You Can't Be Neutral on a Moving Train

A Personal History of Our Times

By: Howard Zinn

Narrated by: David Strathairn

Howard Zinn, author of A People's History of the United States, tells his personal stories about more than 30 years of fighting for social change, from teaching at Spelman College to recent protests against war. A former bombardier in World War II, Zinn emerged in the civil rights movement as a powerful voice for justice. Although he's a fierce critic, he gives us reason to hope that by learning from history and engaging politically, we can make a difference in the world.

©2002 Howard Zinn (P)2017 Tantor

Critic reviews

"A warmhearted memoir of a teacher who committed his politically engaged life to the belief that love is a command to action." ( The Washington Post)

My wishes

I have read and listened to many boos over my 65 plus years of life. As I finished Zinn’s book I wish we could have meet as prophetic academics. I also wish, that as I began my teaching career as a professor of psychology in 1993 - I had included Zinn and Deloris Williams as required reading for both my students and myself.

Does it ever change?

This was mostly a review of what I knew or came to consider as being true. Yet we continue to be in the same situation where our elected officials do not appear to represent the people. The message of not losing hope and removing ourselves from unfounded biases remains.

Essential listening for the times

A hopeful and inspiring personal reflection on the power and influence of activist rhetoric in topsy turvy times

Appropriate title

An all too familiar theme coming out of the 60’s/70’s time period, that still influences us to this day…..

Zinn is Our Conscience

Howard Zinn takes us through his amazing life while teaching us our duty as true PATRIOTS to think and act not just blindly follow. He is truly a Conscience for all ages of our Democracy.

Listen and be inspired!

A superb reading by the great character actor David Strathairn of an inspiring life story. Howard Zinn was a radical with heart, a man of deepest conviction, who was not just a fine teacher but an activist who threw himself into the most important causes of the era. Along the way you will not just learn his life story but also a history of his time. Highly recommended.

This book will get a second listen, no doubt!

I was familiar with Howard Zinn because of _A People's History of the United States_, which I had read excerpts of. _You Cant Be Neutral on a Moving Train_ was the first book of his that I "read" cover to cover. The pros is powerful, raw, and leaves you yearning for more. Zinn's anecdotes are priceless. (I LOVE the story about his tenure decision at BU!) Despite being 20 years old, _Can't Be Neutral_ is still as relevant today as when first published. David Strathairn does an excellent job narrating, with an easy to follow rhythm. My listen time was about 6.5 hours @ 1.15x. You will not be disappointed if you buy this book! Loved it so much, just bought the unabridged version of _A People's History_!

Howard Zinn was a man who lived his truth and was an example to us all.

This is a wonderful memoir by a man who honored truth over all things. I don't think his legacy has been fully realized. History will tell.

Peace in the midst of a troubled nation.

Excellent account of the tough process of waking up to the reality that our nation is not the land of peaches & cream we were once led to believe. Peace because it frees you from the weight of thinking you must be wrong, or even stupid for thinking the masses don't get it.

Makes me want to read more Zinn

I was introduced to Zinn from A Peoples History of the USA. That book makes more sense having read this one. He is amazingly consistent and his writing is superb. Makes me want to read more!