherent case with actual history.

Great book

I am a long time fan of this book but, unfortunately, in this edition (97) the index does not match the abridged text. I was forced to order the 1995 version directly from the publisher for use in my class room.