Have you read "A People's History of the United States" by Howard Zinn?

[Electric Monk]

Poll question: Have you read "A People's History of the United States" by Howard Zinn?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/A_People's_History_of_the_United_States

[Zomby Woof]

1. Yes

When I taught U.S. History back in the 90's, I kept a couple of copies in my classroom library for student research. I made sure I bought the 20th anniversary edition too.

[Smarmie Doofus]

2. I actually *bought * it. ( As in "new". As in "from a bookstore".

As in "full price.")

About a year an a half ago. Not wild about it. ( Though I *am* about Zinn.) Not for the most part a great read. A bit choppy. "Disjointed" may be the word. Not particularly cohesive.

I've read PARTS.

[proteus_lives]

3. Yeah and was disappointed.

The person who gave it to me was all, "It will change how you look at everything!" I spent a weekend reading it and was disappointed. I found out virtually nothing I didn't already know and I found his agenda to be even more narrow and close-minded then a lot of other history books I've read.

It's true to the claim that it covers a ton of info not included in standard textbooks but I've been devouring history books since I was 12, so it wasn't groundbreaking for me.

[Mind_your_head]

4. Check it out here.....

http://www.amazon.com/Peoples-History-United-States-Present/dp/0060838655/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1264745342&sr=1-1

(click on "Look inside"....)

[librechik]

5. gave it to all my grandkids for Christmas last year (the comic book version)

[SlingBlade]

6. Yep, Many years ago in school and many times since

Everyone I know has gotten a copy from me at one time or the other.
It's one of the most important gifts you could ever give
A book for starry eyed dreamers and political realist alike.

RIP Howard, We will miss you dearly :(

K & R

[Onceuponalife]

7. Read it years ago before it was updated

through the Carter years. One of the best non-fiction books I've ever read.

[Spider Jerusalem]

8. Good political document, but a very bad history.

Extremely light on context and analysis, with a consistent, pronounced, and deliberate bias; these are not things that make for a great, or even a good, work of history. It is the job of an historian to tell us what happened, and why it happened; Zinn's 'history' is painfully skimpy on whys (especially in a broader geopolitical sense) and is not so much a history as a polemic.

[leftstreet]

10. Well, it was meant to be a 'people's history' - not a Ruling Class history

Which is what we're accustomed to - the Ruling Class answering all our 'whys' in whatever fashion suits its needs.

[barbtries]

9. reading it now

just got it a year or two ago. better late than never.

[Greyhound]

11. Simply re-viewing events from the perspective of the people...

can be powerful stuff.

[shadowknows69]

12. No, I'm ashamed to say I haven't. I will make it a point to now.

I've seen some documentaries on Howard and know what a champion of the progressive movement he was, the likes of which will probably never be seen again. I will get to know Mr. Zinn better now that we've lost him. You can take that as a vow.

[RedCappedBandit]

13. Coincidentally...

It was recommended to me the day before Howard Zinn's death.. I went and bought it today and have been reading it.

[Electric Monk]

14. bump for the daytime crowd