Cargando
A People's History of the United States: Highlights from the Twentieth Century
Resumen
For much of his life, historian Howard Zinn has been chronicling American history from the bottom up, throwing out the official version 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, Zinn's A People's History of the United States is the only volume to tell America's story from the point of view of -- and in the words of -- its women, factory workers, African-Americans, Native Americans, working poor, and immigrant laborers. Here we learn that many of our country's greatest battles -- labor laws, women's rights, racial equality -- were carried out at the grassroots level, against steel-willed resistance. This edition of A People's History of the United States features insightful analysis of some of the most important events in this country in the past one hundred years.
Featuring a preface and afterword read by the author himself, this audio continues Howard Zinn's important contribution to a complete and balanced understanding of American history.
Leer en la aplicación Scribd móvil
Descargar la aplicación móvil Scribd gratis para leer en cualquier momento y lugar.
Reseñas
Heavily biased. While I understand and appreciate the idea of telling over history from a different perspective, this book tells it over with an agenda, leaving out important parts of the story. This book is written with an anti-Western agenda that only takes into account aspects that feed into this narrative.
The truth isn't just with what you say, it's with what you leave out too.
The truth isn't just with what you say, it's with what you leave out too.
Howard Zinn would likely have added 20 trump-despising volumes to update this incredible book.Though I wish it had been at least one quarter shorter, it does not lack being comprehensive!Other wishes:1. that an updated version was a year-long required course for every U.S. high school student2. that it didn't rank on the top ten list of the most depressing history books ever written3. that it wasn't all so true...and didn't get worse
Often dismissed as leftist revision, Zinn's work is the history that you were not indoctrinated with. It shows America - warts and all. You'll find all those things that were swept under the rug, which is too bad because those are the very things that made America great. The courage of miners to take on the companies for better wages and work conditions. This created better wages and work conditions for us today. The courage of abolisionists to break bad laws in aid of an oppressed people. In the end, it freed us all. In reading this book you get the sense of who really are the heros of America. Most of the time it was someone we never heard of while growing up. It reaffirms that America is more than politicians and rich men, but an entire continent of people molding a better life. It reaffirms that it is the middle class that runs the place in the end. My recommendation for focus is the early 20th century and how the public took on the powers that be.
Constantly on my desk during college, just finished the audiobook and I'm still consider this an essential book for anyone interested in American history. Consider this the starting point to any topic or era and proceed from there onto more area focused studies.
Perhaps every generation feels like its lived through particularly "interesting" times. Howard Zinn's 'People's History of the United States' confirms them all to be correct. Quite a tome, this dense book traces American history - from the arrival of Columbus to modern day - from the perspective of the average American. Read: not rich, not powerful, not white, not male, maybe not even a citizen; a version of history from the perspective of "we the people".Despite that it sat on my shelf unread for at least a year, its actually quite readable. In fact Zinn's version of American history is engaging partly because it is so different from what you learned in grade school. What is history but a compendium of facts? Well Zinn's 'People's History' demonstrates that "his"tory is indeed quite different than "our"story. An examination of the facts from the people's perspective reveals the hypocrisy of America - the story of Democracy verses the reality. Gone are the great highs we celebrated - the Boston Tea Party, the Louisiana Purchase, WWII - in 'People's History" they're all sullied. Looked at through Zinn's lens its difficult to not feel a little cynical about the governing class and a lot skeptical about their rationale for action.That said, I have renewed appreciation for what "the people" can accomplish with a little passion and creativity. Rather than progress being the result of great acts by "great men", Zinn leads us to believe that most good things have come about due to an unruly public clamoring for their rights. Evidence that indeed "Well-behaved women rarely make history".I don't regret being rooted in the idealistic image of America, but Americans should be equally versed in this side as well. For the answer to the question of 'why do they hate us?' you need look no further.
This book should be required reading for every student, as it gives a detailed view of history from a different perspective. You don't have to agree with everything in it, and in fact, even if you don't agree with the author's politics at all, it is a valuable addition to the body of historical works.
good. depressing, but a very interesting read.
