A People's History of the United States

By: Howard Zinn

Narrated by: Jeff Zinn

Length: 34 hrs and 8 mins

Publisher's summary

"A wonderful, splendid book - a book that should be ready by every American, student or otherwise, who wants to understand his country, its true history, and its hope for the future." (Howard Fast)

For much of his life, historian Howard Zinn chronicled 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, 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 - 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' 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.

©2009 Howard Zinn (P)2009 HarperCollins Publishers

Critic reviews

"Zinn's work is a vital corrective to triumphalist accounts." ( Publishers Weekly)

Excellent book that tells the stories that don’t get placed in history textbooks

I had heard years ago that this book is transformative in the lives of many people who read it, now that I have finally read it, I can see why. The book is a powerful reminder that the lives of those you see on tv and in movies make up a very tiny percentage of the population, and that most people are just trying to get by.

Yes, the book is written by a socialist and no, that doesn’t really matter to anyone with higher brain function. The author doesn’t hide that and is clearly telling history from a perspective critical of capitalism.

However, the reviews that dismiss the entire book in 2 sentences, one of those sentences always calling it ‘biased, communist propaganda’ never fail to give a good laugh, so please, keep them coming.

This is a necessary read

This book done in its journalistic style of the history of The United States that tells stories that were not taught in our schools is powerful. United States citizens should all know this story. They should appreciate that our country has this troubled and often cruel past. If we do not acknowledge this part of our story and attempt to mend the damage our previous generations have caused, it will create an environment of anger and revolt among not only our own minority citizens, but throughout the world. It’s appalling to consider the suffering of so many and the lack of empathy shown by those in power throughout the course of our country’s rise. Perhaps there is a way forward that would allow us to be forgiven as a nation, but it will require a steadfast effort put forth by those in power now. That has not been the case thus far halfway through the year 2023. If we do not address these grievances that were caused by previous generations and begin to cultivate a new National policy of thoughtfulness, our nation may be a short lived superpower. Let’s hope that isn’t the choice those in power make.

A bit stilted

Clearly interesting and shocking bits of history, but also stilted in that everyone is always rebelling against the evil system. Not sure he really backs up everything he says. Would be nicer to just focus on these ideas without hyping it up

Every American Should Read This

The single most important book of American history ever written. Do you want to know the real "American Story"? The truth of American history, or sleep in the muck of the propaganda you've been fed since elementary school? A history of America not told through the famous men and woman of America, but from the perspective of the common Americans throughout all of US history: it's a very different story...

Excellent job of filling in the blanks left from US public school education

This book does a great job of telling the stories that are omitted from our formal education of US history in schools and universities. I wish at least some of this information could filter its way into the mainstream to wake people up from their ignorant slumber.

A Clear Classic

One of the few relevant books on American history that refuses to hide the flaws of a system that has always been brutal, authoritarian and top down.

incredible!

Probably the best and most important nonfiction book ever written on American history. One of the best non-fiction books ever written.

Even History Haters Will Love This

Every country should be so lucky as to have a history like this that punctures all the carefully concocted national myths and gives the contrary view--in Zinn's account George Washington was a wealthy landowner who fomented revolution for personal gain; Abe Lincoln believed blacks were not equal to whites and only abolished slavery out of political expediency; FDR was a staunch defender of upper-class privilege who only introduced the New Deal to defuse revolt; etc. But Zinn is not just a gadfly--his version makes sense more often than not, and furthermore, his great sense of story gives hackneyed old history new life and makes for highly enjoyable entertainment. And don't pay any attention to the quibbles about production quality--the actual reading is fine and the few technical glitches there are barely deserve mention.

Essential reading!

This book was so eye opening. I highly recommend this knowledge-bomb! It's hard to get though parts because it can be quite depressing but power through, it's well worth it!

Informative and relevant

The content of the book is simply amazing. Zinn tells countless stories of injustice and citizen struggles that generally don’t show up in history books or popular media. The audio quality was also well done.

I almost didn’t purchase this audiobook because some reviewers complained of the audio quality and some transitions. In over 30 hours of content I only noticed a couple glitches, but they hardly took away from the message or listening experience.