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)

interesting and insightful

There are 2 sides to every story this is the contrast to history class.

THE History Book every child should read.

WOW! I would ask why or how is this not required reading in our American middle and high schools but, what’s the point. I absolutely love this book for its beautiful clarity and honesty regarding our history as not just Americans, but as a human species.

A MUST READ not just for those crying out; “I want my America back!”, but for anyone willing to know the truth of our history. Anyone hungry to evolve their education and inner wisdom.

Thank You Howard Zinn!

Zinn knows his history !

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

Enjoyed very much. Well researched. Makes you think about American history with a new pair of glasses.

What was one of the most memorable moments of A People's History of the United States?

How similar the times of Andrew Jackson and the election of Donald Trump.

What does Jeff Zinn bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Nice flow, easy listening great tone.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

No, I like taking it as period pieces.

Any additional comments?

I enjoy Howard Zinn and his style. He is offering more than the two party line. We need truth to set us free.

A must read forever American old and new

Please get this book to understand where our Dream needs to go and how to get there in one piece.
Anyone who considers themselves a Patriot with a big P needs to read this and reread it and pass it on to get these ideas out there. If you love this country and want it to be all it can be then this is the blueprint to listen to , learn and execute.
We must learn from history and not repeat the mistakes.

I never write reviews for much of anything. Please read this one again and get the book for you and a love and a stranger and so on.

Read this book if you want theTrue History of US!

I can't summarize in this short review the importance of this book. If you want to know the true history and not that fed by propaganda and schools then you owe to yourself to listen or read this book. The view point of those who have been oppressed has historically been left out of our text books and media but without this side of history then you have no understanding of why this country is the way it is. I can honestly say this is one of the best books I've ever listened to. One that I will for sure listen again and again. For if you don't know the truth then truth is you know nothing at all. R.I.P. Howard Zinn you are truly missed.

Medicine in a Genre full of Cake

Any additional comments?

This is a must read. I say that in the same way I tell my children they must take cough medicine - it's not fun, but it improves the constitution. This is NOT to take away from the joy of eating cake, i.e. "great man" theses of history, including Chernow's "Alexander Hamilton", which I also recommend. But there is a nuanced in-between that one can only appreciate from ingesting both types of mushrooms.

Required reading

I was assigned to read this book in college. As many students do, I found a way to get through the class without cracking the cover. Now, I find myself in awe of the information I glossed over and have returned to my college reading list.

Learning about the history of the United States from the perspective of the people caught up in conflicts has been an amazing treat. This is not the history you learned in school, but it should have been.

This is one account in which history was not written by the victor.

a must read

On the heels of a Bernie Sanders revolution, a great reinforcement of ideas for those who struggle with the system of government not representing the 99%.

A Unique Story

History and research is all about Point of View. And I use the analogy of framing. Zinn definitely has a specific point of view on this book. It is accurate, but a less common POV than most history books have presented before. I enjoyed it. I do stress, that you may not necessarily agree with the perspective, but the history is thorough and well conveyed.

I recommend this book for anyone interested in history and who enjoys a good long, strong and well researched book.

Excellent! A must read for everyone!

Everyone, at least every American, should read this book regardless of their views/beliefs. My only wish is that I could retain miss out the info presented in here.