Excellent overall history of the united states told through the viewpoint of the average citizen. Zinn debunks lots of myths of our national heros and gives a full accounting of what they actually did vice what who are brainwashed into believing they did. A must read for any one interested in an honest accounting of how this country started and what it is actually based on. This book will change your life.
Undeniably one of the comprehensive and sweeping accounts of American history from "the people's" perspective. The playwright, activist, and historian Howard Zinn carries the burden of writing a lucid, accessible, (and most importantly) a relevant account of U.S. history. Often when reading books touching on history you hear subtle and sometimes not so subtle worship and praise for "leaders" of men-politicians, kings, princes, barons and the like. From the perspective of most historical chroniclers it is these men who have shaped history with merely their hands and ideas. Zinn takes this formulaic approach to history and turns it on its head. With sharp analysis of foreign and domestic policy, and unabashed criticism of established historical accounts this book makes for a powerful, clarifying read.
Constantly on my desk during college, just finished the audiobook and I'm still consider this an essential book for anyone interested in American history. Consider this the starting point to any topic or era and proceed from there onto more area focused studies.
A book with a grand and noble goal - which was only achieved for a portion of the book. I found the first of the book quite boring and lacking ample context. Much of it seemed simply like a catalogue of activism - strikes, moments of civil disobedience etc. What it all left me wondering was - well in spite of all that, look where we are now? The book took a substantial turn for the better when it entered the 20th century. In particular he introduces and expands upon a general thesis that I happen to strongly agree with. What people crave is stability, what they want to appear to want is justice and morality. What government does is protect the elite, what it wants to be perceived as doing is providing justice and security. When the oppression of a group of people by the elite leads to instability for the general populous, then the government must act. The resulant action must be enough to stop the perception of instability, yet it can never be enough to really take power away from the elite. His description of how that dynamic plays out over and over through out the twentieth century, leading to gradual and real change without a fundamental power shift is excellent. The chapters on the civil rights movement and the Vietnam war, are very strong. One area where the book was weak was in placing what was happening in the US in context with other countries. He mentions women's sufferage being attained with minimal comment on parallel movements in other countries. Areas where gains in the US are later and weaker than other countries could benefit from explanation. What is it about the US people that they ended up being the only western democracy without universal health care?The 1st edition ended in 1980 with subsequent new editions (I read 2003). He should have stop with the coherernce of the 1st edition. I found the added chapters out of place, somewhat gratuitious, and consequently annoying. Large portions are simply critiques of US foreign policy and reads like a political history and the notion of the people, and why they failed to care, is largely lost.My last complaint is that with very few exceptions he leaves out popular culture as both influence and activism.All that being said, worth reading.
A must-read history of the United States for anyone who wants to truly understand the development of this country. Zinn's writing is engaging, and he tells an eye-opening version of the facts behind the childhood stories we were told in school. The European explorers and settlers of America are usually presented as heroes, but Zinn reveals the cruelty and brutality of their efforts to exterminate the indigenous population. And the rest of this history is equally enlightening. Highly recommended.
I want to make sure my son knows this book well.
This is a history book from the other side's point of view. The other side being Indians, blacks, women, the poor and the incarcerated. This is no flag waving Team USA history book. Zinn gives voice to the Americans who have traditionally been silenced by either corporations, the media or the government itself. Unflinching and not flattering, readers will surley look at their government much more skeptically.
Point blank, this book is amazing.The only reason I gave it a four instead of a five is that it's so dense and at times I found myself getting slightly bored.Other than that, however, I adore this book and consider it a must-read for all Americans.
This book should be required reading for anyone in high school. And again in college. And again in graduate school. And again at any entry level job. You get the point.This book highlights the untold story behind history. As they say, history is written by the winners. This is the story of the losers. Read it. Soak it in. And realize that there are many more losers in history than winners. Then decide which group you're a part of....you'll never be the same again after reading this book.
