A Peoples History of the United States (Abridged): Highlights from the 20th Century Audiobook, by Howard Zinn Play Audiobook Sample

A People's History of the United States (Abridged): Highlights from the 20th Century Audiobook

A Peoples History of the United States (Abridged): Highlights from the 20th Century Audiobook, by Howard Zinn Play Audiobook Sample
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Read By: Howard Zinn, Matt Damon Publisher: HarperAudio Listen Time: at 1.0x Speed 5.83 hours at 1.5x Speed 4.38 hours at 2.0x Speed Release Date: February 2004 Format: Abridged Audiobook ISBN: 9780060754143

Quick Stats About this Audiobook

Total Audiobook Chapters:

45

Longest Chapter Length:

18:33 minutes

Shortest Chapter Length:

06:39 minutes

Average Chapter Length:

11:40 minutes

Audiobooks by this Author:

5

Other Audiobooks Written by Howard Zinn: > View All...

Publisher Description

THE CLASSIC NATIONAL BESTSELLER

Read by Matt Damon and Howard Zinn

"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 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 researchit 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.

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"This man is my hero, and opened up my eyes to the idea of balanced history. You have to accept the bad and shameful parts of our past if you really want to say that you love this country. That's something I still struggle with, but reading Zinn never fails to remind me of all the strides we've made, and how it was the small and seemingly insignificant people that brought about those changes."

— Molly (5 out of 5 stars)

Quotes

  • “Professor Zinn writes with an enthusiasm rarely encountered in the leaden prose of academic history.”

    — New York Times Book Reviw
  • “Howard Zinn's history is a very different one. It's about the folks at the bottom, the people.”

    — Philadelphia Bulletin
  • “Presents dimensions of American history formerly glossed over in the high textbooks.”

    — Barnes&Noble.com

Awards

  • New York Times bestseller
  • A #1 Amazon.com bestseller in Democracy

A People's History of the United States Listener Reviews

Overall Performance: 4.3030303030303 out of 54.3030303030303 out of 54.3030303030303 out of 54.3030303030303 out of 54.3030303030303 out of 5 (4.30)
5 Stars: 18
4 Stars: 9
3 Stars: 4
2 Stars: 2
1 Stars: 0
Narration: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 (0.00)
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4 Stars: 0
3 Stars: 0
2 Stars: 0
1 Stars: 0
Story: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 (0.00)
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Write a Review
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " One of the better versions of American history that I have read. Less propaganda then what you typically find. "

    — Glorious.Clio, 2/2/2014
  • Overall Performance: 2 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 5

    " Professor Zinn and I have vastly different political beliefs but I'm going to discuss his book and not his politics right up until the end. This is an abridgement of Zinn's A People's History of the United States that only covers the 20th Century. Apparently, according to Zinn, the 20th Century didn't begin until the 1960s and then everyone protested a lot of things. Zinn makes the point of describing the "people" from the title by saying 1% of Americans control 45% of the wealth, the "people" are the other 99%. Zinn then goes on the talk about civil rights protestors, anti-war protestors, prison protestors, Indian protestors, and on and on, so in reality, the "people" are the 1% of the population who protest. The other 98% are forgotten about, I assume because they have jobs and don't have time to protest. [return][return]Zinn also misuses data to make his points, for example, comparing incomes between two groups but only converting one into 2004 dollars. He also assumes meanings to events that are not really there. For instance, in discussing the 1992 election, he states that 19% of voters were unhappy with the choices given by the two major parties and protested against the choices they were given by voting for Ross Perot. As unlikely as it seems, I would be willing to bet the a fair number of people who voted for Perot did so because they wanted to vote for him and not as a protest against the other candidates. These are just a few examples of issues I had with this book. I say book, but it was actually an audio book, so I should probably say CDs. The reason I mention that is I said at the start that I was not going to discuss Zinn's politics until the end, which would be now. [return][return]While I agree with some of what Zinn said I still had a hard time finishing the book (CD) and actually I didn't finish it. I made it to the last CD when Zinn started talking about poor oppressed Mumia Abu-Jamal and how he was sentenced to death because the government wanted to shut him up, no mention of the crime he committed or of the cop he killed. At that point I hit the eject button and if the CDs hadn't belonged to the library, I would have chucked them out the window onto 95. Damn Communist Bastard. "

    — Mike, 1/17/2014
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " Yes, I read this book because of the reference to it in Good Will Hunting. And yes, it knocked me on my ass. How do you like dem apples? "

    — Steffan, 12/10/2013
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " Just ... read it. Fantastic. A must read for ... well, for anyone. "

    — Myke, 11/25/2013
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " It's a great book that reveals the history that you were never taught in school. Really opens your eyes and makes you question their motives at this very moment. "

    — James, 11/17/2013
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " Again, this was another book that changed my views of the world. Its the history of our bad deeds of the US and its people. But understanding that going in, it'll show you the silent side of our history without making you hate our country. Very dense, but still a must read. "

    — Chris, 11/13/2013
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " If you do not have time to read the entire People's History, read this. "

    — Denae, 11/9/2013
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " This is another book that totally blew my mind in high school. Now that I know a little bit more about the ways of the world, I still think it's required reading for any American. "

