A People's History of the United States

Written by Howard Zinn

Narrated by Matt Damon

THE CLASSIC NATIONAL BESTSELLER

Read by Matt Damon and Howard Zinn

""A wonderful, splendid book—a book that should be read by every American, student or otherwise, who wants to understand his country, its true history, and its hope for the future."" –Howard Fast

Historian Howard Zinn’s A People’s History of the United States chronicles American history from the bottom up, throwing out the official narrative 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, it 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 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 features insightful analysis of the most important events in our history. This edition also includes an introduction by Anthony Arnove, who wrote, directed, and produced The People Speak with Zinn and who coauthored, with Zinn, Voices of a People’s History of the United States.

• Language: English
• Publisher: HarperCollins
• Release date: Feb 24, 2004
• ISBN: 9780060754143

Howard Zinn

Howard Zinn (1922–2010) was a historian, playwright, and social activist. In addition to A People’s History of the United States, which has sold more than two million copies, he is the author of numerous books including The People Speak, Passionate Declarations, and the autobiography, You Can’t Be Neutral on a Moving Train.

Reviews for A People's History of the United States

[Elle E · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Please increase volume to audio it is very low, a good read!

[Josh Smith · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

One of the most relevant and eye opening works of history in modern literature

[Dillon · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Not every essay is a hit for me but that's part of the value of reading. Excellent starting place although I could see the confrontational writing style turning off some.

[Cody Merritt · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Best and most informative piece of literature I've ever read!

[Brian D · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

A must-read - the intro and bulk read by Matt Damon at least.
Much of it are the facts not selected for the victor's history but the ones that should stand together with them for the whole truth.
Being "patriotic" does not require choosing to be ignorant.
In the last few chapters, Zinn goes into a utopian(self described) but impractical receipe for social welfare where more practical suggestions for activism would have been more enlightening.
Some may say the last few chapters donny belong in a history book but history is about the future.

[Big John · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Outstanding as expected. Been many years and it's still as relevant as ever.

[Avi Feinsod · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Great perspectives on 20th century American history from a different angle. Zinn will make you rethink positions and stories and invite you to participate in hearing another perspective.

[Lupita Carrillo · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Highly educational. Do yourself a favor and read this.

[Nick Mcalpin · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

A very good analysis of the current situation, highlighting the intentional misrepresentation of history by those in power. A bit on the liberal side, Zinn fails to realize that the corporotocracy (better described as fascism) is not capitalism as intended by the Republic. All in all, good read.

[Joel Herbert · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

If you read nothing else this year- no, this decade- read this book. Buy a copy for all of your friends and family. Make it required reading for every high school and college history class. It’s that good. This book has the potential to change the world.

[Ali Al-Hakim · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

One of the best history book ever read. It tills the suffering of people throughout history

[vilmogil tano · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

first part of book was good, last 1/3 is just a rambling speech without a coherent thought. Matt damon does have a calming voice

[06nwingert · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

In light of Mr. Zinn's passing, everyone should read this book. Mr. Zinn spent his life researching the dark side of American history, bringing it into the mainstream and informing others of his knowledge.

[dandiercks · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

My review of the book after finishing it Sept. 19, 2019I was a high school English teacher for more than 40 years. During much of that time, I heard about Zinn’s book from social studies teachers I knew both at my school and at other high schools. I began to notice that the best of these teachers, those with highest student evaluations, the most professional awards, and those who taught the most advanced courses, all used The People’s History of the United States. While teaching, I really didn’t have time to devote to a 700-page book outside my own teaching area, but I vowed that when I retired, Zinn would be on my reading list. That time is now, and I just finished the book. One thing that led me to Zinn, aside from the endorsement from teachers I respected, was that the governor of my state at the time, Mitch Daniels, attacked the Zinn book and vowed that “it not be used anywhere in Indiana.” Of course, this was a ridiculous mandate to the state’s public school teachers, and the book was then and continues to be used in many schools in Indiana. In fact, it might even be used in the university where Daniels now serves as president, Purdue. So the attacks on Zinn by primarily conservative politicians is an attack on intellectual curiosity (something Daniels was never known for while serving in and out of government). The book exposes many issues, including the influence of big business on our country’s policies, that should have been taught in our public schools for generations. Now, because of Zinn and because of a cadre of progressive, intellectual, free thinking high school and college history teachers, students, not only in Indiana, but across the country, are getting “the rest of the story.”

