I just bought Howard Zimm's "people's history of the U.S."

[smartass]

Has anyone read this book and did you like it?

[JohnKleeb]

1. read some of it and loved it

[RandomKoolzip]

2. Yes, it's brilliant.

One of the cornerstones of any serious collection of American political writings.

Zinn's explanation of the early 1900's labor disturbances and the Socialist movements which hovered around them is superb, as are his opening chapters on Columbus and the European settlers. It made me cry, reading it for the first time.

I wish he'd update it to include the Bush Administration, though.

[lowreed]

3. Should be required reading...

in US high schools!

[JohnKleeb]

8. a little long though most of us cant handle that kinda length

but portions should be read for sure.

[strategery blunder]

4. I have an older edition

The vast majority (I can't speak for everyone, now can I?) of DUers will enjoy it.

This is one book from high school that I paid for so I could keep it. :D However, it is one of those "survey" books that covers everything. If you're looking for a hundred pages on say, Vietnam, you might get thirty.

I don't know if Zinn has rectified this in the newer edition, but every now and then I had to gripe about incomplete source references. This will be minor for a casual reader, though, and this is one book that made history fun.

[Th1onein]

5. I read it.

It's a great book. It should be our textbook in schools. It tells the story of America as a struggle between the powerful and the powerless.

[proud patriot]

6. A must read

I've read it 3 times now .

[Fridays Child]

7. And I'll bet the first thing you learned was how to spell his name: Zinn

Geez, I am such a snot. You may go ahead and smack me, now, smartass.

:spank:

[mobuto]

9. I don't like it.

Its one dimensional in its approach to history. I understand that that was Professor Zinn's goal, but it doesn't make for good history.

[ulysses]

10. yes and yes

Enjoy! Get "Declarations of Independence" when you're done - it's shorter.

[Snow]

11. "Enjoyed" isn't maybe quite the right word, but man, it was enlightening!

He does spend a lot of time with generally ignored topics, especially the labor movement, so, as an earlier poster said, it's on the narrow side - but - it's a side that's rarely heard. Till I read this I never understood at all the period from post civil war to WWI - the way it's usually taught it just makes no sense. After reading Zinn, it's much clearer.