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A People's History of the United States: 1492 to Present Audiobook
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Publisher Description
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 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 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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"History is often said to be "written by the winners", but this is history told from a different angle. Anyone who still believes what they read in their high-school history texts, and everyone who watches Fox News desperately needs to re-educate themselves. Reading Howard Zinn's People's History of the United States would be an excellent starting point. Unlike what's offered by high-school and Fox, this story is not a gooey pastry of flag-waving and American-Exceptionalism. It is not a beach-book for the pampered scions of empire. And rich, white, heterosexual, European-Americans - as well as males of all sorts - will probably not like what they read. But I doubt they'll be able to refute it."
— Jack (5 out of 5 stars)
Quotes
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“Professor Zinn writes with an enthusiasm rarely encountered in the leaden prose of academic history…There are vivid descriptions of events that are usually ignored…Should be required reading for a new generation.”
— New York Times Book Review -
“Presents dimensions of American history formerly glossed over in the high textbooks.”
— Barnes&Noble.com -
“Zinn’s work is a vital corrective to triumphalist accounts.”
— Publishers Weekly -
“Zinn has written a brilliant and moving history of the American people from the point of view of those who have been exploited politically and economically and whose plight has been largely omitted from most histories.”
— Library Journal -
“One of the most important books I have ever read in a long life of reading…[and] 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, New York Times bestselling author -
“If your last experience of American history was brought to you by junior high school textbooks—or even if you’re a specialist—get ready for the other side of stories you may not even have heard. With its vivid descriptions of rarely noted events, A People’s History of the United States is required reading for anyone who wants to take a fresh look at the rich, rocky history of America.”
— Amazon.com
Awards
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A New York Times bestseller
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A USA Today bestseller
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A Los Angeles Times bestseller
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New York Times audio bestseller
A People's History of the United States Listener Reviews
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Scott VanArsdale, 12/5/2023
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Michele Price, 2/25/2021
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Glenwood Smith, 3/23/2020
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William McCauley, 7/14/2015
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" Great book on struggle and the ugly side of history. "
— Samuel, 2/12/2014 -
" Love this book. It provides an amazing perspective on the history of the United States from the point of view of wthe downtrodden and abused. The saying that the winners write the history isn't quite so accurate anymore. It is a great read for an additional perspective on our history. "
— Scott, 1/31/2014 -
" Some interesting tidbits of history but nothing really surprising if you've read "Lies My Teacher Told Me" plus a couple of Chomsky books and overall it is pretty dry and long. "
— Trevor, 1/30/2014 -
" This book should be required reading in grade school! "
— Ricky, 1/25/2014 -
" This book is a completely different take on many of the important events in the United States' history. Zinn puts every story in a new and different light and gives interesting insight into clippings of documents and artifacts. I liked how this book made me see my country's history in a new way and perceive important figures in history in new ways as well. Of course since this book is highly influenced by Howard Zinn's point of view I did not agree with every thing he said. Overall though I really enjoyed reading this book and have new ideas and perspective to share with others because of it. "
— Adelaide, 1/25/2014 -
" despite anti-capitalist leanings, is contained some good facts. I appreciated the fact nuggets but the style of writing made me need to take a break every chapter or so, it was a little wearying. Which made it seem even longer (and it is a thick book to begin with). "
— Trisha, 1/4/2014 -
" Everything you thought you knew about US History is wrong until you read A People's History of the United States. Zinn is a master of his craft and for anyone who has even the slightest interest in US History, their collection is entirely incomplete without this work. "
— Julia, 1/1/2014 -
" At a minimum, excerpts of of this should be required reading in every high school history class. It's a long slog to get through the book, but the perspective it provides is all but lost in the history books we used in school. "
— Jeffrey, 12/26/2013 -
" This should absolutely be required reading for all US students. "
— Camille, 11/30/2013 -
" As Will Hunting said, this book will knock you on your ass. "
— Bret, 11/25/2013 -
" While imperfect, I think Zinn's survey of American history is an important counterpoint to the traditional narrative. "
— Benjamin, 11/12/2013 -
" I gave this 4 stars when I first rated it but I'm not sure why. It's pretty dry and these days even leftist historians think it's a bit daft. "
— Bryan, 11/5/2013 -
" Most depressing book I ever read? Maybe. "
— Asa, 11/1/2013 -
" This should be the textbook for high school history classes. "
— Megan, 6/22/2013 -
" 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, 5/13/2013 -
" on hold... or rather, I'm considering it a book I'm studying rather than one I'm reading. "
— Miri, 11/1/2012 -
" One of the greatest history books ever! It not only has interesting facts, but completely changes the way you view the history of the United States and more importantly completely changes the way you view the approach to history. "
— Dharma, 10/24/2012 -
" It was nice to get a different perspective on events, but overall this book felt so intensely radical that I was left, once again, feeling like the truth was concealed. "
— Leila-anne, 9/14/2012 -
" This is one of the most boring books I have ever read. I thought it would get more interesting during the 20th century but it didn't. I am glad it's over and done with. "
— Thea, 8/6/2012 -
" This US history book everyone should read. The real story that I certainly didn't learn in high school. "
— Kate, 4/2/2012 -
" thank "
— Amr, 4/1/2012 -
" Not my cup of tea, but well done. Provoked thought. "
— Debra, 3/15/2012 -
" Very interesting and informative about the United States. It took me a while to chip through, but it was cool. "
— Genevieve, 1/29/2012 -
" This book will certainly open your eyes to the errors and omissions in the textbooks of your youth! A major revision of what you think you know "
— Lynn, 12/22/2011 -
" 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 -
" Everything you've ever been taught about American history is wrong. "
— Ted, 5/20/2011 -
" 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 -
" 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.<br/><br/>Much better then that whitewashed version of American history we learned in school. "
— Soli, 5/13/2011 -
" Used in conjunction with an IB History of the Americas course for 11th and 12th graders. <br/>Excellent source for divergent perspectives. "
— Wendy, 5/8/2011 -
" 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 -
" 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 -
" This will be mandatory reading for my sons. :) "
— Arnie, 4/28/2011 -
" 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 -
" 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.