[Heather Fusari · Rating: 1 out of 5 stars]

Where is the beginning of this book?!?!!!! You started in a chapter in the middle of the book, not the beginning which addresses the genocide Christopher Columbus executed on Native Americans!

[Nathan Begovich · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Best socialist propaganda I've ever read! 10/10 would recommend if you are trying to convince someone that capitalism doesn't work! Marx would be proud

[Stacey Murphy · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

The book read here has no resemblance of the paperback next to me. I can’t find these parts Matt Damon is reading within the book itself. Extremely confused. Matt’s account starts in the era of Langston Hughes and Truman, the book itself of course starts with Columbus slaughtering natives. ??????

[Mahdi Farahikia · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

It is a good book to read and hard one to review! This book is an eye-opening of a government's abundant suppression of its people who differed with their agenda on fundamentals of race, gender, skin color, origin, religion, etc. It is a testimony of bullying from a majority white greedy towards minority justice seekers. It eloquently illustrates the conscience among people as they have observed decades after decades of deceit, oppression and inequality (to say the least) acted by the government which has continuously hidden its true motive of serving the rich behind the mask of freedom for all. Finally, this book shows how the excuse of oil was kept from the people by repeatedly claiming that the wars in the Middle East were to keep the people in the US safe, all the while silencing the voices of the critics who said keeping America safe will be met by not interfering in the affairs of other countries. Oil, though, is too strong a motive to let such voices gain the attention they deserve!

[matthew brown · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Absolutely wonderful! A great historical lesson on “there are two sides to every story.”

[Laura · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This book is eye-opening, mind-opening, shocking, and yet expected. There are so many ways in which Zinn exposes how we have been tricked or lulled into accepting the fantasy of America's history that it will take a second or third reading to begin to grasp how little we know and what we must strive to learn in order to make this country better.

[Hildy Jackson · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

It should be required reading of every American. Every single one.

[Edward Carmichael · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Exceptional! As a Canadian listening to this, I didn’t know as much US history as nationals might. But I suspect that even for Americans, this book will surprise and delight. Check it out!

[Rebecca Spears · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Thank you. I'm going to listen again. I fell I love with history all over again.

[JulieGoodrich · Rating: 1 out of 5 stars]

PLEASE NOTE: This is only the SECOND HALF of the book! Very unhappy I wasted a credit on this!

[Julia Roberts · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

It seems that most of the book is devoted to two events in the history of the United States: the civil rights movement and the Vietnam war. Yes, these are important periods the history of the country, but one would love to see more of the "people's" outlook on other periods as well. Disappointed.

[russellwhitely · Rating: 1 out of 5 stars]

Monstrous Communist propaganda. This rancid mind-poison, backed up by zero sources, is responsible for a significant part of the rotting social fabric of the West since it was vomited from the press decades ago.

[Brian Fait · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

What a different and eye opening perspective on American history. Many perspectives I had never heard or bothered to think about. Do yourself a favour and listen to/read this book and prepare to be educated.

[Trevor Riedl · Rating: 1 out of 5 stars]

This book is full of half truths and full blown lies. If you liked this book I can understand why. But please do yourself a favor and read/listen to Debunking Howard Zinn by Mary Grabar before you start touting it’s merit!

[Joyce R Rjoyce · Rating: 1 out of 5 stars]

the name also trilogy from space,edition ally AOL misappropriated, identity of more users. forwarded , written my intelligence, because I was a patron to reading, link of a library in our town, why is the name unfound in my search.

[Lloyd · Rating: 1 out of 5 stars]

This is a Socialist rewrite of American history. This is designed to get Americans to despise their history.
It is garbage history whose real purpose is ignored by many foolish and ignorant college professors. It should never be used by itself, it is full of too many intentional errors.