A review by kamckim
A Young People's History of the United States: Columbus to the War on Terror by Howard Zinn

3.0

Well. I don't know what the big deal is. Granted, I've read the "Young Readers" edition, but there doesn't seem to be anything in this edition that should be censored, especially by a school system. I'll admit to choosing the side of the Native American, even in my choice to dress up as an "Indian" for my school Thanksgiving in 1977. While I was growing up, the American child's view of history changed because of Zinn and others like him who have written books about the untold histories of Americans. I've watched too many movies that show the horror of the war machine, the profits and the losses. I've watched all my Michael Moore movies. This reading was not a big deal to me, but it may enlighten others who still cling to positive ideas of nationalism and capitalism. If nothing more, this book just made me a bit cynical about history repeats itself. I am interested in reading the original version of the book, as I felt there were some parts of American history that were glossed over fairly quickly in the version I've read. One thing that puzzles me is his ending. He values the fundamental values in the Declaration of Independence are a human right--the right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness--for the people, but he totally trashed the "Founding Fathers" who wrote it. I do think his emphasis is that any change should be brought about by people working at a grassroots level, not at the hands of an elite few. Overall, the reader will have some new takeaway after having read it. What that is would be up to the reader.