You Can't Be Neutral on a Moving Train: A Personal History of Our Times

Howard Zinn

Beacon Press, 2002 - Biography & Autobiography - 214 pages

“An inspiring autobiography . . . in the tradition of Martin Luther King’s ‘Letter from a Birmingham Jail.’ ” —Maureen Corrigan, Fresh Air, National Public Radio

Beacon Press is proud to publish a new edition of the classic memoir by one of our most lively, influential, and engaged teachers and activists. Howard Zinn, author of A People’s History of the United States, tells his personal stories about more than thirty years of fighting for social change, from teaching at Spelman College to recent protests against war.

A former bombardier in WWII, 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.

“A teacher who committed his politically engaged life to the belief that love is a command to action.” —Colman McCarthy, The Washington Post

“A powerful, politically electric book from one of the most engaging social critics in the nation.” —Jonathan Kozol

“Zinn explains his involvement in the struggles for civil rights, against war and in support of organized labor. . . . These are lively tales.” —The New York Times Book Review

Howard Zinn, author of A People’s History of the United States and Three Strikes, lives near Boston.

What people are saying

Review: You Can't Be Neutral on a Moving Train: A Personal History of Our Times

User Review  - Radu - Goodreads

it's my 3rd of 4th book by Zinn. it's different - being autobiograpgical - and by far the most inspiring. Especially the chapters about racism in US - Deep South - were real eye openers for me.

Review: You Can't Be Neutral on a Moving Train: A Personal History of Our Times

User Review - Goodreads

Loved it! I had to read it for a history class. It was very interesting and a pretty easy read for a history "book"

About the author

Howard Zinn is a teacher, historian, and social activist, and the author of many books, including the best-selling A People's History of the United States and You Can't Be Neutral on a Moving Train (Beacon / 7127-7 / $13.00 pb). He lives near Boston. Dana Frank, professor of American studies at the University of California, Santa Cruz, is author of the awardwinning Buy American (Beacon / 4711-2 / $17.50 pb). Robin D. G. Kelley, professor of history at New York University, is author of Race Rebels, Yo' Mama's Disfunktional! (Beacon / 0941-5 / $14.00 pb), and Freedom Dreams (Beacon / 0976-8 / $24.00 cl).

Bibliographic information

• Title: You Can't Be Neutral on a Moving Train: A Personal History of Our Times
• Author: Howard Zinn
• Edition: reprint
• Publisher: Beacon Press, 2002
• ISBN: 0807071277, 9780807071274
• Length: 214 pages
• Subjects: Biography & Autobiography / General; Biography & Autobiography / Political; History / United States / 20th Century