Howard Zinn tells the story of the United States from the perspective of the underdog - the Indians, slaves, women, workers, and so forth. The book is 'readable', i.e. not a ponderous diatribe. The book is also well-sourced and credible. The book is not the complete picture of the history of the United States. On the other hand, a history of the US that does not include the history that Zinn tells is certainly incomplete. A necessary antidote to the standard histories by an eminent historian.
Most interesting, attention grabbing historical work that I've ever read. Spot on in parts, biased in parts but a very interesting read as a counter balance to the victors who write history. This one will definitely make you think.
A fascinating look at history from the eyes of the average person. Though not always flattering, A People's History presents an often overlooked perspective of major events in U.S. history.
Lovers of history should read this book! Zinn presents an unbiased account of history, often supported by quotations of people who were there. This book contains everything they didn't want to teach you in school! Appropriate for high school and beyond...
Phenomenal. Astounding. Horrifying and moving. That's about as far as I can get to articulate how amazing this book is. EVERY American should read it.
Senior year of high school, I took a team-taught class combining religion and literature. I have mentioned my english teacher, Mr. Rob Peick, in another review ("Rivethead"); Mr. Mark Syman taught us religion, and he was a huge fan of Zinn. He also felt positively tortured by guilt over his ugly, woven leather shoes, as they were produced in South America, probably by peasant labor.
Had it been of better literary quality, I'd give this books 5 stars. As it is, this book's 4 stars come almost solely by virtue of the excellent information it presents. Read this book. Yesterday.
A very important work in understand in American History. Though not perfect, the author creates a new narrative in weaving together various historic events. That new narrative at times seems a bit too focused on good-ordinary-people versus bad-political-elite, but worth a read nonetheless. A heavy reliance on secondary sources though, to the point where certain chapters feel like no more than a summary of various journals and other books.
This is a powerful "alternate" history of the United States that I've long intended to read but only just got around to (I get intimidated by thick books so I went for the audiobook). Zinn presents many of the familiar stories of American history, but from the point of view of those who don't often get into the history books - Native Americans, blacks, women, and other marginalized groups. Wars are stories not of patriotism and national unity but of an average rank and file often at odds with the leadership and demonstrating this through desertion and revolt. Wars in general have seen much protest, from the Revolution where the goals of the leaders were quite different from the common agitators to the mass opposition to the War in Vietnam. From the earliest days of the American colonies there is also a divide between the elites who hold the wealth and power and the common people that comes out in many class and labor conflicts. Zinn discusses unheralded unity - such as blacks and poor whites working together for progressive farmers' movements in the South - as well as divisions within the many movements for Civil Rights and equality.At times the attitude of the author is too far left-wing for even me to handle, but largely I find this book an instructive look at American history that informs a lot of where we are today. This book is so full of detail that it's worth reading again, and the many works Zinn cites could make for a lifetime of additional reading.
Wow! What a depressing and enlightening book! I guess I've always suspected it, but it is pretty devastating to realize that our history is one of continual violence against "the people", that is the 99%, starting with Christopher Columbus' discovery of America. And even worse is the evidence that the government has never (and I mean never) done anything or given anything to benefit those not of the 1%, except under duress. It's disheartening, too, that our new president will, no doubt, continue the shameless road we have been on for so long, without even the semblance of acting 'for the people'.
This book was very eye-opening. I love learning about other perspectives of history. I loved that Zinn included lots on women's history.The wording is a little tough to get through, but once I really got into the book, I just flew through it.
Excellent book but got recalled before I finished it. Should check this one out again in the future.
This book is an interesting take on what we have all grown up to believe as accurate American history. Zinn brings the story of the downtrodden and oppressed to the forefront by explaining famous American history events through the eyes of those on the losing side. A must read for any history buff if for nothing else, to gain a new perspective of America’s foundation.
Zinn looks at American History through the struggles of the underdog, the poor, Native American and the undesirables. While I do not necessarily agree with all Zinn's assertions I do believe that this is a must read. History usually looks at the winners and sugar coats the issues that do not fit the desired narrative. Zinn challenges the usual US history lesson and looks at little known rebellions that speak about the struggle of this nation.