A People's History of the United States: 1492-Present

Howard Zinn

HarperCollins, Feb 4, 2003 - History - 752 pages

Since its original landmark publication in 1980, A People's History of the United States has been chronicling American history from the bottom up, throwing out the official version of history 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 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 historian Howard 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's arrival through President Clinton's first term, A People's History of the United States, which was nominated for the American Book Award in 1981, features insightful analysis of the most important events in our history.

Revised, updated, and featuring a new after, word by the author, this special twentieth anniversary edition continues Zinn's important contribution to a complete and balanced understanding of American history.

What people are saying

Review: A People's History of the United States: 1492 to Present

User Review  - Keely - Goodreads

Howard Zinn saw a problem in the world, a great bias in our understanding of history, a history written by the winners--by tyrants and industrial magnates and warmongers--and so he did something about ...

Review: A People's History of the United States: 1492 to Present

User Review  - Vernon - Goodreads

Oh,the injustice! While I understand that a lot of people got screwed on the deal, one can flail an equine carcass only so long......

About the author

Howard Zinn (1922-2010) was a historian, playwright, and social activist. His many books include A People's History of the United States, which has sold more than two million copies.

Bibliographic information

• Title: A People's History of the United States: 1492-Present; Perennial classics
• Author: Howard Zinn
• Publisher: HarperCollins, 2003
• ISBN: 0060528427, 9780060528423
• Length: 752 pages
• Subjects: History / General; History / United States / General; Political Science / Political Ideologies / Democracy