A People's History of the United States - (Harper Perennial Deluxe Editions) by Howard Zinn (Paperback)

About the Book

In 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, the working poor, and immigrant laborers, Zinn shows that many of our country's greatest battles were carried out at the grassroots level, against bloody resistance.

Book Synopsis

THE CLASSIC NATIONAL BESTSELLER

"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, this work of social 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 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 by powerful social movements 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 a critical perspective and 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.

This beautifully designed Harper Perennial Deluxe Edition features French flaps and deckle-edge pages.

What does American history look like when told not by its generals and presidents, but by its rebels, workers, and everyday people?

• Untold Stories of American History: Go beyond the 'great men' to discover the vital role of women, factory workers, African-Americans, Native Americans, and immigrant laborers in shaping the nation.
• Class Conflict and Resistance: Witness the nation's greatest battles--from fights for a fair wage and an eight-hour workday to the struggle for racial equality--as they were fought at the grassroots level.
• Reexamining the Official Narrative: Challenge the history taught in schools with a groundbreaking account that reveals the fierce conflicts of interest between conquerors and conquered, masters and slaves, and capitalists and workers.
• A Voice for the Overlooked: From Christopher Columbus's arrival to the modern era, see pivotal events through the eyes of those on the street, in the home, and at the workplace, not just in the halls of power.

From the Back Cover

With a new introduction by Anthony Arnove, this edition of the classic national best-seller 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, A People's History of the United States 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--fights for fair wages, eight-hour workdays, 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.

Review Quotes

"[A People's History of the United States is] one of the most important books I have ever read in a long life of reading...It's 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

"Zinn has written a brilliant and moving history of the American people from the point of view of those who have been exploited politically and economically and whose plight has been largely omitted from most histories. Extending its coverage . . . the book is an excellent antidote to establishment history. Seldom have quotations been so effectively used; the stories of blacks, women, Indians, and poor laborers of all nationalities are told in their own words. While the book is precise enough to please specialists, it should satisfy any adult reader." - Library Journal

"Howard Zinn's work literally changed the conscience of a generation. And the series of 'people's histories' derived from this great work have provided new understanding of who we are and what we should aspire to be." - Noam Chomsky

"A brilliant and moving history of the American people." - Library Journal

"A brilliantly written story about the U.S. through the lives of those too often overlooked." - Time magazine

"In this sweeping book, Howard Zinn tells the story of the U.S. through the eyes of the working class, painting a vivid picture of movements for equality that have often met fierce resistance." - Katie Couric Media