A People's History of the United States

Highlights from the Twentieth Century

By: Howard Zinn

Narrated by: Matt Damon, Howard Zinn

Length: 8 hrs and 44 mins

Publisher's summary

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 100 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.

Also, listen to The People Speak, a celebration of Howard Zinn's A People's History of the United States.

©1980, 1995, 1998, 1999, 2003 Howard Zinn (P)199, 2003 HarperCollins Publishers, Inc.

Critic reviews

"Matt Damon's reading captures the spirit of the text. Like the book, Damon's voice has an edge to it. He expresses the author's outrage regarding the exploitation of certain groups in American history. He also communicates Zinn's admiration for the courage and determination demonstrated by protest leaders." ( AudioFile)

A must listen for learning “American” history

While Matt Damon’s readings were bland and difficult to discern when switching history topics, the topics themselves are nonetheless what has been left out of “regularly taught” American history.
Howard Zinn’s recitation was much better and I appreciate his acknowledgments of the shortcomings of even his tellings of American history. Still a very good and important listen.

Great Book

This was a Great book with excellent historical details.

this should be required reading

I have never taken the time to review another book but after completing this read, I truly felt inspired and also sad. it will be each of our individual responsibilities to share these unknown facts from our American history with our children. one parent at a time, one teacher at a time. I am very grateful for this book.

Exceptional!

A must read for every citizen in the U.S. Also for anyone wanting to hear real history

Not your High School History Class

Where does A People's History of the United States rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

A nice non-fiction listen

What did you like best about this story?

It was enjoyable to hear a different take on US history.

Would you listen to another book narrated by Matt Damon and Howard Zinn ?

Yes

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

No

Great narrative but very liberal

This was a great book but it's clear that the author is very liberal in his political views and this is evident in the narrative.

to the previous review

It's not quite the original because it's the updated Twentieth Century version that was also released as a book. I must add it is quite wonderful and I'm glad Matt Damon could read for it. It's a must have for those interested in history from a new point of view other than war, namely the peoples.

Eye Opening

This book is a wonderful listen and an eye opening challenge to everything you thought you knew. The book is written/read in nice short sections so you are able to follow the author through time as the story of history unfolds. You will get the giggles as things start to enter your lifetime (like Bill Clinton's Presidency). A true gem.

An important and insightful read

The author was compelled to write what he himself was a difficult book. Well it was not easy to listen to either. Not because it was poorly written or too sophisticated, but rather because the content was overwhelming in regards to the atrocities that some people have gone through.

A very important read for anyone who is involved with any type or level of politics or has hope of a brighter future.

An eye opener and new found respect for Matt Damon who read the majority of this audio book. Although gone, the author deserves praise for leaving this for all of us to read and become more aware.

Required Reading

This book, together with, or replaced by severeal like it, is required reading for people aspiring to be human beings