    — Emily, 11/3/2013
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " Listened to abridged book on CD...interesting perspective on history. Learned a lot, also liked how it was Massachusetts-centric. "

    — Gabe, 11/1/2013
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " Did get a little tired of all of the tales of beatings and killings "

    — Andrew, 10/29/2013
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " Easy read for a history book, very informative, history from the bottom up. Full thoughts here. "

    — Don, 9/6/2013
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " I haven't taken time to read the entire People's History of the United States, but this is very good excerpt from it... "

    — Dr., 5/13/2013
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " This is an abreviated version of his longer book (going back to Columbus). It is very interesting and eye opening but since I was listening to it on iPod I probably didn't absorb as much as I could have by reading. "

    — Jenny, 12/14/2012
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " Okay, Zinn is a commie, but that doesn't mean he's wrong about the facts. "

    — Chris, 11/1/2012
  • Overall Performance: 2 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 5

    " This is like the liberal answer to reader's digest, not a history book. "

    — Nick, 6/28/2012
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " It was time to revisit a People's History. Every bit as captivating as in high school. "

    — Carly, 6/5/2012
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " Awesome! A must read for everyone. "

    — Carrie, 2/2/2012
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " I read bits and pieces of this in HS. I remember it being a great source for the "other" side of history- the loser's side. "

    — Devin, 12/19/2011
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " Wonderfully informative, this book can make an activist out of anyone! "

    — Kim, 12/9/2011
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " This book is always out at home. I don't think I have the heart to add it to my "read" shelf as I am constantly picking it up and reading excerpts. "

    — Carolynn, 11/28/2011
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " Probably the tenth time I've read this, it's a book that restores my faith in America, especially durring campaign season. "

    — Sean, 11/26/2011
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " A good introduction to "revisionist" history; that is to say, this is a history of "the other" in American society, those who were long ignored, such as women, African Americans, native peoples, and non-Christians. "

    — Deena, 10/6/2011
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " Whoa, this audiobook is read by Matt Damon. More later. "

    — Eva, 6/26/2011
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " i had this book assigned to me to read for my AP history class. by the time i was done, i was shocked and sickened by what i had read. i can say that no other book has shaped my political beliefs so much. "

    — Gallaghermatt, 5/23/2011
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " Everything you've ever been taught about American history is wrong. "

    — Ted, 5/20/2011
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " When did I first open this huge "alternate history" book? Probably the early 1980s. Finally bought it and read every word -- of the most recent edition -- in 2010. It makes a lot more sense the older you get. (Unless you're one of the Koch Brothers, I suppose.) "

    — Ken, 5/16/2011
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " I have lost count on how many times I have loaned out my copy; sometimes to people I hardly ever knew and it has always returned.Much better then that whitewashed version of American history we learned in school. "

    — Soli, 5/13/2011
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " Used in conjunction with an IB History of the Americas course for 11th and 12th graders. Excellent source for divergent perspectives. "

    — Wendy, 5/8/2011
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " A supremely fascinating book--tells about the reactions of ordinary citizens during the entire history of the US from Columbus to 9/11, rather than just the repetition of wars and presidents we learned in our fact-filled history classes. "

    — Sara, 5/2/2011
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " possibly the greatest history book ever written. I started this in 1996 whilst at university and probably finsihed it around 2009, after reading a couple of chapters every year. "

    — Carsten, 5/1/2011
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " This will be mandatory reading for my sons. :) "

    — Arnie, 4/28/2011
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " Well researched. Has been used as a high school textbook in some places. It is a revelation to all who have only read their high school history books. A must read for all Americans. I purchased this at Hastings in Paris. "

    — Jeanette, 4/24/2011
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " Excellent summary of US History from a hardcore non-revisionist. Eminently readable, despite its heft. I find myself dipping into specific chapters and re-reading them from time to time as a refresher. "

    — Shahriar, 4/21/2011

About Howard Zinn

Howard Zinn (1922–2010) was a historian, playwright, and activist. He wrote the classic A People’s History of the United States, which has sold more than two million copies and has been featured on The Sopranos, The Simpsons, and in the film Good Will Hunting. In 2009, History aired The People Speak, an acclaimed documentary codirected by Zinn, based on A People’s History and a companion volume, Voices of a People’s History of the United States. Zinn also wrote many other books, including an autobiography titled You Can’t Be Neutral on a Moving Train, the play Marx in Soho, and Passionate Declarations. He received the Lannan Foundation Literary Award for Nonfiction and the Eugene V. Debs award for his writing and political activism.

About Matt Damon

Matt Damon is an award-winning movie actor and writer. He has been nominated many dozens of times for awards for his film roles and has won twenty-five awards, including an Academy, a Golden Globe, the Humanitas Prize, and a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. His Oscar win was for Best Original Screenplay, which he wrote for Good Will Hunting. He has also appeared on television in Will & Grace, Entourage, and 30 Rock, which earned him an Emmy nomination for Best Guest Actor. As an audiobook narrator, he was among the cast of narrators of Nelson Mandela’s Favorite African Folktales, which was the 2010 winner of the prestigious Audiobook of the Year Award, top honor from the Audio Publishers Association.